Chapter 315: Requirements to Join the University Team

Chapter 315: Requirements to Join the University Team

"My Dragonair has evolved now~"

Sakura's lips curved into a proud smile.

She was clearly thrilled just mentioning the evolution.

This brief conversation caused the corners of Hayashi Ka and Hayashi Ten's mouths to twitch.

Hikaru's Latias had already outpaced their own Master-level Dragonites in speed during previous matches.

So it wasn't a surprise that it had reached the Master level. After all, it was a Legendary Pokémon.

But their cousin Sakura's Pokémon...

That was frightening too.

In just two or three months, her mid-tier Dragonair had evolved into a full Dragonite?

The other students nearby were even more stunned.

Were these two really here to join the Chūsei University battle team?

Weren't they just freshmen?

Sure, during the High School League, their Pokémon had shown impressive strength,

but according to expert analysis, they were still far from Master level.

And now, they were Master-level Trainers?

Even Meiko looked surprised.

"That fast?"

Sakura giggled and leaned against Hikaru's side.

"Big bro helped me a lot. Thanks to him, my Dragonair evolved early."

"Ahem…" Hikaru coughed twice beside her.

Meiko immediately understood.

Right—he's an Expert Breeder.

But helping a Dragonair evolve early must've taken serious effort.

Just then, a man in his early 30s stepped out of the training office.

He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses.

Immediately, the current team members greeted him:

"Morning, Coach Gu!"

"Good morning, Coach Gucheng!"

Coach Gucheng gave everyone a quick glance,

his gaze eventually landing on Hikaru and Sakura.

Most of the people here were upperclassmen—even if they hadn't tried out before, he at least recognized them.

But Hikaru and Sakura?

They were new.

Though not unfamiliar.

He remembered them from the High School League.

Hikaru—champion of the League.

Sakura—the long-lost heiress of the prestigious Hayashi family, now heavily protected.

And now they were here to apply for the team?

But the rules were clear:

To join the university team, a student must either:

Hold a Master Trainer Certificate,

Or possess at least one Master-level Pokémon

AND

Survive an attack from one of Coach Gu's Pokémon—by any means necessary.

The survival test was meant to mirror the Youth League preliminaries, which involved sudden ambushes and environmental hazards.

Hikaru stepped forward and greeted him:

"Good morning, Coach."

Coach Gu waved his hand, motioning for silence, and looked at the two.

Wasn't Hikaru the one who cured Meiko's Dragonite's chronic migraines?

He paused, then asked,

"You two are here to join the team?"

"Mm."

"That's right!" Sakura chirped.

From the look in Coach Gu's eyes, Hikaru could already guess what he was thinking—

"These two look too young. Could they really be Master-level Trainers?"

He didn't waste time arguing.

Instead, he pulled out his red certificate—the official Master Trainer license.

The moment it appeared, the room fell into stunned silence.

Sure, most applicants here had Pokémon at or near the Master level…

But very few had gone through the official certification process.

In reality, the jump from Professional Trainer to Master Trainer was a massive gap.

First, there was the issue of Pokémon potential.

Most Trainers only had Pokémon with Gym or Elite-tier talent.

Master-tier talent was rare.

Second, the national examination for Master Trainers was far stricter than that for Professionals.

A national Gym Leader must ban the Trainer's most threatening Pokémon during the exam.

That was a rule set in stone.

The entire process had to be recorded, with no room for fraud.

For most Trainers, having one Master-level Pokémon was already impressive.

But going into a battle where that one Pokémon is banned, and still winning?

Nearly impossible.

Which is why—

The moment Hikaru revealed his red certificate,

The entire room was in shock.

Even Meiko paused.

Wait… if his Latias was banned during the exam, does that mean he has another Master-level Pokémon?

Coach Gu took the certificate, flipped through it casually, and his expression shifted.

It was authentic.

Issued and stamped by the national Gym—Jingwu Hall.

And no one would dare forge a Master Trainer license.

"Alright."

He nodded, returning the license.

There was nothing more to say.

As per Youth League rules, any Trainer under the age limit had three chances to enter.

Hikaru clearly hadn't used his first one yet.

And strength-wise?

Anyone who passed the Master Trainer exam without their ace…

Had earned their place.

Even if he wasn't at the top of the Youth League just yet,

with two more years of growth?

He'd be a title contender.

Coach Gu adjusted his glasses.

"Anyone else here with a Master Trainer license?"

The ten or so other applicants looked at each other.

Then—

Everyone shook their heads.

Some even blushed with embarrassment.

They were supposed to be upperclassmen.

And yet this first-year had passed the exam before them?

"Ugh…"

Sakura tugged on Hikaru's sleeve, her eyes wide with curiosity.

She hadn't even realized he had passed the Master exam already.

When did that happen?

But Hikaru didn't answer.

Because Coach Gu had already pulled out a Poké Ball.

With a soft click, a Slowking appeared in the center of the room.

He adjusted his glasses again.

"Everyone, please add my contact info and send me your Pokémon data—specifically, any that are above Gym-tier."

"For the next three days, we'll begin selecting candidates for the Chūsei University Team, Class of 2009."

"During this time, you'll face ambushes from various Pokémon."

"Your only job: Protect yourselves."

"If your energy shield is broken by my Pokémon… you're out."

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