It turned out that they weren't just competing in battles, but also in coordination matches, and there were distinctions between individual and team categories.
Qiao Sang realized that this explained why pets like the Little Puff, which weren't suited for solo combat, were present.
In a team battle, a Little Puff could act as a healer with its healing skills, or provide crowd control if it knew skills like Vine. If it also possessed offensive skills like Leaf Blade, it could serve as a distraction. It was absolutely the best choice of pet for team warfare.
Even if they didn't do team battles, the Little Puff's appearance made it a great fit for the coordination group.
"One very important reason you were chosen is that the chemistry and cooperation between you and your pets far exceed that of the other freshmen. While they are still worrying about how to get along with their pets, you are already able to command your pets in battle. This is your talent."
"Some of you may not be the most outstanding among the freshmen, but in terms of nurturing pets, you are the best!" Qin Wen encouraged them loudly.
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone unconsciously straightened their backs. Even Jin Feifan, who was trying his best to lower his presence at the very edge, lifted his chin slightly.
Only Qiao Sang looked completely bewildered.
Commanding pets in battle?
Isn't that all you need to do once you've formed a contract?
And that makes you the best?
Qin Wen observed everyone's reactions and shifted her tone.
"Let me say one thing upfront: you are the school's initial choice, but not the final choice. I hope that through this intensive training, all of you can make it into the final groups instead of being replaced halfway through."
Qiao Sang sighed inwardly. A round of praise followed by a warning to let them know that this training opportunity was not easily won.
As expected of a teacher; she certainly had a way with words.
Sure enough, everyone's backs straightened even further.
"Enough nonsense." Qin Wen pointed to an energy testing machine nearby. "Let's first test everyone's energy levels. Come over and line up to have your pets wear the testing helmets."
The energy testing machine was different from the strength meter.
The strength meter measured physical power, while the energy tester measured the energy value within a pet's body.
In short, it was a high-tech product many times more expensive than the strength meter.
Qiao Sang felt a bit of psychological trauma looking at the machine.
However, since it only required wearing a helmet and didn't involve releasing skills for the test, Qiao Sang felt it wasn't a big deal.
"They aren't doing this just to pick people for the combat group, are they?" Zheng Yining asked in a low voice, glancing sideways.
"Very likely," Qiao Sang nodded.
The amount of energy could indicate a pet's endurance and the power of its skill releases, which were highly valued in combat competitions. It seemed to have little effect on coordination matches.
"I'm doomed. If I knew we were doing this on the first day, I would have let Long-Ears eat more energy meals this morning," Zheng Yining said anxiously.
If energy meals had just been eaten and weren't yet digested, the tested value would be slightly skewed, though not by much.
Qiao Sang glanced at the Long-Eared Cat, which was elegantly licking its paws on the ground, and said, "I think the Long-Eared Cat is more suited for coordination matches."
Hearing this, Zheng Yining sighed. "I know, but Long-Ears has no interest in coordination matches; it only likes battling."
Qiao Sang paused and looked at the paw-licking Long-Eared Cat again.
Pets truly cannot be judged by their appearance...
Thinking of something, she suddenly turned to Jin Feifan beside her and asked, "Is there a group you want to enter?"
Jin Feifan said bashfully, "Little Ball and I both want to enter the coordination group."
"Ball."
The Little Puff gave a weak echo of agreement.
Qiao Sang nodded; this wasn't surprising.
While they were chatting, the line had already formed, and the first person soon finished their test.
"Wang Jihang, 2602."
Qin Wen announced the value displayed on the tester screen connected to the helmet.
The energy value of a primary pet ranged between 1 and 10,000. For a pet newly contracted by a rookie beast tamer, this value was considered decent.
Luo Qian stood to the side, head down, recording the data with a pen.
"Next."
As she spoke, Qin Wen reached out to remove the testing helmet from Bubble Bell's head.
Unexpectedly, Bubble Bell tilted its head and dodged.
