Can You Even Do It, Little Dragon?

"So, you were saying those two Pokémon weren't good enough, and Axew misunderstood you?"

Eevee nodded, but she did not dare admit that she had deliberately provoked that Axew, even throwing out taunts like, "Can you even do it, little dragon?" with her mockery dialed all the way up.

Xia Chen was still suffering from being uncultured. Unable to understand Pokémon language, he believed her completely.

"Fine, since it's come to this, do you want to battle? If you don't, I'll go apologize to him."

Although it had been a misunderstanding, the other side had been so polite that apologizing would not be out of place.

Xia Chen had assumed Eevee would refuse the challenge. That Axew looked so aggressive, while Eevee was considered a pet Pokémon by most people and was gentle by nature. Under these circumstances, avoiding a battle seemed far more likely.

But after a brief internal struggle, Eevee suddenly raised her head to look at Xia Chen and nodded firmly.

"Eevee!"

Eevee actually wanted to fight? Xia Chen was quite surprised, but then a possibility suddenly occurred to him.

"Do you not want me to apologize over something like this? It's okay. You're more important."

Warmth flowed through his heart. "Protect me after you grow stronger."

Xia Chen did not want Eevee to rush into her first battle.

If she suffered a crushing defeat, it might affect the future growth of a delicate Eevee like her.

"Eevee!" Eevee's stubborn streak seemed to rise as well. A certain determination shone from her sparkling eyes.

Eevee's insistent response left Xia Chen somewhat helpless, but he had always respected Pokémon's wishes. Eevee was even more battle-hungry than he had imagined.

Perhaps a defeat to temper Eevee's will would not be a bad thing?

With the challenge set, Xia Chen and the red-haired boy came to an open patch beneath the shade of some trees.

Although it was an informal outdoor battle with neither referee nor record, the two sides still followed convention and introduced themselves.

"Xia Chen. This is my Pokémon, Eevee. Please go easy on us."

"Eevee!"

"Yulong Tao. My starter Pokémon is Axew. Please teach us."

"Axew!"

Yulong Yu. Ah, no, Yulong Tao?

Xia Chen paused inwardly. If it was that "Yulong," could he be related to Lance, the champion of both Kanto and Johto in the original work?

(In the Pokédex, Lance does not have the surname Yulong. This used a fairly widespread fan theory.)

Setting aside his doubts for now, Xia Chen focused on the battle before him.

No matter what, for their first battle, they had to leave no regrets.

"Eevee, get ready!"

"Eevee!"

There was never a shortage of people in the park, and a newly started battle always drew people strolling after dinner to watch.

"Oh, an Axew. That's quite a rare Pokémon."

"Yeah, even the cheapest purebred Dragon-type Pokémon cost over a million each. This kid isn't simple!"

"And not just that. Look at Axew's distinctive tusks—they're lustrous, smooth, and white. You can tell at a glance that he's been raised exceptionally well."

The onlookers discussed Yulong Tao's Axew in small groups. As for Eevee...

What was there to discuss about Eevee, the number one most-produced Pokémon at every breeding center and practically a must-have for every married woman or auntie on the street?

If there was anything unusual about her, it was that this Eevee seemed more aggressive than others of her kind.

But what could an aggressive Eevee do? Charm her opponent to death with cuteness?

Looking at the two Pokémon's vastly different appearances, the spectators did not think highly of the fierce-looking yet somehow increasingly adorable Eevee.

In truth, Xia Chen himself did not hold much hope for the outcome of this battle either.

Just like his previous life's national soccer team, Xia Chen had only one request.

Show some spirit!

But Eevee had a completely different thought. Looking at the Axew before her, whose anger she had already stirred up, she smiled inwardly.

Still so easy to provoke and so easy to get worked up, little Axew. Just watch how big sis handles you in a moment.

Amid the varied thoughts of the people and Pokémon present, the battle officially began.

"Eevee, Fake Tears!"

"Axew, use Focus Energy."

The two trainers almost simultaneously chose status Pokémon moves to open the battle.

Fake Tears was meant to sharply lower the opponent's Special Defense, while Focus Energy increased one's odds of landing a critical hit.

Yet their different choices revealed one thing: the core strategy for this match—

Go all out!

Xia Chen did not have Eevee use Yawn.

Yawn was a dirty move, but there was no such thing as turns in reality. Who knew when it would finally take effect?

Judging from how irritable Axew was before the match had even begun, he probably would not obediently fall asleep anyway.

Fake Tears, which could greatly reduce the opponent's Special Defense, was the most cost-effective move for this situation.

Even if its effects were diminished by the gap in strength between the two Pokémon, the reduction would still be considerable.

It was said that Fake Tears worked by [pretending to cry, leaving the opponent at a loss and greatly lowering their Special Defense.]

But seeing Eevee's unusually vicious and frightening expression, Xia Chen felt that this move ought to lower the opponent's Special Defense by scaring them instead.

Terrifying Dark-type energy spread from Eevee's Fake Tears expression into Axew's body, into the little green dragon who was holding his breath and focusing with Focus Energy.

As Axew concentrated, he seemed to sense something terrifying, and his body trembled slightly as though struck by a chill.

But in the next instant, Axew's eyes snapped open, and a sharp gleam flashed from within them. Clearly, Focus Energy had been completed almost at the same time.

"Eevee, Swift!"

Xia Chen continued his assault without hesitation. Swift was a ranged special attack and paired perfectly with Fake Tears.

The distance between the two Pokémon was still the same as at the beginning. If they did not pressure Axew now, when would they?

"Axew, let's rush in! Night Slash!"

Yulong Tao was not about to be outdone and chose to meet force with force. Axew might have short legs and short arms, but his attack power was high.

Those sharp tusks meant that almost every Pokémon of the same level would have to avoid their edge.

"Axew!"

The trainer's command suited Axew perfectly. He rushed at Eevee with claws bared, black Dark-type energy already coating his glossy white teeth.

If nothing unexpected happened, Night Slash would directly strike Eevee as soon as the two Pokémon closed in.

Whether it was the tactical choices of both trainers or the speed at which Eevee and Axew unleashed their moves, this battle was already quite exciting among Novice level trainers. More and more spectators gathered around them.

Whispers of discussion rose continuously.

"I didn't expect this Eevee to be more than just a pretty face. Her move release speed is outstanding even among Entry level Pokémon, isn't it?"

"True. Both are status moves, yet she was noticeably faster than Axew. Could Eevee actually have a chance of winning this one?"

"With Fake Tears lowering Axew's Special Defense, Swift's damage won't be low. And it's the classic long-range fighter against short-range fighter matchup. This looks promising."

Just as the fence-sitters began changing sides one after another, a boy who looked about Xia Chen's age snorted coldly.

"Promising? Heh heh, you clearly have no idea how terrifying that Axew's attack power is."

(There will be another chapter tonight.)