Pokémon: Starting with a Bound Entry System

Chapter 129: The Blue Trait—[Dragon Knight]

"Gardevoir's goal… ahem…"

"Lucario's goal is to become a master of Aura…"

"Although none of them have achieved their goals yet, shouldn't you focus on the changes they've undergone in pursuing those dreams, Yuki?"

Hikaru assumed Yuki was feeling disheartened after the tournament.

"They're all improving bit by bit. Just like you, Yuki. If you didn't have this goal, and I didn't have mine, would we be standing here today?"

Hikaru's words were soft yet impactful.

As he noticed the light return to Yuki's eyes, a hint of pride crept into his expression.

Still so young. It's normal to feel uncertain.

"Alright, alright. I get it. You have a way with words—you're going to charm a lot of girls with that mouth of yours," Yuki teased, standing up.

"What do you mean 'charm girls'? I was just trying to help you!" Hikaru retorted, puzzled.

"Just teasing you."

She tied her silver hair back into a ponytail, her movements graceful.

He wasn't wrong, she realized.

If it weren't for chasing after Hikaru's footsteps, would she have made it this far?

"Focusing on the process, huh? You might be onto something."

With a soft murmur, Yuki turned to Hikaru, a radiant smile on her face.

"Thanks, Hikaru."

Under the sunlight, her silhouette appeared both slender and ethereal...

---

The influence of the National High School League far exceeded Hikaru's expectations.

His phone buzzed incessantly with calls and messages.

Left with no choice, he went to Professor Rowan's research lab and borrowed a Rotom to change his account settings to private. Finally, some peace.

The tournament had concluded just as a new week began.

After the tournament ended, Hikaru didn't forget to refresh his weekly trait rewards.

This time, he received a particularly interesting trait.

It was related to riding, much like his earlier [Crawdad Rider] trait, but far superior.

That name, though…

[Blue Trait—Dragon Knight]: When riding any Dragon-type or Dragon-affiliated Pokémon, the Pokémon's Special Attack increases by 10%, and Speed increases by 10%.

"Not bad at all," Hikaru muttered.

Back when he'd made his wish for a riding-related trait, he hadn't expected something like this.

"At least it's better than nothing."

Satisfied, Hikaru equipped the trait.

---

Later that evening, Hikaru lay in bed scrolling through videos, only to find that the short video platforms were flooded with clips from the National League—primarily featuring his matches against Sakura.

One notification, however, caught his attention.

[Kei Hama]: Hey, you there?

[Hikaru]: What's up?

In a room in Kyoto, Kei Hama's face lit up when he saw Hikaru's reply.

"He responded, Grandpa!"

"Let me see!"

Kei Yoji rushed over with surprising agility for someone in his sixties.

After reading the message, he said, "Ask him if he has a preferred university."

[Kei Hama]: Do you have a university in mind?

Hikaru frowned.

Why did this sound like the recruitment officers earlier?

[Hikaru]: Is there any chance you've forgotten? I'm only a sophomore in high school.

[Kei Hama]: What?! You're only a sophomore?

Kei Hama's jaw dropped.

He had assumed Hikaru was a senior like himself.

[Hikaru]: Yep. Starting my junior year next semester.

[Kei Hama]: With your talent, that shouldn't matter. I have connections at Qing University, and their admissions office is really impressed with you...

[Hikaru]: What about the college entrance exam?

[Kei Hama]: You can skip it.

[Hikaru]: Skip? How?

What kind of connection could bypass the national college entrance exam, a cornerstone of the education system?

Kei Hama turned to his grandfather.

"Tell him the truth."

[Kei Hama]: The Deputy Minister of Education is my grandfather.

Seeing this, Hikaru immediately realized that the person texting him was likely not Kei Hama but his influential grandfather.

Impressed by his talent, perhaps?

Curious, Hikaru began researching Qing University.

In the past, schools chose him. Now, it was his turn to choose a school.

"Evergreen Fruits, huh?"

As he read about the university's exclusive offerings, Hikaru remembered a new recipe recently unlocked in the Trait Shop:

[Stamina Energy Cube Recipe]: A high-grade energy cube recipe. Consuming these during the Mid-Tier to High-Tier stages gradually increases a Pokémon's stamina stat. Cost: 1,500 Trait Coins.

This recipe was far more expensive—and effective—than the previous ones.

Hikaru's Trait Coin balance, which had once been close to 4,600, had dwindled to just over 1,000 after purchasing Latias's Mega Evolution Key Stone.

Buying the stamina cube recipe would deplete the remainder.

Was the system timing this on purpose?

Just then, an idea struck Hikaru, and his eyes lit up.

"Right! The system offers a one-time 90% discount trait. Can't I use my [Wish Fulfillment] trait to make that discount opportunity appear more often?"

Excited by this realization, Hikaru's mood soared.

Another chance to exploit the system had presented itself.

---

As for which university to choose, Hikaru wasn't picky. As long as it met his needs, he'd go.

With Qing University's Evergreen Fruits perfectly suited for creating the [Stamina Energy Cube], his choice was clear.

[Hikaru]: Sure, but skipping the entrance exam—are you sure that's okay?

[Kei Hama]: Absolutely! We can even start your transfer paperwork this semester.

[Hikaru]: This soon?

[Kei Hama]: The sooner, the better. We can send over the admissions forms tomorrow...

Hikaru chuckled at the eagerness.

Closing the chat, he received a video call request.

The caller? Sakura.

"What is she up to now?" Hikaru wondered, frowning as he accepted the call.

On-screen, Sakura appeared in pink pajamas, lying on her bed.

Her question was simple: she'd been approached by Hua North University and wanted to know where Hikaru was planning to enroll.

Hikaru didn't hide anything, sharing the details of his conversation with Kei Hama.

Sakura immediately grinned, declaring, "Got it! I'll go to Qing University too!"

---

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