The meeting lasted about half an hour.
After it was adjourned, Feng Laiyi, another senior student named Ruan Jingjing who specialized in Flying-type Pokémon, and Li Xiang were all asked to stay behind.
Li Xiang had originally planned to ask Su Qian what she was thinking, but Xu He's arrangement forced him to put that aside for the time being.
The three of them went to his office.
"The three of you, especially you two, are you interested in singles?" Xu He sat in his chair, looking at Feng Laiyi and Li Xiang. "Speak your minds."
In principle, if the pairing of Feng Laiyi and the alternate senior student lost to Li Xiang and Su Qian, then singles would be short one person. Either Feng Laiyi would step in, or they would have to find someone else.
But if they didn't lose, then the numbers would be just right.
Of course, the singles lineup could be adjusted and didn't need to be fixed to five people.
Feng Laiyi touched her khaki-colored permed hair. "I'm fine with either, really, but I personally prefer singles a little more."
Last year, she had been part of the singles team. This year, because the previous seniors had left, they were two people short.
It just so happened that her Pokémon and one of the alternate team members worked well together, and they knew each other, so they gave it a try. The results weren't great.
If she could secure a spot to compete, she would naturally fight for it. There wasn't much else to say. Feng Laiyi personally leaned towards singles.
"Same here," Li Xiang agreed. He felt roughly the same as Feng Laiyi.
Ruan Jingjing stated that she only wanted to compete in singles. She had no interest in doubles whatsoever and also lacked a teammate she could coordinate with.
She was a sixth-year student, and this was her last chance. She didn't want to waste time on an area she wasn't good at.
Xu He was silent for a moment, then looked at Li Xiang. "To be honest, whether or not you'll be able to compete hasn't been decided yet."
No decision?
Li Xiang was taken aback, suddenly realizing that his participation in the matches wasn't something Xu He alone could determine.
"Well…"
"Do the three of you have time after two o'clock?" Xu He looked at them and asked. "If you do, come gather at Battle Arena Number One. Make sure your Pokémon are in good condition."
Battle Arena Number One was the largest battle facility within Mist City University. It was typically used when other schools came for exchange events.
The three of them were startled but all said they had time.
"Good, then be there on time. You can go back for now."
Xu He started shooing them away.
Somewhat confused, the three of them figured it probably had something to do with battles, otherwise, why would they need the arena?
"Junior, train hard!"
"Yes, yes! You can do it! I believe in you!"
Before parting ways, both senior students cheered Li Xiang on. After all, he was good-looking, strong, not arrogant, and always addressed them as "seniors." He was much better than those who got a bit of strength and their eyes ended up on top of their heads.
Unless there was a conflict of interest, it was unlikely anyone would dislike him.
Li Xiang nodded.
That afternoon, after finishing the meal that the Galarian Meowth had cooked and compensating it with some Energy Blocks, Li Xiang headed to Battle Arena Number One.
Before he even got close, he saw many middle-aged men and teachers slowly walking inside. A steady stream of people.
Li Xiang stopped in his tracks. He recognized these people. Some of them had appeared at the beginning of the school year.
They were either school administrators or board members. Most of these people were members of the university council.
"Why aren't you going in?"
Someone patted his shoulder. Li Xiang turned his head and saw Lü Shu.
"Good afternoon, Senior Lü."
"Good afternoon. Why aren't you going in?" Lü Shu smiled, took his arm, and said, "Hurry up, don't keep them waiting."
"What about Senior Abigail and Zhao Jie?"
"They had some things and couldn't make it, so I'm here in their place. Do you still not know what you're supposed to do?" Lü Shu asked, seeing his confused look.
Li Xiang nodded.
"It's really nothing much, just a battle."
Lü Shu gave an ambiguous smile, then suddenly pulled open the large soundproof glass door of the battle arena.
Instantly, a flood of conversations, both loud and soft, poured into his ears.
…That was basically like saying nothing at all!
Following Lü Shu inside, Li Xiang found himself looking at a massive hundred-meter-level battlefield, as well as Feng Laiyi, who was already standing within the arena, apparently waiting for something.
On both sides, the spectator stands were quite full. There were senior students from the school team, reserve students, and some board members, among others.
Xu He slowly walked out from a side entrance. When he saw Li Xiang, he came over.
"How are your Pokémon doing?"
"Pretty good… Coach, am I supposed to battle Senior Feng Laiyi?"
"Of course, why else would I have called you here?" Xu He gave him a strange look.
Li Xiang was speechless.
"Never mind all that. Just do your best. Show all of your strength. This determines whether you can compete this year!" Xu He patted his shoulder.
Good grief. It had quickly escalated to a public battle against a selected senior student.
Li Xiang looked over at Feng Laiyi, who smiled and waved at him, not seeming to have many expectations.
Not wasting any more time, he went to his designated spot.
The referee was Miao Shuang.
"Now beginning the match between fifth-year senior student Feng Laiyi and first-year reserve Li Xiang. The format is singles. Each trainer may choose from six Pokémon, but only three may be sent into battle…"
This assistant coach was surprisingly professional.
Li Xiang thought for a moment, recalling Feng Laiyi's lineup and fighting style, and decided on his choices.
