On the Pokémon battle court beside the freshman registration area, Ricky stood across from the buzz-cut sophomore from earlier.
The impatient freshman had insisted on going first. His opponent was Darren, a second-year student, while Aaron and the cat-eared volunteer watched from the spectator area. The other sophomore had taken the role of referee.
Word of the challenge spread quickly, and students began gathering around the court. Even some of the freshmen who had been standing in the registration lines abandoned their spots to come watch.
The registration challenge was something of a Crown University tradition. A freshman who actually managed to defeat one of the sophomores would immediately make a name for themselves on campus.
And with that kind of attention, their dating prospects probably would not suffer either.
Clearly, this was serious business.
"Holy shit, who's the brave idiot?"
"He's actually challenging a second-year?"
"Didn't you see what happened last year? The freshmen got absolutely destroyed. It even hit the top of the trending lists."
"And somebody still volunteered this year?"
"Respect. Stupid, but respectable."
"He's screwed. The sophomores running it this year are the same freshmen who got beaten last year."
"Hahaha! Then they're definitely taking all that trauma out on us."
"That's why I stayed in line. I'm not volunteering to get my ass kicked."
"Seriously, is this guy confident or just desperate for attention?"
The surrounding freshmen laughed and whispered among themselves, most of them already expecting Ricky to lose.
The cat-eared volunteer glanced at Aaron.
"So, is your friend actually any good? I'd hate to watch him get beaten so badly he starts crying."
Aaron hesitated.
"Honestly? No idea. I met him on the plane today."
She blinked.
"Seriously? I thought you two came here together."
"We did. Just not intentionally."
She laughed.
By then, the match was ready to begin.
...
Ricky looked around at the growing crowd and immediately became even more excited.
There were girls everywhere.
Jackpot.
If he won this battle in front of all these people, his name would spread across campus before he had even finished registration.
And once that happened?
Surely the numbers would start rolling in.
I cannot lose this battle.
Ricky's expression turned deadly serious.
Even if Champion Drake himself showed up, I'm winning today.
The referee raised his flag.
"This will be a three-on-three battle. The match ends when all three Pokémon on one side are unable to continue."
He looked toward both Trainers.
"Send out your first Pokémon!"
Ricky and Darren threw their Poké Balls almost simultaneously.
"Let's go, Blastoise!"
"Raichu, you're up!"
Two bursts of light flashed across the court.
A large blue turtle Pokémon appeared on Ricky's side, standing firmly on two legs with twin cannons extending from its shell.
Across from it landed a bright orange Electric-type Pokémon with long ears and a lightning-bolt-shaped tail.
Blastoise versus Raichu.
From the spectator area, Aaron immediately checked Ricky's Pokémon.
[Name: Blastoise]
[Gender: Male]
[Nature: Adamant]
[Type: Water]
[Ability: Torrent — Powers up Water-type moves when Blastoise's remaining stamina becomes critically low.]
[Base Stats Total: 530]
[Level: Elite (Mid Stage)]
[Potential: Class Champion]
[Known Moves: Water Pulse (Perfect), Flash Cannon (Master), Withdraw (Master), Iron Defense (Master), Dragon Pulse (Master), Earthquake (Proficient), Rapid Spin (Proficient), Protect (Proficient), Ice Beam (Proficient), Scald (Proficient), Aqua Tail (Proficient), Tail Whip (Proficient), Hydro Pump (Proficient)...]
[Description: Blastoise, the Shellfish Pokémon. It evolves from Wartortle and possesses excellent defensive ability. The powerful water jets fired from the cannons on its shell can punch through thick steel.]
Aaron raised his eyebrows slightly.
For a freshman, a mid-stage Elite Pokémon was impressive. Ricky obviously could not compare with Aaron's own team or the strongest young Trainers he had met before, but he was far from weak.
Then Aaron glanced at Darren's Raichu.
Peak-stage Elite.
And worse for Ricky, Raichu had the type advantage.
Aaron quietly shook his head.
This was going to be rough.
...
Ricky, however, looked as confident as ever.
He swept a hand through his hair and grinned.
"Blastoise, let's start big. Hydro Pump!"
"Blas!"
Blastoise roared as both cannons locked onto Raichu. Water-type energy rapidly condensed inside the barrels.
A moment later, twin blasts of pressurized water tore across the battlefield.
Darren barely reacted.
"That all you've got?"
He smirked.
"Raichu, dodge it! Then use Discharge!"
"Rai!"
Raichu darted sideways with impressive speed, slipping cleanly between the incoming streams.
The Hydro Pumps slammed into the ground behind it and blasted two deep craters into the court.
Before Blastoise could adjust its aim, electricity erupted from Raichu's body.
Bright yellow arcs crackled across its fur before surging outward toward Blastoise.
Blastoise was weak to Electric-type attacks. Taking a clean hit from a peak-stage Elite Raichu would hurt badly.
Ricky's expression sharpened.
"Blastoise, dodge! Then Earthquake!"
Despite the heavy shell on its back, Blastoise was not nearly as slow as it looked. It threw itself aside just in time, narrowly avoiding the incoming Discharge.
"Blas!"
Ground-type energy surged around its body.
Blastoise planted both feet, raised one leg and slammed it down.
...