In the morning, the broadcast began announcing that the round of 16 to 8 was officially starting and instructed the participating contestants to wait in the seats beside the battle arena.
Eichi was scheduled for the fifth match, so he, Tetsu, and Kelly watched and waited from the side seats. Tetsu's match was the sixth, and Kelly's was the third.
The pace of the matches was noticeably faster now, and the first match quickly concluded.
As the second match began, "It's almost your turn," Eichi told Kelly.
Kelly, who had been silent and tense, turned her head. "Class Representative, I'm a little nervous."
"Relax a little," Tetsu comforted her. "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just fight well, and everything will be fine."
Thanks to Tetsu changing the subject, Kelly felt a little less anxious.
In the blink of an eye, the second match finished, and it was Kelly's turn. Kelly stood up, preparing to enter the arena.
"Kelly, go for it!" Eichi encouraged her.
"Mhm," Kelly replied firmly.
She then walked onto the battle arena. Once she was on the field, her opponent also stepped up. Interestingly, Kelly's opponent was also a beautiful girl. The referee announced, "Now featuring Class 1's Kelly versus Class 3's Konan. Both sides, please release your Pokémon."
What! Konan? Eichi and Tetsu silently cursed their oversight. Yesterday, they had only focused on checking their own opponents and had forgotten to ask Kelly about hers.
Tetsu's expression was grave. "No wonder she was so nervous. Kelly's chances of winning are not great."
"Konan is the Class Representative of Class 3. She's second only to you and Sato. Furthermore, she's one of the three people from your Viridian City group," Tetsu elaborated.
Eichi's face grew solemn. "Kelly is in danger."
Both sides released their Pokémon. Kelly used Umbreon, while Konan used Combusken.
In Eichi's Eye of the Bug Emperor, both Umbreon and Combusken had Outstanding Talent Grades and were Experienced rank. However, Umbreon had just reached Experienced rank, while Combusken was already in the mid-stage of the rank.
After a round of fighting, "Eichi, have you noticed that Kelly's battle sense has improved?" Tetsu asked from the stands.
"I noticed earlier," Eichi replied. "Kelly's practical battle ability wasn't strong initially; we knew that from her enrollment exam score of only 32. However, she has progressed rapidly in these few months. It must be the result of a tremendous amount of effort."
Tetsu nodded in agreement. Back on the battle arena, despite Kelly's rapid improvement, there was still a gap between her and Konan. Umbreon was unable to defeat Combusken and lost its battle capability to an Ember attack.
Next, Kelly sent out her second Pokémon, Kirlia. After half a month of effort, Kirlia had also reached the mid-stage of the Experienced rank.
Combusken had expended a large amount of stamina fighting Umbreon, so it was quickly defeated when facing Kirlia. However, before losing its ability to battle, Kirlia also lost a lot of stamina and was panting heavily on the field.
The situation was now extremely unfavorable for Kelly. Konan recalled Combusken and sent out her second Pokémon, Cloyster.
Eichi observed Cloyster with the Eye of the Bug Emperor. It had an Outstanding Talent Grade and was also a mid-stage Experienced rank.
Visually, this Cloyster looked imposing and well-trained. Kelly's expression on the field was very grim.
Tetsu watched the match intently from below. Kelly made the first move, using Confusion, but Cloyster retreated into its shell, rendering the attack useless. Instead, Cloyster retaliated with a Water Pulse that struck Kirlia with significant effect.
As the back-and-forth continued, Kelly grew anxious. She lost her composure, unable to find a strategy to break through Cloyster's defenses. In the end, Cloyster struck Kirlia with an Aurora Beam, causing it to lose its ability to battle.
"Kirlia is unable to battle. Cloyster wins. Therefore, the victor is Class 3's Konan."
Kelly dejectedly recalled Kirlia and came down, handing both Pokémon to the medical personnel before returning to her seat.
As soon as she sat down, "It's okay, it was just one match. Cheer up," Tetsu comforted her.
"You already did very well. Your improvement was impressive," Eichi also reassured her.
After a period of comforting her, Kelly's mood improved considerably.
The tournament continued. The fourth match was currently underway, and Eichi would be next. After about fifteen minutes, the match concluded, so he stood up.
"Go for it!" Tetsu said.
"Go for it!" Kelly echoed.
"Mhm," Eichi replied, and then walked onto the arena. Eichi's opponent this time was Class 8's Class Representative, Matsu. He was the last person left in Class 8, meaning his class would be completely wiped out because he had the misfortune of encountering Eichi.
As soon as he stepped onto the field, Matsu asked, "You are Eichi?"
If I wasn't Eichi, why would I be here battling you?
Matsu continued, "I will definitely defeat you to prove that the Johto region is the strongest!"
Eichi remained silent.
The referee, likely unable to watch any longer, quickly announced, "Now featuring Class 1's Eichi versus Class 8's Matsu. Both sides, please release your Pokémon."
"Go, Scyther!"
"Go, Croconaw!"
Croconaw, the Big Jaw Pokémon.
Types: WaterAbilities: Torrent Hidden Ability: Sheer Force Talent Grade: ExcellentTrainer Rank: ExperiencedDescription: Croconaw resembles a blue alligator. The cream-colored markings on its belly look like an eggshell, and its similarly colored lower jaw has astonishing biting power. Red bony plates are distributed across its head, back, and tail.
Eichi activated the Eye of the Bug Emperor. Croconaw had an Excellent Talent Grade and was in the early stage of the Experienced rank. Overall, it was a decent Pokémon.
"Begin the battle!"
Matsu immediately seized the initiative to attack.
"Croconaw, use Water Gun!"
Croconaw eagerly shot a column of water from its mouth, aimed at Scyther. Judging by the size of the water column and Croconaw's rank, this Water Gun skill was likely only at the Skilled proficiency level.
"Scyther, use Quick Attack to dodge it."
Scyther moved like a green flash of lightning, easily dodging Water Gun. After dodging the first shot, Croconaw continued to fire a dense stream of Water Gun attacks, but they were all evaded by Scyther.
Seeing that the move was ineffective, Matsu quickly gave another command.
"Croconaw, use Mud-Slap!"
Croconaw began to shake its body vigorously. Mud started to appear around it, accumulating quickly until the area practically became a mud pit. As Scyther approached, Croconaw continuously threw mud at it. Some mud splashed onto Scyther's body.
"Scyther, use Double Team!"
Scyther instantly created over a dozen clones, surrounding Croconaw. Seeing this, Matsu said, "Double Team? Watch me break it!"
"Croconaw, use Rock Slide!"
Croconaw slammed its two hands onto the ground. The surrounding mud instantly solidified into large rock fragments. Croconaw then stomped its foot on the ground, sending countless chunks of rock flying toward Scyther. The clones that were hit all vanished, leaving only the real Scyther.
"Only one of you is left!" Matsu smirked triumphantly. "Croconaw, use Crunch!"
Eichi remained silent, allowing Croconaw to open its massive jaws and bite down on Scyther.