SWNOVELXO Chapter 28: Chapter 28: The First Opponent
Starting today, Celestia High School began its two-day senior competition.
The competition venue was set up on the school playground.
Much like the sports events in schools before Victor's time travel, the designated battlefield was surrounded by students. Referee teachers were present, and the area was bustling with high schoolers awaiting their turn to compete.
Even first and second-year students came to watch the battles, led by their teachers.
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Victor's first-round opponent was a girl from Class 6.
Both of them threw their Poké Balls simultaneously, releasing their Pokémon in a flash of red light. Victor sent out his TORRACAT, while the girl released a Bellsprout onto the battlefield.
With his waveguide ability, Victor could gauge the strength of his opponent's Pokémon by sensing their aura.
It was clear that the Bellsprout was only at the Novice level.
Seeing the flames around TORRACAT, the Bellsprout became visibly nervous.
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"The battle begins!" the referee announced.
Given TORRACAT's current strength, defeating Bellsprout was far too easy.
"TORRACAT, use Scratch."
"Meow!" TORRACAT leaped into action, swiftly approaching the Bellsprout.
The girl panicked and hesitated before finally shouting, "Bellsprout, dodge to the right!"
However, an untrained Pokémon like Bellsprout couldn't react quickly enough. TORRACAT's Scratch hit its mark, and the Bellsprout was knocked out instantly.
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The girl, seeing her Bellsprout defeated, didn't send out another Pokémon. Instead, she picked up her fainted Pokémon and ran over to the Pokémon Center nurse stationed nearby.
On the first day of the competition, there were over a thousand senior students participating. Victor encountered many opponents who lacked battle experience.
It was evident that most of them didn't plan to pursue a career in Pokémon battles.
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On the second day, after the elimination rounds, the top 32 contestants were determined.
Victor, Roman, Tessa, and Heppo—all students in Victor's class—made it to the top 32.
From this stage onward, the matches were moved to the battle arena inside the Rising Sun Gym.
The venue was packed with students eager to watch the competition.
In the front row of the audience sat school leaders and Victor's father, jhon.
Jhon had already informed Victor of his attendance, so Victor wasn't surprised to see him.
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The names of the top 32 contestants were displayed on the arena's big screen. After a randomized draw, the battle pairings were revealed.
Victor was set to face Wen from Class 3 in the third match of the round.
After the first two matches concluded, it was finally Victor's turn to step onto the battlefield.
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In the preparation area, jhon gave Victor some last-minute advice, reminding him to stay calm and focused.
Victor nodded with a smile, ready for the battle.
Both trainers took their positions on the battlefield, and without hesitation, sent out their Pokémon.
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"Go, TORRACAT!" Victor called.
"Go, Primeape!" Wen shouted.
A Primeape appeared on the field, its aggressive energy making its presence known.
Victor was slightly surprised to see that Primeape had already evolved, as Pokémon like Mankey usually don't evolve until they reach higher levels.
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Pokémon: Primeape
Type: Fighting
Gender: Male
Ability: Vital Spirit
Level: 18
Moves: Scratch, Leer, Focus Energy, Fury Swipes, Low Kick, Karate Chop
Primeape glared intensely at TORRACAT, eager to fight.
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The referee gave the signal, and the match began.
Wen ordered Primeape to charge at TORRACAT with a Scratch attack.
"TORRACAT, use Flamethrower," Victor instructed.
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TORRACAT's flame sac glowed as it unleashed a powerful Flamethrower. The intense heat distorted the air as the flames shot toward Primeape.
Primeape, using its agility, narrowly dodged the attack and continued its charge.
The flames struck the battlefield, leaving scorch marks on the rock surface.
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"Primeape, use Scratch again!" Wen commanded.
Primeape lunged forward with its claws, but Victor remained calm.
"TORRACAT, counter with Shadow Claw."
Dark energy enveloped TORRACAT's paw as it met Primeape's attack head-on.
The clash resulted in a deep wound on Primeape, leaving it staggered.
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Despite the injury, Primeape grew more agitated and attacked relentlessly.
Its chaotic movements made it hard for Wen to give precise commands.
"Primeape, calm down!" Wen shouted.
However, Primeape, blinded by rage, ignored him and continued its reckless assault.
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Seizing the opportunity, Heatmor used its Heat Wave move.
The scorching winds engulfed Primeape, and when the dust settled, Primeape was lying unconscious on the battlefield.
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Wen recalled his fainted Pokémon and sent out his second choice—a Staryu.
Pokémon: Staryu
Type: Water
Gender: Genderless
Ability: Illuminate
Level: 18
Moves: Tackle, Harden, Water Gun, Rapid Spin, Bubble Beam
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Staryu's Water-type moves gave it a potential advantage over TORRACAT.
Wen ordered Staryu to use Water Gun.
However, TORRACAT's Flamethrower evaporated the Water Gun midair, creating a cloud of steam that obscured the battlefield.
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Using his waveguide abilities, Victor pinpointed Staryu's location and ordered TORRACAT to strike with Shadow Claw.
Emerging from the mist, TORRACAT landed a decisive blow on Staryu, knocking it out.
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With both of Wen's Pokémon defeated, the referee announced the result.
"The battle is over! The winner is Victor from Class 1, Senior Grade 3!"
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The audience erupted into cheers and applause.
"That was amazing!"
"Victor is unstoppable!"
Students in the crowd praised his performance as Victor waved to acknowledge them before leaving the battlefield.