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The next day.
No classes were scheduled for the entire day—it was time for the Battle Royale.
Though the Youth Training Camp fostered an intensely competitive atmosphere, student safety remained a top priority.
Before entering the jungle, Zhong Qizhi repeatedly emphasized: "Attacking other trainers with Pokémon is strictly prohibited. Anyone caught doing so will be expelled immediately and face legal consequences—regardless of their performance."
Being a Pokémon trainer was undeniably dangerous. Every year, people were accidentally injured by their own or their opponents' moves. Some even suffered permanent disabilities.
The camp had taken every possible safety measure, from security protocols to on-site emergency medical teams. The facilities were equipped to handle even minor surgeries if needed.
If someone still ended up in mortal danger… well, that was just fate.
'Come to think of it, how much was that insurance payout from last semester again?'
Li Xiang shook his head, forcing himself not to jinx things.
There were 230 students, divided into six classes. Three classes (over 100 people) would enter at a time—far fewer than the Pilgrimage Trial, but unlike that event, no one would quit mid-competition here.
'This is going to be brutal.'
Li Xiang could already picture a dozen people fighting over a single 5-point Pokémon.
It felt weirdly like a boss raid.
Zhong Qizhi distributed miniaturized PokéBalls and emergency alarms.
Though the jungle was littered with surveillance cameras and aerial Magnemite drones, the alarms were a backup in case something happened in a blind spot.
The provided PokéBalls were standard-issue, with low capture rates. Each had a bold numerical ID etched into it—impossible to scratch off without leaving obvious marks—to track who caught which Pokémon.
'They really thought of everything.'
Li Xiang stuffed the balls into his waist pouch when Song Jie tapped his shoulder.
"What's up?"
Song Jie pointed discreetly. "See that guy? Luo Dayou from No. 4 Middle School. He's got a trio."
Li Xiang followed his gaze to a tall, burly boy chatting with two others. Noticing their stares, Luo Dayou nodded at them. Li Xiang nodded back.
"His main Pokémon are…"
"A Grassy Surge Rillaboom, Intimidate Staraptor, and an Iron Fist Golett. Those are the only ones worth worrying about," Song Jie said flatly.
"Harsh… but accurate." Li Xiang couldn't argue.
From what he knew, Rillaboom was Luo's ace, with Grassy Terrain + Grassy Glide making it terrifyingly fast.
Golett had absurd power in punching moves despite its level. Once it evolved, it'd be even stronger.
Staraptor was a nightmare for physical attackers, large enough to carry a person, but the rest of his team?
Garbage.
Unfortunately, Fang Xin wasn't in the first wave (he was in Class 5), so Luo Dayou might be their biggest rival today.
Of the "Elite Ten" from Qingcheng, only three were in the first batch: Luo, one of his teammates, and a girl Li Xiang spotted in another group.
Most students had already formed teams. Only a few loners remained—whether by choice or necessity.
Trainers could only bring three Pokémon. The camp wasn't about to let anyone cheat, but honestly? Most students didn't even have four Pokémon to begin with.
Only 10 students per school per year could take the Trainer Licensing Exam. Over two years, that's 120 students max across six schools—barely half the camp's population.
And that's assuming they all passed. Not everyone had Li Xiang's talent.
Only about 40 students stepped forward to register extra Pokémon.
'Pathetic.'
Li Xiang, who'd been raising his fourth Pokémon for over a year, sighed internally.
His picks were already decided:
Riolu (for team synergy—Life Dew heals, Magnet Rise scouts, support moves galore).
Greninja (stealth ambushes, Protection-colored camouflage, and maybe even stealing captures).
For the third slot, he hesitated.
Incineroar (the doubles champion) was the obvious choice.
Corviknight could tank hits.
Rotom could disrupt enemies.
But he had to give the new members a chance.
After a brief struggle, he picked Corviknight as the team's shield.
As for Song Jie's Team -
"Aerodactyl, Bronzong, and Lycanroc (Midnight Form)."
Song Jie held up three Poké Balls. "Aerial recon, support, and search—plus firepower."
His Lycanroc was his strongest attacker, outdamaging even his Aggron. But its reckless, hyperactive personality (like a Shiba Inu on caffeine) made it unfit to be his ace.
Still, its power was undeniable.
"Solid picks." Li Xiang nodded in approval.
"Blue tags = 1 point. Orange = 3. Red = 5. Don't push your Pokémon too hard—retreat if needed!" Zhong Qizhi barked.
The crowd murmured agreements.
"I'm getting nervous. Feels like the Licensing Exam all over again," Yang Tianwang admitted, breathing deeply.
"Stay calm." Qu Sheng's voice was steady, but his white-knuckled grip on his Poké Ball betrayed him.
Behind them, Lin Feng and Xu Wan chatted to ease the tension. Even Li Xiang felt the pressure. He needed those points.
A teleporting Kadabra appeared. Li Xiang and Song Jie linked arms to ensure they'd land together.
The fox-like Pokémon blinked, then began kneading the air like dough. Rings of light encircled the duo.
Li Xiang held his breath.
Then—the world spun.
...
Deep in the Jungle
The two materialized on a grassy slope between two mountains, staggering slightly.
"We're in?"
"Seems like it."
They released their first Pokémon:
"Corviknight!"
"Lycanroc!"
The massive steel raven and spiky-maned wolf emerged with quiet growls.
"First blood's on us."
Li Xiang slipped a whistle into his mouth, scanning the area—and immediately spotted a blue-tagged Cacnea camouflaged in the bushes.
Most trainers overlooked this Pokémon, but Li Xiang's sharp eyes caught it.
"Rock Climb!"
Song Jie's command came like a whipcrack.
His Lycanroc blurred forward, body glowing white as it used Rock Climb—a move so rare for its form that it might as well be exclusive.
'Proof this world's movepools go beyond Generation VIII.'
"Screee!"
Li Xiang blew the whistle. Corviknight flapped its wings, summoning a gentle breeze (Tailwind) to boost both Pokémon's speed.
Lycanroc accelerated like a bullet, closing the gap instantly.
The Cacnea panicked, firing a volley of green needles (Pin Missile)—but Lycanroc dodged effortlessly, ramming its stone-hard forehead into the cactus.
THUD!
Cacnea went flying—but Lycanroc wasn't done.
Its right claw erupted in flames (Fire Punch), and it leaped after the airborne target, delivering a crushing blow.
BOOM!
Embers scattered as dust plumed.
A Poké Ball arc through the smoke, bonking the unconscious Cacnea and sucking it inside.
Three shakes. Click.
Lycanroc retrieved the ball, trotting back to Li Xiang with a goofy, tongue-lolling grin.
"One point down." Li Xiang ruffled its fur.
Song Jie was already moving. "This area's too open. More targets will be nearby."
"Right behind you."
They vanished into the jungle, hunting their next prey.