“Ladies and gentlen, welco back to the finals of the Inter-Academy Exchange Tournant!”The announcer’s voice bood:“Coming up next, it’s the clash of the captains—let’s see how it unfolds!”
As the Aspertia City Gym Leader,Cilan specialized in Normal-types, choosing them for their minimal type weaknesses.He’d even worked as Professor Juniper’s assistant.So had called him a “walking Pokédex” and “seeker of truth.”Even Alder, the forr Unova Champion, once praised Cilan’s commanding instincts.
Unlike all-out brawlers like Lt. Surge,Cilan was a tactician—a “strategic general” who won with analysis and planning!
Rolling up his sleeves to the elbow, Cilan’s eyes grew sharp.I won’t allow myself to lose in the field I know best!
Both sides stepped onto the battlefield and shook hands.
“Aspertia City Gym, Cilan. I humbly ask for your guidance!”“No need for formalities,” Lu Ye smiled. “It’s a friendly match—fun’s what matters most.”
That tone—like an elder guiding a junior—made Cilan freeze for a mont.For an instant, he swore he saw the figure of his ntor, Champion Alder, in Lu Ye.Shaking the image from his mind, Cilan said gravely:
“I’ll give it everything I’ve got!”
Even if there’s a gap in strength,As long as the tactics are sound, there’s still a chance to win—That’s the truth I believe in!
Lu Ye coughed lightly.Go all out or not—it didn’t really matter.Either way, Squirtle was going in. The result wouldn’t change much…
“Trainers, take your positions!”The referee raised the flag and blew the whistle sharply.
“And the match has begun!” the announcer shouted.“Cilan sends out Stoutland on his side of the field.”“And Lu Ye… uh… he sent out a Squirtle!”
The crowd broke into murmurs.
“Is he throwing the match?”“He stomped so hard earlier, maybe he’s going easy this ti.”
But Lu Ye’s longti fans in the crowd gave weird looks.
You call this throwing?!This Squirtle might just be Teacher Lu’s secret weapon!
Hearing the chatter, Lu Ye glanced at the Everstone hanging on Squirtle’s chest, feeling a bit complicated.Maybe… this is why Squirtle never evolved?
Cilan didn’t underestimate at all. He raised his hand and called out, “Stoutland, use—”
Before he could finish—“Aura Sphere!”“Squirtle!” Squirtle’s eyes sharpened. Its palms opened and launched a glowing pulse of pure power!
Cilan’s expression changed instantly. “Protect!”
The front-row audience felt a sudden shockwave.The pulse tore through the air, kicking up dust and debris.Cracks spiderwebbed across the ground around Stoutland.Even though it managed to get Protect up in ti, it was still panting and drained of stamina.
Not even Protect could fully block that?!Cilan’s face stiffened.There’s no room for fancy plays at all!
The sheer force of Aura Sphere left the crowd dazed.
“What the heck just happened?”“That’s really a Squirtle?!”“If Protect barely blocked one shot… what about the next?!”
Normal-types’ only weakness was Fighting-type moves.That’s why Lu Ye instinctively went for Aura Sphere.But clearly… this Cilan guy was a pro—he used Protect like clockwork.
Lu Ye clicked his tongue. “Again, Aura Sphere!”
As the light gathered in Squirtle’s palms,a crushing pressure built in the air.Cilan’s expression turned grave.
The odds of Double Protect were too low—he had to gamble!
BOOM!
As Aura Sphere roared across the field,Cilan recalled Stoutland just in ti and threw another Poké Ball.
“Frustration!” he shouted.
Lopunny appeared on the field—instantly engulfed in the blinding white flash.It let out a pained cry as it took the hit,but the Focus Sash strapped to its waist snapped off, and Lopunny’s eyes regained clarity.
Down to a sliver of HP, Lopunny charged toward Squirtle.At low HP, Frustration could hit like a truck.If it landed clean, both Pokémon might be knocked out!
From Yuhong University’s side, Lillie showed a glimr of admiration.Keeping calm in such a tense mont—that was rare and impressive.
But then…Lillie narrowed her eyes.
Trying to out-strategize Teacher Lu? You’re way too green!
Lu Ye let out a laugh.That combo feels familiar!
Focus Sash, Frustration, and Quick Attack—Together, they ford the notorious “FEAR” strategy.
In real battles, it wasn’t as lethal as in gas—but still packed a punch.
“Can’t let Squirtle get hit.”Lu Ye muttered as he secretly reached for another Poké Ball.
“Otherwise, I’d be losing big…”
Cilan’s heart pounded.If Frustration lands, I’ve got a shot at turning the tables!
But the next second—
Cilan’s eyes went wide.
Frustration, aid squarely at Squirtle—missed completely!
“Gengaaaaar~!”Gengar, now on the field, laughed its creepy laugh while clutching its belly.
“Normal-type Frustration doesn’t work on Gengar,”Lu Ye said with a faint smile.“I can switch too, you know.”
Cilan’s breath hitched.
Swapping in Gengar had completely nullified his Frustration.His entire read had been countered—clean.
From the sidelines, Lillie chuckled.“Watching Teacher Lu battle is always such a treat.”
It was the first ti the three students had seen Lu Ye pull off such a flashy switch mid-battle.They stared, mouths agape, nodding in stunned awe.
What a sha—Sotis he’s just unlucky.Lillie thought to herself.
Otherwise…Teacher Lu’s na would’ve already made waves in the World Championship circuit.
Back in the arena, the battle continued.
Gengar’s eyes glowed with psychic energy—a single Psychic KO’d the sliver-HP Lopunny.
Cilan recalled his Pokémon, face dark.
“Because you can, you can’t.”Lu Ye gave him a sidelong glance.“Sticking to rigid patterns will only hold you back.”
Cilan fell silent.His ntor, Alder, had said sothing similar once…
A deep sense of helplessness welled up inside him.But the match wasn’t over yet.
If he could just shut down Gengar’s speed—there might still be hope.
With a flick of his wrist, Cilan sent out Porygon2.
With Eviolite, Porygon2’s defenses were off the charts.But the mont Lu Ye saw it, he instantly got Cilan’s ga plan.
“Trick Room!”“Imprison!”
The two commands rang out at the sa ti.
Gengar grinned and tapped its fingers together.The spatial distortion field trying to form… shattered into pieces.
Even casual viewers noticed.
“That prediction was too clean!”“Teacher Lu’s out in the stratosphere with this one!”
Even though he had prepared for this possibility,Cilan still felt a chill down his spine.
In re seconds—he read , outplayed , and executed flawlessly.
This Trainer’s skill was on another level.
From the sidelines, Lillie couldn’t help but sigh.
If I were out there… it’d probably go just like this too.In closely matched battles,Teacher Lu’s pressure was overwhelming.
What’s more—When it ca to breeding and training,he wasn’t behind any Champion either.
“This… is what it ans to be a Tactics Master.”Lillie smiled softly.
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