Magneton's performance was leagues ahead of the previous freshmen's Pokémon.
As it defeated its second opponent, the Magic University Battle Club review team began to critique its abilities.
"The power of those Electric-type moves is quite impressive; it's clearly spent a lot of time charging up."
"The mental strength is the real highlight. Its psychic proficiency isn't inferior to a pure Psychic-type. This is a Magneton with extraordinary natural talent—likely meticulously bred by a top-tier breeder, don't you think?"
Although Magneton had only fought two matches, its fundamental stats and mastery of moves had already earned the panel's recognition.
Pokémon proficient in psychic powers are rare, and several reviewers were ready to give the nod of approval to let him join the club. However, just as they were about to make a decision, the lead reviewer from the varsity team suddenly intervened.
"Wait a bit longer."
The girl was looking at her phone with an expression of deep interest. On the screen was a photo—a shot of Owen during a televised interview.
Shu, an official member of the Magic University varsity team. She was here at the recruitment event specifically to see if any freshmen possessed massive potential worth the varsity team's attention.
The Rookie King. With a title like that, he certainly deserved a little extra "attention."
But a performance like this? It wasn't enough yet.
"Owen, the Rookie King... he seems quite confident, using his second Pokémon for the Battle Club assessment," Shu murmured to herself. She was officially intrigued. She wanted to see just how far Owen could train a second Pokémon in a single rookie year.
Since they had plenty of time, she didn't mind letting Owen hold the stage as the "Arena King" a little longer.
Magneton continued to drift over the arena, and Owen waited quietly for the next challenger. After a moment, a new freshman stepped up.
"It's Liang from the South University Affiliated High School!"
Excellent rookies tend to gravitate toward the same elite institutions, and there were many faces in Magic University that Owen found familiar.
He had a distinct impression of Liang, as did many other students from Fairview. Liang was a member of the winning team in the Rookie Team Tournament. While he wasn't as famous as Owen (the individual champion), he was well-known in his own right.
"It's you. Being a student from the South University Affiliated High School, I'm surprised you didn't go to Imperial Capital University," Owen said with a smile as he looked at Liang.
If he remembered correctly... Liang's partner was a Houndoom with the Flash Fire ability.
"I've never heard of such a tradition," Liang replied. He glanced at Magneton and grinned. "Are you not going to swap Pokémon? Unless you call out your Eevee, you have no chance of winning."
Electric, Steel, and even Psychic-type moves all had diminished effectiveness against a Dark/Fire-type like Houndoom. Conversely, Houndoom's flames were devastatingly effective against a Steel-type like Magneton.
Given that Magneton's training time must have been short, Lu Liang saw no way for Owen to win.
"I won't be swapping. People call me the 'Master of Type Disadvantage,'" Owen said calmly, ignoring whether Liang was trying to provoke him or not.
Liang cursed internally. Talk about arrogant. But that made it more interesting. I might not be able to beat your Eevee, Owen, but I can certainly crush your Magneton!
As Liang released his Houndoom, the crowd grew even rowdier. Houndoom was a rare sight; the combination of Dark and Fire types, coupled with its fierce appearance, made it look far more intimidating than the somewhat dorky-looking Magneton.
"A Houndoom..." The Battle Club reviewers nodded. If a freshman could tame a fierce Pokémon like Houndoom, their strength shouldn't be bad. "I wonder what ability it has."
In the stands sat a group of sophomores and juniors. They weren't part of the review panel, but they were watching the recruitment closely from the front rows.
The sophomores, in particular, were paying close attention—they might be called upon to "discipline" the freshmen later, so they had to scout the competition.
"If it has Flash Fire, we should recruit him even if his skill is a bit lower. That ability has great tactical value," one junior remarked.
"And that Magneton's psychic power is good too. Sister Yu is being too strict; when did our Battle Club standards get this high? This isn't even a varsity tryout..."
"Begin!!"
Seeing both sides ready, the referee signaled with his flag.
Liang's eyes narrowed as he stared at Magneton. Psychic power was almost useless against Houndoom—it could easily break free using Dark energy.
As for Electric moves, Houndoom didn't fear them; its flames would simply be more powerful.
"Flamethrower!!"
At Liang's command, a savage light flickered in Houndoom's eyes. Scorching fire condensed in its maw and erupted like a giant flaming serpent. The power of this flame was significantly stronger than Lynnea's Growlithe...
Owen wasn't surprised. He directed Magneton to counter with Hidden Power.
BOOM!
The blue psychic shockwave collided directly with the flames. Under the pressure of the psychic energy, the fire compressed and instantly exploded, sending violent tongues of fire flying across the entire field.
As the two moves canceled each other out, Houndoom kicked up a Smog, obscuring Owen's vision. Within the haze, Houndoom moved like a shadow—it was incredibly fast. This was its signature move: Feint Attack.
"Can anyone see Houndoom in that Smog??"
"I can't... I bet it's moving at high speed, but there isn't even a ripple in the smoke. This Houndoom's control over its moves is exquisite.
A surprise attack with no warning is the most—Wait, what?!"
The Battle Club seniors were in the middle of praising the perfect synergy between Smog and Feint Attack, but Magneton didn't give a damn about the stealth tactics.
Did this silly dog really think Magneton hadn't locked onto it from the very beginning? Why bother with all those fancy tricks?
VMMM!!!
First, a powerful Gravity field pressed down. Immediately following it...
"BZZZT!!"
Magneton's Super Electromagnetic Railgun tore through the air. Combined with the gravity, the powerful fluctuations surrounding the Magnet Bomb blew the Smog apart in an instant.
The coin-shaped piece of steel struck the pouncing Houndoom with pinpoint accuracy!
Although the Steel-type Magnet Bomb was technically "not very effective" against Houndoom, the magnetic acceleration had more than doubled its destructive force.
The electromagnetic energy coating the steel exploded upon impact. Houndoom was swallowed by the rapidly expanding energy wave.
With a deafening CRASH, the Smog was blown away, leaving only a Houndoom lying flat on the arena floor.
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