Unlike the earlier Freshman Challenge, the College League used a ten-person format. Players took turns entering the field; losers withdrew, while winners could stay on.
Each player could use up to six Pokémon, but any Pokémon that had been defeated could not take the field again.
In other words, a single round of the College League could involve as many as sixty battles. No one could withstand combat that intense.
"Watch closely. Unless something unexpected happens, both sides should be fielding their core players in this match!" Zhao Yue Ling told the others from her seat in the stands.
The match was about to begin. Modu Pokémon University's opening player was a tall, skinny boy who specialized in Grass types. The first Pokémon he sent out was a fully evolved Venusaur.
Imperial Capital Pokémon University, meanwhile, sent out a girl with long, straight black hair flowing down her back—the classic long-haired beauty. Yet the Pokémon she summoned was an enormous Lanturn!
"Why is Bu Fangqin going first?" Zhao Yue Ling asked in surprise when she saw the two players.
"Damn, they're opening with an Awakened? Imperial Capital Pokémon University isn't giving the other side a chance!" someone else exclaimed.
Xiao Ran immediately understood. This was one of Imperial Capital Pokémon University's two Awakened, the Electric-type Awakening Bu Fangqin.
Since there were so few Awakened, they knew about some of those who had emerged in recent years. Bu Fangqin was not a senior, but a junior.
Although she had not reached the peak of Elite Class, she was still not someone to underestimate. Like Zhao Yue Ling, she was very likely being groomed to take over next year.
As for Imperial Capital Pokémon University's other Awakened, he would graduate this year and was less of a concern. After all, no matter