This Feebas Was Clearly Strong, Yet Far Too Cautious

A complete reversal.

This time, it was the Fighting type class formation that turned into a library.

As they watched Machop, who had been wild and arrogant in the first two matches, now get tortured to the point of misery, their faces showed not only shock, but also a chill of shared dread.

It felt like even if their own Pokémon went up, they would have no way to break through such a dirty strategy.

They could not help looking at Happiny, who still wore a smile on her face, and shuddered.

People said Happiny were the most angelic Pokémon, but this one was no angel. She was clearly a demon!

The most torturous part was that Happiny's attacks were especially weak, which made it impossible for the battle to end anytime soon.

Machop's Trainer nearly bit his lip bloody before finally, helplessly choosing to surrender.

After the words "I surrender" left his mouth, his expression turned dazed.

He was probably the first person to lose to a Happiny, wasn't he?

Meanwhile, the Normal type class formation erupted with thunderous applause and cheers that had been held back for far too long.

This battle had been unbelievably satisfying!

Sure, the strategy was a little dirty.

But so what if it was dirty?

As the saying went, there were three kinds of people most hated in battles.

People who loved using dirty tricks against you.

People who would not let you use dirty tricks.

And people who would not teach you dirty tricks!

The students in the Normal type class did not care whether the strategy was dirty. One particularly clever boy even ran over to Xia Chen with a grin, asking for advice.

Xia Chen glanced at the Rattata at his feet, baring its huge front teeth, and asked, "What moves does your Pokémon know?"

The boy froze for a moment, then counted on his fingers. "Uh, Tackle, Tail Whip, Quick Attack, and Fury Swipes!"

Xia Chen silently nodded. "Then use Quick Attack to rush in, and follow it with Fury Swipes."

The boy asked in delight, "Will that let me win?"

Xia Chen shook his head. "It'll let you lose more heroically."

The boy: "..."

What was that supposed to mean? Was he looking down on Rattata? What had Rattata ever done to him?

In truth, Xia Chen was not looking down on Rattata at all.

The Endeavor + Quick Attack + Focus Sash combo could really catch someone off guard if they had never seen it before.

Although Pokémon items were basically unavailable in battles at this level, there was still a chance to pull it off by controlling a Pokémon's stamina.

But with those moves of yours... Even Leon or Cynthia would be helpless.

Most dirty strategies required a perfect moveset, and some even needed Pokémon items to go with them.

Happiny's case had only worked because of a fortunate coincidence.

While Xia Chen dealt with several classmates hoping to get free strategies from him, Happiny continued winning on the battlefield, taking down two of the opponent's Supreme Overlords in a row.

It was not until the third match that Happiny collapsed at Tyrogue's feet due to a lack of Infinity Energy.

Better to throw one punch first than suffer a hundred punches later.

Though Happiny had fallen, what she left behind was immensely significant. Even while being severely disadvantaged in type, she had taken down two opponents in a row, greatly encouraging the other students.

What was the most important quality for a Trainer?

Everyone might have a different answer, but confidence would definitely be one of the answers many people gave.

And that was indeed the case. In the following arena battles, the students of the Normal type class grew braver with every fight. Even when they were clearly weaker than their opponents, they still displayed their own brilliance.

In the end, Xia Chen did not even need to take the field. The larger Normal type class won this exchange match.

Neither class felt excessively happy or upset.

For the Normal type class, using more people against fewer people had been somewhat unfair to begin with.

The Fighting type class felt much the same. Not only did they have nearly half as many people... they had also been hit with a dirty trick right at the start!

Taking down more than thirty opponents still barely counted as an honorable defeat.

The Normal type class defeating the Fighting type class in an exchange match did not cause much of a stir. Exchange matches happened once or twice every month.

Over the course of a year, basically any two type classes would have a match like this.

After school, however, Eevee got a little upset because she had not fought a single match in today's exchange competition.

At the dinner table, Xia Chen helplessly comforted her. "All right, it's just that you didn't get to battle today. Is there really any need to be angry?"

Eevee huffed and grumbled, "Eevee! (It was such a rare arena-style competition. I could've taken down ten opponents by myself!)"

Ever since returning after her rebirth, she had found herself increasingly fond of crushing rookies with the battle awareness and experience from her previous life.

In gaming terms... it was called smurfing.

And Eevee was different from those Pokémon with Veteran level or even Elite level strength who deliberately entered the Baby Cup.

What she enjoyed was being less than Entry level in actual strength, yet still invincible among Pokémon of the same level!

If I want to put on an act, I put on an act. If I want to slaughter them, I slaughter them. I, Lady Eevee, am the god of this little pond!

Fortunately, Eevee did not know of a Pikachu that could shock Arceus yet lose to a level-nine Snivy.

Otherwise, the two Pokémon would definitely swear brotherhood.

Although Xia Chen could not understand Eevee's grand declaration, the other member of the household could.

Feebas blew out a string of bubbles in disdain from the aquarium. Who could not brag after the fact?

I'd even dare say I could solo Kyogre!

After coming to the human world and cramming plenty of knowledge, Feebas was no longer the ignorant fool who did not even know Groudon or Kyogre.

But when would I get to have a Pokémon Battle?

Feebas turned toward the fiercely intense Pokémon Battle being broadcast on television and blew out a string of melancholy bubbles.

Forget it. They all look so powerful. I should just follow Xia Chen and grow steadily for now.

"System, what's my Beauty now?"

[Dear Host, your current Beauty is 65 points.]

Feebas was overjoyed. "Eh? Then doesn't that mean I only need 35 more points to evolve into Milotic?"

[You still need 935 points to evolve into Milotic. Please keep up the good work, Host!]

Feebas: "..."

Why did a system like you use two different counting methods? I thought Beauty value was on a hundred-point scale like growth value.

What a pointless burst of happiness.

Feebas blew out a string of dejected bubbles and turned to look at the large bluestone, his only companion through every lonely night.

After nearly a week, the bluestone had developed a visibly shallow dent from being blasted by Water Gun.

Like a pillar of shame, the bluestone constantly reminded Feebas that this was all he was capable of now.

Perhaps only when his Water Gun blasted a crack through that bluestone, large enough for him to wriggle into, would he qualify to battle other Pokémon?

Feebas silently set himself a goal.

Though he did not know that under such conditions, being able to leave a dent in that bluestone was already something only an Entry level Pokémon could accomplish.

This Feebas was clearly strong, yet far too cautious.

(Still offering an extra chapter in exchange for continued reading. Please tap once more and turn the page, everyone~)