The next day arrived quickly. Before the morning sunlight had fully illuminated the room, Wen Qi was roused from his sleep by the alarm clock.
His eyes still heavy with sleep, he struggled to sit up in bed, stretched widely, and rubbed his eyes. After a quick wash and a hasty breakfast, he set out with his Venomoth toward the Breeders' Association.
Walking along the street, Wen Qi silently congratulated himself for setting the alarm in advance. Given his usual habits, he definitely wouldn't have woken up on his own. Though the big city seemed safe, he knew that accidents could strike without warning. Having Venomoth by his side brought him some peace of mind.
He quickened his pace, his gaze firm and determined. He understood the significance of today's assessment—he had to bring his best game. Venomoth obediently followed beside him, as if sensing its master's unwavering resolve.
Soon, they arrived at the entrance of the Breeders' Association. Wen Qi gasped at the sight before him. The gate was packed with a bustling crowd, far livelier than the day before. Numerous security guards stood with stern expressions, on high alert, their sharp eyes scanning back and forth. Around them, several Pokémon stood guard.
Wen Qi observed carefully. Though he didn't spot any Champion-level Pokémon, there were plenty of pseudo-Champion-tier ones. Several menacing Dark-type pseudo-Champions stood imposingly, their fierce appearances instilling fear. A few Psychic-types also lingered, radiating mysterious auras that exuded an invisible pressure.
At the entrance, many people holding admission tickets were queuing up to enter. Among the crowd, some recognized Wen Qi from his actions the previous day. They huddled together, whispering to those nearby, occasionally pointing at him with expressions of doubt or mockery.
Wen Qi keenly noticed these unusual glances, but he merely lifted his chin slightly, his demeanor calm and composed. He thought to himself, "We'll see who's who once the assessment is over. No need to mind these idle words now."
Soon, it was Wen Qi's turn for inspection. The entry procedure this time was even more complicated.
"Please show your admission ticket and ID card," the guard at the door said flatly.
Wen Qi quickly pulled the documents from his pocket and handed them over respectfully. The guard took them and began to scrutinize them carefully. At the same time, his gaze swept over Wen Qi as he added, "You're not allowed to have your Pokémon out. Recall your Venomoth."
Wen Qi looked around and saw that everyone else had indeed put their Pokémon away as required. Without hesitation, he said softly, "Venomoth, come back." In an instant, Venomoth turned into a beam of light and returned to its Poké Ball.
After confirming the documents were valid, the guard was startled by the information on them, thinking he had misread. He checked the documents again thoroughly and finally determined they were genuine. He couldn't help but size up Wen Qi once more, pondering to himself, "This kid is so young, yet he's here for the Advanced Breeder assessment, with no record of taking the Beginner or Intermediate ones. Skipping levels isn't something just anyone can do—it requires a recommendation from someone at the level of Association Vice President or above, who is also a top-tier Breeder. How is this possible? Does this kid have some special background?"
At that thought, fine beads of sweat even formed on his forehead. After triple-checking the documents and confirming their authenticity, the guard's astonishment had nowhere to go. He struggled to calm himself, trying to keep his expression neutral, but his slightly trembling hands betrayed his inner shock. Finally, he buried his surprise deep and forced a composed tone: "Go on in."
He stepped aside to let Wen Qi pass, but his eyes followed Wen Qi's retreating figure, unable to look away for a long time.
Those behind Wen Qi in line, seeing him thoroughly checked by the guard, secretly gloated. They fully expected Wen Qi's act to fall apart—that his ticket must be fake and he'd soon be kicked out. At that thought, smug grins spread across their faces, their eyes filled with anticipation. But before their joy could last, they saw Wen Qi, after the inspection, actually allowed through by the guard. This sudden turn made their smiles freeze instantly, replaced by deep disappointment and disbelief.
"Hmph, didn't expect that kid to really be here for the assessment," someone muttered reluctantly.
"Exactly, he's putting on such a show. At his age, passing the Beginner level with us would be impressive enough, but he's heading to the Advanced exam—utterly clueless," another person grumbled indignantly.
"Isn't this just blatant showing off? Thinks he's so great, but he's nothing but a clown," someone else chimed in.
The crowd buzzed with jealousy and resentment toward Wen Qi. They wanted to shout sarcastic remarks, but seeing the stern expressions of the guards and the solemn atmosphere, they dared not stir up trouble. They swallowed their words and continued waiting in line, unwilling but resigned.
Wen Qi quickly reached the Association hall. As soon as he stepped inside, he was struck by the bustling scene before him. The hall was packed with people, a cacophony of noise filling the space. Roughly estimating, the largest group numbered seven or eight hundred—all there for the Beginner Breeder assessment. Most wore expressions of nervous anticipation; some kept rubbing their hands, others muttered to themselves, as if reviewing knowledge.
The medium-sized group, about two to three hundred people, was for the Intermediate Breeder assessment. Their demeanor was relatively calmer, but their eyes still betrayed a hint of tension and focus. The smallest group, around twenty to thirty people, was likely for the Advanced Breeder assessment. Each wore a grave expression, exuding an invisible pressure. Some crossed their arms with furrowed brows; others paced anxiously.
People continued to trickle in, and the atmosphere grew noisier. At that moment, Wen Qi's arrival didn't draw much attention. He first looked around, observing the different groups. Then, before those nearby could react, he walked straight toward the smallest group without hesitation.
At first, those around him were dazed. When they came to their senses, they found a young figure already standing by the Advanced Breeder assessment queue. Wen Qi knew he wasn't well-liked here, so he deliberately stood at the edge, not pushing in, quietly waiting for further instructions.
But Wen Qi had no idea how much shock his simple stance caused among those present. The participants in the Advanced Breeder assessment, seeing such a young face join them, couldn't help but steal glances, silently speculating about his background and abilities.