High-Attack, High-Defense Warrior

The Vine Whips controlled by Mia's royal Servine were exceptionally nimble. Not only could they defend from every direction, but they could also continuously strike at Servine's tail through the gaps between Leaf Blade attacks.

At this point, Servine's body bore not only burn marks from its previous battles, but countless patches of shattered scales as well.

Especially its tail, which every opponent had focused on—every time it swung, Ye Lan could see scales falling from it. It looked utterly miserable.

"Dad, isn't Brother Ye Lan about to lose?" The little boy who had only met Ye Lan once at the front desk tightly gripped his father's rough hand, watching the battle platform with a nervous expression.

He had watched Ye Lan battle many times, but he had never seen Servine in such a state. Every strike seemed to use all its strength, with none of its usual calm composure when facing opponents.

"It's not the final moment where victory and defeat can be decided yet. Nothing's certain. Maybe if you cheer a little louder for Brother Ye Lan, they'll win."

The middle-aged man smiled as he rubbed his son's head.

Although tickets to the battle arena were expensive for an ordinary working family, the middle-aged man still felt it was worth every penny.

If his son became a Trainer someday, he would remember today's battle forever.

"Go, Brother Ye Lan!" the little boy shouted, and quite a few spectators joined in.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the situation in the arena shifted once more as Ye Lan's voice rang out in everyone's hearts.

"Servine, Glare!"

Ye Lan's decision caught Mia off guard. Her previously fierce offensive suddenly halted, leaving her completely unprepared.

However, Mia was no stranger to Glare and instantly issued a defensive command.

Though she realized it was likely a trap, using Protect first was never an easy mistake to make.

The Protect barrier unfolded, but what came at it was not Glare's soul-stirring light.

Ye Lan's feint worked. Not only did it bait out the opponent's Protect, it also bought Servine plenty of time for its next attack.

This kind of tactic could only be pulled off by a Trainer and Pokémon who were perfectly in sync.

With "Grass-type Pokémon Affinity LV.2," Ye Lan and Servine had long since become one in battle, their hearts linked as one.

Just as the pale blue Protect barrier faded, the long-charged Iron Tail came crashing down toward the royal Servine.

Yet before Iron Tail could draw near, the ground in front of the royal Servine exploded. Thorny spikes from Leech Seed rose like a cage, protecting the royal Servine within.

Iron Tail struck the spikes, leaving several bloody holes in Servine's tail. At the same time, some of Servine's stamina was drained away by the embedded thorns.

Servine's tail, already left with little scale protection, suffered another heavy blow. Even it, which had never feared battle or pain, let out a rare muffled groan.

Even so, as Steel-type power surged forth, it forcibly smashed the thorny vines to pieces!

"Use Slam!" Ye Lan waved his hand and immediately followed up with another attack command.

Although his opponent's use of Leech Seed had exceeded his expectations, he had at least achieved his goal of closing in.

Servine's tail wrapped around the royal Servine's neck, its muscles tensing as it violently hurled its opponent backward.

At first, the royal Servine kept trying to use moves to break free.

But under Servine's relentless Slams, regardless of its own injuries, the royal Servine finally developed spiral eyes.

In its final moment before passing out, the royal Servine could not help roaring inwardly, Why are female snakes outside so violent these days? There isn't any elegance at all!

The situation reversed so quickly that even Little Li, the host, failed to react in time.

A high-damage, low-health ADC was ultimately no match for a warrior with mobility, high damage, and high health. Once it got close, it was taken out by a full combo.

"Let us congratulate Ye Lan on securing his twelfth consecutive victory!"

The cheers that erupted from the stands nearly blew the roof off the second-floor battle arena.

The people from Mianzhou No. 1 High School seated in the front rows also shouted excitedly. Only Liu Yan sat to the side, constantly thinking of a solution.

Just moments ago, the Mianzhou Trainers Association had called her and asked her to do her best to convince Ye Lan to stay.

After all, as Ye Lan's mentor, Liu Yan understood his needs quite well.

At first, Liu Yan did not understand what President Feng meant. Only after he explained in detail did she realize the mistake in her decision.

The reason she had failed to consider it was entirely because Liu Yan was not from Mianzhou. She was merely outside help invited back by Liu Qingshan, the principal of Mianzhou No. 1 High School.

Her first concern was Ye Lan's development, not Mianzhou's interests.

Besides, even if Liu Yan were given another chance to choose, she would still choose to send Ye Lan to Jindu.

As a teacher, she had to have her own principles.

If Ye Lan were trapped in a small pond, he could only ever be a flood dragon.

But since the Mianzhou Trainers Association was now willing to offer better terms, Liu Yan would still tell Ye Lan about it in full.

As for how he chose, that was entirely up to Ye Lan himself.

In the battle arena, a red beam recalled the royal Servine into its Poké Ball. Mia bowed apologetically to Ye Lan.

"Sorry, I let you win. I didn't think you would win in the first place."

"?"

Ye Lan and Servine both froze on the spot.

Why did it feel like she was the one who had won? Had they just been mocked?

The man and Pokémon exchanged a look, then both stared at Mia with strange expressions.

Noticing their odd looks, Mia hurriedly bowed again. "Sorry, sorry! That's not what I meant!"

Seeing Mia stumble over her words, Ye Lan interrupted, "Will defeating a royal Pokémon cause us a lot of trouble?"

"How did you know?" Mia was shocked. Hadn't Grandma said their family had been hidden from the world for a long time? How was it not mysterious at all?!

"Since you've caused us such a big problem, could you share the secret manual for training Grass-type energy moves?"

"What you said... seems to make some sense." Mia's little face was full of conflict.

Grandma had said that causing trouble for others outside meant compensation was necessary, but this was the family's secret manual and was generally not passed on...

Seeing this, the smile on Ye Lan's face widened.

He had been doubtful at first, but now it seemed certain—she really was an innocent little princess from a hidden family!

"I need to discuss it with my family. Oh, aren't you going to recall your Servine?"

Hearing that she needed to consult her family, Ye Lan inwardly sighed in regret.

The little girl was quite clever. She knew to ask the elders at home about matters she could not decide on herself.

"Of course not. Servine and I are going to keep battling."

"Servine!" Servine cried out, declaring that this young lady could still fight ten more!

"But it already..." Mia looked at Ye Lan, who blinked innocently, then carefully examined Servine's condition. Only then did she suddenly understand.

Based on her understanding of Servine, although the Servine before her looked bloody and covered in shattered scales, it had not actually suffered much internal damage.

After consuming the "Pokémon Physique Candy (Purple)," Servine's muscle density had increased dramatically.

Not only had it protected its internal organs from most of the damage, but the resilience brought by its dense muscles had also become Servine's powerful defense.

In other words, Servine looked like it was on its last legs, but in reality, all its injuries were superficial!