After seeing the mission rewards, Aaron knew there was no avoiding it.
It was time to put on a show.
A boundless surge of power welled up within him.
"Sorry about this, everyone…"
"This tournament belongs to me."
A confident smile curled at the corner of Aaron's lips.
With that, the first match officially got underway.
Sealine Fourth Academy vs. Hidden Dragon Academy.
The instructors from Sealine Fourth Academy and their school leaders in the stands looked as if they'd just swallowed something foul. Drawing Hidden Dragon Academy—the strongest team—in the very first match was the worst possible luck.
Even stepping in dog shit would've been better.
As everyone expected, Hidden Dragon Academy sent out only three students and still wiped out all five contestants from Sealine Fourth Academy, claiming the first victory with overwhelming ease.
...
The second match followed soon after.
Sealine Second Academy vs. Sealine Fifth Academy.
This bout dragged on much longer, as both teams were closely matched in overall Pokémon strength. The fight seesawed back and forth, neither side giving an inch.
In the end, Sealine Second Academy managed a narrow win, securing the second match.
...
Then came the third match.
At last, it was Sealine Trainer Academy's turn.
Unfortunately, their opponent was Spirit Insight Academy—the team ranked second in strength.
Third Match: Sealine Trainer Academy vs. Spirit Insight Academy…
In the stands, Baldwin—still wearing that eye-catching green hat—broke into a smile the moment he saw the matchup. He turned toward Sterling and laughed loudly.
"Hahahaha… my apologies, Principal Sterling. What a coincidence, running into Sealine Trainer again this year!"
"I'll have someone tell my students to go a little easy."
"Let's not make your loss too embarrassing, alright?"
"What do you say, Principal Sterling?"
Baldwin's eyes gleamed with mockery as he put on an exaggeratedly kind expression.
Yet when he looked at Sterling, he found him calm—far too calm. Not the slightest trace of anger crossed his face.
That unsettled Baldwin.
Normally, Sterling would have already exploded, pointing at his nose and cursing him out. But this time… nothing.
Something felt off.
Could it be that Sealine Trainer Academy really produced someone exceptional this year?
No… that can't be right.
I've already looked into it. Aside from a noble family with a youngest daughter named Grace who shows some talent, the rest aren't worth worrying about.
Baldwin reassured himself inwardly.
"Cheapskate in a green hat… don't be so confident," Sterling said with a faint smile, casting Baldwin a glance as though he were nothing more than a clown putting on a performance. "Careful you don't end up humiliating yourself."
"Hmph. We'll see who gets embarrassed," Baldwin snorted. "Let's see just what Sealine Trainer Academy is capable of."
...
At the same time, the match between Sealine Trainer Academy and Spirit Insight Academy officially began.
Zane sent Victor out first.
Spirit Insight Academy responded with a male student whose Pokémon were slightly stronger overall. In the end, Victor traded all three of his Pokémon to take down two of his opponents.
Next, Zane sent Ethan into battle.
The opposing student had only one Pokémon left, but it was formidable. It overwhelmed one of Ethan's Pokémon before finally being defeated by Ethan's second.
Spirit Insight Academy then sent out their second student—someone even stronger.
With the loss of just one Pokémon, he defeated Ethan outright.
Third up for Sealine Trainer Academy was Simon. Though infamous as a shameless bootlicker, he did have real strength. He took down his opponent at the cost of two Pokémon.
However, when Spirit Insight Academy's third student entered the field, Simon's final Pokémon was quickly defeated—while the opponent still hadn't lost a single Pokémon.
For the fourth slot, Zane sent out Grace.
Grace fought fiercely, ultimately trading her Leafeon and Dragonair to eliminate two of her opponent's Pokémon. Then her Gardevoir stepped forward decisively, overpowering and defeating the last remaining Pokémon.
Spirit Insight Academy sent out their fourth student.
Once again, Grace's Gardevoir displayed remarkable combat strength, defeating two of the opponent's Pokémon in succession. In the end, however, exhaustion caught up with it, and it fell to the opponent's final Pokémon.
Even so, Gardevoir's performance nearly pushed Spirit Insight Academy to the brink of an upset.
In the stands, Baldwin felt a bead of sweat form on his brow. He hadn't expected Grace's Pokémon to be this powerful.
Thankfully, it had been worn down.
Otherwise… it would have been a real problem.
Brushing the sweat from his forehead, Baldwin laughed as he turned to Sterling.
"Hahaha, Principal Sterling! Now that your Grace has been defeated, what do you have left to fight us with?"
"You've already done quite well—forcing our fourth student to step in is worthy of praise."
"After all, last year we only needed three students to take down all five of yours… hahaha!"
His tone was relaxed and smug, as though victory were already in hand.
Sterling's smile only grew brighter.
Turning his head, he looked directly at Baldwin and said calmly,
"Principal Baldwin, the real show is only just beginning."
"Watch closely—your confidence is about to be completely shattered."