Chapter 185: Top 11!
Ho-Oh...
Kenji's expression froze for a moment. In his mind, he couldn't help but recall the day he flew from Edgecliff City to Metropolis to report for school—the figure radiating seven-colored light he had seen in the sky.
He hadn't been seeing things. Could it be... that was really Ho-Oh?
However, Kenji didn't understand. Why would Ho-Oh say he was the one chosen by a Legendary Pokémon?
What god? The God of the Golden Spatula?
Just as Kenji's thoughts were running wild, Zhurong Yun spoke again: "It seems you didn't know before that you were chosen by a Legendary Pokémon, nor did you know which Legendary chose you."
Kenji shook his head. "I just found out about this myself. I wonder, did Ho-Oh mention which Legendary Pokémon chose me?"
As Ho-Oh was the totem and faith of the Zhurong Clan, since Ho-Oh said Kenji was chosen, Zhurong Yun naturally believed it without a doubt.
But Kenji was quite curious about exactly which Legendary had chosen him.
This time, Zhurong Yun shook his head in confusion. "I don't know. Not only do I not know, but even Ho-Oh doesn't know."
Ho-Oh, as a First-Class Legendary Pokémon (Box Art Legendary), not only possessed the miraculous ability to resurrect the dead but also governed the weather and airflow of the entire world. It had lived on this land for an unknown number of years.
Before humans appeared, Ho-Oh already existed in this world.
Logically speaking, Ho-Oh, having experienced countless eras, should be omniscient and omnipotent. At least, in the eyes of Zhurong Yun and the Zhurong Clan, Ho-Oh should be.
Kenji remained silent, calculating and hypothesizing in his heart. Gradually, he formed a guess.
He was a transmigrator, after all. His consciousness had come from another world. Perhaps Ho-Oh had sensed his abnormality.
In this world, Legendary Pokémon were like the underlying code. The entire Pokémon universe was created by Arceus, and the Pokémon on the Blue Planet were created by Mew.
Once an ordinary human displayed an inexplicable abnormality, it was generally assumed that they were influenced by some Legendary Pokémon.
Kenji couldn't be sure if his guess was right or wrong.
On the other side, after speaking, Zhurong Yun had been quietly observing Kenji's reaction. A hint of surprise appeared in his expression.
Calm. He was too calm.
Kenji's emotions right now were far too tranquil. He didn't look at all like a teenager who had just learned he was chosen by a Legendary Pokémon.
...
After the brief conversation, Kenji left.
In the spacious room, Zhurong Yun was left alone once again.
Creak...
The exquisite wooden door was pushed open, and the woman in the red cheongsam walked in from outside.
"Mr. Yun, do we... really not need to send someone to watch him?"
The woman approached Zhurong Yun's side and asked softly.
Those chosen by Legendary Pokémon often carried power that could influence the course of human history.
In human history, there were precedents of humans obtaining the aid of Legendary Pokémon only to deal a massive blow to humanity for the sake of their own selfish desires.
The best way to deal with such a dangerous, unstable factor was to conduct a risk assessment before they fully matured. If they were not of good character, they should be eliminated before they could grow too powerful.
Zhurong Yun shook his head. "Trust in Lord Ho-Oh's judgment. All we need to do is build a good relationship with him. That is enough."
...
The next day, the competition continued.
The tournament had progressed to the Top 84 competing for the Top 42 spots.
Kenji had already revealed three of his Pokémon: Electivire, Slaking, and Tyranitar.
These three were the only ones left in Kenji's hand that hadn't broken through to the Gym Leader level yet.
As for the remaining Ninetales, Bellossom, and Gyarados, their levels had already successfully broken through the Elite level and reached the Gym Leader level.
Back when Gyarados was still at the Elite level, it could already defeat an Aggron with combat power comparable to the early-stage Elite Four level after setting up with Dragon Dance.
Now that Gyarados had broken through to the Gym Leader level, after boosting with Dragon Dance, its true combat power could definitely suppress ordinary early-stage Elite Four level Pokémon.
