Chapter 141: Setting Forth

The annual College Entrance Examination selection tournament was about to commence. For the high school seniors—whether they had qualified for the final stages, been eliminated along the way, or hadn't even registered—the entire student body waited for the final phase with immense excitement and anticipation, primarily because it meant a holiday.

By tradition, senior students were granted a rare one-week break during the tournament. In this world where Pokémon were deeply integrated into human society, this regulation was intended to reflect the importance placed on Trainers.

As a participant, the weight Tang Yi’s family placed on this grand event went without saying. They had begun organizing his luggage well in advance.

"Pack more clothes; the weather forecast says it will cool down next week."
"Bring your own towel and toothbrush; hotel ones are never clean enough."
"Take some snacks for the road."
...
"He’s going to a competition, not a vacation!" Tang’s father finally couldn't take it anymore, stopping his wife, who was on the verge of turning the room upside down.
"Oh, it’s just in case!"
"Mom, I’ve checked. We’re staying at a high-end hotel specifically arranged by the Department of Education. The conditions are excellent, so you don’t need to worry," Tang Yi said with a reassuring smile. He understood his mother’s feelings; it was a mixture of anxiety and pride.
"You’re grown up now. I won't say much more; just take care of yourself and Ralts when you get there. Do your best in the matches—we never had high expectations for you to begin with, so don't put too much pressure on yourself," his father said, though not usually one for sentiment, he spoke more than usual.

Tang Yi felt helpless. "I’m your son, you know. You could at least have a little more expectation... Alright, don't worry, I’ll take care of myself. I’ll go as far as I can."

Tang Yi actually had a very balanced mindset. Reaching the Round of 32 was already his greatest success. If he could manage to earn extra credit, that would be ideal; if not, he would at least have a certificate to show for it.

He spent the weekend resting at home, avoiding high-intensity training to ensure he was ready for the week ahead and to help Ralts relax. On Sunday afternoon, Tang Yi grabbed the suitcase his mother had prepared and set off with Ralts. Upon reaching the station and boarding the designated bus, a journey of over an hour brought them to Yuanshui City.

As the provincial capital, Yuanshui City was more prosperous than Qingjiang City. The bus dropped them off directly in front of the hotel. As the designated hotel for the exam, staff were waiting in the lobby. After verifying his identity, they gave Tang Yi his key card for a room on the thirteenth floor and informed him that the hotel was equipped with professional training rooms.

It was a five-star hotel where all thirty-two contestants would stay. Even those eliminated could remain until the end of the tournament—a small perk for their participation.

Throughout the journey, Ralts had been cautious, maintaining her reserved and introverted demeanor in the presence of strangers. It wasn't until they pushed open the door to their room that she couldn't help but exclaim, "This is so luxurious!"

The room was exquisitely decorated. As a room specifically tailored for Trainers, it featured a small partitioned area, like a tiny bedroom, designed for Pokémon to rest. Here, they didn't have to stay inside their Poké Balls, and the cubicle was stocked with small toys and stuffed dolls for the Pokémon's enjoyment. It was a very thoughtful design.

Ralts was visibly excited. Forgetting the fatigue of the journey, she poked around the room before standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the view outside. Tang Yi noticed the faint glimmer of excitement and envy in her eyes and suddenly felt a pang of guilt. Thinking back, since Ralts was born, the furthest he had ever taken her was the city center.

She had never been on a long trip, let alone a vacation. Of course, as a senior student, Tang Yi hadn't had the luxury of time himself.

With this thought, Tang Yi blurted out, "Ralts, after the exams are over, let’s go on a trip, shall we?"
"Huh?"
Ralts blinked, instinctively shaking her head. "No! That costs so much money! This hotel can't be cheap, right? How much is it per night?"

Tang Yi suppressed a smile. Ralts was clearly being insincere; if she thought it was too expensive, why ask how much it cost? He checked his phone and was shocked by the price himself. "Seven or eight hundred a night. The Department of Education really is wealthy."
"That expensive!" Ralts immediately lost interest. "Then never mind, I don't want to go on a trip."

"Even if we do go on a trip, we certainly wouldn't stay in such an expensive room. Anyway, that’s a conversation for after the exams," Tang Yi said, brushing it off for now. "You must be tired from the trip today. Get some rest; the matches start tomorrow morning."

He had checked the schedule: the Round of 32 matches would take place on Monday and Tuesday. Unfortunately, his match was scheduled for Monday morning.

While Ralts went to freshen up, Tang Yi messaged his parents to let them know he had arrived safely and checked in with Fang Tianze, who confirmed he would bring his Feebas over early the next morning. Tang Yi sent him the hotel address, though he wondered if the wealthy Fang would choose to stay there himself.

When he looked up after sending the message, he saw that Ralts had finished washing up at record speed. Tang Yi checked the time in astonishment and laughed, "That wasn't even five minutes. You're already done?"
"Y-yes, I'm done," Ralts said, still steaming from the bath. Her voice was hesitant, her eyes darting around, avoiding his gaze.

Tang Yi didn't press her; he knew she was just feeling shy. In a sense, this was the first time they had "checked into a room" together. At home, his parents were always around, but now that they were alone, he could feel her nervousness from across the room.

The hotel did offer a Poké Ball storage service for those who couldn't afford the specialized rooms, but anyone coming here wouldn't be short of that kind of money. The small cubicle in the room was fully equipped, even featuring a lock to ensure privacy and safety.

Of course, to most Trainers and Pokémon in this world, they were never truly viewed as equals, so they wouldn't feel the same awkwardness that Tang Yi and Ralts were experiencing.