You're not allowed to play Pokémon!

Chapter 135: I'll be challenging the gym again next year!
This weekend, the number of trainers coming to challenge the Sunny Gym doubled.

Most of them were familiar faces that Qingyu recognized.

The percentage of repeat customers who pass the dojo's assessment has quietly risen to about 20%.

Some students who are not far behind may pass the test next time.

Although challenging the gym was indeed a bit grueling, many trainers also quietly discovered something during these three weeks of tireless research into strategies—

I think I've become pretty good at this!
Compared to the improvement in a Pokémon's strength, the change in a trainer's thinking may not be as obvious, but the trainer will definitely feel their progress in battle.

This is naturally thanks to the assessment criteria of Sunshine Dojo.

"If you can't win a match, look for your own problems! How come others can get through, but you get beaten up? It's because you didn't try hard enough!"

"If you guys can put in two hundred times the effort, next year on the One Piece set... no, next year on the Road to Champions, you'll be the main characters, okay?!"

Although Qingyu's words were a bit harsh, many students realized after a moment that—

Teacher Yu wasn't lying; hard work really does pay off!

If diligence is rewarded by heaven, and becoming stronger simply means learning new strategies...

I'm going to learn, learn, learn!
The teachers at Orange Academy tried everything they could, but they couldn't get these students to be so diligent and eager to learn. Yet, Qingyu accomplished this feat unintentionally...

As a result, the reviews of Sunshine Dojo on the Alliance APP have suddenly changed from overwhelmingly negative to "mixed opinions".

Although it still falls short of the 80% or higher approval ratings of other dojos.

But for Sunshine Dojo, this is a qualitative leap.

Below the Sunshine Dojo page are comments with "friendly tips" left by students who have passed the assessment:
This week's gym challenge is against Saltstone Giant. It's a bit annoying, but relatively easy to deal with.

[Family members, the Spy Cloak is incredibly effective against the Salt Rock Giant! We strongly recommend that every Trainer challenging the Sunny City Gym equip their Pokémon with it!]

The Spy Cloak is a combat item unique to the Parthian region.

Pokémon that are carrying this item can ignore most of the additional effects by covering part of their body.

Salting is a high-attack Rock-type move, and the additional effects of the Salting status can be largely negated by the Spy Cloak.

Therefore, it is indeed very suitable for challenging the Sunny Gym.

……

“Sure, Okamoto.”

"They actually thought of bringing a spy cloak; it seems like the challengers' skill level has really gone up lately!"

After finishing yet another dojo assessment, Qingyu nodded repeatedly in satisfaction.

Choosing the right items is a crucial part of the battle, and anyone who can think of this deserves recognition.

but--

"Speaking of which, aren't there a lot of people coming to challenge us today wearing spy cloaks?"

Okamoto was a little confused by Aoba's question.

"Teacher Yu, don't you know?"

Does Teacher Yu never check the comments on his dojo page?
That's much more interesting than the video comment section; he scrolls through it all the time.

But thinking about it carefully, it seems reasonable!

The Sunshine Dojo has such a high rate of negative reviews, even I, as the dojo owner, can't stand it...

"Never mind, it's not important."

Qingyu shook his head, his gaze toward Okamoto carrying a strange quality that sent a chill down Okamoto's spine.

"Speaking of which, I remember Okamoto-kun is also aiming for the championship next year, right?"

"Yes! My goal this year is to pass the King of Kings test and become the champion!"

After gaining Aoba's approval, Okamoto felt incredibly powerful.

Unlike other regions, the Path to Champion in Padia is not a final test that requires eight badges to enter, but rather a complete process that includes eight gyms.

Every student admitted to Orange Academy can continue to challenge for the championship title until graduation. Okamoto, who obtained half of the badges in his first year, certainly has a chance to win this year.

"I see."

Qingyu nodded and quickly revealed some major news.

"Although it hasn't been announced yet, the league should release a notice soon."

"The Sunshine Gym, which I am the head of, will become the qualifying gym for the Path of Champions next year."

"I see."

Okamoto already knew about this, so he wasn't surprised.

But the next sentence instantly broke his defenses.

"Because it's now one of the Eight Dojos, therefore—"

"The current assessment intensity is probably not enough."

"Starting next year, Sunny Gym will raise the skill requirements for trainers accordingly."

"Let's keep working hard next year so we can get our Sunshine Dojo badge as soon as possible, Okamoto-kun~"

……

Okamoto didn't know how he walked out of the Sunshine Dojo.

After hearing the information Qingyu provided, his mind felt as if he had been struck by lightning, instantly becoming completely blank.

What does it mean that the assessment intensity is not enough?
The Pokémon and tactics that Teacher Yu can pull out right now are already pretty outrageous. If he were to take it to the next level...

He couldn't even imagine how desperate he would feel!

Furthermore, the challenge rules for Sunny Gym are currently fixed at 1v1, so there are still many ways to counter Pokémon that have already revealed their identities.

But what happens after it's promoted to the Eight Dojo?

It should at least be 3v3...

Not only have the costs increased several times over, but even the ability to field a deep enough roster is a problem.

Of course, there are simpler ways—

I don't care about this or that, as long as the Pokémon is strong enough, I can just crush them!

But the question is, can he do it?

It's definitely impossible to do that. If I had that ability, would I be copying homework from the comments section?

No, I can't keep this terrifying news to myself!

Okamoto quickly regained his composure and immediately took out his phone to post a message on the school's internal platform:
Brothers, we have inside information!

Next year, we'll continue our challenge at Sunny Gym on the Road to Champions!
Furthermore, the head of the Qingyu Hall said he wanted to increase the difficulty...

Brothers, it looks like we'll have to keep pushing ourselves next year...

As soon as this post was published, a chorus of groans erupted below.

[Quack! I just beat the Sunny Gym, why do I have to do it again?!]

[Is it this difficult now? What will it be like if the efforts are intensified next year?]

I'm going to delete the positive review I just posted right now. I'll talk about it again next year after I finish the game!

[Clicked! A segmented review, I'll give it one star for now and add the remaining four stars next year!]

And so, without Qingyu's knowledge.

Sunshine Dojo's positive review rate has plummeted again, quickly breaking its previous record low...

When Qingyu heard the news, he was completely stunned.

What have I been doing lately?
(End of this chapter)