🎄 Christmas Special Discount 🎄From December 23 to December 25, there will be a public 50% discount on the following tiers:Intermediate Trainers, Advanced Trainers, Elite Trainers, Elite Four Trainers, Champion Trainers, and Legendary Trainers.
🎆 New Year Discount 🎆There will also be a 50% discount, but it won't be public. On December 31, the discount code will be published inside the chapters, so stay tuned 👀✨
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"So this is a Secret Kingdom exploration?"
After the video ended, the students finally reacted.
"I've decided, I'm going to become a Pokémon Hunter!"
After a brief silence, the place suddenly filled with chatter.
When they looked toward the podium, they realized the middle-aged professor with the Blaziken was no longer there, and no one knew when he had left.
"The first class of the course?"
Ethan Black smiled and shook his head. When he looked back at the screen, his eyes also gleamed with a touch of excitement.
Even though that professor hadn't said a single word, it couldn't be denied that with just one video he had completely stirred up the students' enthusiasm for learning—far more than a thousand speeches could.
...
After class, the students gradually filed out of the lecture hall.
Ethan Black, Lucas Silver, Marcus Foster, Kyle Miller, and Jasper Reid, upon leaving, didn't return immediately to the dorm but instead walked shoulder to shoulder toward the gym.
Just like them, Patrick Mills, Claire Dawson, Jonathan Turner, and Brandon Cole were also walking in the same direction in the distance, and by their side was another person: Olivia Reed, who held the eleventh spot.
"That Alex gave up battling to become... a Researcher?"
Marcus Foster glanced at the extra figure in the veteran group and shrugged.
At first, the rookies were six, outnumbering the veteran team by two. Now, however, it was exactly five against five.
"Everyone has their own goals."
"Besides, being a researcher is pretty prestigious. Who knows, one day we might even have to ask him for favors."
Ethan Black shrugged and recalled the article Alex Baxter had shown him about the moves Defense Curl and Rollout. A slight smile curved the corner of his lips.
Before long, the ten members of the reserve team split into two groups and arrived together at the gym.
In the center, a man and a Pokémon could be seen sitting cross-legged, apparently meditating.
They were the same middle-aged professor and his Blaziken they had seen earlier.
"You've arrived."
Sensing their presence, both the professor and Blaziken opened their eyes at the same time.
"Professor Langford."
The youths greeted respectfully as the professor rose to his feet.
"Mm, I suppose you know why I called you here."
"Let me introduce myself: my name is Leonard Langford. From now on, I'll be the one guiding your training as the university team."
Professor Langford nodded to those present and, after observing both groups, pondered for a moment before saying: "In our first meeting, I need to gauge your current level."
"So we'll do a team battle, 5 versus 5. Form into two groups and face off."
Hearing this, Ethan Black and the others exchanged glances with the rival team, in whose eyes a glint also shone.
Soon, both groups positioned themselves on opposite sides of the battlefield inside the gym: rookies versus veterans.
"Do you already know which Pokémon you'll use?"
Marcus Foster grinned broadly as he pulled out a Poké Ball.
"Yes, I'll use this one."
Lucas Silver also smiled and took out his Poké Ball.
"Got it."
Ethan Black nodded with a smile.
"Good thing I came prepared, otherwise this would've been a headache."
Kyle Miller sighed in feigned annoyance and touched his forehead.
At the same time, the five veterans also pulled out their Poké Balls.
"Now, release your Pokémon."
"The battle will end when all the Pokémon of one team are unable to fight."
After confirming that everyone was ready, Professor Langford nodded and assumed the role of referee.
"Begin!"
All ten threw their Poké Balls at the same time.
The light revealed the ten Pokémon.
Ethan Black and his team sent out: Cacturne, Bisharp, Altaria, Onix, and Nincada. Surprisingly, they did not use their main Pokémon to form their famous Sandstorm team.
The opposing team sent out: Golduck, Poliwrath, Walrein, Quagsire, and Vaporeon. All of them Water-type!
"Hahaha, so you chose Water-type Pokémon to counter our Sandstorm team, huh?"
Marcus Foster burst out laughing at the opposing lineup. Ethan Black and Lucas Silver also smiled, as if they had already foreseen their rivals' strategy.
"What?! Weren't we going to use the Sandstorm?"
Kyle Miller, who had sent out Nincada, pulled a frustrated face. If he'd known, he would've used his best Scyther.
"Does this count as the cunning falling into their own trap?" thought Kyle Miller.
As for Jasper Reid, he just shrugged. All his Pokémon were Rock-type anyway, so it didn't matter which he used; better to put his strongest Onix into play.
"It's not the Sandstorm team?"
Patrick Mills frowned upon seeing the rival Pokémon.
Last year, they had studied Ethan Black and the others' battles, discovering they were very strong under Sandstorm conditions. However, if each one was analyzed individually, their strength wasn't all that remarkable.
That's why they had devised a strategy of using an all-Water team to nullify the sandstorm.
But now, the rival wasn't playing by the expected script and had chosen a varied team. Did they want a direct clash instead?
"Hmph, even if they don't use the move Sandstorm, I don't think we'll lose to a bunch of rookies."
Claire Dawson snorted, convinced they wouldn't lose.
"Teams ready... begin the battle!"
"Cacturne, use Ingrain!"
As soon as Professor Langford gave the signal, Ethan Black issued his order.
"Cac!"
Ever since his Cacnea had evolved into Cacturne, its mastery of the move Ingrain had improved significantly.
After using the move, numerous roots grew and sank into the ground, rapidly spreading out.
The other four positioned themselves around Cacturne, adopting a defensive stance, like bodyguards.
Everyone knew well the power of Cacturne's Ingrain: they only had to wait for it to create its field of roots and, thanks to their type advantages, the battle would be practically decided.
(End of chapter)