Chapter Twenty-Nine: Lessons in Animal Husbandry

On his first day, Cheng Cheng's curriculum was divided into two parts: Pokémon Encyclopedia in the morning and Pokémon Battle in the afternoon.

He spent the entire morning's Pokémon Encyclopedia class meditating, while in the afternoon, he expected actual Pokémon battles but instead received a theory lesson. The first battle class focused on the knowledge of Pokémon types and their interactions. Cheng Cheng didn't bother with type advantages; it wasn't because he could fight against unfavorable types like Ash, but simply because all his Pokémon were psychic-type. Even if they possessed other attributes, their essence remained psychic. No matter what Pokémon he encountered, he could only battle with psychic-types, so type advantages were irrelevant. Thus, he continued meditating throughout the afternoon.

The following morning, the class covered Pokémon food and the making of energy cubes. As expected, it wasn't about how to make food or energy cubes but rather identifying various berries and ingredients, understanding their formation, and their nutritional value. Cheng Cheng continued his meditation.

In the afternoon came Pokémon disease treatment. This topic piqued his interest, but listening to the teacher felt just like high school math or physics. So, meditation prevailed once more.

By the fourth and fifth days, the monotony of each lesson left Cheng Cheng bored. Every day, he meditated, and soon noticed his psychic powers were growing explosively.

On the tenth day, at last, the seed in his mind sprouted.

It was a bright, sunny morning. Cheng Cheng sat in the classroom during Pokémon Disease and Treatment, meditating as usual, when he felt a surge of psychic energy rush into the seed in his mind. Its outer shell began to crack and peel away, and a green sprout emerged from within.

Suddenly, his mind felt remarkably clear—even with his eyes closed, he sensed every movement in the classroom. He could feel each person's mental strength, almost as if he had thermal vision.

"Yeah!"

His excited shout drew everyone's attention; all eyes turned to him, and he quickly covered his mouth. But the teacher wasn't about to let it slide.

"Student, what's your name?"

Cheng Cheng immediately stood and answered respectfully, "Teacher, my name is Qimu Cheng Cheng."

"Cheng Cheng, just now I mentioned that if a Pokémon doesn't eat for a long time, what problems might arise? How should we address them?"

Without hesitation, Cheng Cheng replied, "Just ask it directly."

"Ask whom?"

"The Pokémon! If it's not eating, there must be a reason. So, just ask it why."

As soon as he spoke, regret washed over him.

"You understand their language?"

"I do, though not very clearly, but I can grasp their general meaning," he replied, bracing himself.

"Then your Pokémon Language grade must be excellent."

Cheng Cheng recalled the mysterious language he'd been hearing in Pokémon Language class lately, and answered slowly, "I suppose so."

"Alright, Cheng Cheng, I'll let it go this time, but you must pay attention in class from now on. Sit down."

He took his seat, noticing whispers and laughter among his classmates. Cheng Cheng ignored them, returning to his meditation and exploring his newfound psychic abilities.

He thought the matter was settled, but that afternoon during Pokémon Language, the teacher called on him again. This enigmatic language was entirely incomprehensible, and he had no idea how to answer, so he was punished to stand.

Over the next days, for four consecutive days, teachers kept calling on him in class. His answers failed to satisfy them—not because he knew nothing, but because he couldn't give the answers they wanted. He managed to displease seven teachers in a row and felt his luck had soured since his psychic powers sprouted.

A month passed in this fashion, his fortunes dim. But after a month, luck turned as classes shifted from theory to practice. Cheng Cheng was no good with theory, but in practical sessions, he finally had a chance to shine.

First came the Pokémon Encyclopedia class where his unlucky streak began. The teacher produced a Pokémon and asked students to describe its characteristics. For Cheng Cheng, who had a system, this was simple.

"Class, today we're studying a common Pokémon from the Hoenn region, Ralts. I'll release it now, and you'll have ten minutes to observe before giving your answers."

With a glance, Cheng Cheng's system revealed all its data, including moves and abilities. He selected some details and volunteered.

"Teacher, I'd like to answer."

The teacher, seeing Cheng Cheng raise his hand, allowed him to respond.

"This Ralts is psychic-type, its ability is Synchronize, its level is 13, its grade is light yellow, and it knows Confusion, Teleport..." He withheld one detail: fairy-type.

The teacher was surprised by Cheng Cheng's answer, which was largely accurate. The mention of level 13 was especially curious—though Pokémon did have levels, such precise information wasn't normally available. The teacher was puzzled but affirmed his answer.

"Cheng Cheng is correct. In addition, this Ralts also..."

The teacher added some further points about Ralts' characteristics, which Cheng Cheng found less useful.

That afternoon, in Pokémon Battle class, Cheng Cheng finally awaited a real battle.

"Class, today we'll have Pokémon battles. There are six Pokémon here, chosen at random. You may select any, and this will test your familiarity with each Pokémon. Anyone who wishes to battle, please choose a Pokémon and come forward. Two students may step up."

"Teacher, I'll go," a boy said, choosing a Pokémon.

"Teacher, I'll go too," Cheng Cheng said, wanting to battle.

He glanced at the remaining five Poké Balls. His system could identify Pokémon and eggs, but not through Poké Balls. Cheng Cheng had no idea what Pokémon they held, but he could only use psychic-types.

"Teacher, is there a psychic-type among these?"

"There could be any type. Just pick one."

"Teacher, I only want to use psychic-types. Other Pokémon won't obey me."

"You can't command the others, so why choose to battle?"

"Teacher, I... I'm special. Apart from psychic-types, the others won't listen to me, so I'd like to use a psychic-type."

"Second from the right."

The teacher told Cheng Cheng which was a psychic-type.

He picked up the Pokémon and stood on stage. The teacher would referee.

"Now, please release your Pokémon."

"Come out!"

Both sides released their Pokémon. The opponent had a Mudkip. Cheng Cheng instantly saw its stats.

Pokémon: Mudkip
Type: Water
Level: 15
Grade: light green
Rarity: Rare
Ability: Torrent
...
Moves: Tackle, Growl, Mud-Slap, Water Gun, Endure

A classic starter. Cheng Cheng checked his own Pokémon—a Beldum.

Pokémon: Beldum
Type: Psychic, Steel
Level: 15
Grade: light green
Rarity: Rare
Ability: Clear Body
...
Moves: Confusion, Tackle, Metal Sound, Take Down, Slam

Cheng Cheng was stunned to find he had a Beldum. Though Beldum could be seen in Mauville City, it's extremely rare—a quasi-legendary Pokémon! Its grade was high, and it was psychic-type. Cheng Cheng coveted it.

But he quickly regained composure; no matter how good the Pokémon, he couldn't simply steal it. Since he was in Mauville City, he wondered if there might be a chance to catch one.

As Cheng Cheng pondered, the battle began.