Elf: I have a secret realm of emerald green.

Serious trainers, who writes long essays?

What kind of future can someone who can write short essays have?

Those who think they can gain pleasure or benefit from attacking others are the kind of jealous people we wouldn't even glance at.

As for those alumni who were being led astray, Xia Shen didn't care at all, even though they were criticizing him fiercely online.

In reality, they probably wouldn't even have the courage to argue with themselves like Wang Yan did.

In short, although things seem to be brewing right now, after tomorrow's opening ceremony...

All rumors will fall apart on their own!

Pulling herself out of her thoughts, Xia Shen washed up and went to bed.

Silent all night.

------

The following day, inside the Pokémon Battle Arena at Mist City University.

Xia Shen, ignoring the subtle gazes of those around him, surveyed the newly renovated battle arena at Wudu University.

Although he has only been a trainer for a year, he has visited many top battle gyms, including Nanto, Toto, and Kamikyo.

Although the arena where I am now is still a bit behind those top-tier arenas, it is still clear that the school has spent a considerable amount of money on it.

Xia couldn't help but look at the woman on the stage giving the opening ceremony speech, Mu Yaci, the newly appointed president of Wudu University.

This young principal, who looks incredibly kind and compassionate, is currently giving a speech at the opening ceremony.

Her lively and humorous speaking style made what should have been a dry speech very interesting.

Her uniqueness goes beyond that. Whether it's the renovation of the battle arena or the challenge to some of the existing rules on campus, it all demonstrates her determination to change the University of Fog City.

A new broom sweeps clean, and I wonder if assigning herself to that dormitory with its special significance counts as one of those actions...

Amidst thunderous applause, the speech ended, also rousing Xia Shen from his reverie.

He had reviewed the ceremony program a few days prior and knew that after this segment, it would be his turn to go on stage.

As expected, on the stage, Principal Mu's gaze fell on the stands facing the freshmen.

"Next up is a traditional part of our Fog City University's opening ceremony. Please welcome Xia Shen, the freshman representative of this year's Pokémon Battle Department!"

There was no dull moment; the audience erupted in applause.

Just as Xia Shen predicted, most people were aggressive online but hesitant offline.

Facing the curious, envious, or more complex gazes of the new students around him, Xia Shen walked to the center of the stage that had been temporarily set up for the battlefield.

…………

Xia Shen calmly finished reading her script without any expression, and did not leave the stage.

Because he knew that the main event of the day was about to begin.

Accompanied by loud but perfunctory applause, Mu Yaci slowly walked towards Xia Shen, introducing him as she did so.

"I'm sure everyone knows something about this freshman representative, because he has created too many miracles in the past six months."

"In the realm of trainers, he is the youngest amateur 9th dan trainer and the youngest national high school champion. As a breeder, he is also the discoverer of Ursaring, Zoroark, and Guryu... He has countless titles to his name."

But just as she walked to Xia Shen's side, she changed the subject.

"However, all the glory is in the past! Apart from Xia Shen, everyone who was able to enter Wudu University is also an elite among their peers."

"The path of a trainer is like rowing against the current; if you don't move forward, you'll fall behind. If you're still resting on your laurels from the small achievements of the past two years, you'll soon lose your way on the road to that unparalleled peak."

"And the annual new and old competition at Wudu University is meant to remind everyone that once you enter university, you must not forget your original aspirations."

Xia Shen was speechless. Principal Mu's words made it clear that she wanted to use this competition between the new and old students to warn the freshmen.

Your journey to becoming trainers is far from over!

But if I win later, I wonder what she'll think...

……

As Xia Shen was reflecting on this, Mu Yaci had already begun selecting representatives of the senior students.

"So, which second-year student would like to come up on stage and exchange ideas with the freshman representative?"

"I'll do it!"

As soon as Principal Mu finished speaking, accompanied by a firm voice, a striking head of blond hair stood out in the sophomore formation.

It was Wang Yan, Ye Rou's number one fan.

Mu Yaci's eyes showed a slight surprise. Clearly, she had some impression of Wang Yan, a student who was also among the top students in his sophomore year.

She nodded with a smile, remembering that this student seemed to have just become a professional level 1 trainer, which was just right.

She wasn't a professional-level trainer, and she was afraid she wouldn't be able to suppress Xia Shen's arrogance as the new champion.

