"Julian, you're sixth to go."

  After Julian's one-agai performance yesterday, Coach Wade didn't dare put him in the first slot. If Julia first, most of the remaining partits would barely get a ce to battle, effectively being bystanders.

  But this way, everyone else could gain some mueeded experienstead of Julian hogging all the opportunities.

  Julian nodded. Without a specific task, he preferred to avoid standing out so muyway.

  Because of yesterday's battle, his Metagross's bat power had been reassessed by the outside world, which would likely make him a target for more future assassinations.

  Previously, potential attackers might not have known how stroagross really was, sending a few pseudo-Elite or pseudo-Elite peak-level Traio ambush him.

  But now that its strength was clear, any attacker would surely start at the Elite level.

  The more trump cards he revealed, the greater the danger he would fa the future.

  Of course, Julian's greatest trump card was always his system. With it, no one could truly uncover his full capabilities.

  At 8:00 AM sharp, the match officially began.

  Representing Imperial Uy, the first to take the field was Simon, a third-year student specializing in Ghost-types.

  His Pokémon? A Gengar.

  It was a Gengar with a potential, already at Level 70, the peak of pseudo-Elite level.

  Having such a strong Pokémon as a third-year made Simon worthy of being the top student of his css.

  For Shu Uy, their first representative was also a third-year student, whose Pokémon was an Akazam at the peak of pseudo-Elite level.

  Gengar and Akazam were cssic examples of powerful Ghost- and Psychic-type Pokémon. Not only were they exceptionally strong, but both had access to Mega Evolution forms.

  Ghost- and Psychic-types were notorious for their tricky movesets. While their moves might not always be the most powerful, they often excelled at being dht annoying.

  As the battle began, Gengar and Akazam engaged in a spectacur dispy of offense and defense.

  Gengar, often referred to as the "Universal Ghost King" was known for its ability to learn an incredibly diverse range of moves.

  Of course, knowing many moves didn't guarantee mastery, but versatility never hurt—after all, knowledge is power.

  "Gengar, use Venoshock!"

  Gengar feinted an attack, catg Akazam off guard. The purple venom hit Akazam directly, not only poisoning it but also corroding its body.

  As the venom's corrosive effects took hold, white smoke rose from Akazam's body.

  "Akazam, Psychic!"

  Befengar could revel in its success, its plump body was strud flung back by the powerful bst.

  Us pre-evolutions, Gastly and Haunter—both gas-based Pokémon with negligible weight—Gengar was signifitly heavier.

  O evolved, Gengar's weight skyrocketed from a mere 0.1 kg to 40.5 kg, likely due to its ability to store objects in its body.

  A few mier, both Gengar and Akazam colpsed to the ground.

  The first matded in a draw.

  "Unlucky. Of all oppos, it had to be a Psychic-type"

  Simon muttered as he walked off the stage, clearly dissatisfied with the result.

  He hadn't expected to perform like Julian, but at the very least, he wao take down two oppos. Yet, the first round ended in a tie.

  Thea, who specialized in Psychic-types herself, gave Simon a sharp look.

  However, she didn't front him about it—not because she didn't want to, but because she as Imperial Uy's sed representative.

  "Go, Gardevoir!"

  Thea's Pokémon was a Gardevoir, affeately referred to by many Trainers as the "waifu Pokémon." This one was even a rare shiny Gardevoir, with its normally white gown repced by a bck dress.

  The bck dress gave Gardevoir an air of mystery, though some spectators had less-than-wholesome thoughts about the look.

  Shu Uy's representative was a Fire-type Trainer, who sent out a Houndoom.

  Houndoom, a Dark and Fire dual-type Pokémon, was known for its aggressive attack patterns and unwavering loyalty to its Trainer.

  "Houndoom, Dark Pulse!"

  Houndoom unleashed a wave of sinister energy, but Gardevoir evaded it with Teleport, instantly reappearing to Houndoom's left. It seized the opportunity to ter with a Dazzling Gleam.

  "ch!"

  Houndoom didn't dodge. Energy verged inte, sharp-toothed mouth, which cmped down hard on Gardevoir's arm.

  The sheer biting force made Gardevoir cry out in pain, f it to interrupt its Dazzling Gleam.

  "Gardevoir, Triple Axel!"

  Despite being caught in Houndoom's jaws, Gardevoir imbued its kicks with iergy, nding three rapid strikes to Houndoom's abdomen.

  The abdomen, a oint for many Pokémon, proved critical. The icy strikes forced Houndoom to release its grip in pain.

  But at the same time as it opes mouth, a Fmethrower burst out.

  Houndoom: I will burn you to death.

  But a transparent barrier materialized in front of Gardevoir, blog the fmes.

  "That's a well-timed Light S"

  ented Jose, who was the match.

  "Timely, yes, but it looks like it's about to shatter," Lisa pointed out.

  Though now pursuing a career in ag, Lisa had spent nearly a decade as a professional Trainer, and her insights were still sharp.

  Sure enough, just as her words he Light S broke apart. The intense Fmethrower struck Gardevoir directly, bsting it backward.

  "Gardevoir, Heal Pulse!"

  "Not a ce! Houndoom, Fme Charge!"

  Encased in searing fmes, Houndoom charged at full speed, its body radiati and energy. A scorg wave apas fiery assault as it barreled into Gardevoir.

  "Boom!"

  Gardevoir struggled weakly on the ground a few times before finally colpsing.

  The seatded in a victory for Shu Uy.

  "Yay! Shu wins!"

  Lisa cheered excitedly, throwing a triumphant g Jose.

  Jose, unfazed, replied calmly, "No rush. Julian is going out sixth."

  Lisa froze mid-celebration.

  'Darn this old man. he talk about anything 'other' than Julian? Does he not know how to hold a proper versation?'

  Meanwhile, Thea sat quietly, clearly upset over her loss. Faye, was right by her side, trying to cheer her up.

  "If he dares to stay on the field, I'll take him down for you"

  Faye decred, patting her chest in a show of loyalty. She was the third to pete and was determio avenge her friend.

  The opposing Trainer, also, showed no iion of stepping off the battlefield.

  "Go, Togekiss!"

  Faye, a Fairy-type Trainer, sent out a Togekiss.

  Its pristine white feathers shimmered as it glided through the air, exuding elegand beauty.

  Watg the graceful Pokémon, Julian suddenly recalled Togepi. Trainers who owogekiss were often sidered unusually lucky due to the Serene Grabsp;ability, whihahe likelihood of beneficial effects during battles.

  'Hmm, maybe I should try catg one myself,' Julian mused, rubbing his thoughtfully.

  Nine mier, under Faye's stunned gaze, her Togekiss fell to the devastating Shadow Ball of the oppo's Mega Houndoom.

  Faye walked back to Thea, head held high and chest puffed out, as if she'd emerged victorious.

  "Sister, I shared in your misfortune and lost too. That's true friendship, isn't it?"

  Her demeanor showed no trace of defeat, leaving anyone unaware of the results thinking she'd actually won.

  Thea: (σ-`д′-) Stop boasting.

  Julian, watg from the sidelines, regarded Faye as if seeirue nature for the first time. He subtly stepped away, wary of catg her seemingly tagious air of foolishness.