Qin Wen paused and tried again, but this time Bubble Bell simply floated upward while wearing the helmet.
"Bell!"
Bubble Bell floated and laughed, thinking someone was playing with it.
"Wang Jihang," Qin Wen called its tamer's name helplessly.
"King Bell, be good, take off the helmet quickly!" Wang Jihang stepped forward anxiously.
"Bell!"
Bubble Bell gave a smiling cry to its tamer and then floated away in the opposite direction.
Qiao Sang: "..."
Are we sure this thing can command a battle?
Fortunately, the helmet's wire was connected to the tester, so Bubble Bell couldn't float very far.
The testing proceeded quickly.
Among the first ten people, the highest was Lu You's Small Raptor with an energy value of 5630, and the lowest was Peng Xiaoyuan's Lisharp Sparrow with 911.
Zheng Yining returned dejectedly, holding the Long-Eared Cat that had just finished testing.
The Long-Eared Cat's energy value was 1156. If the grouping were truly based on energy values, she clearly couldn't rank in the top six.
Moreover, there was "Big Shot Qiao" behind her; the combat group was likely out of her reach.
"Next."
Qiao Sang stepped forward.
The remaining eleven people looked over in unison, giving her absolute attention. In particular, Lu You, Lu Liangye, and the others who had lost to Qiao Sang stared at her as if they wanted to burn a hole through her.
It was common for peers to compare themselves, and Lu You had never lost to anyone his age since contracting the Small Raptor.
Until he met Qiao Sang...
Lu You stared intently at Qiao Sang's back.
After losing that time, he had watched several of Qiao Sang's subsequent matches in the Baixin Tournament. He had to admit that in terms of combat, she was indeed much stronger than him, even managing to win against a Control-type Sucking Doll using a Fire-Fang Dog.
That was the case, but he still felt a surge of frustration in his heart, feeling that as long as he were given time, he could beat her.
After all, he had contracted a Dragon-type pet, the Small Raptor, while Qiao Sang had a Fire-Fang Dog. Whether in terms of attributes or future growth, he had the upper hand.
He thought they wouldn't meet again, but he hadn't expected her to also be a freshman at Shengshui Middle School.
Even more unexpected was that when he met her again, she actually had a Treasure Ghost with her.
But even so, as long as the Fire-Fang Dog's energy value was lower than the Small Raptor's during the test, he could comfort himself.
As long as he were given time...
"Xun~"
The Little Treasure Ghost floated over impatiently.
Having watched from behind, this little thing had been wanting to try it for a long time.
The Fire-Fang Dog stayed in its tamer's arms, looking a bit dazed.
No training today; it felt so boring...
Qin Wen paused for a moment, then reacted and placed the helmet on the Treasure Ghost's head.
"Qiao Sang, Treasure Ghost, 1388."
Qiao Sang was stunned by the value. Others might not know, but she knew very well that the Little Treasure Ghost wasn't even a month old yet. This value ranked seventh among the pets tested so far.
Was it too high?
After announcing the value, Qin Wen reached out to remove the helmet.
As a result, the Treasure Ghost tilted its head and dodged, blinking its eyes as it looked back at her.
Qin Wen: "..."
"Qiao Sang," Qin Wen called Qiao Sang's name directly.
She shook her head inwardly. Although this child had high talent, starting with one Fire-type and one Ghost-type was a bit too taxing.
Training these pets to cooperate would likely take a very long time.
She knew the Fire-Fang Dog was fine, but this Treasure Ghost...
"Little Treasure," Qiao Sang spoke.
"Xun~"
The Little Treasure Ghost responded obediently, then used its own paw to lift the helmet off.
Qin Wen: "...!"
Everyone was stunned by the Treasure Ghost's action and turned their heads in unison to look at Wang Jihang.
Wang Jihang's face turned red from being stared at, and he snapped in embarrassment, "What are you looking at me for!"