After they arrived at school, plenty of people greeted Hu Bin, and he responded warmly. Some girls even boldly asked to add him on WeChat.
Hu Bin's face practically glowed with delight, making Wu Jin and Liu Yi green with envy. A few girls had complimented Liu Yi yesterday, but by the time he tried to ask for their WeChat details, they had vanished!
Liu Yi had been crushed! He was determined to put on another dazzling performance today, win over a whole crowd of girls, and set their hearts on fire!
But Hu Bin was already setting hearts ablaze! God, he's starting fires! Officer, arrest him and let me take his place!
Wu Jin's expression remained perfectly composed, but inside, he was already sobbing uncontrollably. Why? Why hasn't a single girl asked for my WeChat? I want to set hearts on fire too!
Yep. Wu Jin was a closet flirt. Confirmed!
Countless students cheered on the sports field. Some had already brought out popcorn and ice-cold cola—the same familiar combo! No battle-viewing experience was complete without popcorn and cold cola!
Soon, the first match began. This time, Wu Jin stared at his opponent, Li Zhigang, brimming with fighting spirit. Li Zhigang muttered, "Why's he so fired up? He wasn't like this yesterday!"
What he didn't know was that Wu Jin wanted to prove himself today and earn his right to a mate!
Wu Jin fought like a god of war. He sent out Machop and unleashed a relentless barrage on Li Zhigang's Geodude, leaving Geodude unable to fight back. Fighting-type already had an advantage over Rock-type, and before long, Geodude fell and was unable to battle!
Li Zhigang felt as though he hadn't even fought a match. He hadn't managed to touch Machop once!
Thunderous applause rose from the sidelines! Congratulations to Wu Jin for reaching the top eight and securing a spot in the Spring City Rookie Tournament!
Having defeated its opponent, Machop was thrilled too. White light enveloped its entire body. It was evolving—Machop was evolving!
Within the white light, Machop gradually grew taller, its muscles bulging larger and larger until its whole body looked packed with explosive power.
Wu Jin's Machop had evolved into Machoke!
"Machoke!" The newly evolved Machoke threw back its head and roared, its voice bursting with power!
Wu Jin excitedly hugged his Machoke, and the equally delighted Machoke lifted him straight off the ground!
Hu Bin applauded too, genuinely happy for Wu Jin and Machoke!
Liu Yi also clapped, though he was terribly envious of how Wu Jin had stolen the spotlight during his match!
He made up his mind as well. I've got to put on an amazing performance in my match later!
The second match was Liu Yi against Liu Cong. After they shook hands, Liu Yi still looked completely fired up, while Liu Cong merely smiled gently!
The match began, and Liu Yi sent out Munchlax. Yet the seemingly mild-mannered Liu Cong became a completely different person the instant he picked up his Poké Ball. Suddenly burning with passion, he hurled it and shouted, "Go, Snorunt! Freeze it! Go, go, go!"
Snorunt took the field looking eager for a fight, leaving both Munchlax and Wu Jin dumbfounded. Why does it feel like we've already lost on sheer presence? How did he change so much? Why does he look like a god of war? Why am I actually a little scared?
Hu Bin found it strange too. Since when did Takashi Kawamura from The Prince of Tennis show up for a cameo?
As though possessed by Takashi Kawamura, Liu Cong shouted, "Snorunt, show him what it means to reign supreme above heaven and earth!"
Hu Bin covered his face. Oh, great. Now September's Thieves is making a cameo too!
Liu Yi was startled as well. He had never imagined that someone so refined and mild-mannered could say something so ridiculously melodramatic.
It was so embarrassing that his toes curled and refused to straighten!
Liu Cong went all out, commanding Snorunt to bombard Munchlax with every kind of move as though its life depended on it. Combined with his impassioned cries, his performance swept the audience along!
But reality was reality. Snorunt's attacks were far too feeble. Calling Munchlax injured would have been a stretch—it was practically just getting tickled!
Munchlax knocked Snorunt out with a single Mega Punch!
In an instant, it was as though a bucket of cold water had doused Liu Cong's enthusiasm, and he returned to normal!
After seeing his defeat, he gently comforted his Pokémon and offered Liu Yi his congratulations!
He left Liu Yi feeling a little embarrassed!
The spectators gave both Liu Yi and Liu Cong a warm round of applause. This really was friendship first, competition second!
The third and fourth matches that followed were fiercely contested too, but Hu Bin had long since dozed off!
The fifth match was Hu Bin against Wang Jiajia, though one glance at the matchup made the outcome obvious!
Wang Jiajia stood on the battlefield, wanting to cry but unable to shed a tear. She had already lost all hope!
Yet after a short wait, Hu Bin still hadn't appeared. The referee called loudly, "Student Hu Bin! Student Hu Bin! Please come to the battlefield immediately. Your match is about to begin. If you don't arrive within one minute, you will be considered to have forfeited."
The students began murmuring among themselves. "What's going on? Why isn't Hu Bin here yet? That's not like him!"
Wang Jiajia stood trembling on the battlefield too. Why isn't he here yet? Just get it over with!
Just then, Wu Jin and Liu Yi's anxious voices rang out.
"Bro, wake up! Your match is about to start!"
Everyone's faces darkened, including the referee, the principal, and Wang Jiajia, who was still trembling on the battlefield!
How can you be this carefree? This is a competition! Could you take it a little seriously?
Slowly waking up, Hu Bin looked at Wu Jin and Liu Yi through bleary eyes and complained, "What is it? Can't you see I'm sleeping?"
Wu Jin and Liu Yi were almost frantic enough to cry. "Bro, your match has started! Hurry up and get out there."
Realization dawned on Hu Bin. "Oh, right! I've still got a match. Give me two minutes. I'll be right back to finish my nap!"
Everyone's faces darkened at his words. Could you show a little respect for the competition and your opponent? Even if it's true, do you have to say it out loud? Can't you see that girl on the battlefield is about to cry?
After stepping onto the battlefield, Hu Bin greeted Wang Jiajia. To her, however, his greeting sounded like a demon's call, and her tears nearly came spilling out!
With trembling hands, Wang Jiajia took out her Poké Ball and released her Pokémon, an incredibly adorable Clefairy.
But at that moment, Clefairy showed no energy at all, because she knew what she was about to face! She had accepted her fate!
Hu Bin released Vulpix, who made an adorable entrance.
Everyone had to admit that Vulpix was unbelievably cute, but her fighting style was far too brutal!
"Clef," Clefairy said timidly. Sis, please go easy on me!
Vulpix paused, then replied, "I'll try!"
And so a one-sided slaughter began. As expected, Vulpix rushed right into Clefairy's face with Quick Attack, then finished her off with an Aurora Beam!
It was an utterly brutal scene!
And with that, Hu Bin smoothly secured his ticket to the Spring City Rookie Tournament!
Poor Wang Jiajia just wanted to go home to her mother. She didn't want to battle anymore. It was too hard! I just want to go home and inherit my family's twenty buildings! Boo-hoo!
Before you continue