Why Is His Opponent That Brat?!

The next day.

Heiduo went to watch Fred's match.

His opponent was A-Jun from New Bark Town. He had no specialized type, and the Pokémon he used were fairly mixed.

They sent out Nidoking and Heracross respectively. Fred had the first move, so his opponent cleverly brought out Nidoking, which resisted Fighting- and Bug-type attacks.

Nidoking was level fifty-nine, with the Ability [Poison Point] rather than [Sheer Force]. Its offensive power was a notch lower, and its moveset was mixed as well. It had only one level-six move, [Poison Jab], which was not enough.

Fred's Heracross was a little stronger. It was level sixty-one, with the Ability [Guts] and two level-six moves, [Close Combat] and [Megahorn]. It was clear Fred had put a great deal of effort into it. Even its expression differed from that of an ordinary Heracross. Gone was its usual sluggish demeanor; it held its head high and chest out, the great horn on its head standing straight upright.

"Do you think Fred has a chance of winning?"

Yuan Hao could not see Nidoking's level and could only judge from its presence, so he could not help feeling worried.

Rosa felt much the same. With her lips pressed together, she looked down at the field. Fred was the only one among the three of them to advance to the Qualifying Round, and both of them hoped he would achieve a good ranking.

Heiduo said, "Of course he does. It depends on how he fights. But if it were me, I'd withdraw Heracross and send out Hitmontop."

"Huh? Why?" Yuan Hao blinked. Real battles were not ranked matches in a game; it was rare for someone to switch without even fighting.

Naturally, Heiduo could not tell Yuan Hao that he had already seen through both sides' movesets. He