If you asked Satoshi which Pokémon type was weakest, he would reply instantly: Bug-type.
Their offensive coverage was awful, their Pokémon's base stats embarrassingly low—taking the average stats of all eighteen types, Bug would definitely rank at the bottom.
"Venonat, let's go!" The Bug Catcher boy called out his ace, Venonat, onto the field, immediately cooling Satoshi's previously burning enthusiasm.
Wait a minute. I didn't notice your department insignia earlier—you're from the Breeding Department?
Yep, should've left finding strong opponents to Anon after all.
"I choose you—Rillaboom!" Slightly bored now, Satoshi casually grabbed a Poké Ball and tossed it. The ball traced a graceful arc through the air before landing on the battlefield.
"Boom!!" With an ear-shattering roar, Rillaboom appeared.
"Do your best, Satoshi~!" Anon waved her hand enthusiastically, cheering him on.
Meanwhile, Soyo gave a quiet sigh, slightly bored herself.
She took out her phone, scrolling through the school forums to research the opponent.
"Are you dumb, Anon-chan? A guy of this level isn't even worth cheering for. I'd rather find stronger opponents for Satoshi."
"It's fine. I'm unbeatable," Satoshi smiled confidently at Anon.
"Go for it~ Satoshi-kun~~?" Seeing this, Soyo immediately put down her phone, her voice sweetening instantly, her face lighting up with her usual gentle smile as she showed affection.
As for her double standards? Exactly! That's how she rolls!
Besides, she'd already stolen her boyfriend's first kiss. Who could possibly compete against her now?
Honestly, Soyo-san... You're really something else.
Externally mature and gentle, yet inwardly ice-cold to everyone except her lover. Anon couldn't help but complain.
"Venonat, use [Psybeam]!"
At the Bug Catcher's command, Venonat instantly unleashed its energy, shooting a dazzling beam straight toward Rillaboom.
"Dodge it, then use [Acrobatics]!" Satoshi remained calm, completely unfazed. An opponent of this level posed no threat.
"Boom—!!"
Rillaboom moved with shocking speed, dodging effortlessly as a faint white glow covered its body.
Immediately afterward, Rillaboom charged Venonat, punching it so hard it smashed against the far wall, instantly knocking it out.
"Holy crap—he knocked it into the wall from that far?"
"I thought using Venonat was already outrageous enough, but that Rillaboom's strength is even more insane."
Witnessing this scene, the spectators sucked in a cold breath, astonished by the sheer gap in power.
Such strength... Clearly, he'd gained a massive amount of experience from that battle against Team Rocket.
For future training, he'd definitely have to work on stamina. Training items like Power Weights would be necessary.
Satoshi sank into thought. After wiping out that Team Rocket base, he'd naturally gained tons of experience. Especially after evolving, the jump in power was obvious.
Right now, Rillaboom might even be able to challenge Marshadow—but actually winning would be very difficult.
"Huh? What's wrong? Not continuing the match?"
Pulled from his thoughts, Satoshi raised his head to find the Bug Catcher already recalling his Pokémon, leaving the battlefield.
"Ah... No, no, I'm fine, I concede."
Saying this, the boy quickly left as though fleeing.
Satoshi even noticed that many of the fiery gazes aimed at him earlier had dissipated.
That overwhelming punch had probably made everyone realize the gap in power, significantly easing the pressure on him.
"You're amazing, Satoshi-kun~ LOVE~~?"
Anon's heart fluttered, emotions rippling sweetly through her chest. Pink hearts sparkled in her eyes as she subconsciously clasped her fingers together.
"...He's gotten way stronger. We need to train more too, Rikki-chan, will you practice with me later?"
"Yeah! Anything Tomori asks, I'll definitely say yes!"
Tomori and Taki immediately started discussing training plans, while Raana quietly ate her matcha parfait, entirely uninterested.
"Matcha parfait... yummy~"
"Isn't this result perfectly normal? After all, Satoshi is just that strong and cool."
Soyo paid little attention to the result.
It was natural her boyfriend could crush opponents of that level. Given her own strength, she could roughly gauge the opponent's capabilities.
For example, the woman currently approaching Satoshi looked particularly strong. Based on her first glance…
She didn't even need a second glance!
One of the school's Elite Four!
The Ice-type expert—Ayase Eli!
"Can I be your next opponent, Satoshi-kun?" Ayase Eli placed a hand gracefully on her hip, smiling faintly.
Her appearance alone suggested a cold, indifferent type, yet that slight smile gave off an undeniably cool vibe.
Not to mention, she was incredibly busty and unbelievably sexy.
But...
Unfortunately, Satoshi didn't care about that sort of thing at all.
"The Elite Four are already showing up?!"
"No way! Getting challenged by the Elite Four as a freshman—how strong will he be by his second year?"
"Satoshi! I'm a cute trap—would you accept me~~?"
"He's unbelievable!"
All sorts of comments from the crowd reignited Satoshi's excitement, sweeping away his earlier boredom.
[Ooh, Satobabe~! I can see clearly—this girl's feminine charms are overwhelming! I recommend you use "Inferno Thrust" on her flower—]
"Alright, return for now, Rillaboom." Smiling, Satoshi recalled Rillaboom into its Poké Ball.
Facing an Ice-type trainer with a pure Grass-type like Rillaboom would be overly difficult. Grass-types already had five type weaknesses, which greatly limited Rillaboom's effectiveness. Thankfully, it had the god-tier ability Grassy Surge, so it wasn't a huge issue.
"Nice to meet you, Eli."
"That's 'senpai'." Eli gently reminded him of seniority.
"You made a good call, withdrawing Rillaboom against an Ice-type specialist like me."
"But type matchups aren't everything. That's something I'd like you to learn."
With that, Eli walked onto the battlefield, completely ignoring the surrounding crowd and murmurs. Her whole demeanor was fully intent on teaching Satoshi a lesson.
Why does it feel like she's suddenly talking so much more?
[Satobabe... Something's off with her expression. Could it be she actually knows you?]
Oh no... But thinking logically, after something like that incident happened, it'd be weird if I didn't go home at least once.
It'd be natural if my family sent someone to check on me too.
"Ah... good, I suppose."
Satoshi lightly nodded, a forced smile on his lips, unsure what else to say.
"Satoshi-kun, you've probably already heard about me, right?"
Eli's cheeks reddened slightly, barely managing to hide her embarrassment from onlookers.
However, her teammates definitely caught on.
"Wait, does Eli actually have feelings for that guy?!"
"Eli-chan is… in love?!"
But at that moment, Satoshi was just—
Ah-ba ah-ba ah-ba...
I just want a Pokémon battle. Why are you suddenly talking about all this stuff?
He had no choice but to seriously respond:
"Ah, yeah. I know."
I don't know anything at all!
"Then let's express ourselves through a Pokémon battle."
"Weavile, I choose you."
With that declaration, Eli threw her Poké Ball elegantly.
"Wea~!" Weavile gracefully landed on the ground, light as a feather.
"Frogadier, you're up!"
With fierce fighting spirit, Satoshi hurled his Poké Ball, sending Frogadier onto the field, who immediately let out a spirited cry:
"Koga!"