Time always flew by. Leaning against Trevenant, Teacher Zhou watched the students brimming with energy on the field. With a wistful sigh, he patted Trevenant. "Ah, I remember being just as energetic when I was in school. You were still a Phantump back then. Remember?"
He checked his phone. It was already 3:50. Teacher Zhou lifted the whistle hanging against his chest and blew it. "Everyone, gather up!"
The students playing on the field hurried over and lined up. Teacher Zhou nodded in satisfaction at their orderly formation. "Next, we're heading to the gym for our practical battle class. Stay close."
And so, the students followed Teacher Zhou in a line toward the gym.
Once inside, Teacher Zhou stopped and turned to the students behind him. "Ahem, today is our first practical battle class. We're going to take on a challenge: battling an opponent whose type counters your own."
"Huh?!" Everyone immediately voiced their doubts. "Isn't it really easy to lose when you're at a type disadvantage?"
Teacher Zhou clapped his hands. "I know you're all novice Trainers and aren't very good at fighting with a type disadvantage. That's exactly why you need to overcome it."
"An enemy won't refuse to fight you just because your type is at a disadvantage. What we need to do is overcome that disadvantage and defeat them."
"I'll randomly select students to battle opponents with a type advantage over them. Please take this seriously. This challenge will last a week. If you can't pass within that week, you may very well fail this subject."
Hearing that, the students abandoned any thoughts of slacking off and began taking the challenge seriously.
"All right, the first student up is... Wu Qian!" Teacher Zhou picked a name at random from the list in his hand.
A pale-faced boy with a roguish look stepped onto the field. Cheng Tian frowned. Why does this guy look so weak and drained?
"All right, send out your Pokémon." At those words, Wu Qian tossed a Poké Ball. A flash of red light appeared, and a Geodude emerged on the field.
"All right, this will be your opponent." Teacher Zhou took a remote out of his pocket, aimed it at a strange machine on the other side of the field, and pressed a button.
Blue light flickered in front of the machine, projecting a vacant-looking Wooper.
"What is that?!" Everyone exclaimed in surprise. Teacher Zhou explained, "This machine uses your Pokémon's level and gender to generate a virtual Pokémon that counters its type. Those are the opponents you'll be fighting."
Everyone nodded in understanding at his explanation. "Good. Let the battle begin."
"Geodude, Rock Polish and Defense Curl!" A scraping sound came from Geodude's rocky body as it polished itself. Its body also grew considerably rounder, greatly increasing its defense. "Start using Rollout!" Geodude curled into a ball and rolled across the field toward Wooper.
If Rollout could be kept going without interruption, its power would stack until it became a terrifying move.
The vacant-looking Wooper waggled its little head. Suddenly, dark clouds covered the field, and a light rain began to patter down.
Wu Qian felt rather helpless. If the virtual Pokémon really was the same level as his own, as the teacher had said, then his level-seven Geodude should be facing a level-seven Wooper.
The trouble was that Wooper naturally learned the weather move Rain Dance at level four. It was a powerful counter to Geodude.
"Speed up and ram Wooper!" Geodude rolled faster and faster toward Wooper. Just then, Wooper opened its mouth and spat out clumps of yellow earth. It was Mud Shot.
Wooper clearly had no intention of defeating Geodude with Mud Shot. It merely wanted to slow Geodude's rolling for a while, allowing the falling rain to keep draining its stamina.
Wu Qian knew that Geodude would keep losing stamina in the rain. With so little time to build up Rollout, it couldn't possibly defeat Wooper in one hit. He had already made up his mind. The moment Geodude rolled up beside Wooper, Wu Qian ordered, "Self-Destruct!"
Self-Destruct was a move it should only have learned as a Golem, yet this Geodude had unexpectedly inherited it. This was Wu Qian's trump card for defeating Wooper in a single stroke. Fierce white light burst from Geodude's body as a terrifying aura erupted.
Cheng Tian nodded. At a low level, winning against an opponent with a type advantage was generally very difficult. Trading one for one like this was an option, though. But...
Cheng Tian murmured, "But you still need to figure out its Ability."
Just as Geodude was about to self-destruct, the white light bursting from its body abruptly vanished, as though its engine had stalled.
Geodude was utterly bewildered. I was clearly about to self-destruct! What's going on? "Woo..." Wooper rapidly fired streams of water from its mouth. Boosted by the rain, the super-effective Water Gun knocked Geodude out on the spot.
