Pokémon: Master System.

The soft touch on his shoulder relieved Xia Yu's fatigue and exhaustion, and he fell into a deep sleep without realizing it.

…………

"beep."

Half an hour later, the phone rang suddenly, waking Xia Yu from her deep sleep.

He suddenly opened his eyes, wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth, and realized that he had unknowingly found himself resting his head on Sylvia's lap, his drool soaking her stockings.

Sylvia's emerald green eyes were fixed on him, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Sorry." Xia Yu said apologetically as she answered the phone, "Hello... what's up?"

"Do you really have to come? Things are a bit busy here at the lab."

…………

Sylvia watched Xia Yu quietly, a smile playing on her lips as she saw his serious expression.

"Okay, I understand. I'll come to school right away."

…………

After Xia Yu hung up the phone, Sylvia got up, picked up Xia Yu's coat from behind the door, walked behind him, and helped him put it on.

"Thank you," Xia Yu said, straightening his collar.

"It's so late, are you still going to school?" Sylvia asked softly.

"Hmm." Xia Yu nodded: "It's about the Pokémon University International Exchange Tournament. It seems the Pokémon International Association changed the rules this year."

“Mm.” Sylvia nodded.

"I'm leaving the lab to you. Although I can't give you the deputy director position for now, I've upgraded your access to Level I." Xia Yu said as he walked towards the door.

“Okay.” Sylvia smiled, nodded, and followed Xia Yu out of the office. “I’ll see you off.”

"What's there to give? I have legs, I can walk, no need to say anything, and I don't need you to push my wheelchair." Xia Yu joked, waved his hand, and walked out of the laboratory.

…………

Chapter 530 International Pokémon Exchange Tournament

school.

meeting room.

The president of Imperial Capital University is named Leng Hu, the former Ice-type Elite Four member of the Northeast region. After his main Pokémon was killed in a battle, he had to step down from his position as Elite Four member.

After that, he abandoned his military career and took up a civil service position as the president of Imperial University.

When Xia Yu rushed over, the conference room was already quite full of people.

Five men and three women sat in four rows. Su Muzi sat in the last row, with an empty seat next to her.

Xia Yu looked at the nameplate on the empty seat, which read his own seat.

He walked quickly to Su Muzi's side. After not seeing her for a week, Su Muzi seemed to have become even thinner.

Hearing the noise, Su Muzi turned her head to look at him, her face still showing the same indifferent expression, without her usual bright smile and crescent-shaped eyes, and she didn't say anything, then continued to look at the podium.

The two acted like strangers.

Xia Yu couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

…………

"Everyone's here, let's get down to business." Principal Leng Hu, a man from Northeast China, had a booming voice, a tall stature, a square face, and piercing eyes. "According to the previous rules, the International Pokémon Exchange Tournament was not divided by grade, only by strength. However, we received news today that the International Pokémon Association has applied to change the rules, and you first- and second-year students may also have to participate in the competition. Although it hasn't been officially confirmed, we still asked everyone to come here for a short meeting."

While listening to Leng Hu speak, Xia Yu glanced at the others.

There were eight people present. He and Su Muzi were the top two in their freshman year, so the remaining six should be the top two in their respective year.

Among them was Xia Yu's acquaintance, Tao Su.

As for the others, Xia Yu didn't recognize any of them.

…………

"The Pokémon Association International has only made a preliminary announcement. We will not know the exact changes for some time. The current news is that they plan to add an exhibition match in addition to the main competition."

"Let's talk about the main competition first. The main competition is the same as before, with the two strongest college students participating."

"The exhibition matches are additional competitions specially set up for freshmen and sophomores. There are medals but no prizes or awards. The competitions are divided into two levels: freshman group and sophomore group."

Xia Yu frowned upon hearing Leng Hu's words.

Medals only? No prize money or rewards, who the hell is going to buy them?

While it's true that one should strive for national glory and make selfless contributions, he's genuinely busy and doesn't have time to participate in such exhibition matches.

At this point, Leng Hu's gaze fell on Xia Yu: "Whether this news is true or false, we need to prepare for the competition in advance and plan ahead."

"There will only be two participants in the main competition. As before, the two strongest will be determined through competition, and anyone can register." Leng Hu's gaze fell on the champion and runner-up of the third and fourth year students. If nothing unexpected happens, the final participants in the main competition will be chosen from among these four.

"The exhibition match for sophomores consists of the top two students from the sophomore year."

"As for the first-year students..." Leng Hu paused slightly, looking at Xia Yu: "Xia Yu, although you are the top student in the first year, I don't recommend that you participate in this competition."

Leng Hu's words drew everyone's attention to Xia Yu.