Using a Pokémon with early-stage Elite Four level strength in the National Collegiate League was truly a "dimensional strike"—like a professional trainer smurfing in a beginner's cup.
With the addition of Electivire, it had become the "Second Generation Model Worker" of Kenji's team, succeeding Gyarados.
Both Pokémon were quite warlike, but Gyarados only liked challenging the strong. For the Pokémon in the National Collegiate League that couldn't even withstand its aura, Gyarados couldn't drum up any interest.
Kenji swept through the obstacles, and the subsequent competition progressed faster and faster. Soon, they advanced from the Top 42 to the final Top 11.
Metropolis Academy had only two contestants left: Kenji and Xie Mu.
On the other side, Imperial Academy also had only two contestants remaining.
Top 11 to Top 6 Match.
On the display screen above, the order of the upcoming matches began to appear one by one.
Names of contestants appeared on the screen. When it came to the fifth match, everyone held their breath, staring intently at the matchup.
Because the only names that hadn't appeared on the screen yet were Metropolis Academy's Kenji and Xie Mu, and Imperial Academy's Zephyr!
This meant that this match would very likely be a civil war between Metropolis Academy students! Or, another round of showdown between Metropolis Academy and Imperial Academy!!!
"BANG!!!—"
Kenji!!!
Kenji's name appeared first on the display screen.
Everyone looked at the space next to Kenji's name.
One second later, the name appeared.
Imperial Academy!!! Zephyr!!!
"BOOM!!!!—"
Instantly, the entire arena boiled over. Everyone exclaimed and shouted.
The two most talked-about contestants of this National Collegiate League had finally met in the Top 11 match!!!
Metropolis Academy was also in an uproar, but they were rejoicing for Xie Mu.
The remaining Xie Mu had successfully drawn the "Bye," advancing directly to the Top 6 without fighting.
As the saying goes, human joys and sorrows are not connected. Unlike the jubilation at Metropolis Academy, the atmosphere at Imperial Academy was stiff. Everyone remained silent, their faces grim.
Of the two remaining Imperial Academy contestants, Zephyr had actually run into Kenji first.
Although the other remaining contestant's strength was considered superior among Imperial Academy's team, among the remaining eleven contestants, they were only average.
Whether they could advance to the Top 6 was still an unknown variable.
This meant that in this National Collegiate League, Imperial Academy might fail to even enter the Top 6.
The thought of this made everyone's faces look even worse.
The team coach looked at Zephyr, opened her mouth, and finally could only say, "Perform well. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
Zephyr didn't show much emotion. He gave a soft hum of acknowledgment and returned a smile to the team coach.
The matches began.
First match... Second match...
In the afternoon, the Fifth Match began.
"Blue Side! It is our contestant from Imperial Academy, Zephyr!! Regarded as a strong contender for the championship of this National Collegiate League, possessing a Mega Evolving Sceptile, he has brought us wonderful battles one after another on this field!!"
"Red Side! It is the contestant from Metropolis Academy, Kenji!! He is the biggest dark horse of this National Collegiate League! The contestant who has brought the biggest surprises to the audience!!! Every Pokémon he has sent out has contributed memorable scenes to this tournament! A contestant who has left a vibrant mark on this arena!"
"The two strongest contestants from the top academies! They have finally met on this stage!! Next! Let us welcome with applause! The entrance of both contestants!!!"
At the entrance tunnel, Kenji and Zephyr walked out. Accompanied by applause and shouts that shook the entire Phoenix Nest Battle Arena, both sides walked into the trainer's boxes.
Kenji tilted his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over the sea of people in the packed audience seats.
This was the stage Kenji had dreamed of, the stage he longed to step onto.
The National Collegiate League was not only the first proper large-scale battle tournament Kenji had participated in, but also his first national-level event.
Next, Kenji would participate in the Huaxia League Championship, and then global battle tournaments... until he finally reached the pinnacle of Pokémon Trainers.
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