Several powerful nations had deliberately been placed in separate groups, so China had encountered no particularly strong opponents along the way. Xiao Ran and the others had all been steadily improving.
More than a month later, the group stage finally ended. China and sixty-three other nations advanced to compete in the global finals, and Xiao Ran's first opponent was none other than the host nation, Japan.
Japan's Pokémon Trainers ranked among the best in the world. After all, the country controlled more Great Secret Realms than any other nation. They had already won several College League championships and were among the favorites to win this year.
By contrast, China's shortage of promising successors was plain for all to see. Unlike its dominant performances in previous years, everyone had already written China off as an also-ran in this year's Global College League, including many people back home.
"Nine Awakened across two years. So, MVP, how many are you planning to take down this time?" Xiao Ran teased Veranica as he leafed through the information in his hands.
Veranica pursed her lips. Although her record had been excellent throughout the tournament, it was still easy for her to stumble against powerful Awakened upperclassmen.
During an earlier round against a small country, she had made a mistake and failed to secure even a single win.
Fortunately, her results had been excellent most of the time, making her the current MVP of this year's Global College League.
"This round decides whether we get to keep going. So, who's confident enough to volunteer?" Ye Zi'an asked the others in the meeting room.
They were no longer in the group stage, but the finals. The winners advanced, and the losers went home.
For a great nation like China to stop at the very first round of