Leng Hu looked at Xia Yu and said seriously, "Your identity is special. In addition to being a trainer, you are also one of the most outstanding scientific researchers in our country. And this competition is being held overseas. The environment overseas is complicated, and it is also someone else's territory. We cannot guarantee your safety 100%."

"Therefore, I suggest you voluntarily give up this opportunity to participate."

"After all, this is just an exhibition match."

Xia Yu was overjoyed to hear Leng Hu's words. He was still worried about how to refuse tactfully, but he didn't expect Leng Hu to take the initiative to tell him not to participate in the competition.

"Principal, I was actually just thinking of asking if I could skip the competition." Xia Yu smiled and said, "The lab was just completed recently, and I've been busy preparing for the project launch ceremony. I don't have time to participate in the exhibition match for the time being."

"Well, it's good that you have no objections. The Pokémon Association's sudden rule change was already a bit odd, and maybe they're deliberately targeting you." Hearing Xia Yu agree, Leng Hu nodded as well. He was afraid that Xia Yu was stubborn and would insist on participating in this exhibition match.

“Your spot in the exhibition match will be filled by the third-place finisher.” Leng Hu paused slightly before continuing, “Xia Yu, although you’re not participating in this exhibition match, your skills can’t be neglected. I see you haven’t played in the Master-level League yet; you could try it out if you have time.”

“Okay, Principal Leng.” Xia Yu nodded modestly.

…………

After that, Leng Hu talked for a while about the precautions for the competition, while Xia Yu looked around at everyone present out of boredom.

Apart from Su Muzi and Tao Su, whom he knew, Xia Yu didn't recognize any of the other people.

The top student in the senior year was a boy with slightly curly hair and a sleepy look.

Xia Yu glanced at the nameplate. "Yu He?" The name seemed vaguely familiar.

The top student in the third year was a slender, handsome man with gold-rimmed glasses on his nose, slightly long hair, a refined and gentle demeanor, and a handsome and delicate appearance.

Wei Xianzhi? Xia Yu had heard of this person before; he seemed to be a rare Normal-type Trainer.

…………

Xia Yu was lost in thought when he suddenly heard a "Meeting adjourned" and saw everyone get up and prepare to leave the meeting room.

Wearing a long black down jacket, Su Muzi tidied up the paper and pen on the table, stood up and looked at Xia Yu, her voice soft: "Xia Yu, you... are blocking my way, please... move aside."

"Oh." Xia Yu then realized that she was standing in the aisle of their row, blocking Su Muzi's way out. "Sorry, sorry. Please..."

Hearing Su Muzi's unfamiliar tone, Xia Yu felt uneasy, but looking at Su Muzi's indifferent expression, he didn't know what to say and could only step aside to make way for her.

As Xia Yu watched Su Muzi's departing figure, he couldn't help but recall the quack strategist Wu Yaozu's terrible idea.

Xia Yu was stunned for a full moment until Su Muzi's figure disappeared around the corner before he came back to his senses.

"What's wrong? Did you two have a fight?" The voice from beside him interrupted Xia Yu's thoughts. He turned his head and saw that the speaker was Wei Xianzhi, whom he had been paying attention to at the beginning.

Wei Xianzhi took out a cigarette, handed it to Xia Yu, and then took out another one and lit it for himself.

"Such a beautiful girl, go for it." As he spoke, Wei Xianzhi took a deep drag on his cigarette. "Girls are easy to coax."

As Wei Xianzhi spoke, he released a Gengar, which then took out a Shine gift box: "This is for you; you might need it someday."

Xia Yu took the gift box from Wei Xianzhi and paused slightly. Inside the transparent box was a bouquet of flowers.

“No girl can resist a bouquet of flowers. Of course, if you do refuse, then disregard what I said. I suggest you give up now and find another way.” Wei Xianzhe smiled ambiguously, revealing two dimples on his face, with a mischievous expression, just like a scumbag in a TV drama. He patted Xia Yu on the shoulder and walked out: “Let’s go, Xia Yu. When are you free to have a match? I really want to fight your Dorombaluto.”

"Ding." A text message notification sounded.

Wu Yaozu: "Brother Yu, come out quickly!"

Xia Yu put away the gift box containing the flowers and then walked out.

…………

Chapter 531 Flowers Blooming in the Winter Night

When Xia Yu walked out of the teaching building, he found Su Muzi standing gracefully downstairs, like a flower blooming in the dead of winter, standing proudly in the winter sun and bringing a touch of warmth to the cold winter.

Su Muzi has always been this beautiful, but in the past she was as radiant as a summer flower, while now she is more like a proud plum blossom, swaying alone in the cold wind.

Regardless of anything else, whenever she appears in sight, she is the most eye-catching one.

Two more people joined her: Xia Jie and Wu Yaozu.