With only ten minutes left in the exam, John zoned in on the final open-ended question. Quickly, he jotted down a standard Breeder plan for Nosepass, leaning heavily on Roxanne's Breeder Handbook—honestly, it felt like he was copying it word for word.
As he set his pen down, he realized he still had a few minutes left. He paused, debating. Then, in a moment of inspiration, he picked up his pen again and started sketching out a second, more advanced Breeder plan for Nosepass.
This time, he went beyond the basics, pulling in ideas from his recent online research. He mentioned Nosepass's Rock-type nature, its magnetic alignment that always points north, and its gradual development of electrical abilities. Compared to the first plan, this one was much more thoughtful and detailed.
After all, Roxanne's Breeder Handbook came from another world. A little creativity couldn't hurt, and besides, there were no instructions limiting him to a single answer.
When he finished, most of the other candidates had already wrapped up. Those still working were frantically racing the clock.
Two minutes later, the exam's written portion ended, and everyone rose, heading to the next test area. The familiar buzz of post-exam chatter filled the hall.
"Why did they ask about Nosepass? I thought for sure it'd be about the Royal Trio!"
"Right? I've been cramming Dragon Pokémon breeding records for weeks, and all for a Nosepass question!"
"What was that bit about Torchic eating stones? I had no idea."
"Oh, that's easy! Torchic eats stones to help digestion and boost its flame temperature."
"Wait, really? I wrote that it boosted Rock-type resistance!"
Overhearing, John couldn't help but feel nostalgic. It reminded him of those last-minute debates after high school exams.
The next test was in the "Battle Zone," where they'd be assessed on Pokémon combat. Unlike the previous exam, where candidates were packed into the same classroom, these battles were scheduled in batches to manage the limited space.
With an exam number of 160, John was in one of the last groups. Fortunately, there were forty testing rooms, so things moved along quickly.
Most students here were fresh graduates who'd only recently received their Pokémon, so battles leaned on basic tactics rather than advanced strategies.
Finally, at precisely 10 a.m., John was called to Battlefield No. 24. Entering the room, he saw the referee, along with a senior student standing across from him. She wore a friendly smile, her dimples giving her an extra hint of charm.
"Examinees, please hand your admission ticket to the referee," she said, her smile softening when she met his eyes.
"Sure," John replied, handing over his ticket.
The referee scanned it as John took his spot.
"The Riverstone University Entrance Examination—Pokémon Combat Assessment—will now begin," the referee announced. "Both the examiner and candidate are permitted one Pokémon each. The battle will conclude when one Pokémon is unable to continue."
"Both trainers, release your Pokémon!"
The senior readied her Poké Ball, waiting for John to do the same.
John hesitated, weighing which of his Pokémon would be best suited for this match.
"Don't worry," she encouraged, her tone warm. "Even if you lose, the referee and I will evaluate your Pokémon's performance, so you can still earn a good score."
"Got it," John replied. He wasn't really nervous; he was just focused on picking the right Pokémon.
He finally decided and reached for his third Poké Ball, releasing it in sync with his opponent's.
Two Pokémon appeared on the field.
The senior had chosen Ducklett—a small, blue Water/Flying-type with a heart-shaped crest on its head. A dainty flower was tucked behind its ear—a sign of her affection for it. Ducklett's final form, Swanna, was a popular choice among female trainers for its graceful elegance. Clearly, she was a fan.
John, meanwhile, sent out Ralts. After intensive training, his Ralts had reached level 18, on par with his Combusken and Frogadier. Just two more levels, and it would evolve into Kirlia.
An excited squeal snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Oh my gosh! A shiny Ralts!" The senior's eyes widened, sparkling with awe and envy.
"He's already won! Full marks!" she exclaimed, pointing at Ralts with childlike excitement.
"The battle hasn't even started," the referee reminded her, though he, too, was smiling. Shiny Ralts were rare, but there was still a match to complete.
Ralts was indeed a coveted Pokémon, admired not just for its rarity but for its battle prowess. For many trainers, especially coordinators in contests, Ralts was a prized choice.
"Ahem, please contain your excitement," the referee said gently. "The battle is about to begin."
The senior inhaled, trying to calm herself, though her eyes still sparkled with admiration.
Ralts looked up at John, a bit intimidated by the senior's enthusiastic gaze.
"It's okay," John reassured Ralts softly. "Let's focus on the battle."
With both trainers ready, the referee confirmed their positions.
"Battle begins!" he declared.