By the time they arrived at
Jinling University
, it was already 2 PM.
The bus pulled up along a tree-lined path filled with plane trees. Suddenly, Han Xiaoxiao excitedly raised her hand:
“Coach, can we go to
Qinhuai River
tonight?”
“We’re heading back to
Modu
tonight… but if you want to stay in Jinling, it’s not out of the question,” Coach Zhai replied.
Han Xiaoxiao’s eyes sparkled, but Shen Tingzhi was already one step ahead with an invitation.
“Mr. Lu, want to check out
Qinhuai River
tonight?”
“Nope,” Lu Ye declined. “Boys have to protect themselves when they’re out and about.”
“Bu-yi!”
Eevee
bared its teeth fiercely, perched on Lu Ye’s shoulder.
They were greeted by
Jinling University’s
coach, Cui Yuanshan, who shook hands with Coach Zhai.
“The kids are ready and waiting,” Cui Yuanshan smiled. “They were so excited they didn’t sleep a wink last night!”
Coach Zhai laughed heartily, “My team hasn’t slept since the night before that!”
Cui Yuanshan raised an eyebrow, “Mine haven’t closed their eyes for three days!”
Lu Ye was momentarily stunned.
Are you two seriously competing over something so trivial?
“Who are you fooling, old Cui?” Coach Zhai smirked coldly. “Enough with the pleasantries. Let’s settle this on the field!”
“Hah! And you call yourself
Modu's
coach? Come on, let’s see what your rookies are made of!”
When old rivals meet, tensions flare. This playful banter was just their unique way of greeting each other.
Inside the
Jinling Battle Center
, the massive circular arena was ready for action.
On both sides, a smattering of spectators, including some faculty members, had gathered.
“
Eevee
is so cute!” a young woman exclaimed.
“That
Eevee
hasn’t evolved yet?” a student grumbled.
“Is it just here to fill the numbers?”
Mr. Wang from
Jinling University
turned back with a glare, and the crowd fell silent.
“Is
Modu
still using
Trick Room
tactics this year?” Mr. Wang asked.
“Hard to say…” Cui Yuanshan shook his head.
“There’s no info on that
Eevee
Trainer in the lineup.”
“Coach Cui, that’s the champion of the
Modu Piplup Cup
!” Feng Zhe interjected.
Qin Yu smiled, “He’s called Mr. Lu, right…? Isn’t he also a gaming streamer?”
Zhao Xianyong’s lips twitched, and a bead of sweat rolled down his forehead.
He had almost revealed that he was a fan of Mr. Lu!
…
The captains from both teams stepped forward to shake hands.
Wang Rui took the field first, kicking off the match.
From the sidelines, Coach Zhai frowned and whispered:
“The first opponent is Jiangsu’s Rookie King.”
Lu Ye coughed, “Just saying, you’re sitting next to
Modu's
Rookie King, too.”
Coach Zhai blinked, “That’s true… I always forget…”
Lu Ye’s performance had been so astonishing that his Rookie Champion title felt almost unreal.
The opponent, Su Yu, sent out a
Scyther
, a
Pokémon
known for its speed and flair in battles.
“Su Yu leads off… Wang Rui’s
Dusknoir
still has a chance,” Coach Zhai mused.
Lu Ye glanced at
Dusknoir's
moveset. There was no
Thunder Punch
or
Fire Punch
in the list.
“Let’s hope
Will-O-Wisp
hits,” Lu Ye murmured.
“That
Scyther
is probably going to buff up.”
The battle began, and Su Yu took the initiative: “
Scyther
,
Swords Dance
!”
“Chak-cha!”
Scyther
brandished its scythes, the blades gleaming with a metallic sheen.
Wang Rui didn’t use
Will-O-Wisp
immediately but set up
Trick Room
.
A purple, tangible forcefield covered the arena, and
Scyther's
movements slowed down.
“
Will-O-Wisp
!”
Hearing Wang Rui’s command, Lu Ye shook his head.
Setting up
Trick Room
but not activating
Gravity
…
Kid, you’re still too naive!
Scyther
fluttered its wings, dodging the
Will-O-Wisp
while slicing toward
Dusknoir
, leaving a deep gash.
Cui Yuanshan nodded in satisfaction:
“Su Yu’s command skills are sharp.”
“Dodged
Will-O-Wisp
twice—his opponent’s probably losing it!” Feng Zhe laughed.
Wang Rui’s forehead was slick with sweat. The jeers from the crowd were shaking his focus.
Sensing his chance,
Scyther
took
Dusknoir
down with a final blow.
“Next,” Su Yu said calmly.
Wang Rui froze, gritting his teeth, his mind blank.
Coach Zhai glanced at Lu Ye, sighing, “You called it.”
Two missed
Will-O-Wisps
…
Is my mouth cursed or something?
Lu Ye coughed, “It’s fine… Gu Zhong’s
Torkoal
has the type advantage.”
No sooner had he spoken than Gu Zhong walked onto the field, his face set in determination.
As he passed Lu Ye, he stammered, “Coach… Coach Lu, I won’t let you down!”
Lu Ye paused, then smiled and nodded.
Gu Zhong took a deep breath, his gaze firming up.
Even if I’m not the strongest,
There are still things I can do!
A blazing sun appeared over the field.
“
Torkoal
,
Overheat
!” Gu Zhong shouted.
Torkoal
roared, a thick plume of smoke laced with sparks surging toward
Scyther
.
But
Scyther
darted forward, slicing through the smoke and striking
Torkoal
hard.
Crack!
A sharp sound made everyone wince, and
Torkoal
cried out.
Scyther
kept up the relentless assault.
“This isn’t good… The gap is too wide,” Lu Ye frowned.
Coach Zhai slapped the table, “Why doesn’t he just forfeit?!”
Gu Zhong clenched his fists as
Torkoal
’s eyes burned with resolve.
Coach Lu stayed up late, taught
Torkoal
Iron Defense
, and gave me that precious
Pokéblock
…
I can’t let him down!
“
Torkoal
,
Iron Defense
!” Gu Zhong shouted. “Hold strong, then use
Overheat
!”
The straightforward command drew laughter from the crowd.
“Who fights like that?”
“Is this really
Modu's
school team?”
Mr. Wang glanced questioningly at Cui Yuanshan.
Cui Yuanshan sighed, “Maybe he’s just too green.”
“But that kid’s so stubborn!” Mr. Wang pointed at Gu Zhong.
“He still won’t surrender?”
Torkoal
was battered and bruised, but it and Gu Zhong waited for a chance to strike.
Finally, Su Yu left a deliberate opening.
Torkoal
charged with
Flame Wheel
but was swiftly struck down by
Scyther
.
The crowd murmured in disappointment.
“What a waste of time.”
Gu Zhong hung his head, defeated.
Even after all this effort, there was no result…
Coach Lu worked so hard for me, had
Eevee
train with me…
I still let him down.
Tears welled in Gu Zhong’s eyes, but with so many people around, he just stood there awkwardly.
“Why’s he still on stage? He lost!” someone shouted.
A hand suddenly rested on Gu Zhong’s shoulder.
He looked up in confusion.
Lu Ye smiled at him, then glanced at the limping
Torkoal
crawling back.
“Hard work doesn’t always lead to success,” Lu Ye said gently.
“But
Pokémon
will never betray your effort.”
Lu Ye patted his shoulder.
“I’ll win this one for you.”