The towering stands surrounding the vast battlefield were packed to capacity, spectators filling every seat.
The third-place match between Mian City No. 1 High School and Fei City High School had just concluded, with Mian City No. 1 High School emerging victorious.
Because their captain Gao Zhen's Greninja was a Water-type Pokémon, it naturally countered Fei City High School's Arcanine, allowing them to secure third place in the end.
Even after such an exciting battle, however, hardly anyone was talking about those two teams anymore.
All discussion—and all anticipation—was focused on the final match that was about to begin.
As the last match of the Southwest Intercollegiate Tournament, the finals had pushed the event's popularity to its absolute peak.
On every streaming platform, it ranked first among all live broadcasts.
Especially after Oliver had single-handedly defeated all five opponents in the previous match, expectations for him had skyrocketed beyond imagination.
Before the Final
"Rong City No. 1 High School and Rong City No. 2 High School, please prepare to enter the arena."
The announcement echoed through the waiting rooms.
The players stepped out and gathered once again at the dimly lit passage leading to the arena.
After experiencing so many intense battles, everyone's mindset had changed drastically from when they first entered the competition.
The two teams met at the entrance.
Meng Ming was the first to speak.
"Even though we know our chances of winning are slim, we'll fight with everything we have."
With that, he turned and walked into the tunnel.
Oliver turned to his teammates and asked calmly,
"Do you want me to go first this time?"
The others quickly shook their heads.
This was the final match—they wanted their chance on stage as well.
Otherwise, it would really turn into Oliver sweeping every team alone, leaving them as mere spectators.
In truth, this kind of arena-style team battle wasn't just about Pokémon strength—it was also a battle of strategy.
After all, each team's Pokémon lineup had already been exposed.
How to arrange the order of players to counter the opponent became a subtle and layered mind game.
First Match: Air Superiority
Once the match began, Rong City No. 1 High School sent out Qi Jun.
His Pidgeotto controlled the skies well. Even if it couldn't win outright, it could kite the opponent and drain stamina—a highly versatile choice.
Rong City No. 2 High School responded by sending out Rong Zhuang, whose Pokémon was Scyther.
Scyther also possessed flight capability, but being a Bug-type Pokémon, it shouldn't have posed much of a problem for Qi Jun.
As soon as the battle started, Qi Jun commanded:
"Pidgeotto, use Aerial Ace!"
Scyther, instead of dodging, remained in place and used Swords Dance.
"What's this?" the host exclaimed.
"Why would Rong Zhuang choose Swords Dance here? There's no time left to evade!"
Just as predicted, Scyther had no chance to dodge after boosting.
It was struck head-on by Aerial Ace, and with the added type disadvantage, it was heavily injured.
"In a real battle, it would already be hanging on by a thread," someone muttered.
"Finish it!" Qi Jun shouted.
Pidgeotto spun through the air and dove again.
The wounded Scyther couldn't escape and was sent flying straight out of the arena.
"Rong Zhuang is defeated! Rong City No. 1 High School continues to defend! Rong City No. 2 High School, please send out your next challenger!"
Cheers erupted from the stands.
But Oliver's eyes narrowed slightly.
Just before Scyther was knocked away, its forearms had briefly glowed white—as if it had activated some kind of move.
But the battle was already over. Whatever it had done, it no longer mattered.
Second Match: Something Feels Off
Rong City No. 2 High School sent out Togetic.
A rare Pokémon, said to bring good fortune.
Ever since Oliver's research confirmed its Fairy typing, Togetic's market value had skyrocketed.
"It seems Rong City No. 2 High School wants to defeat Qi Jun through aerial combat!" the host commented.
Fresh off a victory, Pidgeotto immediately attacked with Wing Attack.
Unexpectedly, Togetic showed no fear and countered with Take Down, meeting it head-on.
The crowd was stunned.
Togetic was known for special attacks, not physical power—yet Pidgeotto was knocked back in the collision.
"How is that possible?"
"Did they train Togetic's physical strength on purpose?"
Oliver frowned.
Something was clearly wrong. Togetic's attack power was abnormal.
Under its trainer's command, Togetic quickly used Work Up.
The host gasped.
"Using a boosting move now? That's incredibly risky! Pidgeotto is much faster—can Togetic really pull this off?"
It couldn't.
Before the boost could matter, Pidgeotto swooped in with Aerial Ace, slamming Togetic into the ground.
Qi Jun pressed the advantage relentlessly, chaining attacks without pause.
Togetic was overwhelmed and defeated.
"Qi Jun has secured two consecutive wins!"
The host sounded confused.
"Rong City No. 2 High School seems obsessed with stat-boosting moves today—even in situations where it makes no sense. It's very strange."
Oliver Sees Through the Strategy
By now, Oliver had fully understood the opponent's plan.
Both Scyther and Togetic had clearly shown signs of intentional defeat.
And just before fainting, each of them had used the same move.
Combined with their repeated use of boosting techniques, the answer was obvious.
"They're using a Baton Pass strategy," Oliver said quietly.
Baton Pass allowed accumulated stat boosts to remain on the field and be inherited by the next Pokémon.
After Swords Dance and Work Up, the battlefield was already stacked with buffs.
Their true target was obvious—
Meng Ming's Blaziken.
If this continued, even Oliver couldn't guarantee that Garchomp would win easily against a High–Mid Tier Blaziken loaded with stacked boosts.
"Have Qi Jun forfeit the next match," Oliver said decisively.
"It's my turn."
The others froze for a moment—then immediately understood.
Mutual Forfeiture
The next Pokémon from Rong City No. 2 High School was Seismitoad.
Qi Jun didn't hesitate.
"I forfeit."
Gasps spread through the arena.
But what happened next left everyone utterly stunned.
Rong City No. 2 High School immediately had Seismitoad jump off the stage, forfeiting as well.
The audience.
The host.
Viewers watching the live broadcast.
Everyone was dumbfounded.
What was going on?
Were they… competing to see who could forfeit faster?
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