Elf: I have a secret realm of emerald green.

Thankfully, Xia Shen is only a junior in high school this year. If he were a senior, there would be nearly ten professional-level Pokémon in this year's National High School Pokémon Competition.

Regardless, this is a good thing, representing that China's younger generation is thriving.

In conclusion, only one match remains in this year's National High School Championship.

The final battle between the host school, Shangjing Middle School, and the biggest dark horse of this competition, Zhijiang Middle School.

This also means that this exciting National High School Championship is about to reach its final climax.

…………

The night before the final.

The topic "[Who do you think will win the National High School Championship Finals?]" easily topped the trending search lists on various platforms.

However, the online discussion went somewhat off-topic...

"I wonder if Zoroark will be able to play in the final? I want to see the handsome Zoroark fight another match!"

"If Zhijiang Middle School can drag the competition into a ring match, it might be possible, but that prerequisite is a bit difficult to meet..."

"Not necessarily. Kamijou Middle School has two Ghost-type and one Fighting-type Pokémon, so Zoroark has room to perform in singles battles."

"The betting has started! Which Pokémon will Zoroark transform into in the finals?"

"Garuda, right? Umbreon has changed, so its opponent must be on guard."

“Going against the grain, Xia Shen said I just don’t play by the rules, I guess it’s still Yueyue Xiong!”

"Be bold, why can't it be Tibris or Googlos?"

Under such a large topic, almost no one is discussing the result of the match.

In the subconscious of all the spectators, let alone winning, just being able to make it to the ring would be considered a success.

There's no other reason than that the strength of this year's class at Shangjing Middle School is simply terrifying.

The weakest player is an amateur 8-dan, and the strongest player has two professional-level Pokémon. How can Zhijiang Middle School compete with that?

……

How can you take that?

At this moment, the principal, facing the various expressions in the eyes of his team members, had no idea how he would handle tomorrow's competition.

He sighed silently to himself, but forced a smile onto his face.

"We've come all the way from Zhejiang to Beijing, everyone's worked hard. Tomorrow is the last match, and although it might be a tough one, but..."

But after a long pause, the principal couldn't think of a second half to say, so he could only continue: "In short, everyone should try their best to perform to the best of their ability."

The team members below had different expressions.

The group of people who made it all the way from the qualifying rounds to the finals remained very calm; this ride had far exceeded their expectations.

I thought that making it to the quarterfinals of the national high school competition would be enough.

If we were to be even bolder, making it to the semifinals would be a success, and second place?

This was something I never even dared to dream of when I joined the school team.

Xu Chong and Chu Si, the two main players who contributed the most throughout the game, also looked quite relaxed.

Xia Shen has already taken me to a height that doesn't belong to me anymore, so what more could I ask for?

The only two people with serious expressions, who seemed to have some thoughts, were Wang Yiyi and Xia Shen.

"More than a decade ago, I watched as senior Yan Yu led Zhijiang Middle School all the way to the finals, only to lose to Shangjing Middle School. She was sobbing uncontrollably on stage at that time..."

Xia Shen suddenly spoke, and his inexplicable words attracted everyone's attention.

The principal looked at Xia Shen with a strange expression. Yan Yu cried at that moment?

I don't remember this at all.

Besides, you were only wearing open-crotch pants back then, how could you remember it so clearly?

Seeing that no one responded, Xia Shen, realizing he had made a fool of himself, coughed twice and continued, "In short, this is a competition we can only participate in once in our lives, and I don't want to have any regrets. If no one has confidence, could you hand this competition over to me?"

Everyone watched in silence, their expressions complex as they saw Xia Shen's unprecedentedly serious demeanor.

The gap between people is really huge. I was still thinking about how to get into a prestigious university based on my results in the National High School Entrance Examination.

Xia Shen's goal, however, is to snatch the championship from the jaws of defeat by the formidable Shangjing Middle School on his own.

Is it crazy?

That's insane!

But considering his illustrious record, he couldn't find any rebuttal for a moment.

