“To participate in the Pokémon League competition, you must first pass through several city gyms and collect badges as proof of defeating gym leaders, but…”

“This Pokémon League Certification Center uses comprehensive scores from written tests and actual battles to determine whether you pass, and those who pass can obtain qualification badges to challenge the Pokémon League!”

Red’s group followed Todd to the Pokémon Certification Center and approached the front desk to register their participation information.

The examiner patiently explained the exam process to Red and Ash, showing everyone the qualification badge that resembled a ruby with a “P” letter embedded in the center.

“Here are your exam numbers, you two brothers!” the examiner said, handing numbers 6 and 7 to Red and Ash, respectively.

“Lucky number 7, how about that? Luck is also part of strength,” Ash said smugly, admiring his number.

“You’re getting carried away again,” Misty said with exasperation.

‘This young man looks somewhat familiar…’ the examiner thought, studying Red’s face with a thoughtful expression. However, needing to process other candidates’ information, she chose to set the matter aside for now.

“Look, there are all kinds of people here,” Misty observed, scanning the diverse crowd of exam candidates.

“Really, but none of them look particularly impressive,” Ash complained dismissively. Among the gathering, there was not only a rock band but even monks preparing for the examination.

“That’s right, there’s even a Nurse Joy,” Red noted with amusement.

“Nurse Joy!” Brock’s eyes immediately transformed into hearts as he staggered directly toward the beautiful medical professional, planning to introduce himself.

Ash and Misty moved to stop the lovestruck Brock, but as they prepared to leave, they were halted by the examiner at the front desk.

Turning around, they saw that Red had already temporarily entrusted his Poké Balls to the examiner for safekeeping.

“Sorry, because of the exam regulations, we need to temporarily keep the participants’ Pokémon,” the examiner explained to the confused Ash.

“Eh? What a hassle,” Ash said reluctantly, handing over his Poké Balls while Pikachu scampered to Misty’s shoulder for the duration.

“So Nurse Joy also wants to become a Pokémon Master!” Ash exclaimed after learning about her purpose for being there, looking at her with genuine surprise.

“Yes, because that’s still my dream after all,” Nurse Joy replied, embarrassedly touching her cheek. This admission nearly caused Brock to faint from excitement.

“Which Nurse Joy are you?!” Brock asked with barely contained enthusiasm.

“This is Nurse Joy from Fuchsia City,” Red explained calmly. “You probably left after finishing the gym battle, so you don’t have much of an impression of her.”

“I didn’t expect Mr. Red to still remember me. I’m truly honored,” Nurse Joy said with obvious pleasure, then addressed Ash’s group. “I’m from Fuchsia City. The Nurse Joy from Vermilion City is my sister.”

‘Of course I remember—you kept pestering me for autographs and photos back then…’ Red thought with mild exasperation. He hadn’t expected the Fuchsia City Nurse Joy to be so passionate about Pokémon battles. He had even stayed for two hours specifically to explain battle knowledge to her.

“You’re the most beautiful!” Brock praised with a crimson face, nearly pressing his face against hers in his enthusiasm.

“I think you say that every time,” Misty complained with a roll of her eyes.

“Usually I can’t visit gyms because of work, so I came to take this exam,” Nurse Joy explained. “It’s quite convenient for people who have difficulty traveling due to age, physical limitations, or work commitments like myself.”

“Please do your best—I support you from the bottom of my heart,” Brock declared passionately, getting so close that Nurse Joy stepped back in alarm, accidentally pressing against Red’s chest and causing her to blush furiously.

“Woo woo woo~ Red, you lucky guy~” Brock retreated to a corner, weeping dramatically.

The First Exam Begins

“The first exam will test your mastery of Pokémon knowledge,” the proctor announced. “To honor the outstanding new generation Pokémon professor who made significant contributions to the economic development of the Kanto region three years ago, this exam will appropriately include key questions from his three published papers. Now let’s begin.”

“Come on, I’ll get them all right,” Ash said confidently.

Everyone’s seating arrangement was remarkably coincidental. Red sat to Ash’s right, Nurse Joy to his left, and even more absurdly, Jessie and James were positioned directly behind Ash.

The computer screen displayed the first question to all candidates.

Question 1

“Lickitung’s tongue length is twice its body length? O or X?”

Red silently selected O. The Pokédex contained detailed records of this theoretical knowledge: “Lickitung, the Licking Pokémon. Its tongue is twice as long as its body and can move as freely as hands, using it to grab food or attack.”

Unfortunately, Ash chose X because he thought Lickitung’s tongue seemed even longer, completely missing the correct answer.

Question 2

“Pokémon proverb: Ninetales lives a thousand years, and Wartortle lives ten thousand years? O or X?”

Red considered this carefully before choosing X. While Ninetales could indeed live up to a thousand years, Wartortle’s lifespan wasn’t that exaggerated—its tail was merely a symbol of longevity.

“Easy, easy!” Ash confidently chose O, missing the answer again.

Question 3

“Hitmonchan’s nickname is the Kicking Fiend? O or X?”

Red silently pressed X. Ash was about to press O, but suddenly remembered Red’s Hitmonchan.

‘Wait, Big Brother’s Hitmonchan is good at boxing, so this question should be X,’ Ash reasoned cleverly, finally selecting the correct answer.

Question 4

“The only move Magikarp knows from the start is Splash? O or X?”

Red chose O without hesitation.

“Magikarp! Every time I think of it, I get angry!” James immediately became furious upon seeing the question, memories of past frustrations flooding back.

“Right, anyway, O and X have about a fifty percent chance,” Jessie said, ignoring the actual question and randomly pressing O, hoping to score points through guessing.

Ash also selected O—that particular incident had left an extremely deep impression on him.

Question 5

“Eevee has only five evolution types? O or X?”

Red smiled helplessly and chose X.

“Isn’t this Big Brother’s question bank?!” Ash stared at the screen in amazement. After Red had published his papers and received honorary certificates, Delia had supervised Ash day and night to study Red’s three published works. Even though he didn’t love studying Pokémon knowledge, Ash had absorbed most of the answers.

‘Eevee currently has eight evolution types, so this question is wrong!’ Ash excitedly chose X, feeling grateful to his mother for her persistent encouragement.

Question 6

“Clefairy’s type is Fairy? O or X?”

Red pressed O confidently.

‘I didn’t expect them to use these questions for the exam…’

“Great, these are all questions I know!” Ash almost laughed out loud but managed to contain himself. However, a donkey-like gasp still echoed through the exam hall, genuinely amusing the entire room.

“That guy Ash…” Red’s mouth curved upward, suppressing his own urge to laugh.

Ash chose O without hesitation. Although Clefairy had previously been classified as Normal-type, after Red’s paper was published, Clefairy’s typing was reclassified as Fairy-type, which explained why Dragon-type moves had no effect on it.

[Chapter Complete]

***

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep