Chapter 297: Serperior! Enters the Stage!
The previous opponent had sent out two Ice-type Pokémon, which was a nightmare matchup for the Dragon-specialist Namgung Xi. However, she managed to pull through.
On the other hand, the average level of the opponents in this round was high. In Namgung Xi's match, two of the three Pokémon were early Elite-level, while the third was a mid-tier Gym Leader level Ice-type.
Surviving that in the qualifying rounds was no small feat.
But fortunately, the drama ended without disaster.
The qualifiers rolled on.
After several more rounds, Kenji's name finally flashed on the jumbotron.
Kenji stood up, adjusted his gear, and walked toward his designated arena.
As he reached the entrance to the field, he saw the stands were packed to the brim. Kenji scanned the sea of people; he couldn't spot Xie Mu or Bai Bai, but he knew they were there, watching him.
He wasn't the only one watching.
Director He was also in the stands, having made the trip personally to watch Kenji's match alongside a massive contingent of students from Metropolis Academy.
Right now, Kenji didn't just represent himself—he carried the reputation of the entire academy.
Director He was one of the few who knew the true extent of Kenji's strength. In his mind, Kenji wasn't just a contestant; he was a legitimate contender for the Huaxia League Championship.
Just imagine it, Director He thought. A student who hasn't even graduated yet taking the national title.
It would be an explosive, history-making news story. Kenji would become the ultimate walking advertisement for Metropolis Academy. The prestige of the championship would far outweigh the National College League title.
If Kenji actually pulled it off, the influx of resources, funding, and top-tier student applicants in the coming years would be astronomical. Metropolis might finally surpass all other institutions to become the undisputed #1 school in Huaxia.
Sitting in the VIP section, Director He couldn't stop grinning. As Kenji stepped onto the field, the Director led the cheering section, his voice booming over the crowd.
In the center of the arena, Kenji faced his opponent.
His opponent for this round was a female trainer named Ruan Jiaqi. She looked to be in her early thirties, well-maintained and elegant. Among the veterans of the League Conference—where gray hair was a common sight—she was considered a member of the younger generation.
"Let's have a good match," Ruan Jiaqi said with a polite smile as she took her position.
Kenji nodded respectfully.
"Battle... Begin!"
"Go! Serperior!!"
"I choose you! Espeon!!"
"Ser-peeee!!!"
Red light flashed, and Serperior landed on the field. Its long, elegant body coiled slightly as it held its head high. Its gaze was cool, bordering on disdainful, as it looked down at its opponent.
[Serperior] (4-Star)
Gender: Female
Level: 51 (Master/Early Gym Leader)
Type: Grass
Base Stats Total: 708
(HP: 100, Atk: 100, Def: 130, SpA: 100, SpD: 130, Spe: 148)
Abilities: Contrary, Slow Start (Inverted: Fast Start)
Moves: Leaf Storm, Frenzy Plant, Giga Drain, Magical Leaf, Energy Ball, Seed Bomb, Solar Beam, Scale Shot, Dragon Pulse, Outrage, Glare, Synthesis...
Items: Radiant Jeweled Gauntlet, Radiant Hand of Justice, Radiant Rabadon's Deathcap
Potential: Limit
After the intensive training period, Serperior had reached Level 51.
On the other side, Ruan Jiaqi's Espeon appeared.
Espeon, the Sun Pokémon. One of Eevee's evolutions, of the Psychic type. Its velvet-like purple fur shimmered under the arena lights, and the red gem on its forehead glowed like a ruby.
That gem allowed Espeon to sense air currents and predict its opponent's next move, while also acting as a focal point for its mental energy.
[Espeon]
Gender: Female
Level: 69 (Peak Gym Leader)
Type: Psychic
Ability: Magic Bounce (Reflects status moves back at the user.)
Potential: B
At Level 69, this Espeon was just one step away from the Elite tier.
Espeon locked its purple eyes onto Serperior, the ruby on its forehead pulsing rhythmically. Even though it held a massive 18-level advantage, the regal snake didn't look the least bit intimidated. If anything, Serperior tilted its head even higher.
"Espeon, Psychic!!"
"Espe!!!"
Espeon let out a soft cry. The gem on its forehead erupted with a bizarrely colored light, launching a beam of pure mental energy at the snake.
"Serperior!! Leaf Storm!"
"Ser-per!!!"
A pale green glow surrounded Serperior's body. With a violent whip of its tail, a massive vortex of razor-sharp leaves materialized, screaming toward Espeon.
The Psychic beam collided with the Leaf Storm and was instantly swallowed whole.
Currently, under the effect of Fast Start (the inverted Slow Start), all of Serperior's stats were effectively doubled for the first five minutes. Furthermore, by using Leaf Storm, Contrary triggered—instead of lowering her Special Attack by two stages, it raised it by two.
The power of this STAB Grass move was already reaching apocalyptic levels, further amplified by her three Radiant Items.
The destructive force was so high it completely overwhelmed an Espeon nearly 20 levels higher than itself.
Legends said that Slow Start was a divine punishment from Arceus meant to restrain the giant Regigigas. But on Kenji's Serperior, thanks to the combination of Contrary and its "Limit" potential, that curse had been transformed into a Godly Blessing.
"What incredible power!" Ruan Jiaqi gasped.
The Leaf Storm tore through the arena like a buzzsaw, shattering the mental energy and closing in on Espeon.
"Espe!!!"
Facing the inevitable impact, a pale green barrier materialized in front of Espeon at the last possible second.
Protect!
BANG!!!
The storm of leaves slammed into the barrier. Countless leaves acted like relentless throwing knives, drumming against the shield with a frantic pitter-patter.
Fortunately, the level gap still provided some defensive cushion. Espeon's barrier held, surviving the terrifying first assault.
"Espeon! Now! Use Psych Up!"
"Espe..."
Espeon's purple eyes glowed with a strange pink light. Simultaneously, the ruby on its forehead sparkled with a brilliance that was almost blinding.
A faint aura began to radiate from Espeon, and its presence surged at a visible rate.
"This is..."
Ruan Jiaqi's eyes widened. She stared at her own Espeon, her mouth hanging open in shock.
By observing Serperior's opening move, she had correctly deduced that it had the Contrary ability. Psych Up was her counter—it allowed her Pokémon to copy all of the opponent's current stat changes.
She had originally intended to "leech" the +2 Special Attack boost from the Leaf Storm.
But what happened next was far beyond her expectations.
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