The roar of the crowd and the dazzling lights of the main arena faded into a distant memory as Lin Ke stepped back into the quiet solitude of his apartment. The victory against Maya and her Gale Sparrow had been hard-won, a testament to his precise calculations and his partner's unwavering trust. It had propelled him into the final, championship match, a stage he had only dreamed of weeks ago.
His opponent was a tamer named Jin Kai, a rising star known for his aggressive, instinct-driven style and his ferocious Volt-fang Panther. This was the final battle, for the title of Champion.
"Ji!" The Rock Vole, perched on his shoulder, nudged its head against his cheek, letting out a soft, tired squeak. It had fought three grueling battles against opponents that, on paper, should have been its superiors.
"You were incredible today," Lin Ke said softly, gently stroking the hard shell on his partner's back. He set down the small bag of high-energy nutrients he'd bought on the way home, a well-deserved reward for his champion.
But for Lin Ke, there was no time to rest. The final match was tomorrow. He walked over to his desk, the fatigue of the day vanishing, replaced by the sharp, focused intensity of a scholar before the most important exam of his life. He didn't celebrate, nor did he sleep. Instead, he switched on his computer, the screen immediately illuminating his determined face. On the monitor, a video file was already loaded: a high-definition recording of Jin Kai's semi-final match.
Lin Ke hit play. He didn't just watch; he dissected. His eyes, glowing with the faint, imperceptible blue light of the Gene Editor, scanned every frame, every movement. Data streamed into his consciousness.
[Analyzing subject: Jin Kai. Tactical Preference: Overwhelming offense, relies on pet's instincts.] [Analyzing subject: Volt-fang Panther. Energy Consumption Model: High output, moderate efficiency. Skill Cooldowns: 'Spark Barrage' - 5 seconds, 'Lightning Rush' - 75-second cooldown, requires 35% of total energy reserves.]
He replayed the footage again and again, his mind a whirlwind of activity. He wasn't just looking at the skills; he was modeling the very nature of his opponent. He saw Jin Kai's reliance on his pet's natural speed, often letting the panther decide its own attack vectors. In his mind, the Gene Editor began to run simulations, creating virtual battlefields where his Rock Vole faced the lightning-fast panther.
Plan A: "The Attrition Gambit." Focus on defense and evasion, weathering the Volt-fang Panther's initial explosive assault. Its high-speed maneuvers are energy-intensive. Force it into a prolonged battle to drain its stamina. Probability of success: 60%. Risk: The Panther's raw speed could overwhelm Rock Vole's defenses before attrition sets in.
Plan B: "The Counter-Strike." Bait the 'Lightning Rush'. Use 'Rock Harden' to withstand the powerful charge, then immediately counter-attack during the opponent's brief recovery and energy-depleted state. Probability of success: 70%. Risk: Requires perfect timing and positioning. The speed of the attack leaves zero room for error.
Plan C: "The Grounding." A new, more audacious plan. Forget defense. Use the arena's terrain. Lure the Volt-fang Panther into a charge near obstacles, forcing it into predictable paths. Use Rock Throw not as a direct attack, but to alter the terrain, creating "tripwires" to disrupt its footing and break its momentum. Probability of success: 75%. Risk: Highest execution difficulty. Requires anticipating the Panther's instinctual movements perfectly.
Hours passed. The city outside grew quiet, its neon glow dimming. Finally, Lin Ke leaned back, the tactical simulations complete. He had his strategies, each one a testament to his unique, data-driven approach to battle.
He turned to find his Rock Vole watching him, its bright little eyes filled with trust and a hint of fatigue. Lin Ke smiled, the cold focus of the strategist melting away to reveal the warm affection of a partner. He knelt down, carefully taking a special nutrient paste and gently massaging it into the Rock Vole's tired muscles. He worked with practiced hands, easing the tension from its small body, tending to the minor cracks on its shell from the day's battles.
"Tomorrow is the last one," Lin Ke whispered, his voice soft. "It will be our toughest fight yet. But we're ready."
The Rock Vole let out a contented squeak, leaning into its master's touch. In that quiet room, on the eve of the final battle, the bond between them was the most powerful force in the world. It wasn't just a bond between a Tamer and his pet; it was a bond between a scientist and his greatest discovery, a partnership poised to prove to the world that with enough knowledge, even the earth itself could ground the most ferocious lightning.