This senior specialized in the Ground type. Her fighting style and her Pokémon were defined by one word: "headstrong."
It wasn't the kind of headstrong where they just charged in swinging without a thought, ignoring all status moves.
Her headstrong nature meant that when it came to a direct confrontation, she never backed down. Once she decided on a move, even if it was the wrong choice, she wouldn't change it.
Her Pokémon proved that point.
Against an opponent like this… there were actually many ways to win.
"Begin!"
Both trainers threw their Poké Balls!
Bang! Bang!
Two flashes of white light.
On Li Xiang's side, the first to appear was Metagross.
On the other side, the Pokémon that appeared was a giant, pitch-black hippopotamus with numerous holes all over its body and bulging eyes.
A female Hippowdon with the Sand Stream Ability.
Large amounts of sand blew from the holes on its body, enveloping it and spreading to the surrounding area, obstructing the vision of both sides.
Just as expected, Hippowdon.
"Hone Claws."
"Stealth Rock!"
Both sides began their setup.
Hippowdon started with Stealth Rock, typically used in combination with Whirlwind.
Whirlwind had a long start-up time, but with both combatants tens of meters apart, as long as the move was executed quickly, sending the opponent's first Pokémon back wasn't too difficult.
Even if the opponent switched in a Pokémon with Protect, it wouldn't be a loss.
Under normal circumstances, that's what most people would think.
But Feng Laiyi wasn't most people.
"Curse!"
She waved her hand, looking at the shiny Metagross in the distance, quite excited.
A purple light glowed on Hippowdon's body, lowering its Speed while boosting its Attack and Physical Defense.
Then, with a loud cry, it charged straight at Metagross.
The sand still spewing from its holes looked like quicksand cannonballs!
On the other side, after using Hone Claws, Metagross immediately used Magnet Rise.
Its massive body floated into the air, its four arms locking together above its head like a Transformer.
Having made all its preparations, it fearlessly met the oncoming, howling quicksand cannonballs and the overwhelming sandstorm head-on!
Its silver body shot forward at extreme speed!
Its right fist detached, swinging out like a bullet with a loud click!
Bang! Pop!
A heavy thud, followed by the sound of a bursting helium balloon!
It was clearly the sound of Bullet Punch hitting the sand swirl and dispersing the outer layer of quicksand!
After landing the hit, Metagross immediately flew upward.
A Sand Tomb protective shield?
Li Xiang frowned slightly. Transforming moves into shields was definitely not his exclusive technique.
Sand Tomb, a move with high rotational speed that could also be controlled, was one of the moves particularly well-suited for use as a shield.
The high speed could deflect punching force, and the solid sand itself served as a clear physical barrier.
No wonder it charged so recklessly. However, this was within his expectations.
"Crunch!"
"Grass Knot!"
Both sides were quite direct, choosing to attack.
Hippowdon opened its enormous mouth and leaped up. Its eerie-looking fangs gleamed with a dark light!
Its massive body seemed to break free from gravity's pull as it bit down on Metagross!
Metagross didn't hesitate, twisting its body to willingly extend one of its hind legs!
At the same time, its fists clenched as its eyes glowed faintly. Six blade-like claw edges transformed into glowing green vines, shooting toward the ground!
The vines burrowed into the earth, circled around, and emerged beneath Hippowdon, suddenly binding its two hind legs!
Bang! Thud!
An explosion of smoke in the sky engulfed Metagross.
The next second, Hippowdon emerged from the smoke, dragged down by the vines and slammed hard onto the ground!
Hippowdon let out a dull grunt of pain.
Although Metagross hadn't focused on Special Attack, its natural Special Attack was still high, and the previous candies it had consumed had boosted its stat further. On top of the type advantage, this move was extremely painful!
Feng Laiyi was briefly startled, then her expression changed as she shouted, "Protect!"
In the smoke, stars began to twinkle.
Then they suddenly scattered, revealing Metagross with its fists raised in front of its body.
It was like a comet made of ice, dragging a colorful tail behind it as it crashed down violently!
Sand rushed towards its face!
The sandstorm howled, trying to push its body back, and a green shield blocked its path.
Yet neither could stop this punch, like a meteor striking the Earth!
Bang!
The Protect shattered!
Ignoring the flying sand, Metagross collided with Hippowdon's back!
Thud!
The ground first shook violently, then suddenly cracked and broke apart! Hippowdon's body sank into the earth!
Dust and flying sand scattered in all directions!
What a terrifying Meteor Mash!
Many in the audience were captivated by Metagross's punch and began whispering among themselves, discussing whether Hippowdon would be defeated by that single blow.
Li Xiang wasn't holding out hope. Feng Laiyi was even stronger than he had anticipated.
The purpose of Grass Knot wasn't just to attack; it was also to prevent Hippowdon from dodging, to bind its body. But she had anticipated it ahead of time and had Hippowdon use Protect.
Had she reacted even a second slower, using Protect would have been impossible. Yet Hippowdon had responded just in time, even doing what Feng Laiyi wanted before the words left her mouth.
Amidst the sandstorm and smoke, Metagross spun as it flew out, dispersing the smoke and revealing a small crater that was now just a large hole.
Without a doubt, Hippowdon had used Dig to go underground. The next move would surely be Slack Off.
Can't give it the chance!