Pokémon: Hard work pays off, moves can be upgraded infinitely.

"?"

Besides Lai Kuan-ting, the referee, who had just looked completely bewildered, also had a question mark on his face.

He was a little taken aback and rubbed his eyes a few times.

Only after the giant petrel landed, its eyes turning into mosquito coils, did he come to his senses, purse his lips, and announce:

"Electrope is unable to battle. Please switch to another Pokémon!"

This time, his tone was noticeably more emotionally charged, clearly indicating that this scene was unexpected.

..............................

"!!!"

"Lai Ge's electric seagull was instantly killed?"

"Holy crap, is that a Beedrill?"

"I remember this guy was a freshman, wasn't he? Are all freshmen this good these days?"

Not only Lai Kuan-ting and the referee, but also the students around them were all bewildered and complaining.

Even Liu Yizhong, who was joking with Qu Qi, widened his eyes, seemingly somewhat surprised.

As for Ling Ruijie, whose lips had just slightly turned up, the smile vanished completely.

Before the match: Hehe.

After the match: No, not at all.

This is Ling Ruijie's change in expression.

"How could this happen?"

As the eldest grandson of the Ling family, Ling Ruijie considered himself superior to many geniuses in the world, but he had never seen anyone like Mu Yun before.

How can someone who is only a freshman beat a senior?

And just like back in training camp, they took him down one by one, as if it were child's play...

He didn't understand, and neither did Lai Kuan-ting.

But as the vice-captain of the school team, he quickly recovered from the shock.

After recalling the Giant Electric Seagull to its Poké Ball, he pushed up his glasses with his index finger, and his calm eyes behind the lenses suddenly sharpened.

He actually made the mistake of underestimating his opponent.

Indeed, even a lion must exert its full strength to hunt a rabbit; this old saying still holds great cautionary significance.

"Some kind of talent that increases attack power? It should be explosive."

Lai Kuan-ting reached for the Poké Ball at his waist while pondering the situation.

Considering Mu Yun's age, this Beedrill's level shouldn't be too high. The reason it was able to achieve a one-hit kill is most likely because Mu Yun also possesses a talent ability, which is related to combat.

While Beedrill's base stats aren't high, its Attack stat is decent. Combined with its Sniper or Bug Sensation abilities, a well-placed critical hit can indeed overwhelm a low-HP Electivire.

In that case, let's use it!

With that in mind, Lai Kuan-ting flicked his arm, and a Poké Ball instantly bloomed.

A figure over a meter tall, made of iron gray, suddenly appeared in the arena.

An oval body, crimson eyes, upright antennae, and magnetic arms...

These characteristics all point to the identity of the elf before us.

Explosive Magneto!

Like the Giant Electric Seagull from before, it is also a top-tier Electric-type Pokémon.

However, compared to the fast-attack-oriented Electivire, Magneton, while slower, boasts high defense and extremely high special attack, making it a formidable turret-type Pokémon.

It perfectly counters Beedrill, which also follows a fast-attack burst strategy.

After Lai Kuan-ting sent out his new Pokémon, the referee announced, "The Pokémon is ready, the match continues!"

"Magneto, first use Electric Field to boost its power, then lock on and apply Electromagnetic Field... Zzzzz..."

With the radio connection established, Lai Kuan-ting's information transmission speed was very fast, but before he could finish speaking, a sudden electrical noise, as if the signal had been interrupted, rang out.

The transmitted voice also suddenly stopped, but he had no time to pay attention.

Because at that moment, he was completely unaware that his mouth was slightly open and the temples of his black-rimmed glasses had slipped down slightly.

In his eyes, the Magneton he had just sent out to counter Beedrill had now closed its eyes and collapsed to the ground with a thud.

..............................

[Ding! Beedrill (70) defeated Magneton (59). Permanent Quest 1: Battle Completed. The opponent's level is significantly lower than yours. Congratulations, host! You have gained 59 points. Beedrill's growth level has received a slight boost!]

..............................

[Ding! The target detected was the objective of Short-Term Mission 17: School Team Selection Tournament. You have received an additional 590 points and a minor boost to your growth level!]

..............................

"........."

Silence, like the air itself, filled the entire battlefield.

For the first time, Lai Kuan-ting began to doubt his own abilities. He even suspected that the Pokémon used by the freshman opposite him was not actually Beedrill, but just a powerful Pokémon that happened to look like Beedrill but was actually completely different.

Otherwise, how could he defeat his Giant Electric Petrifier in one move and his Magneton in another?

This is not reasonable at all!

That's even more outrageous than the captain's!

What's wrong with Heijiang University these past two years? How come they keep producing monsters every year?!

Lai Kuan-ting is very upset.

Who exactly is a freshman?!

Compared to the distressed Lai Kuan-ting, the referee seemed much more energetic.

Although he didn't understand why a Beedrill could be so strong, it didn't stop him from being amazed.

He wants to take back what he just said.

Unexpectedly, even a competition between students can be full of surprises.

However, despite the surprise, the competition must continue.

"Magnemite is unable to battle. Please switch Pokémon!"

Upon hearing this, Lai Kuan-ting frowned, put away the unconscious Magneton, and after a brief moment of thought, threw out the last Poké Ball.

That was a level 60 Ampharos, just reaching the Gym Leader level.

Its tall, slender body, smooth skin, bright black eyes, and dazzling rubies clearly indicate that it has been well-nurtured.

No wonder Lai Kuan-ting was able to become the vice-captain. He's only a senior in college, yet he's already able to train a gym-level Pokémon. He's truly very capable.

Unfortunately, he was unlucky enough to encounter Mu Yun.

"Hiss!!"

"Buah!!"

........................

[Ding! Beedrill (70) defeated Ampharos (60). Permanent Quest 1: Battle Completed. The opponent's level is significantly lower than yours. Congratulations, host! You have gained 60 points. Beedrill's growth level has received a slight boost!]

[Ding! The target detected was the objective of Short-Term Mission 17: School Team Selection Tournament. You have received an additional 600 points and a minor boost to your growth level!]

........................

"Electric Dragon is unable to fight; the winner is contestant number 22!"

The referee announced with a sigh.

It's outrageous that a freshman could defeat three seniors like Lai Kuan-ting in one fell swoop.

I'll have plenty to brag about when I get back.

"Is this what a true genius is...?"

After putting the electric dragon away, Lai Kuan-ting sighed to himself.

Just as he was about to leave the battlefield, he discovered that Mu Yun seemed to have no intention of leaving the command post.

Just as he was wondering, a chilling aura suddenly hit him.

He instinctively shivered before realizing that Ling Qingying, who had been sitting upright on the judges' panel, had somehow appeared beside him.

"team leader?"

Lai Kuan-ting looked puzzled.

Despite having known each other for over a year, he still couldn't figure out what his captain was thinking.

"I'll play him next."

Ling Qingying's voice remained as cold and aloof as ever.

Although she was speaking to Lai Kuan-ting, her eyes never left Mu Yun.

"Yes, Captain!"

Lai Kuan-ting didn't know why his captain had suddenly decided to do something like this, but he didn't care.

His captain has always been independent and does things his own way, so he's long been used to it.

But it's all good. The second round had eleven players, and with Ling Qingying added, it makes a total of twelve. Consider the third round of battles brought forward.