At the heart of the Pokémon Battle Center, Pei Jingguo and Xiao Zhang stood in the largest and most prominent arena.
Su Bai and the others—Wang Tao included—sat in the front row. Somehow, Wang Tao had conjured up a massive stash of snacks and was enthusiastically handing them out.
"So this is what a Pokémon battle's like... sniff... and the snacks are amazing too," Zhou Xiaofei mumbled, his cheeks bulging with food. Still, he remembered his manners and handed a snack to Wang Tao. "Thanks, Brother Wang Tao!"
Su Bai chuckled. "Don't eat too much. Snacks aren't exactly good for growing kids."
"This must be your first time watching a real Pokémon battle, huh, Xiaofei? Pay close attention—you might pick up a lot."
All around the stadium, people were steadily filling in the seats.
Ditto had transformed into a random civilian and, with a few quick tweaks to its facial features (thanks to Su Bai's directions), now looked like the most average guy imaginable. Under this unassuming disguise, Ditto had taken on the role of usher, maintaining order at the entrance.
Meanwhile, Diancie floated into the center of the battlefield, smiling cheerfully as she prepared to take on the role of referee.
The arena was growing louder by the minute—buzzing with excitement.
After all, Pokémon battles were still a brand-new concept here.
And this match? It was the very first official battle to be held at the new Pokémon Battle Center.
"Whoa, look at the crowd!" Liu Yunlan gasped. "I didn't know the Pokémon Center had this many customers!"
Su Bai simply smiled. The Pokémon Center wasn't exactly small—and with its recent surge in popularity, even people who couldn't afford to buy Pokémon were showing up just to look around. The place was packed with curious spectators.
Though the massive training grounds weren't yet filled to capacity, the noise alone made it feel like a packed stadium.
"Man, Xiao Zhang's really stubborn," Wang Tao muttered, watching the two contestants prepare to fight. "He's lost to Pei Jingguo so many times. Why does he keep trying?"
"It's not as simple as you think," Ding Yue shook her head. "Yes, Pei Jingguo is strong—he's been the top student even before Pokémon showed up."
"But do you think just anyone can constantly push him and keep up?"
"Xiao Zhang's strength might not match Pei Jingguo's completely, but if Pei lets his guard down, Xiao Zhang could very well win."
"Not just anyone gets invited to train with an A-Rank Awakened Team before even graduating."
Su Bai nodded thoughtfully. It made sense.
If the gap between them was truly enormous, Pei wouldn't even bother to take Xiao Zhang seriously.
But he did. Because Xiao Zhang wasn't some clown—he was a legitimate challenger.
"A fair point," said Li Xiaoyu, cutting in. "But Pei's Pawniard fought in that Death Beast siege. No way Xiao Zhang's Machop could be trained to that level, even if he's a workaholic."
"His Pokémon is weaker, and his own strength is slightly below Pei's. I honestly don't see how he plans to win."
Su Bai let out a small laugh. "Really? Then maybe you've all forgotten what I taught you."
"Machop has an absolute advantage over Pawniard."
True, Pei's Pawniard had been intensely trained. If not for the fact that it only evolves at level 52, it might've already reached its next form.
And make no mistake—Pawniard was a powerhouse.
Once it evolved into Kingambit, it would have a base stat total of 550, even surpassing most starter Pokémon.
"A true general stands unmoved."
With each fallen ally during battle, Bisharp's move power increased by 10%, up to a terrifying 50%.
If not for that difficult evolution requirement, its price would've skyrocketed.
Still, Xiao Zhang's Machop was no slouch either. A strong individual with a personality that fit perfectly with its Trainer.
In terms of training, it was still behind Pawniard.
But in an actual fight?
Machop had a huge advantage.
Because Fighting-type moves were 4x super effective against Pawniard, a dual Dark/Steel-type Pokémon!
Su Bai's reminder made everyone perk up.
That's right!
Dark and Steel types were still uncommon, so most of them hadn't immediately connected the dots.
"Wait a minute… does that mean Pei might lose? Is the eternal runner-up finally going to win?!"
Everyone exchanged skeptical glances. Xiao Zhang just didn't look like the type to actually win.
Su Bai grinned.
"If it's just a Pokémon battle, and Xiao Zhang doesn't mess up—he should absolutely win. Pawniard is at a huge disadvantage against Machop."
"But this time… it's not just about Pokémon."
"This is a double battle—Trainer and Pokémon fighting side-by-side."
He turned to glance behind him. Though the upper rows still had empty patches, the arena was now buzzing with energy. Pretty much everyone who could come had come.
He waved toward Diancie, who gave him a playful wink in return.
Floating into the center of the battlefield, microphone in hand, she announced with a crystalline voice:
"Then, Diancie declares…"
"The match officially begins!"
At that moment, under Diancie's sweet voice—
Pei Jingguo and Xiao Zhang opened their eyes in unison!
"I've waited for this day for a long time!" Xiao Zhang shouted, full of fighting spirit. "Losing to Pawniard last time was a fluke! I was using backup gloves!"
"Machop! Let's go!"
He raised both hands high, revealing a sleek pair of shiny black combat gloves.
Among Awakened Fighters, gear was no joke.
Last time, Xiao Zhang had been wearing basic training gloves, which were no match for Pawniard' bladed arms.
But these?
These were a parting gift from his master—serious gear.
"Bring it on," Pei Jingguo replied coolly, words few but firm.
He had always respected Xiao Zhang's strength. Even before Pokémon entered the picture, Xiao was the only one in school who could push him to go all out.
Now that Pokémon were in the mix, pure Awakened battles were rare.
But right now?
Pei's blood was pumping.
With a flash, his sword was unsheathed, and alongside Pawniard, he charged straight at the enemy!
Bang!!
Clang!
Two distinct sounds echoed through the arena as their attacks collided.
Xiao Zhang's combat gloves blocked Pei's blade with a sharp metallic clang.
Meanwhile, Machop delivered a powerful flying kick—slamming straight into Pawniard's arm.
Its blade-like limbs failed to cut into Machop's dense muscles. Instead, Pawniard was sent skidding backward, feet dragging across the ground!
From Diancie's opening announcement to the moment of impact—
Everything had happened in a flash.
Some spectators hadn't even processed what happened before the first round was already over!
And then—
The entire arena erupted in thunderous cheers and applause!