Li Xiang's strength was beyond doubt.
No matter how foolish Mist City University might seem, it was last year's No.4. They wouldn't be so arrogant as to field an ordinary, weak student just to train him.
Moreover, with Song Jie's prior example...
Therefore, although Hongcheng University had lost their gamble on the match-up, since they had sent a regular team member, they still had some confidence.
'A rookie from our team might not beat you, but a regular team member surely couldn't lose to you, right?'
'Maybe he'll even panic and make mistakes himself. This has happened before, haha—'
And then, the Alolan Ninetales went flying, landing in a dirty, defeated heap.
'Ah, well….'
The Hongcheng University team members looked at each other, momentarily at a loss for words because the reality before them was an Alolan Ninetales with Aurora Veil active being instantly defeated by a Riolu's non-STAB Bullet Punch.
'Is that even a Riolu? Only a Lucario should have that kind of power!'
'Even an average Lucario might not be able to one-shot an Alolan Ninetales in that condition with Bullet Punch. Just how high is its training level?'
Their expressions shifted, a complex mix of emotions on their faces.
On the field, the battle had once again reached a fever pitch.
While the audience was still buzzing and discussions continued off-field, the Alolan Ninetales was recalled. Its trainer had to hurry and send out her second Pokémon.
A chubby, brown-furred Pokémon with face paint reminiscent of Indigenous peoples, a pig-like snout, and two thick, long tusks.
—Mamoswine, an Ice/Ground-type with the Oblivious Ability.
Unaffected by Intimidate, Taunt, or Attract…. these were the advantages of Oblivious, and exactly what Mamoswine needed.
"High Horsepower!"
"Moo—"
A long, clear cry rang out, followed by a heart-shaking tremor!
Mamoswine's raw power was terrifying, especially with a move like High Horsepower.
As it charged, weeds, muddy water, and debris flew in its wake, like a stampeding beast herd, plowing a deep furrow in the ground!
The earth shook continuously!
Even Hongcheng University's reserve area could feel faint tremors, let alone the epicenter where yellowish-brown light flashed constantly.
That giant, rapidly moving earthen meteor!
However, faced with the menacing Mamoswine, Riolu simply used Magnet Rise beforehand, nullifying the Ground-type energy directed at itself.
It only had to endure the tank-like impact force of Mamoswine's charge.
Simultaneously, amidst its opponent's clicking tongue, Riolu, having adjusted its angle to absorb the force, was sent flying straight into the sky!
In its hands, countless streams of air gathered and formed, instantly transforming into a swirling, vortex-centered blue energy sphere that kept expanding!
In just two breaths, the Aura Sphere had grown to a terrifying size!
Below, numerous prismatic ice shards shot through the air—clearly Mamoswine's Ice Shard.
These high-speed ice columns trailed long plumes of white smoke like missiles, forcing Riolu to stop charging and hurl the Aura Sphere!
Giant Aura Sphere!
Thud!
Mid-air, where the two moves collided, a violent explosion erupted!
White smoke rapidly expanded, only to be broken through the next second by the slightly shrunken Aura Sphere!
Obviously, Ice Shard was fast but still insufficient to cancel out the Aura Sphere!
'Strong physical attack is one thing, but its special attack is this strong too?'
'No, it's just that Aura Sphere is a special move.'
The opponent's mind raced. Her Mamoswine didn't just stand there either. With a loud cry, a crystalline cone of ice formed between its thick tusks, and it blasted it toward the incoming Aura Sphere!
Icicle Crash!
Unfortunately, the Aura Sphere was already upon it when it fired the ice!
Boom!
Another collision!
Boiling Aura power and shattered ice erupted, sending rumbling milky-white shockwaves radiating immense force from the blast point!
Innumerable clumps of soil, sand, weeds, and puddled water scattered everywhere!
Along with them, Mamoswine's massive body!
Weighing over 300 kilograms, it was actually pushed backward by the shockwave, plowing through the soft earth, almost lifting off the ground.
It had no choice but to turn its body sideways, digging its feet firmly into the ground and averting its eyes from the intense flash.
And in that instant, Riolu in the sky closed its eyes, leaned back, and dove down like a high-diver, spinning as it fell.
Its small, delicate body actually ignored the upward-blowing storm. Electromagnetically controlled, it remained as steady as a mountain, piercing through the white smoke cloud!
Finally, with its knee glowing reddish-brown, it smashed hard into Mamoswine's spine!
Thud!
A teeth-gritting dull thud!
The soil beneath Mamoswine suddenly sank. Countless sand and stones splashed up, then fell back with a patter like raindrops, as if struck by a meteor from the sky!
Jump Kick!
Retreat!
Riolu showed no attachment, not even rushing to check Mamoswine's condition. It flipped back, just in time to narrowly avoid Mamoswine's forcefully swinging ice-blue tusks!
Crack!
The air made a sharp sound!
On the thick tusks, countless water droplets instantly froze into frost!
If that Ice Fang hadn't been dodged, even Riolu would have been in serious trouble!
Fortunately, it retreated in time, allowing it to hang inverted and look down at the Mamoswine below, its limbs trembling but showing little outward reaction.
Clearly, the Oblivious Ability gave it more than just those three effects. There was also tremendous pain tolerance!
But since Jump Kick didn't finish it off, the opponent was tougher than expected.
Riolu thought rapidly and exchanged a glance with Li Xiang below.
