To make sure they were in top form for tomorrow's matches, Hu Bin and the other quarterfinalists were allowed to leave school early today, giving them time to rest and prepare to battle at their best!
The other students were green with envy. They still had classes to attend, and some even had more hellish training with the Physical Education Teacher waiting for them!
Hu Bin, Wu Jin, and Liu Yi teasingly said to the others, "Oh dear! School's out so early, we don't even know what to do with ourselves. How about we go get some ice-cold milk tea?"
With that, the three turned and left, walking out of school under the envious, jealous gazes of classmates who were practically gnashing their teeth!
Once outside, the three wandered down the street with their "kids" in tow!
Actually, that wasn't quite right. Wu Jin's Machop had evolved into Machoke, so he wasn't a little kid anymore!
At the milk tea shop, Hu Bin, his friends, and their "kids" each enjoyed a cup of sweet, ice-cold milk tea, bringing a little relief from the scorching weather.
Vulpix drank the sweet milk tea, her little tails wagging especially hard. She clearly loved the taste!
Munchlax drank so quickly that he polished off more than ten cups in no time. A family without some serious savings would never dare raise one!
Machoke sipped his milk tea with a smile too, although the sight looked a little incongruous!
Resting his chin in his hand, Liu Yi said, "Yi Nanzi's taking forever! I wonder if he'll make it through!"
Hu Bin replied casually, "With his strength, there's nothing to worry about. He could do this with his eyes closed!"
Wu Jin also said seriously, "Yi Nanzi's strong. He'll definitely advance, so stop worrying over nothing."
Hu Bin shot Wu Jin a sideways glance. "Oh, Brother Jin! Look at you acting like a big shot, handing down your expert judgments!"
Wu Jin blushed, then grinned. "I'm just copying how those Elite Four members act!"
At last, Yi Nanzi arrived at the milk tea shop, positively glowing. One look at him was enough to tell them he had advanced!
After ordering milk tea for Cyndaquil, Yi Nanzi started chatting with Hu Bin and the others.
"So, what do your matches look like tomorrow?" Yi Nanzi asked, taking a sip of milk tea.
Wu Jin and Liu Yi exchanged a glance, then said calmly, "We're facing each other tomorrow. Only one of us can make the semifinals!"
Yi Nanzi took a deep breath. "There's no avoiding it. You were bound to meet sooner or later, so why not have a proper battle and see how much your training has paid off?"
Wu Jin and Liu Yi smiled at each other. "That's exactly what we were thinking. I won't go easy on you!"
"I wouldn't have it any other way!"
All four laughed. Respecting a brother meant giving the battle everything they had and leaving no regrets!
Machoke said to Munchlax, who was still drinking his milk tea, "Machoke, Machoke!" Let's have a great battle tomorrow!
Munchlax looked seriously at Machoke too. "Munchlax!" No crying if you lose!
In the quarterfinals, Hu Bin would face Lin Jun in the first match, while Wu Jin versus Liu Yi would be the last. Plenty of students arrived early to claim seats, and quite a few spotted a business opportunity and started selling popcorn and ice-cold cola. Business was astonishingly good, and they raked in the money!
Hu Bin watched with burning envy. Now that's a money-making opportunity! Once the tournament's over, I'm setting up a stall and making a fortune!
Lin Jun was widely recognized as one of the school's heartthrobs. Young and wealthy, he owned a formidable Charmeleon and was one of the seeded contenders in this school tournament.
After shaking hands with Hu Bin, Lin Jun smiled and said, "Ever since you beat the Physical Education Teacher, I've wanted to face you. I finally got my wish!"
Hu Bin smiled too. "You're strong. We're going to have an intense duel today!"
"I'm looking forward to it!" Lin Jun said.
Once the referee gave the signal to begin, both sides sent out their Pokémon.
"Go, Charmeleon!"
"Go, Vulpix!"
Upon appearing, Charmeleon blasted out a powerful burst of fire to pump himself up!
Not to be outdone, Vulpix gave an adorably fierce cry.
As the battle began, Vulpix attacked first, charging straight at her opponent with Quick Attack!
Lin Jun brushed a hand over his handsome face. "That won't work. Charmeleon, use Dig!"
Charmeleon immediately scraped at the ground with his sharp claws, dug a hole, and dove inside!
Vulpix's attack missed, but she calmly closed her eyes and listened for Charmeleon's movements.
Suddenly, Charmeleon burst out of the ground, extending his claws to slash at Vulpix.
Vulpix dodged, slipping straight out of the way of Charmeleon's attack!
Lin Jun was a little surprised. "What fast reflexes!"
Just then, Hu Bin gave his command. "Vulpix, use Double Team, then Aurora Beam!"
Vulpix rapidly created multiple copies of herself, and a terrifying beam of white light shot toward Charmeleon.
Unable to dodge in time, Charmeleon took a direct hit and cried out in pain, but he didn't fall!
"Charmeleon, use Smokescreen!"
Charmeleon spat thick black smoke from his mouth, covering the entire battlefield!
Black smoke shrouded the whole arena, swallowing both Pokémon from view!
Lin Jun said to Hu Bin, "I've always wondered how your Vulpix can see through thick smoke. Today, I wanted to test it out and learn a thing or two!"
"She doesn't see him. She senses him," Hu Bin replied calmly. "Like this. Vulpix, use Quick Attack!"
A white figure shot swiftly through the thick smoke.
Lin Jun hurriedly warned Charmeleon, but it was already too late. Vulpix slammed into Charmeleon and sent him flying!
Lin Jun murmured to himself, "She senses him... I get it. So that's how it works! Hu Bin, you really are amazing!"
At that moment, Charmeleon shakily rose to his feet and let out a roar, the flame on his tail growing even larger!
In this moment of crisis, Charmeleon's Ability activated: blaze, which boosted the power of Fire-type moves!
Wu Jin and Liu Yi grew worried in the stands. Vulpix was an Ice-type Pokémon, so a powerful Fire-type move could deal devastating damage!
"This is the moment I've been waiting for!" Lin Jun commanded. "Charmeleon, keep using Flamethrower!"
Powerful flames streamed relentlessly from Charmeleon's mouth. Vulpix could only keep dodging with the speed she took such pride in, but she managed to make every single Flamethrower miss.
Lin Jun was shocked! How could she be so fast? Those reflexes were terrifying!
"It's over! Vulpix, finish him with a full-power Quick Attack!" Hu Bin shouted!
Vulpix became a streak of white lightning and charged straight at Charmeleon. The tremendous impact sent him flying into the wall, leaving him unable to battle!
The referee promptly announced, "Charmeleon is unable to battle! Vulpix wins! The winner is Hu Bin! Congratulations on reaching the semifinals!"
Thunderous applause erupted from the audience. Wu Jin and Liu Yi shouted excitedly, "Brother Bin, you're incredible! Vulpix is amazing!"
Lin Jun recalled Charmeleon and walked over to Hu Bin. "Thank you. I learned a lot this time, but I won't lose to you again at the Spring City Rookie Tournament!"
Hu Bin laughed heartily. "I'll take you on anytime!"
Before you continue