The dream of becoming a Pokémon master

Arcanine and Bulbasaur.

The examiner's private Pokémon battles against the examinee's regular Pokémon.

The huge power gap between Pokémons must be bridged by their trainers.

"Arcanine, Flamethrower!"

"Bulbasaur, dodge to the left!"

With just one Flamethrower, Kyosuke sensed that this Arcanine was no ordinary creature.

At least through his studies with Blaine, Kyosuke gained a clear understanding of the levels of Fire-type Pokémon.

This Arcanine looks ordinary, and it is indeed quite ordinary, but it's not on the same level as the previous Pidgeotto Vulpix!

Originally intending to close in on Arcanine by ramming it, Kyosuke immediately changed his mind and dodged! Dodging to the left was a favorable decision Kyosuke made after considering both sides!

"Arcanine, Fire Wheel!"

But the examiner made a mistake! He actually let Arcanine use Fire Wheel!

This is Kyosuke's only chance to win!

"Bulbasaur, Tackle!"

The two Pokémon collided violently in the middle of the field!

Arcanine took minor damage, but Flame Wheel was extremely effective against Bulbasaur!

"Vine Whip! Parasitic Seed! Hypnotic Powder! Poison Powder!" Kyosuke rattled off a whole host of moves in one go.

"Oh no! Arcanine, get out of the way!"

But it was too late!

When Kyosuke made Bulbasaur endure the Flame Wheel again, the outcome was already decided!

Either Bulbasaur gets instantly killed, or Arcanine gets restricted and loses its ability to fight!

If you keep your distance, neither poison powder nor Leech Seed, nor any other powder, can penetrate Arcanine with Fire Wheel. However, the examiner himself chose the wrong command!

Arcanine, weakened by the effects of Leech Seed and Poison, lost its ability to battle.

"The battle is over." Kyosuke recalled his Bulbasaur.

On the other hand, the examiner was so devastated by reality that he couldn't stand up.

"Do I really have absolutely no talent as a trainer...?"

As Kyosuke's practical exercise ended, the loudspeaker announced: "All candidates, please return to the hall to check your scores."

After returning the Poké Ball belt for test takers, Kyosuke met up with Ash and the other two in the lobby.

"Kyousuke, you're amazing!" Xiaoxia exclaimed.

"That's right, even though their attributes were constantly countered, they still managed to defeat the examiner," Xiao Gang agreed.

Pikachu nodded. Togepi clapped its hands incessantly.

Kyosuke wasn't very familiar with the two yet, and was a little embarrassed: "Actually, it's nothing. I just know more about Grass-types. I think Ash is the strongest in type-defying battles; he's the real expert in that area."

Satoshi will never believe Kyosuke's words again.

He'd been fooled before, and now he'd been completely misled for ages. He'd never truly believe Kyosuke was telling the truth again.

Although this time it truly reflected Kyosuke's inner thoughts...

"Hmph, Kyosuke, even without the qualification badge, I can still participate in the Indigo League. I'm a practical fighter, and I'm strongest when I'm with my own Pokémon! I'll definitely beat you badly then!"

Kyosuke nodded earnestly to Satoshi: "Okay, okay. I'll beat you badly in the finals and win the championship. That is, if you can make it to the very end."

Xiaoxia and Xiaogang exchanged a smile.

This childlike, passionate, and sincere emotion can also bring strength to those around them.

"Please come to the front desk to collect your badge, Kyosuke. Please come to the front desk to collect your badge."

Upon hearing his name called, Kyosuke stood up from his seat, gestured to the three of them, and walked towards the front desk.

The badges are awarded from lowest to highest score, so Ash knew he had no chance.

Now that it's Kyosuke's turn, it means that today's certification exam is officially over.

It was the same examiner who, upon seeing Kyosuke's arrival, handed him the badge: "Kyosuke, congratulations, you are now officially qualified to challenge the Kanto Alliance Quartz Tournament."

"Thank you," Kyosuke said, accepting the badge.

The qualification badge has an outer ring made of ruby-like material, a metal inner ring in the middle, and a pattern engraved with "P". It is also larger than a regular badge.

He casually tucked the badge into his jacket, and the examiner saw the eight gym badges lying together with Kyosuke's qualification badge, and felt sad and wanted to cry.

You've already qualified for the competition, so why are you at the testing center? Are you trying to sabotage me?

Watching Kyosuke's departing figure, the examiner silently felt sorry for his own future.

Kyosuke, however, sensed something strange.

It seems like too many qualification badges were given out today? And it seems like everyone except Ash and a few others got qualification badges.

Has the threshold for obtaining the qualification badge been lowered again? You know, the certification exam is unique to the Kanto region; nowhere else does it. If things continue like this, the Kanto Regional Alliance Conference will definitely be criticized by other regions for becoming increasingly low-level.

Kyosuke couldn't understand it.

When he returned to Ash's side, they were just about to leave.

"Kyosuke, would you like to travel with us?" Ash indeed extended an invitation to Kyosuke.

Previously, in Daisakuya, Kyosuke had guessed that Ash would say that, so he left in advance, but he didn't expect to meet him again.

"There will be opportunities later, but not now." Kyosuke also told Satoshi his answer. "Right now, we are rivals. If you reveal too much of your strength before the tournament, you really won't have a chance to beat me."

Xiaoxia punched Xiaozhi on the head: "That's right, Xiaozhi, can't you think things through before making decisions? Don't always make choices on a whim and then put everyone in a difficult position. Besides, you don't even know where Kyosuke's next target is!"

Brock added fuel to the fire: "Ash, would you invite Gary to travel with you?"

"That arrogant guy Gary, how could I be with him?" Ash bristled at the mention of Gary, then his tone softened. "But Kyosuke and Gary are different."

Kyosuke naturally wouldn't let Satoshi continue.

I have a feeling that if we continue talking, the topic will start to go weird.

"Alright, alright, I just left Cinnabar Island. Our next stop is Poor Hill Town, so it's time to part ways," Kyosuke said to Ash and the others.

"Also," Kyosuke said, turning to Satoshi alone, "although we haven't spent much time together, I can tell that your partners are really great people. You should always listen to their opinions, because it turns out that your ideas are often wrong."

"When we start our journey, we can no longer act like little kids. Ash, grow up quickly."

"Aren't you a kid too?" Ash retorted.

"I don't think of myself as a child anymore," Kyosuke said. Though he's still pretty much a chuunibyou (a person with delusions of grandeur). A chuunibyou adult.

Seeing that Ash was about to start another round of bickering with Kyosuke, Misty quickly pulled Ash back: "Kyosuke, it's getting late, we should get going."

Xiao Gang quickly added, "Yes, it's getting late, we need to hurry to our next destination town."

Kyosuke could also understand that it wasn't easy for the two of them to be with Satoshi, so he nodded and said, "Then goodbye."

As Ash was dragged away by Misty, Brock, and Pikachu, Kyosuke smiled.

"Kyosuke, you just wait! I'll definitely beat you badly at the Quartz Tournament!"

Ash's voice came very softly, but Kyosuke could still hear it clearly.

"My journey must continue."

One headed towards the volcano, the other towards the snow-capped mountain; the two children, both aiming to become Pokémon Masters, remained steadfast in their steps.