"What?!" Wu Qian couldn't believe his eyes. He had no idea what had just happened.
Cheng Tian sighed. This Wooper's Ability was Damp. As long as it remained standing in battle, no Pokémon could use a move like Self-Destruct.
"Wu Qian, failed!" Teacher Zhou was clearly displeased. "Considering your opponent's possible Abilities and whether they might affect your moves is a fundamental skill every Trainer must have. Wooper has an Ability called Damp. Against that Ability, you can forget about using Self-Destruct."
"Blindly making your Pokémon use self-harming moves to win a battle is a major taboo. Use that move less often from now on. Overusing it will damage Geodude's foundations."
Listening to Teacher Zhou's reprimand, Wu Qian recognized his shortcomings and mistakes. After promising to change, he left the field.
The other students went up one after another, but almost none could defeat an opponent that countered their type. They all came back shaking their heads. Even Lin Lin and Bai Yun were no exception.
"Next, Cheng Tian." Hearing his name, Cheng Tian stepped onto the field and tossed Froakie's Poké Ball. An Electric-type Electrike quickly materialized on the field.
No corresponding information panel appeared in Cheng Tian's mind. "Tsk, is it because it's a virtual Pokémon?" Without a panel, he wouldn't know his opponent's details during the battle.
"Froakie, use Double Team and start running! Keep it pinned down with Water Gun!" Froakie quickly created four doubles, greatly increasing its speed while firing streams of water at Electrike.
Cheng Tian didn't blindly order Froakie to attack at close range because he feared Electrike might have Static. That was why he had Froakie kite its opponent.
"Roooar!" Manectric let out a long Howl. Its aura surged, and its attack rose sharply. Then electric currents erupted from its body and swept across the entire field.
"Jump!" The real Froakie leaped up immediately, but the other doubles were struck before they could jump and vanished at once.
Froakie formed a Water Pulse in its hands and hurled it at Manectric. Electric light also gathered inside Manectric's mouth, rapidly forming an Electro Ball, which it fired at the Water Pulse.
But Water Pulse kept tearing at its surroundings, and Electro Ball couldn't withstand it. Seeing Water Pulse continue hurtling toward it, Manectric swiftly lunged to its left, dodging the attack. At the same time, it used Spark, electric currents instantly covering its body as it charged toward Froakie.
"Even a virtual Pokémon can inherit Spark?!" Cheng Tian gritted his teeth. "Froakie, block it with Cut! Avoid touching Electrike as much as you can!" It looked like close combat was unavoidable!
Two sharp cones of water formed in Froakie's hands, meeting the lunging Electrike. Electrike's sharp teeth clamped down on the water cones. Froakie strained to hold it back, leaving the two locked in a stalemate.
Spark's brief duration soon ended, and electric currents quickly covered Manectric's teeth. Using Thunder Fang gave Manectric a little more strength, and Froakie was close to buckling.
"Hit its head with a Water Gun!" Froakie opened its mouth and swiftly fired a stream of water. The point-blank Water Gun struck Electrike's head, interrupting its move at once. But water conducted electricity, linking Electrike directly to Froakie. The current flowing from Electrike sent a wave of numbness through Froakie's body.
It seemed Cheng Tian's judgment had been correct. This Electrike did have Static, an Ability that could inflict Paralysis on an opponent in close combat. Still, the current conducted through the water alone wasn't enough to paralyze Froakie.
Seizing the opening, Froakie brought Cut down hard on Electrike's head. "Roar!" Electrike roared in pain and charged at Froakie with Spark again.
"Use Bubble and aim for its eyes!" Froakie pulled two clumps of foam from its neck and flung them out, hitting Electrike squarely in the eyes. Eyes were important and vulnerable organs for humans and Pokémon alike. This Bubble attack not only dealt damage, but also robbed Electrike of its sight, leaving it unable to locate Froakie.
"Finish it off with one last Water Pulse!" Froakie formed a Water Pulse and launched it at Electrike. This one was considerably larger than before. Cheng Tian looked closely and realized Water Pulse had actually leveled up!
Water Pulse (lv4)
After leveling up, Water Pulse's power had increased significantly. The constantly spinning Water-type energy produced a terrifying tearing force, leaving grievous wounds on Electrike's body. "Roar!" Electrike let out a cry of agony and collapsed, unable to battle. Finally, its body dissolved into specks of blue light.
