Chapter 167: Start! The National Collegiate League!
To Kenji's surprise, after Pupitar evolved into the "Tyrant of the Desert," Tyranitar, it didn't lose control or go on a rampage. It remained incredibly obedient to his commands.
"Return, Tyranitar."
Kenji recalled Tyranitar into its Pokéball.
As Tyranitar's massive form vanished from the battlefield, the sandstorm ceased instantly, leaving only a layer of fine sand on the ground.
With Tyranitar withdrawn, there was no need to maintain the energy shield.
Xie Mu looked at Kenji, his expression numb.
They were both trainers of Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon from the same intake, yet Kenji's Pupitar had already evolved into its final form, Tyranitar.
Meanwhile, his Dratini hadn't even completed its first evolution into Dragonair, and its level had only just broken past 20.
So far, Dratini's only role was being a mascot. Occasionally, Xie Mu would drape it around his neck to act as a scarf.
But over time, Xie Mu had come to terms with reality. Comparing himself to Kenji was just asking for misery.
Kenji was no longer a target they could hope to catch up to.
With Pupitar evolving into Tyranitar, the final piece of Kenji's team was in place.
Eight Pokémon, all fully evolved into their final forms.
In this National Collegiate League, Kenji was determined to make the name of Metropolis Academy, along with his own, resound throughout the entire Huaxia Region.
...
Time passed day by day.
Aside from training, Kenji spent his days challenging the Battle Tower in Metropolis.
"Congratulations on achieving a 30-win streak in the Battle Tower. Here are your prizes."
A staff member wearing a black cheongsam with a graceful figure approached with a charming smile, holding a tray covered in red velvet with both hands.
On the red velvet sat a small pink pouch resembling a sachet and a piece of charred black charcoal.
Kenji reached out and took the two items from the tray. After saying thanks, he left the Battle Tower.
That's right—not long ago, Kenji remembered the "100-Win Challenge" at the Battle Tower.
Five million dollars wasn't a big deal to the current Kenji. The reason he hadn't challenged it earlier was mainly that, apart from Beedrill, his other Pokémon hadn't fully matured yet.
But now, every Pokémon in his hand could hold its own.
This Battle Tower challenge was truly a good thing.
First, it helped him train his Pokémon.
Second, he could earn gold coins (system currency) and cash.
Third, winning streaks yielded item rewards.
It was truly killing three birds with one stone.
The only downside was that he could only challenge one floor a day.
It had been a month, and Kenji had only reached the 30th floor.
But the rewards for the 30th floor were already astonishing.
A pouch of Special-grade Soft Sand and a piece of Special-grade Charcoal.
Soft Sand boosted the power of Ground-type moves.
Charcoal boosted the power of Fire-type moves.
In his lineup, both Tyranitar (Ground/Rock moves) and Ninetales could utilize them, so nothing was wasted.
However, he wouldn't have time to continue challenging the Battle Tower for a while.
Because it was now April.
And the National Collegiate League was about to begin!!
Next, Kenji would head directly to the venue of this year's National Collegiate League.
Capital City.
Before the National Collegiate League proper, there was a preliminary round.
However, top provincial academies like Metropolis Academy, Imperial Academy, and Sujiang Academy had the privilege of skipping the preliminaries.
They could "airdrop" directly into the official tournament.
The preliminaries were divided into five zones: Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, Southwest—the four continental zones—plus a Special Zone composed of Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.
There were five zones in total, with each zone having 200 qualifying spots.
The competition was incredibly fierce.
The 1,000 contestants who advanced from the preliminaries would join the contestants from the 34 top provincial academies in the official tournament.
Each academy fielded 10 contestants. Added together, there were a total of 1,340 participants in the National Collegiate League.
...
A few days later.
"I am your coach for this National Collegiate League. I will accompany you throughout the tournament. My surname is He, so you can call me Coach He."
Director He... no, Coach He, wearing a jacket emblazoned with the Metropolis Academy emblem, stood with his hands behind his back. He was beaming, looking high-spirited and eager to go.
And indeed, as Director He put it himself...
The team coach wasn't supposed to be him this time, but he had forcibly snatched the position.
The reason was simple: Director He had led the team for last year's National Collegiate League.
And the results that year... well, let's just say they weren't just "not ideal"; they were unwatchable.
Director He had nearly been angered to death by those old geezers from Imperial Academy.
This time, Director He was determined to vent his frustration and reclaim his dignity.
Just imagining the red faces and thick necks of those old guys from Imperial Academy made Director He excited. He couldn't wait.
Before long, a private jet parked on the Metropolis Academy tarmac.
Kenji and the others boarded the plane one by one.
"Come out! Charizard!"
Director He didn't board the plane. Instead, he threw a Pokéball.
With a low shout from Director He, a Charizard flew out.
"ROAR!!—"
As the red light faded, an orange, western dragon-like Pokémon with wings on its back and horns on its head emerged.
Charizard
Level: 92
Type: Fire/Flying
Ability: Blaze
Potential: S
Kenji's [Data Eye] scanned Charizard's stat panel through the glass.
Level 92 Charizard—Champion Level!!
This Charizard was Director He's ace Pokémon.
Before becoming a teacher at Metropolis Academy, Director He had been a powerful trainer.
How powerful? At the very least, he was on par with a Provincial Gym Leader.
Director He vaulted onto Charizard's back. With a light pat, Charizard let out a low roar and flapped its wings, soaring into the sky.
The private jet started its engines and followed.
Inside the plane, several students who didn't own Flying-type Pokémon looked out the window at Director He with envious expressions.
Kenji was fine. Many of his Pokémon could fly, so he didn't have much to envy.
As the plane flew toward Capital City, Director He rode his Charizard alongside them, claiming he was "escorting" them.
Metropolis wasn't far from Capital City; they arrived at the competition venue in an hour and a half.
Looking down from above, they saw a massive, magnificent stadium occupying a huge area of land.
This was known as the largest battle arena in Huaxia.
The Phoenix Nest Battle Arena.
The National League Championship was also held here.
After the private jet parked on the tarmac within the Phoenix Nest complex, Director He led Kenji and the others toward their accommodations.
"Here are your room cards and our Metropolis Academy team uniforms. Go back, get settled, and gather in the lobby in half an hour," Director He said leisurely, hands behind his back.
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