So perhaps it was an abnormal state, light green in color. Looking at the attached picture, Stephen Clark didn’t find the relevant key point at first.

The knowledge tested in the primary breeder exam isn’t meant to be too difficult for candidates; generally, it only tests some of the more common Pokémon. In Stephen Clark’s memory, both poisoning and paralysis could cause pain for Mary Lou.

As for Mary Lou’s temperament, it generally likes to play by the water and mostly lives in forests. In that case, Stephen Clark could narrow the target down to some Bug-type or Grass-type Pokémon.

The first thing Stephen Clark thought of was the Wurmple evolutionary line, but after thinking it over, he immediately ruled it out.

The Stun Spore from Beautifly is brownish-yellow, the toxin from Bug Bite is brown mixed with purple, and the toxin from Poison Sting is deep purple.

Venomoth is similar; the symptoms caused by its toxin are reddish-purple, which also doesn’t match this situation.

As for Grass-type Pokémon, Oddish, Shroomish, etc... it seems those cases don’t match either.

However, after sorting through the habitats and characteristics of other Pokémon, Stephen Clark finally focused on Shroomish.

Although the Stun Spore and Poison Powder from Shroomish differ from these symptoms, Shroomish has a unique characteristic: its special spores.

These released spores are different from Poison Powder and strong toxins. Shroomish usually cherishes these spores and only releases them when in great danger. These spores are also mixed with some toxins, ultimately forming a unique powder specific to Shroomish.

These spores can be used against enemies or to make certain medicines, making them excellent medicinal materials.

Most importantly, the damp, decaying leaf soil in the forest is its favorite food, so they love moist environments.

With this, the train of thought became clear: Mary Lou and Shroomish are the key to solving this question.

Next, this question is only half answered. Knowing the cause, the breeder still needs to be tested on what to do.

Generally, those without a clue might write something like using an antidote, but the question certainly wouldn’t be that simple. Moreover, if you start treatment without fully understanding the situation, it often causes secondary harm to the Pokémon.

Stephen Clark wrote the following answer: First, have Mary Lou stop moving, then gently squeeze its tail until Mary Lou’s cheeks turn dark green. After that, detoxify using a Pecha Berry or Lum Berry for best results, with antidotes as a secondary option. If nothing is available, Mary Lou should avoid wasting energy, not use any moves, and find detoxifying medicine as soon as possible. After detoxification, Mary Lou should release its energy to the fullest until completely exhausted; this is the safest approach.

Mary Lou’s round, large tail stores enough nutrients needed for its growth. After being poisoned, the toxin will first invade its tail, and these nutrients will also become contaminated. To prevent the toxin from penetrating deeper and affecting Mary Lou’s future growth, Mary Lou needs to stop moving its tail, allowing the toxin to remain in a relatively stable state. Next, by massaging the tail and using its special elasticity, most of the external toxin can be squeezed into the cheeks, which is the first and most effective point of action for detoxifying medicines.

Next, the process isn’t finished yet. The toxin hasn’t been completely expelled. Although Mary Lou is no longer in danger at this point, to be safe, Mary Lou should continue to use moves to expend energy, releasing as much of the toxin that has invaded its energy as possible. In this way, the problem is basically solved perfectly.

Of course, each toxin and each Pokémon’s poisoning requires a different solution. This is exactly the challenge for breeders.

After writing all this in a rather rigorous manner, Stephen Clark breathed a sigh of relief. Clearly, answering such a big question was quite mentally exhausting for him at this point.

Not wasting any time, Stephen Clark immediately started on the second question.

How can a Meowth learn one of the following moves? Please choose one to answer—

Thunderbolt, Shadow Ball, Dark Pulse, Double Team, Water Pulse...

This is another type of question, relating to training Pokémon moves. Likewise, this is also a fundamental skill shared by both breeders and trainers.

Chapter 14: Results Announced

Stephen Clark understood that, when choosing different moves to answer, if the explanation process is the same, picking Shadow Ball would definitely score higher than Double Team. However, after thinking it over, Stephen Clark still chose Thunderbolt, which he felt confident about but wasn’t too easy. After writing down everything he could think of, by the time 45 minutes had passed—halfway through the exam—he had already finished all the questions.

After spending another five minutes checking everything again to make sure there were no problems, Stephen Clark looked up. At that moment, Little Susan also looked up. Clearly, they had both finished. Smiling at each other, they raised their hands together.

Since they had finished and were confident they could pass, they applied to submit their papers early.

Just like that, under the surprised and suspicious gazes of the others, Stephen Clark and Little Susan walked out of exam room 303.

The exam was 90 minutes in total, and only 50 minutes had passed.