The power of Horn Drill was whispered to be terrifyingsupposedly, a direct hit would instantly put an opponent in a near-death state. While that was an exaggeration, it spoke volumes of the move's sheer lethality.
However, the move had a massive flaw: its startup speed was incredibly slow. Under normal circumstances, an opponent could easily dodge it unless they were forced to stand perfectly still.
Rhyhorn hadn't moved far from the entrance after using Dig, which was why the shockwaves from Hitmonlee's Mega Kicks had been so effective.
This was Xiso's first time working with this Rhyhorn; the two had zero chemistry. The fact that they had pulled off a coordination that shocked the examiner was partly due to luck.
Of course, the most critical factor was Xiso's willingness to gamble. He had guessed the opponent's mindset. On the surface, Rhyhorn was no match for Hitmonlee. As the saying goes, a long defense eventually fails. The longer the match dragged on under Hitmonlee's fierce kicks, the higher the probability Rhyhorn would lose.
The second match required the trainers to use their own Pokémon. A qualified Elite Trainer needed not only excellent commanding skills and reflexes but also a powerful Pokémon to match.
Xiso sent out his evolved Weavile, while the opponent fielded a Venusaurthe final evolution of the Grass-type starter trio. The result was never in doubt. Under Weavile's terrifying high-speed assault, Venusaur lacked any effective means of counter-retaliation. After taking two direct hits from Ice Punch, it lost consciousness.
Two matches, two wins. Xiso had successfully passed the Elite Trainer Professional Assessment!
"Actually, that Rhyhorn knew Earthquake..." the examiner remarked with some emotion after the match ended. "The reason I had Hitmonlee use such a flawed combo was because I was afraid you'd order Rhyhorn to use Earthquake from underground."
If that had happened, the result would likely have been a double knockout. If Rhyhorn used Earthquake while inside a tunnel, both Hitmonlee and Rhyhorn would have taken massive damage.
In the event of a mutual knockout, the challenger winsthose were the rules of the Elite Trainer assessment.
"I just didn't expect you to take such a risk, and I certainly didn't expect it to pay off so spectacularly. There was some luck involved, but I have to admit the coordination was excellent. You are outstanding, kid. You've earned the title of Elite Trainer."
Walking out of the Professional Assessment Center, Xiso thought back to the examiner's words. To be honest, he really hadn't realized that Rhyhorn knew Earthquake. This showed that the Pokémon provided by the center were high-level,
and as a major branch of the League, their supply of Technical Machines must be abundant. After all, teaching a Rhyhorn a move like Earthquakewith its 100-power ratingwas no simple feat.
He toyed with the exquisitely crafted professional ID card in his hand. This hard card served as his proof of Elite Trainer status. The back featured a red Poké Ball pattern with white wings, while the front displayed Xiso's portrait and basic identity information.
This card was more than just a certificate. Once formally recognized as an Elite Trainer by the League, one enjoyed significant benefits. All services at Pokémon Centers became free of charge.
Plane and ship tickets from airlines and shipping companies controlled by the League were also free. Every month, the League would deposit 20,000 credits into his bank account as a "living allowance." However, what interested Xiso most was that this card allowed him to log into the Elite Forum on the League's official website.
The Elite Forum was a strictly regulated online area accessible only to those with the proper credentials. Elite Trainers from across the Kanto region could speak freely there, sharing training insights and experiences. Furthermore, the members of the Elite Four would occasionally hold online lectures, as would famous researchers and Professors.
"Alright, your Bounty Hunter rank has been promoted to Silver. From now on, you can accept A-rank missions." Nurse Joy smiled as she handed over a necklace that appeared to be made of silver.
Xiso took the necklace. It wasn't actually solid silver, of coursejust silver-plated. An oval-shaped silver metal tag hung from the chain.
His name and Bounty Hunter serial number were engraved on the tag. This was what hunters called a "dog tag." He slipped it into his pocket and returned the copper dog tag he had worn for several years to Nurse Joy.
The dog tag was merely a simple physical proof; all his vital information had long been entered into the Bounty Hunter official website.
With that, his goals in Vermilion City were complete. Xiso sprawled out on a sofa in the Pokémon Center lobby and stretched lazily.
"Let's see if there are any decent missions lately!"
Xiso pulled out his handheld computer and linked it to the Pokémon Center's main computer to check local listings.
Bounty Mission 1: The passenger liner S.S. Anne is hiring five Bounty Hunters as escort bodyards. Requirement: Elite Trainer certification. Pay: 25,000/day.
Xiso remembered the girl who gave him the ticket saying the S.S. Anne would sail for a week, with its final destination being the most famous resort in the Kanto region, Porta Vista.
This was an A-rank escort mission. If nothing happened during those seven days, it was essentially a free 175,000 credits, plus a free seven-day luxury cruise.
It was a good deal. Xiso quickly tapped to accept. Things were certainly different with the Elite Trainer title; the speed at which he could make money was on a completely different level than before.
Bounty Mission 2: The mine producing the highest quality evolution stones for the Eevee family in Stone Town has been occupied by an unknown, powerful Pokémon. Reward: 500,000 League Credits and a complete set of high-quality evolution stones...
Xiso didn't hesitate to accept this one as well. A full set of high-quality evolution stones included a Fire Stone, Leaf Stone, Water Stone, and Thunder Stone.
Even ordinary evolution stones didn't sell for less than 50,000 credits on the market. Added together, the total reward for this single mission exceeded a million.
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