As discussed earlier, this guy was specialized in physical defense with good endurance. Was it mainly afraid of taking an Aura Sphere up close, hence saving Protect?
'Well, sorry. You saved it for nothing!'
Receiving Li Xiang's approving look, Riolu's eyes sharpened. It kicked downward, releasing a reddish-brown shockwave!
Boom!
A green spherical shield blocked Vacuum Wave, then disappeared.
Seeing the incoming attack wasn't an Aura Sphere, the opponent's expression drastically changed!
"Blizzard!"
Mamoswine opened its mouth, blasting a howling blizzard at the diving Riolu!
Under hail, Blizzard's scale was greatly enhanced, almost pervasive!
But facing this, Riolu held an Aura Sphere firmly in front, using its twisting force to continuously thrust downward through the storm!
The blizzard and Aura Sphere, which should have exploded, were instead naturally parted under a twisting force, merging again behind Riolu without affecting it at all!
The opponent had poor visibility, hard to discern.
She only saw a flash of blue light, then felt energy surge before Mamoswine. The blue light expanded, and an ear-splitting blast suddenly erupted, wildly echoing across the field!
Even the commentator's voice was drowned out!
To the audience, the two Pokémon were completely obscured by smoke, only the hail continuing to fall.
Camera Magnemite circled the field, unable to film inside, only able to focus on Li Xiang and his opponent.
One male, one female. One expressionless, the other tense. To the audience, whose chances were higher seemed exceptionally clear.
The smoke didn't last long. In less than five seconds, the smoke at the center cleared, revealing the scene inside.
The massive Mamoswine lay on its side, unconscious with closed eyes. The small Riolu stood on the tip of its tusk, balanced on one foot, its expression utterly composed.
Tiny hailstones hit it, draining its stamina, but couldn't change its expression in the slightest.
"Beeeeep—"
The referee blew the whistle; the commentator announced the result.
The audience buzzed even more, discussions louder, noisy.
Hongcheng University's team members looked even worse. Someone couldn't help complaining about why Mamoswine wasn't switched out earlier, why bother toughing it out on the field.
Riolu, as a Pokémon, has low defenses and stamina, high consumption with its speed. Just stall it out!
But as soon as he said this, the captain smacked the back of his head.
"Don't speak with hindsight. If she could have switched, she would have. This happened precisely because she couldn't find an opportunity." The captain glared at him.
"Finding an opportunity"—a phrase that plagues trainers from Masters down to beginners. Also the most crucial aspect of Pokémon battles.
It's like having the initiative. No matter how strong a Pokémon is, without the initiative, it's nothing.
Outside, discussions were heated.
On the field, the opponent had to send out her third Pokémon.
Biting her lower lip, she hesitated over her remaining four Poké Balls, finally deciding to gamble.
A Pokémon that looked like it wore a kimono, with a skull-like mask, and two large ice blocks on its head appeared.
—Froslass, an Ice/Ghost-type.
Under the opponent's deliberate control, Froslass appeared thirty to forty meters away from Riolu.
Riolu's pupils contracted. It immediately closed the distance, again displaying that extraordinary speed. Its hands gleamed silver, its form nearly blurring.
Faced with this, Froslass followed its pre-release orders, creating fifty copies, stepping back, and disappearing into the mist-filled hail.
Caught off guard, Riolu's Bullet Punch had no choice but to miss.
Snow Cloak… the Ability effect in-game is increased evasion during hail. Here, Froslass's figure became blurry, hard to lock onto visually.
Seemed useful.
Unfortunately, for Riolu, which didn't even need its eyes, it was useless.
Closing its eyes, Aura vision activated. Everything on the field was clear as day, including the Froslass hiding in the snowstorm.
Invisible waves were being emitted from it, attempting to fly toward Riolu.
Riolu knew this was Psychic energy. Froslass intended to use Psychic to lock onto and attack it while maintaining strong control.
With its own frail frame and this hail, it might not last more than a few seconds.
A pity.
'Not using Blizzard to try for a freeze is your doom!'
'So what if you're immune to Fighting-type moves? Not even Foresight is needed.'
Riolu stepped back, openly assuming the Beng Quan stance on the spot.
Simultaneously, its Aura firmly locked onto Froslass. On its right hand, a metallic halo shone, then twisted into a flame-like chaotic appearance!
Seeing this, the opponent seemed to sense something, immediately growing anxious, hoping Froslass could lock onto Riolu first.
However, in those few short seconds, just as Froslass's rope-like psychic waves were about to touch Riolu, Riolu moved.
It first turned sideways inexplicably, then its right foot stamped hard on the ground!
Boom!
Ice and mud splattered!
Its small body, under silver radiance, shot forth like a bullet, suddenly appearing beside the Froslass hiding in the snowstorm!
Countless fire meteors spewed behind Riolu's arm, making its silver-glowing hand look like a jet-powered warhammer!
The warhammer swung—striking straight at the heart!
Silver light flashed intensely, instantly swallowing Froslass!
Then, transformed into a muffled explosion, blasting Froslass away!
"Froslass!"
The opponent exclaimed, but couldn't change the fact that her Pokémon replicated Alolan Ninetales' performance.
Defeated by Riolu in one hit!
Beng Quan · Iron Meteor!
Riolu lightly tapped the ground with its toe, letting itself be covered in ice and snow, steady as a mountain!
Alone, it had successfully defeated three opponents. Going all out, holding nothing back!
The audience erupted into unprecedentedly enthusiastic applause and cheers!
Utterly dominant!