Chapter Eight: Driving Test—Part Two

Heath had indeed wondered if he might take first place in the exam, shocking the driving school and earning that legendary reward no one had ever claimed. But on reflection, reality was reality—nothing was that easy. Unless Heath had some sort of genius system that let him grow stronger through studying, maybe then he could dominate the driving school.

“But as long as I pass, that’s enough. The next subject seems much more straightforward,” Heath said, glancing at the manual for Subject Two of the driving test. It was nearly identical to what he remembered from his past life—hands-on practice behind the wheel.

That put his mind at ease; at least this time he didn’t have to wonder what seeing a Slowpoke’s face on a sign was supposed to mean.

“Heath, you passed your exam! Amazing! You’re already such a mature grown-up now,” a soft body hugged Heath from behind—Junsha Ling, the old seductress, had appeared again.

“Ling, shouldn’t you be out on patrol with Maple and the others today?” Heath freed himself from Junsha Ling’s arms with a sigh and asked.

“Of course not! Today’s exam day, after all. I’m here to catch anyone cheating,” Junsha Ling said, smiling mischievously, hands clasped behind her back, looking entirely carefree.

Heath scratched his head; that made sense. Though the Joy family had lost a genius Pokémon doctor, Evergreen City didn’t revolve solely around Miss Joy—life had to go on as usual.

“Heath, since you’re already a fine grown-up, how about I take you to a hotel tonight to make you even more mature?” Junsha Ling fluttered her lashes seductively at Heath, who fled in panic, leaving her giggling delightedly behind him.

“Hmph, Trainer, see how that shameless woman scared you off?” Back at his food truck, Heath heard Zorua grumbling unhappily.

“You’re overthinking it. Ling just likes teasing me. If you take her seriously, you’re being naive.” Heath rolled his eyes. Junsha Ling acted nothing like this around outsiders; Heath had once seen her apprehend a fugitive from another town.

She’d executed a crisp combo move, breaking the criminal’s bones, then smiled at Heath and told him it wasn’t something kids should see.

So from that day forward, Heath understood: Junsha Ling might be an old seductress, but she was selective about it. She never showed that face to outsiders. Teasing Heath was simply one of her peculiar amusements.

“Huh? I thought you were the sort who’d sneak her black stockings back to your room to sniff and lick them—a real pervert!” Zorua’s face was a picture of shock.

“Well, sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not the kind of pervert who takes black stockings to his room for unspeakable activities,” Heath replied, giving Zorua a gentle flick on the forehead. What on earth was this little thing thinking all day?

Heath didn’t rush to leave. Instead, he stayed at the driving school; after passing Subject One, he wanted to quickly start learning Subject Two. There wouldn’t be many customers back at Nantian that afternoon, so Heath planned to take the opportunity to study thoroughly.

After submitting his documents at the office, Heath soon received a set of training videos and was assigned a coach who would guide him through the entire Subject Two process.

“For some reason, I have a bad feeling about this,” Heath muttered as he walked to his assigned vehicle.

Heath was working toward a license for medium and large vehicles—something related to his food truck—so he noticed fewer students around him. Most here were Machamps or burly men.

Opening the door to his assigned truck, Heath saw Junsha Ling sitting inside with a mischievous smile, beckoning him in. Heath closed the door with a blank expression.

“Heath, why are you running? Come learn to drive!” Junsha Ling laughed, grabbed Heath from behind, and with practiced skill, restrained his arms, ignoring his struggles as she dragged him onto the truck.

“That’s rough,” one burly man shuddered as he watched Heath get hauled away.

“Hm? Why rough? With a coach built like that, I’d fight till I dropped,” another burly fellow said, puzzled, only to receive a look of sympathy from his companion.

“Do you know who that bombshell of a coach is?” The first man folded his arms and looked toward Heath’s truck, sighing.

“Isn’t she just a coach?” his companion asked.

Before the first man could reply, the little truck suddenly shot forward, tearing across the training ground at reckless speeds, drifting and skidding with abandon.

The companion’s scalp tingled as the truck’s tail almost brushed his face.

“Are they insane?” he yelled, shaken by the experience.

“That’s what you get for running your mouth. She’s the empress of our driving school,” the first man replied, watching the speeding truck with pity for the young newcomer, hoping he could withstand the queen’s onslaught.

Inside the cab, Heath felt himself entering a strange state of equanimity, as if nothing mattered anymore. He watched the spinning world, saw the heart-stopping scenes repeat, and his face remained expressionless.

“Heath, you’re not thinking of throwing up, are you? Don’t vomit in sister’s truck, or I’ll make you clean it thoroughly,” Junsha Ling warned with a smile. Zorua, unable to handle it, retreated into Heath’s Poké Ball.

“It’s fine. Not only do I not feel sick—I almost feel excited,” Heath replied, scratching his head, uncertain how to express the sensation.

“Huh?” Junsha Ling was momentarily stunned, nearly hitting the wall, but just before impact, she pulled off a flawless drift, righting the truck.

“Not fast enough, Ling! Go faster!” Heath shouted with growing excitement.

“Alright, kid, you asked for it. Watch how I torment you now!” Junsha Ling, spurred by Heath’s challenge, floored the gas pedal.

“We’re almost there! Almost there!” Heath said, watching Junsha Ling’s excitement, his mouth twitching—she was definitely doing this on purpose.

But as the landscape blurred by, Heath felt an inexplicable sense of relaxation and safety. He was bewildered—why did he feel this way?

Heath wasn’t a professional racer; shouldn’t he feel fear and nausea in such a situation?