Pokémon: Check-In System

Leiv's starter Pokémon was an Eevee, a species known for its multiple evolutionary branches.

Vaporeon, in particular, evolves from Eevee when exposed to a Water Stone.

Leiv's Vaporeon had evolved quite early on. Not only did it have solid offensive capabilities, but it was also incredibly tanky.

If that weren't enough, it also had a set of frustratingly effective recovery moves.

During the final exams, Nero had suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of this very Vaporeon.

"What a coincidence—I didn't expect to run into you here."

Leiv flashed a smile at Nero.

"Yeah."

Nero had known that Leiv would be competing in the school team selection tournament, but he hadn't expected to face him in the very first match.

As the opening battle of the tournament, this match would be watched intently by both students and faculty. Winning the first match carried immense significance.

"Both trainers, please send out your Pokémon."

The referee, a bespectacled male teacher, made the announcement. At his command, both trainers simultaneously tossed out their Poké Balls.

Nero naturally sent out his Combusken, while Leiv released his Vaporeon.

Nero used his glasses to scan Vaporeon's data:

Pokémon: Vaporeon

Type: Water

Ability: Water Absorb

Gender: Female

Level: Elite

Status: Healthy (No Abnormalities)

The information aligned with Nero's expectations. Over the winter break, Leiv's Vaporeon had indeed advanced to the Elite level.

Watching Vaporeon enter the field, Nero's homeroom teacher furrowed her brows, sighed, and shook her head.

She had paid close attention to the matches of high-performing students during the final exams, and she had been present when Nero had lost to Leiv.

Simply put, Nero was extremely unlucky.

In terms of sheer strength, Leiv's Vaporeon, having been trained for over half a year, was clearly superior. However, Nero's Combusken wasn't weak either.

If not for the glaring type disadvantage, he would have at least stood a fighting chance.

Unfortunately, the difference in power during their last match had been overwhelming. Nero and his Combusken had performed poorly, leading the evaluation panel to give him a lower score.

Even though Combusken had visibly grown stronger since the final exams, against Vaporeon, victory still seemed unattainable.

The homeroom teacher felt sorry for Nero—of all people, he had to run into his biggest rival in the school team selection tournament.

With both Pokémon on the field, the students started chattering amongst themselves.

"Combusken vs. Vaporeon? No chance, no chance. I'll bet this pack of spicy chips that Vaporeon wins."

"This matchup is totally unwinnable. I know Leiv—that Vaporeon of his has high damage output and ridiculous bulk. Seriously, people who play stall teams are the worst!"

"Nero and Leiv are fated rivals. I heard Nero lost to him during the finals, and now they're facing off again in the school team selection. Looks like history is about to repeat itself."

As the tournament began, the five main members of the school team also watched from the audience.

"Glenn, what do you think of your brother's skills?"

A tall male student spoke up.

The short-haired boy beside him simply shrugged.

"Don't even get me started. The last time I battled my idiot little brother, I used a Quagsire while he used his Vaporeon. We went at it for an entire day. The butlers nearly cried."

"They kept begging us, 'Young masters, please stop! This battle isn't going anywhere!'"

Recalling the event, Glenn couldn't help but chuckle. "To be fair, Combusken's fire-type moves have strong burst potential, but Vaporeon's endurance is top-tier. Unless Combusken has a move that can end this in one hit, Vaporeon is a guaranteed winner."

...

Many spectators took one look at the matchup and immediately predicted the outcome.

"Alright, let the battle begin!"

As the referee waved the flag down, both trainers gave their commands simultaneously:

"Combusken, use Flamethrower!"

"Vaporeon, use Water Pulse!"

"Cha-mo!"

Flames surged in Combusken's throat as it puffed out its chest, unleashing a blazing pillar of fire!

Vaporeon reacted swiftly, forming a glowing blue sphere of water in front of its mouth before launching it forward.

The scorching flames clashed with the rippling water midair.

As the two attacks collided, they created a loud "sizzle" before a thick mist quickly spread across the battlefield.

"Vaporeon, don't panic—use Hyper Voice!"

Hyper Voice, a sound-based attack, had a wide area of effect. As long as Vaporeon activated it, Combusken would be hit no matter where it was on the field.

The moment Leiv issued the command, he covered his ears.

Students standing close to Leiv, realizing what was about to happen, also hurriedly covered their ears.

Sound-based attacks were incredibly loud. Despite their effectiveness in battle, they were universally disliked by audiences in official tournaments.

Because it was just too unbearable.

Leiv had already envisioned Combusken being struck by the attack.

However, before he could celebrate, Vaporeon was suddenly sent flying out of the mist, its body crashing onto the ground with a loud thud.

Before Leiv could even react, an orange-red figure burst out from the mist.

It was Combusken!

"Cha-mo!"

Determined to finish the opponent swiftly, Combusken's legs shimmered with a brilliant light.

Its Speed Boost ability activated, pushing its speed to another level. In the blink of an eye, Combusken closed the distance to Vaporeon!

With a low growl, razor-sharp claws crackled as a terrifying surge of electric energy condensed between them.

"Cha-mo!"

"Cha-mo-la!!"

"Hora-hora!!!"

Golden electricity crackled around Combusken's fists. Facing its past opponent, Combusken was brimming with fighting spirit, showing no mercy as it unleashed a rapid barrage of Thunder Punches—seven in total!

Being a Water-type, Vaporeon was naturally weak to Electric-type moves. With each Thunder Punch landing, it let out a painful cry.

After delivering six consecutive strikes, Combusken finished with a powerful uppercut, sending Vaporeon flying into the air.

Then, with a powerful push off the ground, Combusken leaped after it, soaring into the air. Its right leg gleamed with a dazzling white light!

Its eyes sharpened, and in midair, Combusken extended its right leg and delivered a devastating kick straight into Vaporeon's body!

With tremendous force, Vaporeon was sent crashing back down to the ground!

"Boom—!!"

The impact echoed throughout the entire stadium as Vaporeon made a "close connection" with the battlefield.

As the mist slowly dissipated, Vaporeon lay in a deep crater. Even though Leiv's encouragement helped it struggle to its feet, the injuries covering its body were impossible to hide!

"So… so fast!!"

"I just took a sip of water—how did Vaporeon suddenly end up at such a disadvantage? This makes no sense!"

"That Combusken… is it in berserk mode?! Its attack speed is insane! In just a few seconds, it had Vaporeon screaming non-stop… terrifying, absolutely terrifying~"

The students were all in shock. Just a minute ago, they were dismissing Combusken as weak, but now, in the blink of an eye, they had been proven wrong at record speed.

I mean, seriously—who could possibly withstand that?!

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