Chapter 197: The Top Three!! Kenji vs. Xie Mu!
Just as Zephyr had predicted, even though the match ended in a forfeit, Imperial Academy had nothing negative to say.
First, Kenji's strength was undeniable. The power gap was so vast, so despair-inducing, that from the very beginning, Imperial Academy hadn't pinned their hopes on Zephyr actually beating Kenji.
Their goal was simply for Zephyr to lose with dignity.
And regardless of the final result, Zephyr had certainly shown the grace and skill expected of Imperial Academy's strongest ace.
Second, Zephyr was the undisputed pillar of Imperial Academy. His status there was equivalent to Kenji's status at Metropolis. He was untouchable.
However, while the academy remained silent, some netizens were not so kind.
Zephyr's choice to forfeit sparked controversy online. For a long time to come, he would likely be branded with nicknames like "The Cowardly Sceptile."
But knowing Zephyr's character, he probably wouldn't care.
Compared to Sceptile's injury, a little infamy meant nothing to him.
Kenji chatted with Zephyr for a while longer before taking his leave. Staying any longer wouldn't help, and he didn't want to delay Zephyr from using his special ability to aid in Sceptile's recovery.
When Kenji returned to the Metropolis Academy lounge, everyone turned to look at him. Their faces were beaming with excitement.
Xie Mu had advanced due to a bye, and Kenji had successfully advanced by defeating Zephyr.
The remaining competitors were strong, but compared to Kenji—or even to Xie Mu and Zephyr—they were a tier below.
As long as Xie Mu didn't get unlucky and draw Kenji in the semifinals, Metropolis Academy was guaranteed to take two of the top three spots in this year's National League!!
Metropolis Academy hadn't achieved such glory in the National League for a very long time.
As Kenji had expected, "Zephyr Forfeits" quickly became a trending topic on every major video and social platform.
Some understood his decision, but the trolls didn't care about nuance; they just spewed hate.
Fortunately, the trending topic cooled down quickly. Imperial Academy had likely stepped in to manage the PR. After all, if Zephyr was being dragged through the mud, the academy's reputation would suffer too.
While the online discourse fermented, the National League entered its final, white-hot stage.
Imperial Academy's other contestant failed to advance. This meant that Imperial Academy was completely wiped out before the Top 6—a disastrous result that mirrored Metropolis Academy's miserable performance in previous years.
In the Top 6 round, Xie Mu had good luck and avoided Kenji.
Kenji, naturally, steamrolled his opponent with ease.
Xie Mu had to put in some effort, but he secured his victory without any major scares.
"It's here!! The Top Three contestants of this year's National League have been decided!!"
"They are! Kenji from Metropolis Academy! Xie Mu, also from Metropolis Academy! And Chen Tuohai from Nanhe Academy!!!"
"Metropolis Academy's performance this year is absolutely ferocious! Two contestants in the Top Three!"
The two hosts bantered back and forth excitedly.
On the other side, sandwiched between the two Metropolis monsters, Chen Tuohai was trembling.
"My gosh, making it to the finals is already amazing enough. Don't put so much pressure on yourself," the Nanhe Academy coach said in a thick local dialect, trying to comfort his stressed student.
To be honest, he never expected Chen Tuohai to make it this far. Whether he lost to Monster A or Monster B from Metropolis, it wouldn't be embarrassing.
Chen Tuohai nodded, accepting his fate. Whatever. I'm already in the Top 3. That's way beyond my expectations.
"Today!! Through the final battles, we will determine the ultimate rankings!"
"And the Champion of this year's National League will be born!!"
"Sugar, which match-up are you looking forward to most?" Dashu asked.
Sugar replied immediately, "Of course, it's the civil war between the two Metropolis Academy contestants!"
"Alright then!! Let's look at the big screen and reveal the match order!!"
As Dashu's voice boomed, the screen flashed with two names and photos.
Kenji VS Xie Mu!!
"There it is!! The Metropolis Civil War!!"
"Kenji from Metropolis Academy will face off against his fellow student, Xie Mu!!"
In the lounge, Kenji and Xie Mu locked eyes, then smiled at each other.
"I've been looking forward to battling you on this stage for a long time!"
Xie Mu spoke formally, his accent slightly thick but his tone full of fighting spirit. "I want to see exactly how big the gap is."
"I look forward to it," Kenji replied.
...
Two entrance tunnels opened simultaneously. Kenji and Xie Mu walked out from opposite directions, taking their places on the Red and Green trainer platforms.
The audience was buzzing, but both trainers were laser-focused on the battlefield, tuning out the noise.
"Battle... Begin!!!"
"Go!! Slaking!!"
"You're up!! Malamar!!!!"
At the referee's command, Kenji and Xie Mu threw their Poké Balls in unison.
"Yaaawn~~~~"
Slaking scratched its belly, looking bored and lazy with its dead-fish eyes.
On the other side, Xie Mu's Malamar had leveled up during their special training, growing from Level 45 to Level 49.
Malamar's gaze was sinister, but as it looked at Slaking, its eyes were filled with wariness.
It had witnessed Slaking's power during training and knew exactly what this lazy ape was capable of.
"Mala..."
SWISH!!!
Before the audience could even get a good look at Slaking, its massive form vanished from its starting spot.
In the blink of an eye, it reappeared directly behind Malamar.
This time, Kenji didn't bother with mind games. He chose a zero-frame engage!!
Malamar's pupils shrank. Psychic energy surged around its body as it tried to react.
But before the Psychic energy could fully form, Slaking's fist was already descending!
Mega Punch!!!
BOOM!!!!
"Malaaa!!! —"
Malamar let out a pained wail as it was launched across the field, tumbling violently along the ground.
The crowd gasped in unison.
Slaking's "Tracking Instant Transmission Punch" was simply unsolvable. No matter where the opponent was—even in mid-air—Slaking could teleport right next to them and deliver a devastating blow.
The only counterplay was to use a move like Protect or Substitute the instant Slaking teleported, or use Teleport to create distance in that split second.
Sceptile had managed to use Substitute just before the punch landed.
But among Elite-level Pokémon, how many had reaction times comparable to Sceptile?
One punch. Malamar was out cold.
The battle hadn't even lasted ten seconds.
"Return, Malamar." Xie Mu recalled his fallen Pokémon, sighing but not surprised. He immediately threw his next ball.
"Go!! Medicham!!"
"Medi!!! —"
A Level 48 Medicham took the field. Meanwhile, Slaking had teleported back to its original position.
As a Fighting/Psychic type, Medicham had a distinct advantage over the Normal-type Slaking. Fighting moves would deal double damage.
Yet, facing a type disadvantage, Kenji didn't recall Slaking.
Medicham wasted no time. The moment it landed, it used Quick Attack, blurring across the field to close the distance.
Slaking, true to its Truant ability, stood lazily in place, completely indifferent to the charging martial artist.
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