Seeing Magcargo appear on the field, Auron couldn't help but laugh.
Fire-type and Rock-type—Magcargo took quadruple damage from Ground-type moves.
Which meant Heracros, now at +3 Attack (Swords Dance ×2, plus Swarm ×1), only needed one Earthquake to take it out before it could even touch her.
The examiner could onlyforced a laugh. What could he do? Outside of Haxorris, his remaining two Pokemon were an Alolan Geodude—Rock-type and Electric-type—and Magcargo on the field. Both took quadruple damage from Ground. That's why he'd said the match was already decided.
There was no counterplay—Ground-type's 4× weakness, combined with Heracros at +3 Attack. One ranged Earthquake and Magcargo would've been gone before it even got close.
Exactly as predicted. The moment Magcargo's feet touched the ground, the Earthquake wave rippled through and eliminated it before it could even react.
The examiner shook his head helplessly. There was truly nothing to be done. He recalled Magcargo and sent out Geodude's Pokeball.
The formality still had to play out.
"Earthquake!"
Same as before—the moment it landed, Earthquake took Geodude out. Zero resistance.
"Geodude is unable to battle. Heracros wins."
The referee's flag swept through the air as he called it.
After the verdict, the examiner placed his Pokeballs into the machine and tapped the screen. Then staff members came in, guiding Auron to place Heracros, Slaking, and Blastoise's Pokeballs into the machine, before leading him out.
"Please wait in the hall for a moment. Results will be announced shortly, or you may go home—results will be sent directly to your phone."
Auron nodded. "Sure, thanks."
"Wishing you a pleasant day~"
The staff member stopped at the exit, gave Auron a small smile, and returned to her station.
Auron thanked her and sat quietly in the lobby, waiting.
He wasn't really waiting for the results—he was waiting for Jace and the others. His battle had ended fast; he was the first one out.
It wasn't long before his results came up. On the big screen, his name appeared with two green words beside it: Passed.
Auron smiled, then waited for the others.
Soon Jace and the group filtered out. The names on the screen flashed quickly—Jace and the others had all passed the Junior Trainer assessment without incident.
"How'd your battles go?"
On the way back, Auron asked Jace with a grin.
Jace laughed back. "Second section, perfect record. Third section, two wins. Easy victory!"
Spurred on by Auron and Jace, everyone else started chiming in with complaints.
One said his Dragon-type ran into two Fairy-types—disgusting!
Another said his Ghost-type kept matching up against Dark-types—what a pain!
The bottom line was unanimous: this assessment was infuriating. The moment a battle started, it was always a type disadvantage.
And so, chattering and complaining all the way, the group made it back to the school.
"Remember—we're hitting the Black Mystery Zone together next week when break starts."
"Sure."
After Su Tinxi spoke up, everyone nodded and split off to their own dorms.
It was just an ordinary Junior Trainer certification exam, and the testing session wasn't that long. But like taking a driver's test, the waiting was always the worst part.
By the time the Junior Trainer certificates came through, it was already evening.
"What's everyone feeling like eating today?"
After entering the house and releasing his Pokemon, Auron held up his homemade menu and asked.
"Squee~"
Dratini spoke up first, excited, pointing at an item on the menu with its tail—only to be immediately shot down by Auron without hesitation.
"No way. Fried chicken can't be a main course. Next."
Dratini drooped and shook its head, then listlessly curled up on the sofa, refusing to look at the menu anymore.
After Dratini, Charizard stepped forward and pointed at something on the menu.
"Roar!"
Auron checked what Charizard wanted. "Spicy turkey noodles? Sure, I'll make them for you."
"Roar!"
Charizard flipped the menu to the next page and pointed at the cheese section.
"Okay, okay, I'll add cheese."
Auron shook his head helplessly. At least spicy turkey noodles were quick and easy to prepare, so no problem there.
"What about you all?"
Auron looked at Golbat, Snorlax, Electabuzz, Crawdaunt, and Probopass.
The Pokemon looked at each other. Snorlax stepped forward, patted its belly.
Auron understood. It meant: you decide, we'll eat anything, no preferences.
"How about spaghetti Bolognese? Sound good?"
Snorlax squinted its eyes and nodded excitedly, then flopped down in the middle of the living room to wait for dinner.
Golbat and Charizard settled in beside Snorlax, each cradling a bowl of tea.
But differently—Golbat's was bitter buckwheat tea, while Charizard's was sweet tea.
Crawdaunt had Electabuzz turn on the TV, and the three settled in to watch a movie with Deoxys and Dratini.
That left only Probopass, who looked around, then slowly drifted over to Charizard's side and gazed up at it hopefully.
Charizard looked at the yearning Probopass and could only shake its head before heading to the kitchen. It came back with a few Sit berry.
"Probopass, you know you can't store uneaten berries in your body, right?"
Seeing Charizard head out with two Sit berries, Auron called out from the kitchen.
Probopass pouted slightly, then nodded and started nibbling on the Sit berry.
The berries stored inside Probopass were specially prepared by Auron. After Probopass fermented them, they became berry juice with additional effects.
Afterafter his reminder Probopass, Auron turned and spotted Dratini looking a bit sulky on the sofa. He shook his head and called out loudly.
"Today's special: fried chicken legs! Anyone who wants some, raise your hand~"
Before Auron even finished, Snorlax was first to raise its paw.
Then Charizard and Electabuzz.
Golbat raised a wing. Crawdaunt raised a claw. Even Probopass lifted a front leg.
Only Dratini looked down at its smooth, armless body, looked at Auron withwronged written all over its face, and was about to cry.
Auron saw this and panicked. "Okay, okay—raising your tail counts too!"
At that, Dratini held back its tears and quickly stuck its tail straight up.
Auron looked at his Pokemon and nodded. "Alright, dinner will be ready shortly!"
He headed back into the kitchen to get cooking.
Make extra spicy turkey noodles—even if Charizard ordered it, it definitely wouldn't all be going to Charizard.
Because Snorlax would absolutely want to try a bite.
And Snorlax's "just a taste" might very well be half of Charizard's portion. So better to make extra.
Spaghetti Bolognese and spicy turkey noodles were both quick to prepare.
While the noodles were boiling, Auron also fried some chicken legs.
No choice—Dratini had requested it. And you could see how immediately after hearing about fried chicken legs, Dratini had gone from sulking to excitedly dancing through the living room.
(End of chapter)