Aaron arrived at the classroom, only to discover that Magnus—the so-called loot box—was nowhere to be found. Looks like he still hadn't finished his mental preparation.
A man whose defenses have shattered…
How pitiful!!
During the second class period, Aaron was taken to the Pokémon Battle Arena by his homeroom teacher, Alaric. The Selection Tournament for the College Entrance Training Camp had officially begun!!
When Aaron arrived, he found the place already packed. There were at least 200 people present, but only 30 would make the cut. Everyone else would be eliminated. The competition was nothing short of brutal!!
The tournament used a lottery system, pairing two contestants for Pokémon battles. Once only 30 people remained, the format would switch to a challenge arena.
Those who lost earlier could challenge the remaining 30 winners. Each person would have only one chance—lose again, and they would be completely eliminated.
At this moment, on the stage at the front of the arena, an elderly man with graying white hair held a microphone and delivered the pre-match speech.
This man was none other than the principal of Sealine Trainer Academy, Sterling… A well-known powerhouse in Sealine City, with Gym Leader–level strength!! An existence countless people admired!!
"Students, as you all know, there are only 30 slots available for the Training Camp. That is why we are holding this Selection Tournament…"
"I hope each of you gives it your all and competes fairly for these 30 spots…"
"Alright… enough talk. Prepare to draw lots!!"
Although the old principal looked advanced in age, his voice was full of vigor and rang out clearly across the venue…
Once the speech ended, everyone began drawing lots. Aaron drew number 10, and his opponent would be number 9.
There were five Pokémon battle arenas operating simultaneously, so Aaron would be competing in the very first round.
He headed to the fifth battle arena. His opponent was a tall, skinny student with an infuriatingly smug expression, the kind of face that made you want to smack him with a slipper.
"This match will be a 1-on-1 Pokémon battle…"
"When one side's Pokémon loses the ability to battle, that side loses!"
"Battle begin!!"
As the teacher finished speaking, both Aaron and his opponent threw out their Poké Balls.
Froakie appeared on the battlefield, while the opponent's Pokémon turned out to be Bulbasaur!!
Type disadvantage!!
Aaron immediately used the system to scan Bulbasaur's status panel:
[Name: Bulbasaur]
[Gender: Male]
[Nature: Timid]
[Types: Grass, Poison]
[Ability: Overgrow]
[Base Stats Total: 318]
[Level: Newbie (Late Stage)]
[Pokémon Potential: Elite level]
[Known Moves: Vine Whip (Basic), Tackle (Basic), Leech Seed (Basic)…]
[Description: Bulbasaur, the Seed Pokémon. The seed on its back grows as it matures…]
...
A Bulbasaur at Newbie (Late Stage). Although it had a type advantage over Froakie, his Froakie was already at Beginner (Early Stage). This was practically bullying a newbie!
"Bulbasaur… use Vine Whip!"
The idiot opponent was the first to issue an attack order.
"Rrr—"
Bulbasaur cried out as two green vines shot from its back, lashing toward Froakie.
"Froakie… use Quick Attack to interrupt it!!"
Aaron shouted his command.
Froakie's body blurred, and in an instant, it closed the distance and smashed straight into Bulbasaur, sending it flying.
"Bulbasaur~"
Bulbasaur let out a pained cry as it rolled several times across the ground.
"Froakie, use Power-Up Punch and finish it!"
Aaron's command rang out once more.
Froakie's right fist glowed with white light as it rushed to Bulbasaur's side while it was still struggling to stand.
"Bulbasaur… dodge it!!"
The opponent shouted in panic.
But Froakie was simply too fast. Bulbasaur couldn't evade at all and was sent flying by a single punch.
Its eyes spun in circles as it completely lost its ability to battle.
"Bulbasaur has lost the ability to battle…"
"Therefore, the winner is Contestant Number 10."
The referee raised the red flag and announced the result.
The opponent shot Aaron a resentful glance, then scooped up Bulbasaur and headed toward the Pokémon Treatment Center next door.
The academy had its own specialized Pokémon Treatment Center, and as long as the injuries weren't too severe, Pokémon could be fully healed very quickly.
Just like that, one match followed another, and the number of participants steadily decreased.
Watching from the sidelines, Aaron noticed that there were quite a few Pokémon here with impressive potential. He even spotted a girl who possessed a Dratini—its potential had reached Elite level!! Truly worthy of being a Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon!!
Aaron recognized her. She was the class monitor of Senior Year, Class 1, named Grace.
With beauty that could shame the moon and flowers, and a tall, graceful figure, her family background was rumored to be extraordinarily powerful.
A true rich and beautiful girl!! She was hailed as the most promising student at Sealine Trainer Academy… No wonder she owned a Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon!! Definitely not simple!!
...
At this point, it was finally time for Aaron's second match.
His opponent was a chubby boy. The two of them released their Pokémon at the same time.
The opponent's Pokémon turned out to be a Munchlax.
[Name: Munchlax]
[Gender: Male]
[Nature: Impish]
[Type: Normal]
[Ability: Thick Fat]
[Base Stats Total: 390]
[Level: Newbie (Peak Stage)]
[Pokémon Potential: Gym Leader level]
[Known Moves: Defense Curl (Proficient), Tackle (Proficient), Lick (Basic)…]
[Description: Munchlax, the Big Eater Pokémon, capable of consuming food equal to its own body weight every day…]
...
A Newbie (Peak Stage) Munchlax. Two of its moves had already reached Proficient level—definitely not weak.
But its move pool was limited, and Froakie happened to have the Fighting-type move Power-Up Punch, which countered Normal-type Pokémon perfectly!!
Even Defense Curl wouldn't help. Power-Up Punch boosted Froakie's own attack power.
The battle between Froakie and Munchlax was about to erupt!
...