Chapter 23: Teacher Lu's First Reading
The audience's attention focused entirely on Lu Ye.
"Right! Brother Lu is competing too!"
"But his opponent is a school team member. Don't put the class rep in a tough spot…"
Amid the murmurs, a few girls stole glances at Lu Ye. Though worried, their gazes carried a trace of admiration.
When it matters most, the dashing Lu Ye never disappoints!
Shen Tingzhi glanced at the intimidating Gastly, her brow furrowing slightly. Her sharp instincts warned her—this Gastly was no ordinary foe! But as for its Trainer…
Sure, he was handsome, but at the end of the day, he was a student from the Finance Department. When it came to commanding, he was no match for someone from the Battle Department!
"Hey, Brother Lu, are you serious about this?"
Tian Youwei whispered nervously, "If you lose, you might not get to play tomorrow!"
Lu Ye had been hesitating, but upon hearing this, his eyes lit up. Wouldn't this be a perfect excuse to focus on preparing for finals instead?
Patting Tian Youwei's shoulder, Lu Ye smiled. "I'll take care of it."
He stepped forward, his tone calm. "At Modu University, we don't let the girls take the lead."
"Class Rep…"
Lu Ye could feel the fiery stares behind him, making his back tingle. Meanwhile, the boys from the Battle Department behind Shen Tingzhi were glaring daggers at him.
This guy—being handsome is bad enough. But showing off right in front of them? This is unbearable!
"A freshman from the Finance Department actually dares to challenge a school team member from Modu?"
"Shen Jie, teach this guy a lesson!"
"Yeah, beat him so bad he quits being a Trainer!"
Lu Ye's eyes sparkled as he glanced gratefully at the shouting boys.
"Keep quiet!" Shen Tingzhi turned to the P.E. teacher. "Sir, would you mind acting as the referee?"
Mr. Gao sighed, "Fine, as long as you all resolve this yourselves… I'm still on probation!"
The Finance Department students flocked around Lu Ye, confidently striding toward the battle field. Gastly hovered beside Lu Ye, its red eyes glowing fiercely and a sinister grin stretched across its face.
To Shen Tingzhi, that grin sent chills down her spine. But only Lu Ye knew—it was just Gastly's sleep deprivation showing. Dark circles really do make someone look more menacing!
Tian Youwei muttered nervously, "Brother Lu, do you really have a plan?"
"Well… to be honest, I'm not great at commanding."
"?"
"This is my first time giving real-time commands." Lu Ye grinned confidently.
"…??"
On the 10x10 standard field, Shen Tingzhi and her Granbull were already prepared. Granbull resembled a fierce bulldog, standing on its hind legs with lavender fur, powerful jaws, and sharp fangs.
Seeing Shen Tingzhi's Pokémon, Lu Ye was a bit disappointed. He had hoped to see something cute like a Ralts! But apparently, the so-called "Fairy prodigy" only had a Granbull to show for it.
Mr. Gao blew the whistle. "Match start!"
Shen Tingzhi waved her arm, pointing forward. Granbull lunged aggressively.
"Bite it!"
However, just as Granbull leapt into the air, Gastly had already zoomed to its side, sneering maliciously.
Shen Tingzhi was momentarily stunned. What speed!
Lu Ye sighed inwardly. Everyone knew Granbull would use Bite. Why treat it like a trump card?
"Gastly, use Substitute!"
The black mist surrounding Gastly twisted and split off, forming 2 sneering copies. Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, the 2 Gastlies began circling Granbull at an incredible speed!
"Why does it… look like Shen Jie is losing?"
"Are you kidding?! She's just baiting her opponent!"
A cold sweat slid down Shen Tingzhi's forehead. Gastly was absurdly fast! She had to slow it down.
"Granbull, use Scary Face!"
"Gastly, close your eyes!"
The commands were simultaneous, and Shen Tingzhi stole a glance at Lu Ye. He looked utterly unbothered, even bored.
"Too predictable," Lu Ye murmured.
An unfamiliar pressure weighed on Shen Tingzhi. Was… was he reading her moves?
"Reading" refers to predicting your opponent's commands during battle. It's an extremely risky strategy. If you're wrong, the situation can collapse entirely. But a successful read can utterly devastate the opponent's morale!
No way—it must've been a coincidence! Shen Tingzhi bit her lip. He just got lucky guessing my move!
On the field, Granbull's Scary Face was utterly wasted, as Gastly couldn't see a thing. At the same time, a dazzling Confuse Ray flashed from Gastly, though Granbull managed to avoid confusion after a quick shake of its head.
Shen Tingzhi breathed a sigh of relief, her focus returning.
"Granbull, Bite!"
Granbull lunged with its fangs bared, but Gastly easily dodged.
Shen Tingzhi looked at Lu Ye in confusion, who simply pointed downward and shook his head.
Granbull's legs trembled; it couldn't move. The effects of Gastly's Mean Look had set in.
"Granbull may look ferocious, but it's surprisingly timid," Lu Ye sighed. "If you'd read the Pokédex, you'd know not to let it meet Gastly's gaze."
Shen Tingzhi opened her mouth but found herself speechless.
"Don't freeze up!" Lu Ye called. "This is trash talk. It's a tactic!"
Lu Ye was stunned. He thought a school team member from Modu University would see through such basic mind games. But before he could start trash-talking properly, this girl had already mentally collapsed?
How was he supposed to put on a performance now?
Shen Tingzhi bit her lip hard, her voice trembling.
"Granbull, u-use…"
"Gastly, Will-O-Wisp!"
Gastly's sneer widened as 3 ghostly blue flames formed, swirling together into a massive fireball. With a chilling roar, the fireball struck Granbull, scorching its fur and sending it flying with a loud boom!
"Arrroooo!!"
Granbull let out a pained cry, but Gastly's assault didn't stop. This wasn't a turn-based game. Unless Shen Tingzhi could break the momentum, Gastly's relentless attacks would continue! Despite her best efforts, Granbull couldn't find any opening to counterattack against Gastly's blistering speed.
Lu Ye, watching Shen Tingzhi's rigid commands, shook his head.
What's happening to Modu University? Is this the best their school team can do? Even the players I meet online are better than this!
Boom!
With one final explosion, Granbull let out a wail and collapsed.
The field fell into a stunned silence. Everyone stared blankly at Lu Ye, a giant question mark hanging in their minds.
Lu Ye… defeated a school team member?
Remembering Lu Ye's earlier words, Tian Youwei stood there, dazed.
You call this "not being good at commanding"? With a straight face, you say you're no good, and then proceed to crush a school team member with just your tactics? Brother Lu, could you be a little less shameless?