Clap, clap, clap... Teacher Zhou began applauding. "Excellent! Cheng Tian has successfully won a battle at a type disadvantage. Let's give him a round of applause!" As he spoke, he silently committed Cheng Tian's name and appearance to memory.
Everyone applauded. Cheng Tian thanked Teacher Zhou, then recalled Froakie.
Teacher Zhou's voice was full of praise. "You first assessed your opponent's Ability and decided to avoid close-range attacks. When you fell into danger, you gave precise instructions to interrupt its move. Finally, you seized an opening to land the finishing blow. Cheng Tian, you have a great deal of battle experience."
A little embarrassed, Cheng Tian said, "You're giving me too much credit, sir. I just got lucky." Seeing his modesty, Teacher Zhou said no more, though he couldn't hide the approval in his eyes. After sending Cheng Tian off the field, he called the next name. "Next, Su Han."
As Cheng Tian left the field, he came face-to-face with Su Han, who was about to enter. "You've got this!" he encouraged her. Su Han responded with a smile, then stepped onto the field and tossed Sylveon's Poké Ball.
The machine on the field quickly produced a corresponding Pokémon: a purple Grimer.
Well... it was only a virtual Pokémon, after all. A perfect recreation was impossible. Some details still fell short. This Grimer, for example, didn't give off a foul stench like a real one.
Cheng Tian at the sidelines and Su Han on the field arrived at the same thought: Its Hidden Ability, Poison Touch.
If it couldn't emit a foul odor, it didn't have Stench. Without a held item, Sticky Hold would be useless. That left only its Hidden Ability, Poison Touch.
Poison Touch: Has a chance to poison an opponent on contact.
Having made her plan, Su Han ordered Sylveon, "Quick Attack!" Teacher Zhou frowned slightly. Attacking a Grimer with Poison Touch at close range could result in poisoning.
Cheng Tian didn't know what Su Han was thinking either. Sylveon's Pixilate turned all its Normal-type moves into Fairy-type moves. That certainly had its advantages, but against an opponent that resisted its type, those moves would deal only half damage.
Using Quick Attack to fight at close range under these circumstances would put it at a disadvantage.
But Sylveon always supported its Trainer unconditionally. Its body swiftly turned into a streak of white light and charged at Grimer. The Fairy-type move wasn't very effective against Grimer, and a purple tinge appeared on Sylveon's forehead. It had clearly been poisoned.
Seeing its opponent rush toward it, Grimer spat a large cloud of thick purple fog from its mouth. Poison Gas!
"Use Yawn!" Enduring the toxins in the Poison Gas, Sylveon let out an adorable yawn. Grimer immediately began feeling drowsy. Fighting back its sleepiness, its eyes suddenly turned white.
Sylveon found itself unable to use Yawn again. This was Grimer's Disable! Grimer spat a gush of purple liquid from its mouth: the corrosive Acid Spray.
But Su Han had already achieved her goal. "Use Quick Attack to come back!" Sylveon dashed toward Su Han, avoiding the Acid Spray. At the same time, Grimer finally succumbed to its drowsiness, collapsing to the ground and falling fast asleep.
"All right, Sylveon, keep using Bite until you defeat it." At her command, Sylveon opened its mouth. Dark-type energy gathered before it into a huge black maw that bit down on Grimer. Fairy-type moves couldn't deal normal damage, but Dark-type moves could. Under the repeated Bite attacks, Grimer soon dissolved into specks of blue light.
"Well done. Two students in a row have now passed this challenge. Let's give her a round of applause." Teacher Zhou clapped as he spoke. Everyone joined in, and this applause was noticeably more enthusiastic than Cheng Tian's had been. After all, the girl on the field was their goddess.
Two consecutive successes gave the remaining students a considerable boost of encouragement. They went up eagerly, rubbing their fists and flexing their hands, ready to defeat their opponents.
They simply ended up losing rather miserably.
Once all the tests were over, Teacher Zhou nodded. "On our very first day, two students in our class have already passed the test. Those who haven't, if you don't want to fail this subject, please make the most of the coming week. Train hard, reflect on your shortcomings, and strive to defeat your opponents. I hope all of you can become legendary Type-Disadvantage Masters."
Teacher Zhou smiled. "And with that, class dismissed! You can pack up and head home."
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