But he's only a sophomore in high school...

Perhaps, fighting alongside him during this period will become the greatest honor of my life?

A strange idea suddenly popped into the minds of a few people.

The scariest thing is that, upon closer examination... it's actually quite possible.

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became even more awkward.

……

"I support you." Wang Yiyi's voice was calm yet firm, making her the first to express her support.

"Go for it, you deserve it." Following his father's lead, the principal pondered for a moment and also expressed his support for Xia Shen's idea.

With the two most influential people in the room having spoken, the others naturally wouldn't be ungrateful, and they listened quietly to his plan.

Xia Shen smiled slightly.

"My idea is that since our overall strength is far inferior to our opponents, why don't we just take them out before the arena match even starts!"

## Chapter 157 The Tactical Role of Zoroark! (4.4k)

The following day, the National Pokémon Battle Arena in the capital was packed with people, with every seat filled.

This is the match with the largest audience since the start of this year's National High School Championship.

In front of their televisions and in the live broadcast studio, there were far more viewers than the 100,000 people present, all waiting for the start of this final.

Although in most people's eyes, the outcome of the competition was basically a foregone conclusion.

But with Zoroark's return, can Moon Bear defeat a professional-level opponent? And how far can Xia Shen push Kamijing Middle School...?

These mysteries continue to entice the audience's curiosity.

At 7 p.m., amidst much anticipation, the final of the National High School Entrance Examination finally began.

The first match is the main match.

The players representing both sides are Xia Shen.

And Zhou Zhuo, the captain of Shangjing Middle School.

Soft cheers rose and fell from the audience.

Has this match truly become a "captain's match" where the ace player truly clashes?

This is really rare.

In most matches since the start of the tournament, the two sides have generally agreed to save their real trump cards for the final match.

Very few teams would be so bold unless they believe they are far superior to their opponents.

This is perhaps the idea behind the Beijing Middle School competition.

So, what about Zhijiang Middle School?

Do they really dare to make such a bold move in the final?

…………

"So, they're bringing out the Aegis-equipped monster? Is Beijing Middle School not going to hold back? Are they aiming for a 6-0 victory over Zhijiang Middle School?"

"Not necessarily. Zhou Zhuo may not have used a professional-grade Aegislash, it could be that amateur ninth-dan Rotom that cleanses."

"Zhejiang Middle School is probably going all out. They know that if they don't go all out, they probably won't even last until the tournament."

"If this is really a showdown between Aegislash and Umbreon, that would be great."

"Moon Bear has basically no hope. Without the will to fight, how can it possibly defeat Aegislash? But Aegislash has the Holy Sword, a move specifically designed to counter Moon Bear."

"It's alright. Umbreon has the power it needs, and Ground-type moves are also effective against Aegislash."

…………

Amidst the usual noisy barrage of comments, both sides stood still.

The whistle blew, and the first match officially began.

The two Pokémon that appeared were not the Aegislash and Ursaring that everyone had expected.

It was a cleanup of Rotom and Garchomp!

Quiet discussions broke out in the audience again, but this did not affect the start of the match.

"Washing Machine, use Evil Pulse!" Zhou Zhuo commanded in a deep voice, but he chose a move that looked very strange at first glance.

Garchomp is not weak to Dark, and Dark Pulse is not Rotom-Wash's STAB move.

Therefore, there is only one possibility that Zhou Zhuo will use this move first.

That was to test whether the Pokémon on the field was the real Garchomp.

Let me see who you really are!

In this situation, the washing machine would actually be more effective using its own move, Water Cannon.

Anyway, once the shot is fired, everything will be clear.

However, firstly, the accuracy of the water jet-shaped water cannon is not as high as that of the evil wave, and secondly, it consumes more energy than the evil wave, so it is not worthwhile to use it for probing.

Secondly, Zhou Zhuo believes that there is a 90% chance that this Garchomp is a Zoroark illusion!

Zhou Zhuo is a smart and arrogant person.