At that moment, in the stands, more and more students had gathered to watch. There was no longer anyone lining up at the freshman registration desk. Everyone had run over to watch the Pokémon battle.
When the crowd saw Ricky lose, quite a few of them shook their heads in regret, and even fewer people dared to step up and get crushed.
"Man... he really is too young. How could he possibly beat a sophomore?"
"Yeah... I think he only went up there to show off his Pokémon. He knew he couldn't win."
"Show off what? He got swept three-on-one by a single Pokémon. We freshmen have completely lost face now."
"Well, if you're so capable, why don't you go up there? You don't even have the courage to challenge him, so what right do you have to judge anyone?"
"Exactly. You go up there, then. Stop running your mouth from here."
"I... I've got something to do. I'm leaving."
"What a joke... all talk and no guts."
"Wait... someone else is going up! Damn... there's actually someone else who isn't afraid to die. Didn't he see how strong the upperclassman's Pokémon is? He still dares to go up there and get crushed?"
"Hahaha... now there's another show to watch."
...
The crowd chattered nonstop. Some thought Ricky had only gone up to show off his Pokémon, while others supported him and admired his courage.
Of course, most of them were just there for the spectacle. Win or lose, as long as there was something to watch, they were satisfied.
At that moment, Ricky walked off the field looking dejected. Right after him, another young man in a black trench coat stepped onto the Pokémon battle arena.
That immediately drew everyone's attention again.
They could not help but exclaim. Was there really another fool who was not afraid to die?
...
A few minutes earlier, after Ricky had been defeated, Aaron sat in the stands without the slightest hint of surprise on his face.
He had known from the start that Ricky could not win.
"Ah... what a shame."
"That underclassman's Pokémon has pretty good Potential. Too bad he ran into Darren. He's somewhat famous among the sophomores, you know."
The cat-eared upperclassman spoke with some regret. Then her eyes shifted toward Aaron.
A mischievous smile flashed in her eyes as she said to him, "Aaron, number one on the Hidden Dragon List... it's your turn to put on a show."
"Hurry up and show us what you can do!"
"Hehehe..."
The cat-eared upperclassman covered her face and laughed.
She was clearly teasing Aaron. She did not believe what he had said at all.
Aaron: "..."
The corner of Aaron's mouth twitched slightly. A trace of helplessness flashed through his eyes, but he smiled and said, "Then I'm going."
"Go on, go on. I hope you don't get beaten too badly."
The cat-eared upperclassman smiled as she spoke to Aaron.
Aaron chuckled, then walked steadily down toward the Pokémon battle arena below.
...
Back in the present, Aaron walked over to Ricky.
Ricky had his head hanging low, looking like a rooster that had lost a fight. When he saw Aaron, he barely managed to force out a smile and said, "Aaron... hurry up and lose too. That way, I'll feel a little better."
The corner of Aaron's mouth twitched.
What kind of thing was that to say?
He had even been planning to comfort him a little, but forget it. Even a dog would at least let him pet it after being comforted.
This guy? Never mind.
"Sorry... I'm not as hopeless as you."
Aaron patted Ricky on the shoulder with a smile, then strode toward the Pokémon battle arena.
Behind him, Ricky was left pointing angrily at Aaron and muttering curses under his breath.
The corner of Aaron's mouth lifted slightly.
That felt good.
...
On the Pokémon battle arena, Aaron and Senior Darren stood facing each other.
Aaron looked at the Luxray on the field, panting slightly, and could not help saying to Senior Darren, "Senior... are you sure you don't want to let your Pokémon rest for a bit?"
Although Luxray had not taken much damage, after three battles in a row, its stamina had definitely been worn down.
Darren smiled when he heard that. With a confident grin, he said to Aaron, "No need... my Luxray can still pull off another one-on-three sweep."
The corner of Darren's mouth rose. He did not take Aaron seriously at all.
Or rather, he did not take any of the freshmen present seriously.
Aaron smiled faintly when he heard this, a slightly strange look appearing on his face as he said to Darren, "Then I won't hold back."
"Heh heh heh... come at me. Hurry it up, too. I still have to eat after this!"
Darren grinned and spoke casually to Aaron.
"This battle will be a 3-on-3 match."
"The battle ends when all three Pokémon on one side are unable to battle."
"Now... the battle officially begins!"
At the referee's seat, the tousle-haired upperclassman wore a bright smile as he waved the flag and shouted to the two of them.
His pearly white teeth gleamed under the sun like mirrors.
Who knew what kind of toothpaste he used to get them that white?
The battle was about to begin!
...