But Wang Yan responded so quickly, is there some kind of relationship between him and Xia Shen?

Those in the audience sensed something unusual in Wang Yan's tone and a slight murmur of unease arose.

Do you all still remember that post on the forum last night?

Although Rou Ge herself intervened to mediate in the end, it doesn't mean that Rou Ge's supporters had no objections.

Wang Yan is Ye Rou's most ardent fan.

At this moment, he was staring intently at Xia Shen on the stage.

Xia Shen responded with a smile, showing no sign of weakness.

The audience watching the spectacle were thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Goodness, it seems the probability of this being a feud is already as high as 99%.

There's still a sliver of a possibility that these two might fall for each other...

------

With the small podium and microphone removed, the stage instantly transformed back into a standard professional-level elf battleground.

Compared to the amateur courts that Xia Shen was used to playing on, this court was more than twice the size.

This design takes into account that professional-level Pokémon, in terms of strength, speed, and the power of their moves, far surpass amateur-level Pokémon.

This battle is one of the standard formats between professional trainers: a semi-comprehensive battle where three out of six trainers are chosen.

Undoubtedly, the choice of this format, rather than 1v1, for the new and veteran players' showdown is precisely to convey this message to the newcomers.

Your trainer careers have begun a new chapter.

……

For Xia Shen, this was also his first time playing 3v3, and although he said he wasn't nervous, he was actually a little nervous.

He looked at Wang Yan, who was on the opposite side of the field, with a serious expression and no sign of underestimating his opponent. He took a deep breath to relieve the slight oxygen deficiency in his brain.

Slowly exhaling a breath of stale air, Xia Shen murmured to himself.

Come on, I'll make you my first testing ground after I step into the professional level!

## Chapter 175 Sudden! Flying! Fierce! Pounce!

After Xia Shen obtained Wang Yan's Pokémon lineup from Ye Rou, he studied his three Pokémon that had reached professional level.

Perhaps due to Li Xiang's profound influence, students at Wudu University have a particular fondness for Steel-type Pokémon.

Of course, it's also possible that these semi-steel-type trainers chose Fog City University out of admiration for Li Xiang.

In short, apart from the Noivern that Xia Shen saw that day, Wang Yan's other two Pokémon are his starter Pokémon Scizor and a Skarmory.

The presence of the Steel type makes these two Pokémon have excellent resistances.

Not only in terms of resistance, the first scyther that Wang Yan bred even had the strength of a professional second-tier player.

In addition, the presence of two Flying-type Pokémon puts the Ground-type Ursaring and Garchomp in a somewhat awkward position.

For Xia Shen, who doesn't have a Fire-type Pokémon, this battle wasn't going to be easy.

However, type advantage is only one aspect of Pokémon battles; while important, it is not the most crucial element.

Otherwise, wouldn't Pokémon battles be too boring?

…………

Thousands of excited and expectant gazes converged at this point.

With a whistle from referee Rotom, the new and old rivalry between the University of Fog City officially began!

On the rocky battlefield, roughly half the size of a football field, two white lights flashed, and the starting Pokémon of both sides entered the arena.

Xia Shen's starting Pokémon is Tibblim.

Wang Yan's first Pokémon was Skarmory.

"Tebriam, Trick Room!"

"Armored Bird, Sword Dance!"

Xia Shen chose the most conventional and safest approach to the game.

Wang Yan's three Pokémon are all at least medium speed or higher, with Noivern being a high-speed attacker.

Xia Shen naturally chose the most profitable space-intensive tactical approach.

On the other hand, Wang Yan, who is familiar with the opponent's Pokémon and the tactics they might use, is not without a way to deal with it.

If you open up your space, I'll enhance it.

Anyway, my Skarmory is resistant to both psychic and fairy powers, and besides, it's a whole level stronger than Tebrimon.

Even with Trick Room active, if you don't switch out Tibbers, you still can't beat my Skarmory.

If you switch it out, without the [Magic Mirror] ability, Skarmory can use [Spikes] without restraint.

Moreover, Skarmory with the Swords Dance buff is no less powerful in combat.

This was a blatant conspiracy. Wang Yan didn't care whether Xia Shen could see through the trap or not; he just needed to make his moves step by step.