As more and more students moved away from the starting area, Ye Lan's frown deepened.
The desert terrain was perfect for Ground-type and Rock-type Pokémon. The trainer at the very front of the pack was the one with an Excadrill.
Though he kept a steady pace, he was far ahead of the main group. The only trainers managing to stay close were one with a Steelix and another with a Graveler.
Farther back, aside from Rock-type Pokémon, only those suited to long treks overland could keep up. The burly bald man who had left such an impression on Ye Lan earlier was also making good time on his Absol.
Moving through sand was difficult, but the ground was loose. Dig was almost unfairly effective in this assessment.
Ye Lan studied the assessment route more closely, and his frown slowly eased.
The sandy terrain that favored Rock-types would soon end. Ahead lay a deep, dry river valley with complicated terrain and hard rock underfoot. Burrowing there would be slower than traveling on the surface.
That stretch of river valley also held the only supply point in the first quarter of the route.
Students who reached it first could spend points to restore their own condition and their Pokémon's, then reach the next checkpoint faster.
The catch was that doing so effectively meant giving up the chance to use their stronger condition to take points from those arriving later.
Ye Lan figured that once most students reached the first supply point, a chaotic battle over supplies and points would break out.
Either way, the advantage held by students who had chosen Rock-type and Ground-type Pokémon would keep snowballing. An early lead could carry them all the way.
Unless someone among the other students was strong enough to overcome their speed advantage.
Besides,