Join my p@treon for more chapters

[email protected]/Tempest_29

Capital University, Laboratory.

Marley took out the test results, surprise flashing in her eyes. Her brows furrowed as her gaze shifted back and forth between the report and the Cottonee. She looked thoughtful.

“Could there be something wrong with the machine?” Marley muttered to herself. “No, this is the latest model developed—the most advanced instrument in the world. Each costs several million Pokédollars, and there are only two in the entire Capital, so there shouldn’t be any errors. But how can a Cottonee have King-level qualifications? Is there really something wrong?”

Qualification testing had always been a challenging problem for researchers. Even the most advanced instruments had significant margins of error and numerous limitations. For instance, her machine could only test the qualifications of Fairy-type Pokémon, while the equipment in the Dragon Secret Realm could only test Dragon-types. Furthermore, these instruments could only assess hatched Pokémon, not eggs.

Nina observed Marley’s behavior, frowned slightly, and couldn’t help asking, “What’s with that expression on your face?”

“See for yourself!” Marley handed the test report to Nina.

The bold words “King-level qualifications” written on the test report were extremely eye-catching, and Nina spotted them immediately. After reading the report, she lowered her head and looked at the cute Cottonee in her arms. It was hard to believe this little one actually had King-level potential.

At that moment, Marley suddenly exclaimed, “Impossible, this can’t be right. There must be an error. I need to test it again.”

She still couldn’t believe that a Cottonee could possess such high qualifications. The probability was incredibly low. If a Metagross had King-level qualifications, she wouldn’t be so surprised, but for a Pokémon like Cottonee, the probability was at least one in ten thousand—no, more like one in a hundred thousand, or even one in a million.

Marley reached for the Cottonee, but Nina shook her head and pulled it away, her eyes flickering. “No need to test again. Whatever its qualifications are, it doesn’t matter.”

In truth, Nina already believed the Cottonee was definitely King-level, and she was 90% certain that Jacob knew this when he gave it to her.

Nina recalled all of Jacob’s Pokémon. Noibat had been tested and confirmed to have King-level potential. Just by observing the size of Sceptile and the power it displayed in battle, almost anyone could tell it was definitely above King-level. As for Charizard and Dreepy, the qualifications of these two Shiny Pokémon were certainly impressive. Finally, she knew Axew’s potential best—she had tested it with Dragon-typing power and found it was Champion level!

It seemed that among Jacob’s current five Pokémon, none were below King level! What an incredible concept! As long as Jacob’s five Pokémon matured, becoming one of the Heavenly Kings was a foregone conclusion. Even reaching King status was highly probable. No one had ever selected Pokémon above King level so accurately like Jacob!

And looking at the Cottonee Jacob had given her—also King-level. Even the Pokémon he casually picked up in the underground black market were Kingcaliber. If just one Pokémon had been King-level or above, it could be explained as coincidence, but all six Pokémon Jacob had chosen were King-level or higher. Once or twice might be chance, but six times couldn’t be coincidental.

This meant Jacob likely possessed some unknown ability—possibly being a psychic like herself, who could roughly detect Pokémon potential.

Realizing this possibility, Nina didn’t want to let her best friend Marley test Cottonee’s qualifications again. She feared her perceptive friend might discover Jacob’s secret.

Jacob was still young. As the saying goes, the tallest tree catches the most wind. He was still a growing sapling. She needed to keep this secret for him and not let anyone else know—not even Marley—until he was ready.

“Nina! Let me test it again!” Marley raised her voice and looked at Nina with frustration. “I’m trying to help you by testing its qualifications so you can train it properly.”

“No, I’m getting hungry. Let’s go find something to eat,” Nina abruptly changed the subject.

Nina’s eagerness to shift topics naturally couldn’t fool someone as shrewd as Marley. However, Marley didn’t press Nina further about testing the Cottonee. Instead, she became more curious about who had given it to her.

“Fine, we won’t test it—it’s your Pokémon anyway. But Nina, I’m curious who gave you this Cottonee?” Marley leaned close to Nina’s ear and asked in a low voice. “Which wealthy young man is so generous that he’d give you a King-level Cottonee just to court you?”

“You don’t know him, just a friend—strictly platonic. Now let’s go eat something, and keep your voice down,” Nina replied.

Marley didn’t believe a word of Nina’s explanation. First, from Nina’s tone, she deduced it must have been given by a man. Second, knowing Nina’s personality, if it had been given by an ordinary male friend, she would definitely have returned it after learning the Cottonee’s quality. Her character dictated that she wouldn’t easily accept gifts from men, especially expensive ones.

A person could live without pride, but not without principles. So this person must be very special to her.

“ROAR!”

At that moment, people flew through the sky on Charizards.

“That’s the Charizard Squad from the Capital Investigation Team.”

Nina and Marley looked up at the sky with concern. Normally, the airspace above the Capital was a no-fly zone where private Pokémon weren’t permitted to fly, let alone at such high speed—and especially not the Charizard team.

The two exchanged glances, knowing something serious must be happening!

Just then, Nina’s phone rang. The caller ID displayed Aris’s name, causing Nina’s heart to skip a beat. She sensed bad news coming.

“Nina, are Jacob and you in the Secret Realm?” Aris asked anxiously.

“No, I’m outside. What’s happening?” Nina couldn’t help but ask.

“I just received word that the Dawn Society is attacking the Dragon Secret Realm. There are four powerful King-level trainers involved,” Aris said with an anxious tone. “Jacob is still in the Realm.”

“What?” Nina’s suddenly raised voice and solemn expression startled Marley. “Isn’t he still in the Flying Secret Realm?”

“His flight today should have arrived at the Dragon Realm this afternoon,” said Aris.

“I’m going back right away!” Nina grew increasingly anxious, immediately releasing her Charizard and preparing to rush to the Secret Realm.

“Don’t go! The trainers from the Dawn Society are all top-tier. It’s too dangerous,” Aris quickly warned. “I’m about ten minutes from reaching the Realm myself.”

“My Kommo-o has recently reached King level,” Nina replied. After saying this, she hung up the phone and climbed onto Noivern’s back.

“Noivern, take me to the Secret Realm!” Nina patted Noivern’s back, and it immediately flapped its wings, soaring toward the Dragon Secret Realm.

“Hey! Nina! I’m not in the car! I haven’t even gotten in yet?!”

Seeing Nina abandon her, Marley stood there dumbfounded, only hearing Nina’s voice carried back on the wind: “I’ll make it up to you next time, Marley!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep