It had been a long time since Hu Bin and Vulpix had enjoyed a morning of sleeping until they woke naturally.
Vulpix was in a particularly good mood today, even humming the theme song from a melodrama!
Listening to Vulpix's tune, Hu Bin instantly caught the mood and started humming along!
What a groove!
When they arrived at school, all the students grew excited at the sight of Hu Bin!
"Demon King, give it your best today! Take the championship!"
"Aww, White Lightning Vulpix is so cute!"
"Demon King, your opponent today is a cute girl. Go easy on her!"
"Yeah, exactly!"
Hu Bin smiled and returned each of his classmates' enthusiastic greetings, while little Vulpix raised a paw to wave hello too!
Hello, everyone! Thanks for all your hard work!
When Hu Bin heard them asking him to go easy on today's opponent, he gave them a dazzling smile. "Next time, for sure! Next time!"
Everyone was utterly stunned!
Demon King, you really have no mercy!
Today's final was especially grand. The principal watched the two finalists, Hu Bin and the adorable Qin An, with a smile, his heart brimming with pride and satisfaction!
The battlefield was especially lively today, with drums thundering, firecrackers crackling, red flags fluttering, and people everywhere. Students packed the playground in ring after ring, and quite a few parents had even come to watch!
Among them were Wu Jin's and Liu Yi's parents. Of course they had come! Their boys might not have reached the final, but they had still made the top eight and earned the chance to participate in the prestigious Spring City Rookie Tournament. How could their parents miss a chance to bask in that glory?
Besides, the principal would be presenting them with awards today. They had never experienced anything this wonderful before!
Today's two stars, Hu Bin and Qin An, walked onto the battlefield, and the stands instantly erupted with wave after wave of cheers!
Everyone shouted wildly, eager to see today's champion crowned!
Hu Bin smiled and shook Qin An's hand. The adorable young lady gave him a slight smile and said, "Demon King, please go easy on me today. I'm afraid I won't be able to take it!"
With that, she gave Hu Bin a playful wink.
But what kind of man was Hu Bin? He was a man destined to stand at the pinnacle of the Pokémon world! How could a mere woman's flirtatious wink make him fall for her?
I'm not a dirty-minded creep like Wu Jin or Liu Yi!
I, Hu Bin, am a proud lone wolf! Awooo!
Hu Bin answered with a completely expressionless face. "Next time, for sure. I'll definitely go easy on you next time!"
Then he turned away without the slightest hesitation and took his designated position, ready to battle!
Qin An was dumbfounded. Hu Bin was hopelessly oblivious! Next time, for sure? Who wanted a second time with him?
Qin An's face darkened, and she sneered at Hu Bin in his starting position. "We don't know who'll win yet. You're getting way too full of yourself, Hu Bin!"
The principal was in an especially good mood today and personally stepped onto the field to serve as referee.
Watching the two contestants poised to battle, the principal nodded to himself.
"They're both promising talents. This Spring City Rookie Tournament should be worth watching!"
Then his expression turned serious. "This will be a one-on-one match. A single battle will decide the winner. Contestants, prepare to release your Pokémon. The battle begins on the count of three!"
"One!" Hu Bin and Qin An tightened their grips on their Poké Balls!
"Two!" The Poké Balls in Hu Bin's and Qin An's hands expanded!
"Three! Begin!" Hu Bin's and Qin An's gazes sharpened as they threw their balls.
Two Pokémon appeared on the field, glaring at each other as their auras continued to rise!
"Vulpix, use Aurora Beam!"
"Kadabra, use Psybeam!"
Both gave their commands at the same time!
Vulpix's Aurora Beam collided fiercely with Kadabra's Psybeam, sending a wave of air surging outward!
Hu Bin immediately commanded, "Vulpix, rush in and use Quick Attack!"
Qin An sneered. "Not a chance! Kadabra, use Teleport!"
Vulpix became a streak of white light and charged at Kadabra, but Kadabra vanished into an afterimage, using Teleport to dodge the attack!
Kadabra reappeared in another corner of the battlefield and immediately fired a Psybeam at Vulpix!
Seeing danger approaching, Vulpix promptly dug a hole and ducked inside, avoiding the damage!
"Vulpix, use Howl underground!" Hu Bin calmly directed Vulpix!
Muffled cries echoed from beneath the ground across the entire battlefield!
Qin An was a little surprised. "You really do look for ways to get stronger anytime, anywhere. You can even buff up underground!"
Then Qin An ordered Kadabra to unleash a barrage of Shadow Balls at the ground, hoping to blast Vulpix out!
As Shadow Ball after Shadow Ball struck, they blasted craters into the ground and sent violent tremors through it. Even underground, Vulpix was badly shaken!
Hu Bin was a little surprised by the adorable Qin An. "You look so cute and harmless. I never expected you to be this ruthless!"
Then Vulpix seized an opening and burst out, face covered in dirt and sand. Yet thanks to the boost from Howl, Vulpix was still a formidable force!
Hu Bin immediately gave the command. "Vulpix, use Double Team!"
Hearing Hu Bin's command, Vulpix instantly created multiple copies and charged at Kadabra!
"Kadabra, keep using Shadow Ball! Attack Vulpix."
Kadabra frantically formed Shadow Balls and hurled them at Vulpix one after another, but every single one hit a copy!
Just then, Vulpix emerged behind Kadabra, powerful Ice-type energy already gathering in Vulpix's mouth!
Kadabra stared in disbelief at the Vulpix that had suddenly appeared!
But it was too late. Vulpix's Ice Beam poured forth and slammed into Kadabra, blasting Kadabra more than thirty meters away before landing on the ground in a cloud of dust and sand!
Qin An was horrified. "How is that possible? How did your Vulpix get behind Kadabra?"
The corners of Hu Bin's mouth rose as he said smugly, "I have you to thank for that. You had Kadabra blast all those holes into the ground, and they gave Vulpix an opening for a sneak attack. Double Team distracted you while the real Vulpix had already slipped into a hole and made it around behind Kadabra!"
Qin An smiled bitterly. "I never thought Vulpix could not only evade my all-out assault, but also use those little details to catch my Kadabra completely off guard!"
Then Qin An looked at Hu Bin with a rueful smile. "The hunter ended up getting caught by his own prey!"
The dust and sand gradually cleared, revealing Kadabra, already unable to battle. With such pitifully low Special Defense to begin with, a single Ice Beam from Vulpix had dealt devastating damage!
The principal gave Hu Bin a long look, feeling a growing admiration for this trainer!
Then he announced, "Kadabra is unable to battle! Vulpix wins! Let's give Hu Bin and Vulpix a big round of applause as the champions of this year's school tournament!"
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