Arven lost, and he lost badly.
That Poliwhirl was unbelievably cunning. Arven felt like his own battle IQ was completely crushed, and he ended up directing his Mabosstiff step by step right into the opponent's traps.
Arven's match was actually one of the slower ones to finish — after all, Mabosstiff was strong, and it took a lot of effort for Poliwhirl to win with just its own strength.
Among the other seven pairs, six matches were already decided; only the battle between Giacomo and Ortega was just entering its final stage.
Lucas stood outside the battlefield with his arms crossed, watching. He had already observed the others' matches and gained a general understanding of their strengths.
For example, in Nemona and Aliquis's match, it was clear Nemona had taken his earlier advice to heart and trained Pawni specifically. Both its speed and accuracy with Thunder Shock, as well as its physique, had clearly improved.
She fought Aliquis's Sprigatito and managed to win using Electric-type moves, despite the poor matchup — Grass resists but does not counter Electric.
Nemona's moves reminded Lucas of Ash from Pallet Town, who had won several notorious type-disadvantage battles.
Though Giacomo and Ortega's battle was intense, Lucas could tell at a glance that Giacomo would win in the end. Even though Pawniard's Dark moves were weak against Fidough's Fairy type, it still had Steel-type moves as its secondary option.
Ortega lacked fighting spirit. He didn't seem willing to battle at all. While Giacomo was stronger, his strategy was too conservative, letting several chances to finish the match slip by.
Finally, Pawniard clinched victory with a Metal Claw against Fidough.
Ortega showed no sign of frustration at losing. He indifferently took out a Luxury Ball, recalled Fidough, and melted into the crowd.
Giacomo breathed a sigh of relief. As the student council president, it would have been awkward if he'd lost to a junior. He wiped his sweaty palm and recalled Pawniard using his Timer Ball.
With the last match over, Lucas checked the time — only a few minutes left before class ended. After a moment of thought, he clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention.
"Ahem, the main purpose of today's class was to help you all get to know each other better. I've also gotten a clearer sense of your strengths. Those of you who signed up for this Pokémon Battle course must have a deep interest in battling."
"With just a few minutes left, I'll keep it short and directly point out the flaws you guys showed in today's battles."
Lucas looked around, then first turned to Giacomo and Ortega, whose match had just ended. "Giacomo."
"Present!"
Being called by name startled Giacomo, who instantly replied.
Lucas continued, "Your Pawniard has excellent rhythm in battle — that's praiseworthy. But your command style is too conservative and disrupts its flow. That's why you ended up locked in such a long struggle with Ortega's Fidough."
Giacomo lowered his head, at a loss for words: "Uh…"
Lucas didn't lecture any further — there wasn't time — and simply asked, "Do you have a phone?"
Giacomo nodded. "Yes."
Lucas nodded slightly, took out his own cracked-screen phone, unlocked it, and handed it to Giacomo. "Leave your number. I'll find time to call you and discuss the details."
Giacomo hesitated but eventually took the phone. Seeing the web of cracks on the screen, he was a little surprised.
Lucas is a teacher at Naranja Academy — how is he still using such a phone?
He entered his number and a note, then handed the phone back with his head down.
Lucas said nothing further, and turned to the distracted Ortega, frowning. "You don't seem very engaged in battling?"
"Yeah, so what?" Ortega, hands behind his head, shot Lucas a disdainful glance and clicked his tongue.
Lucas remained unfazed by Ortega's attitude and continued, "You didn't show much initiative in battle—"
"Shut up, you're so annoying!" Ortega suddenly shouted, interrupting Lucas, his face full of impatience. "Why don't you go manage those battle maniacs? Don't bother with me. You're just a deadbeat teacher on a fixed salary. I already did you a favor by battling that rigid bookworm!"
"My family are shareholders and sponsors of Naranja Academy. Watch out, or I'll get you fired!"
Ortega was in a foul mood. First, his family forced him to pick this new teacher's battle class, threatening to freeze his card if he didn't. He had planned to slack off and pocket some extra allowance, thinking this new teacher would be like the others and not dare interfere. But now, Lucas actually had the nerve to lecture him!
Who did Lucas think he was, compared to Ortega?
"He called me a rigid bookworm…?" Giacomo muttered in disbelief at being randomly insulted.
The other students were stunned by Ortega's outburst. The gentle Eri stepped forward to mediate. "Ortega, how can you talk to Teacher Lucas like that—"
"Don't point your finger at me, you big hulking gorilla!"
Ortega's words were especially harsh — personal insults now.
Even if Eri would become his friend in the future, right now, since they hadn't met through Penny yet, Ortega spoke without restraint.
"You—" Eri froze, shocked.
Even the mild-tempered Nemona was angry and looked ready to confront Ortega.
As chaos broke out, Lucas — unfazed by the brat's provocation — sighed, gave Nemona a look not to get riled up, and then smiled at Eri and Nemona. "Thanks for standing up for me. Please wait a moment."
He then looked at Ortega. Despite the brat's arrogant words, Lucas wasn't angry — he was almost amused.
Come to think of it, after Director Harrington had sent him the class assignment, he'd also called soon after.
But when Lucas picked up, it wasn't Harrington, but someone else.
Looks like that was about to come in handy.
Looking at the proud, stiff-necked Ortega, Lucas smiled kindly. "You seem very proud of your family background?"
Ortega didn't answer, but his raised head and defiant glare said it all.
Lucas lowered his head, tapped a few times on his cracked phone, and then looked up at Ortega with a fake smile. "Alright, all your allowance has been frozen. Congratulations, Ortega — from now on, you'll only be able to eat the most miserable free lunches at Naranja Academy."