Everyone Else Awakened, But I Just Opened a Pokémon Pet Shop

The Haicheng No. 1 High School Ranking Tournament wasn't just some simple school contest, it was a talent selection system.

As the top Awakener training institution in Haicheng, anyone who stood out in this tournament would instantly become a target for recruitment by major factions.

Every year during this time, the city of Haicheng turned into a frenzy of activity.

Not only would the city's prominent families and clans come to watch, but even the military and some top-tier forces would send scouts, hoping to spot promising new talent.

Ordinarily, someone like Su Bai, an unsuccessful applicant to Haicheng No., would never qualify to attend the event in person.

The tournament venue only had so much space. Spectators allowed inside were at minimum already recognized Awakeners.

But now, seated comfortably in Liu Yunshuang's car, Su Bai understood.

She was helping him screen his first batch of elite clients!

Anyone with the status to attend this tournament was definitely wealthy or powerful.

Advertising to this crowd would be far more effective than trying to cast a wide net blindly.

"Thank you, Miss Liu Yunshuang."

Su Bai offered a sincere thanks.

On his shoulder, Meloetta imitated him adorably with a graceful bow.

"Melo~ Melo~"

Liu Yunshuang chuckled at the gesture.

"No need to thank me. Honestly, anyone who saw how magical these Pokémon are would want to help promote them."

"I have a feeling... your Su's Pet Shop will change the world."

"I don't know how you got these miraculous creatures, but if they can improve humanity's future, that's a very good thing."

That was the mindset of a true A-Rank professional.

After all, in this era, no matter the profession, everyone was fighting for humanity's survival.

"To fight for a better future for humankind"—in this world, that wasn't an empty slogan.

People like Liu Yunshuang meant every word of it.

Su Bai smiled and patted Meloetta's head without replying.

Indeed, Pokémon had the power to change the world.

If he could unlock more Pokédex entries and the system's functions expanded…

Who's to say he couldn't summon Arceus one day?

When that day comes, the monsters threatening mankind would be nothing.

Even the so-called Forbidden Zone Lords?

They wouldn't stand a chance.

The era where Awakeners alone had to shoulder the burden was coming to an end.

The Pokémon Era… was about to begin.

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Haicheng No. 1 High School – Battle Arena

Every Awakener academy in the world had its own battle arena.

To better accommodate audiences, these arenas were designed more like sports stadiums.

In the center were five separate battle platforms, surrounded by rows upon rows of seating.

Thanks to her status as an A-Rank Awakener from the prestigious Liu family, Liu Yunshuang was seated in the VIP section, with a wide and commanding view of the entire field.

"The students this year are pretty fierce!"

Ji Wei chuckled as he watched a student send his opponent flying with a single punch.

"That's the spirit! Do you think death beasts are going to spar with you nicely?"

Su Bai's eyelid twitched.

Awakeners existed to fight off the monstrous death beasts and reclaim humanity's land.

And everyone knew: death beasts showed no mercy.

That's why Awakener training was so harsh.

Even these tournaments weren't without serious injuries—sometimes even deaths occurred.

"Not used to this?"

Liu Yunshuang glanced at Su Bai.

"Makes sense. You've never seen something like this before."

She sighed.

"Once someone becomes an Awakener, very few live to die of old age."

"They chase strength, glory, wealth…

There's always something worth dying for."

"Still, if Awakeners didn't fight this hard…"

"Human territory would be much smaller than it is now."

Su Bai fell silent.

It was true.

The peaceful life inside the city walls was built on the sacrifices of countless Awakeners.

The death beasts near the outskirts?

Sometimes they were left there on purpose, to train rookie Awakeners.

Other times, it was because there simply weren't enough people to spare.

It seemed Pokémon could change more than just his bank account.

No wonder Liu Yunshuang was so willing to help him.

"Hey! Look over there!"

Liu Yunshuang nudged Su Bai with her elbow, pulling him out of his thoughts.

He followed her gaze, and spotted a round, chubby figure stepping onto the battlefield.

Beside him was a towering Gortle, roaring intimidatingly at its opponent.

Su Bai's eyes lit up.

"That's Wang Tao!"

In the tournament, only the top fifteen ranked students had the right to wait for challengers.

People like Liu Yunlan and Murong Nan, already in the rankings, didn't need to join the early elimination rounds.

These five platforms operated like qualifying arenas.

If someone could hold their ground against ten challengers, they would earn the right to challenge the Top 15.

And everyone in the Top 15 had earned their place through these brutal gauntlets.

Even someone as aloof as Liu Yunlan or the icy Murong Nan had fought their way up.

So anyone in the Top 15?

They were all monsters in human skin.

Previously, Wang Tao wouldn't have had the courage to enter such a bloodbath.

But now, with Grotle by his side, he had it.

Battlefield

Wang Tao's pudgy body was carefully hidden behind his towering Grotle. He waved provocatively at his opponent.

He had chosen this opponent carefully, a D-Rank melee class Awakener.

Grotle's physical defense was incredible, though its special defense was average.

Fighting a physical fighter was much safer than facing a mage-type class.

On top of that, the arena wasn't that big.

Mage classes relied heavily on range, which was severely limited here.

"Hey! You big dumb meathead! Come on, hit me if you dare!"

Wang Tao's taunting voice echoed behind Grotle, paired with a waving fat hand.

His opponent's face turned beet red with rage.

"Hiding behind your contract beast?

Coward! Typical spoiled brat!"

He gritted his teeth so hard the hilt of his blade nearly snapped.

Yes, it was legal to use a contract beast in battle.

But if it went out of control, the match was automatically forfeited.

So most competitors never brought them into high-stakes battles.

In most people's minds, only useless rich kids relied on contract beasts as their main force.

Clearly, this opponent had totally misunderstood Wang Tao.

"Raging Thunder Slash!"

His blade howled through the air with flashes of wind and thunder.

Fueled by righteous fury, he launched a violent assault on Grotle!

If he could force the beast into a frenzy, the judge would intervene and he'd win by default!

But the slash landed with a dull clang on Grotle's armored body.

The massive Pokémon slowly looked up, blinking at the guy who had just hit it.

For a D-Rank Awakener?

That attack barely scratched the surface.

"Cool move name. But not much power behind it."

Wang Tao's voice oozed mockery.

"Grotle, use Bite!"

"ROAR!!"

Grotle let out a low bellow and lunged forward with shocking speed!

The challenger froze.

"Why is it so fast?! It's huge!"

Panicked, he only had time to raise his blade defensively—

But with a sickening crack, his wrist went numb and the sword flew from his hand!

Before he could react, Grotle massive tail swung like a wrecking ball—

BAM!

He was sent flying off the platform!

Grotle calmly crunched down on the fallen weapon like it was a snack, chewing noisily.

"My… my Thunder Blade!"

A voice wailed from the stands.

It was the heartbroken scream of a melodramatic young man who had just watched his prized steel sword get shredded like a carrot.