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Roy commanded a high level of attention in class. Though it seemed as if he was only conversing with Callan, in reality, countless students were eavesdropping, their ears perked up in interest.
Ever since the news that he would be participating alone in the team competition had been uploaded to Capital University's forum, speculation had been rampant.
"What do you think about Roy attempting to take on three opponents by himself?" someone had asked on the forum.
"To be honest, it's absolutely insane."
"He's the most brilliant prodigy since our university was founded. That's just how he operates."
"It sounds outrageous, but for him, it's just another Tuesday."
"One against three? Does this mean we'll get to see that handsome Lucario again?"
On the school forum, most reactions were teasing but good-natured. The atmosphere remained harmonious—everyone had grown accustomed to Roy's seemingly arrogant stunts.
From the initial skepticism when he first arrived at the university, through the controversial selection for the school team, to the acceptance they showed today...
Throughout the past semester, Roy had continuously astonished everyone at Capital University. Even the senior students had to admit that given more time, his complete dominance at the university would be inevitable.
Many students thought about the National College League event that had been trending online recently, and they felt a spark of hope.
When Roy developed his skills for another two years, Capital University might finally have a "double champion" level genius, breaking the 20-year League dominance held by Central and League Universities...
This bold idea made some students blush with excitement, their hearts racing.
...but not yet.
Even Roy's most ardent supporters felt that this year was premature for such ambitions.
When Roy returned to his dormitory that evening, he scrolled through his phone, noticing the discussions about himself on the forum.
His popularity points had increased by tens of thousands—reaching 68,000.
But for Roy at his current level, this amount of popularity was merely a drop in the bucket—at most enough to purchase a single Max Revive.
"The discussion about me was quite heated recently, though," Roy muttered to himself.
In fact, just a week ago, while he was still training at Promise's Gym, his points had hit rock bottom.
Fortunately, as the promotion for the National College League ramped up, more people began paying attention to him as the "first freshman in the history of the Six Elites" in the Eastern Region, generating widespread discussion.
Additionally, his Lucario, widely recognized as his ace Pokémon, had been mentioned several times, gaining popularity and providing two million popularity points, giving Roy some financial relief.
"Just by riding on my popularity, Lucario earned two million points," Roy mumbled impatiently. "The National competition's popularity is truly extraordinary. I wonder how much I can earn when I actually participate..."
Recently, his poverty had reduced him to eating only the basic meals provided by the university. Roy could barely endure this kind of 'austere' lifestyle.
"Vul~" his Vulpix rubbed against Roy's leg. Although the little fox didn't understand what 'popularity' meant, after spending day and night together, she sensed that Roy had an obsession with making them famous.
Though she didn't know why, if it was Roy's wish, she wanted to help.
Vulpix called out a few times, suggesting that perhaps he could accept a few advertising deals if things were really that difficult.
...Life isn't easy, even Vulpix knows that.
"The competition starts in just a few days. There's no time for commercial work," Roy vetoed her suggestion with a smile, his fingers gently stroking the fur on Vulpix's neck.
"It's time to buy you the finest Ice Stone."
After saying this, Roy glanced into the living room where, since he wasn't conducting point training, he'd been "forced" to leave Lucario, Wartortle, and Elekid to play cards.
...Lucario was winning, of course.
There was no need to use Aura to cheat. His opponents were a reckless Elekid whose reactions were plainly written across its face, and a straightforward Wartortle who always did the opposite of what it intended—simply doing the contrary of its expression made guessing easy.
Roy laughed. "This group battle is just a warm-up to help them get accustomed."
The National College League was divided into two formats: 'Single Match' and 'Team Battle,' with results independent of each other.
If you were eliminated in the singles match, it wouldn't affect your standing in the team battle.
The singles battle followed the traditional Pokémon competition format. Only one Pokémon could be on the field at a time, and if all three Pokémon were defeated, you lost.
The team battle was an exhibition format officially added by the league during the education reform ten years ago.
Both sides deployed three Pokémon simultaneously, battling in a 3v3 team format to test the synergy between trainers and their Pokémon.
Roy knew this teaching reform was paving the way for the 'professional-level assessment.'
Many trainers like Cole hadn't realized the importance of team battles until they reached the professional assessment level. By then, their Pokémon were all specialized for singles, and correcting this would take years. Wasted resources, lost talent... The officials had recognized this issue and taken measures to address it.
