After stepping out of the venue, Julian didn't slow down. He walked quickly back to the hotel and released Dragonair from its Poké Ball, allowing it to eat some Yache berries.

  About 70 Yache berries have beeen by Dragonair so far including the 10 he got this time.

  "How about it? Do you feel that you have some resistao ice-type moves?" Julian asked, watg as Dragerly devoured another Yache berry. The Pokémon had a look of happiness on its face, clearly enjoying the sweet taste of the berries.

  "Dra~"

  Dragonair thought for a moment, then s head slowly, firming that it did feel a bit stronger.

  "Great! That should help you reduce the damage of ice-type moves from 4x to about 3.5x" Julian said, feeling a surge of excitement.

  Thanks to his Aura powers, he could sense what Dragonair wao say without him needing to speak.

  Eating 70 Yache berries helped reduce the damage from ice-type moves by 0.5. Dragonair could eat as many berries as it wanted, but it would take an enormous o pletely block out ice-type attacks. Juliahat the amount needed would keep increasing as they tried to reach full resistance.

  He remembered that daily quest rewards were random, and the ce of getting Yache berries retty low. There were actually 18 different berries avaible that could weaken various types of attacks. He could also buy them from the system mall, but each berry cost 1,000 points, which was far too expensive. He preferred saving his points for more useful items.

  "Dra~"

  Dragonair whispered softly, its big, shining eyes pleading with Julian, almost as if it was begging for more Yache berries.

  "No, no! I o save some for ter,"

  Julian quickly replied, not wanting to give in to the charming look in Dragonair's eyes. He couldn't bear to see it looking so hopeful.

  "Dra~"

  Draghed, and its expression turned sad, making Julian feel a twinge of guilt.

  "Okay, fine! I only give you two more, though. No more than that!" he finally relented, knowing that the excitement in Dragonair's eyes was hard to resist.

  "Dragonair~"

  Dragonair nodded eagerly, excitement lighting up its fad his tail swung up behind him, it looked like he had been possessed by a Growlithe.

  With a sigh, Julian bought two Yache berries from the system, watg his points drop by 2,000.

  "Here you go,"

  He said, handing the berries tonair. Instead of eating them right away, Dragonair nuzzled Julian's cheek gently with its head, showing its affe before mung on the berries.

  Julian was usually quite serious and didn't make friends easily. Will was his only real friend. Others, like Shen, Zosh and Ha more like teammates or cssmates.

  But with Pokémon, it was different. To Julian, they were not just partners; they were family.

  Around noon, while Julian was lying in bed scrolling through his phone, a message popped up on the s.

  Will: "e out for lunch! Shen and I are waiting for you in the lobby."

  Julian quickly typed back: "Okay."

  The ference had arranged for all testants to stay in the same hotel, and most of them brought their families along. By lunchtime, the lobby was buzzing with activity as many people eheir meals and chatted about the ongoing ference.

  As Julian walked into the lobby, many people reized him right away. Several even pulled out their phoo snap pictures. Ieam match against Lit Middle School, Julian had single-handedly defeated three oppos, including a strong Mega Evolved Venusaur and a tough Pupitar.

  His performance made many believe he could achieve a top-three finish or even win the individual petition.

  When it came to that petition, Julian had dispyed even more strength, making him a popur choice for the championship title.

  However, due to his serious aura, no one dared to approach him for photos or to say hello.

  "Over here!"

  Will's voice called out from a table, cutting through the crowd. Julian spotted him wavihusiastically.

  "Really, You didn't even e to eat without me calling you, did you eat in the room?"

  Seeing Julian take his seat, Will couldn't help pining.

  "Did you both lose your matches?" Without answering Will's words, Julian looked at Han and Zosh, who were downcast, they both exuded a sense of 'I lost'.

  They both heir faces showing clear disappoi. They already knew from Will's big mouth that both Julian and Shen had been accepted early to Imperial Uy.

  They had hoped to perform well enough in the individual petition to get into a top school, but they only mao reach the top 30.

  "Who did you lose to?" Julian asked, digging into his beef fillet and stir-fried peppers.

  The strength of these two was still good, and it should be no problem to ehe top 15. Now that both of them have lost, it seemed their Rivals were very powerful.

  "Zosh faon, and Ha up against the Gengar Trainer from Lit Middle School," Will replied, a smirk f on his face.

  In a way, both Zosh and Han could bee rivals in future petitions, so Will seemed to enjoy their losses a bit too much.

  "Looks like the luck of the draw wasn't in your favor. I guess I'm the only shining star in roup!" Will said, clearly feeling proud of himself.

  "Let's focus on winning your afternoon match first," Han said, not impressed by Will's bragging.

  "Just a Bug-type Trainer. You really think they match my Fire-type?" Will boasted fidently, leaning ba his chair.

  "Ugh,"

  Zosh said, also annoyed.

  "Your luck is just ridiculous. You keep getting easy oppos!"

  "Hahaha! I see you're all just jealous! I love it!"

  Will ughed, relishing the moment while enjoying his meal.

  "I still have a shot at this!"

  Han decred, trying to boost his spirits. "At the end of today's games, the ference will bring bae eliminated pyer to fill the st spot. I could be that lucky one!"

  All the elimirainers shared the same hopes and dreams, imagining they might be the chosen one.

  "Julian, at two o'clo the afternoon at the fifth venue, Make sure you e to cheer for me!" Will urged, pletely ign Han's pints.

  "Just imagiaking down three of his Pokemon with just Charizard!"

  Will's enthusiasm was tagious, even though Julian had already pulled off an impressive victory with Metagross earlier that day. Will believed Charizard could do the same, especially sis Bug-type oppo wouldn't stand much of a ce.

  Among all the types, Bug-type Pokémon were usually sidered weak, especially when pared to other types at the same level. Most trainers viewed Bug-types as easy targets, whily added to Will's fidence.