Capital University's final exam was conducted in the form of a 'team battle' for precisely this reason.
Education progressed step by step. When taking high school courses, students often discovered that certain concepts had been introduced in junior high, making the transition easier.
"The worst situation in a team battle is facing a 1v3 scenario," Roy mused.
"So, I'm giving them advance experience in handling a 1v3 situation. Nothing wrong with that."
The next day arrived, and with it, the final exam.
First came the written test.
Using his Aura sensing abilities, Roy combined the answers from several recommended students in the examination hall and submitted a flawless answer sheet.
What he never anticipated was that Cade was also devious in academics, secretly using Psychic to cheat.
...Of course, the academic portion only accounted for a small part of the overall score. Trainers ultimately had to prove themselves through actual battles.
After the ninety-minute written test, Professor Christian entered the classroom and led everyone to Capital University's Pokémon Battle Center.
This final exam wasn't conducted as an open competition; even parents weren't invited.
Thus, the only spectators were school officials and a few media reporters.
The auditorium wasn't particularly crowded.
Roy, who couldn't earn extra money from this event, expressed disappointment.
"Huh?" Cade suddenly made a strange noise, looking toward a corner of the auditorium. "Why is my sister here?"
"Whoa!" Axel approached excitedly, eyes widening. "It's true—Caroline is here! I'm her most loyal fan..."
Chloe, who usually maintained a tough demeanor, was now gazing at the auditorium with the expression of a starstruck fan.
Being a Trainer required physical prowess, willpower, reflexes, mental fortitude, and decisive thinking...
When it came to activities demanding physical strength, women often faced disadvantages, and female Trainers were no exception. In the Trainer community, women constituted only 16% of the total, with most ranking in the lower tiers.
Under such circumstances, a shining star like Caroline stood out among young female Trainers. Despite her typically aloof and taciturn demeanor, how could she not attract admirers?
Almost all young women regarded her as an idol.
Even many male fans occasionally made submissive, cringeworthy comments online, "begging the queen to discipline them."
Roy's impression of this 'Queen,' whom he had met once, was unremarkable.
She was pretty, certainly, but she seemed to have an aversion to other women.
Roy casually remarked, "Isn't it normal for her to watch her own brother compete?"
"Maybe..." Cade wore a puzzled expression. In his memory, his older sister had never shown interest in his studies since he was young, let alone attended his exams. Cade somewhat feared his elder sister, who had always maintained a cold demeanor and possessed exceptional psychic and training talents. He never dared to get close to her.
Not just himself—even his father struggled to communicate with his sister.
As a child, he recalled visiting a doctor about this matter...
"Everyone, stand up."
The examiner was someone Roy recognized—Justin with his distinctive mustache stood at the referee's position.
"All team members, please come forward together to receive your team number plate."
"Once you select your plate, we'll conduct an immediate random draw that cannot be altered."
The practical test had begun.
Roy, as the chief recommended student, was the first to draw.
Team number: 7.
Justin had obviously browsed the forum and wasn't surprised that Roy had no teammates. He looked at him with a smile. "Good luck, you crazy kid. I hope you don't crash and burn. I heard someone's planning to Snipe Shot you."
Roy replied confidently, "My battle skills are quite stable."
After all students had drawn their lots, the match-ups appeared on the Pokémon Arena's main screen.
—Team No. 7 vs. Team No. 14.
"Wow! The main event already?"
"The Snipe Shot team is ready!"
An excited murmur spread among the students who understood the significance.
Team No. 14 consisted of Chloe, Jordan, and the bespectacled girl who had lost to Cade in the entrance examination semi-finals.
In other words, this team represented a 'recommended student' caliber—a genuine elite squad.
Axel looked regretful. "Too bad we didn't face him first."
Cade sneered, covering half his face with his hand. "It's fine. Let them test Roy's abilities for us."
Axel was momentarily stunned before breaking into a sly smile. "Watching the tigers fight from the mountaintop, Mr. Cade shows remarkable foresight... But what if Chloe and the others win?"
Cade responded gravely, "Don't worry. The only one who can defeat Roy is me!"
Jace thought to himself:
Oh brother, someone help me—why are my teammates so ridiculous?