Chapter Summaries

Xia Chi learned that his first opponent in the World Pokémon Academy Tournament was Ruby, who ranked eighth in the championship odds, while Xia Chi himself ranked sixty-first. At the packed Kitakami Arena, the tournament opened with Drayton defeating Nemona 3-2, and Xia Chi’s match against Ruby was next.

• Lin Qunzhi sent Xia Chi the tournament matchups, revealing that he would face Ruby of Hoenn in the first round.
• At Shanghai University's pre-tournament meeting, Lu Yiyi listed the championship odds, with Blue ranked first and Xia Chi ranked sixty-first.
• Lin Qunzhi told Xia Chi to rest and urged him to win his opening match, which was scheduled for the next day.
• On February 18, the World Pokémon Academy Tournament opened at Kitakami Arena before a crowd of spectators.
• Drayton defeated Nemona 3-2 in the opening match, eliminating her and setting the stage for Xia Chi's match against Ruby.

Xia Chi faced Ruby in the World Pokémon Academy Tournament and used Floragato's speed and flower stem to overcome Milotic's icy battlefield. Floragato wounded Milotic and continued attacking it with Bullet Seed.

• Xia Chi and Ruby took their places in the tournament arena and sent out Floragato and Milotic to begin their match.
• Xia Chi ordered Floragato to use Trailblaze, while Ruby had Milotic fire Ice Beam at the ground to freeze the battlefield and hinder Floragato.
• Xia Chi told Floragato to wrap its flower stem around a nearby rock and use it to swing past Milotic at high speed.
• Floragato slashed Milotic with its claws and then fired a barrage of Bullet Seed while swinging through the air.

Xia Chi’s Floragato used repeated Bullet Seed attacks to build Titan’s Resolve before overwhelming Ruby’s Milotic with Thunder Punch. After Milotic was knocked out and Xia Chi took a 1-0 lead, Ruby sent out Gardevoir.

• Ruby had Milotic use Aqua Ring to blunt Floragato’s Bullet Seed and recover its strength.
• Xia Chi used Bullet Seed to build Floragato’s Titan’s Resolve stacks, then ordered it to strike Milotic with Thunder Punch.
• Floragato’s powered-up Thunder Punch broke through Milotic’s Ice Beam and began a relentless assault.
• The referee ruled Milotic unable to battle, giving Xia Chi a 1-0 lead as the crowd cheered.
• Ruby recalled Milotic and sent out Gardevoir.

Xia Chi’s Floragato overwhelmed Ruby’s Gardevoir by exploiting Protean and attacking relentlessly. After Gardevoir landed Dazzling Gleam, the chapter ended with Floragato still crying out from the explosion, leaving its condition uncertain.

• After Milotic fell, Ruby sent out Gardevoir, which copied Floragato’s Protean with Trace and became a Ghost type.
• Floragato’s Shadow Claw failed against Ghost-type Gardevoir, but Xia Chi switched to Zen Headbutt before Gardevoir could finish Psyshock.
• Floragato became a Psychic type and resisted Gardevoir’s Psyshock, then struck it with Shadow Claw.
• Ruby used Teleport to evade Floragato and prepared Will-O-Wisp, but Floragato continued its assault despite being burned.
• Gardevoir teleported again and struck Floragato with Dazzling Gleam; Floragato’s cry left its condition unclear.

Xia Chi’s battered Floragato defeated Ruby’s final Pokémon, Swampert, after surviving Gardevoir’s desperate attack. The battle ended with Floragato sweeping all three of Ruby’s Pokémon, though it was left exhausted on the ruined battlefield.

• Floragato struck Gardevoir with Shadow Claw, then survived its final Shadow Ball by using Quick Attack to reduce the damage.
• Xia Chi considered recalling Floragato, but it refused, so he let it face Ruby’s last Pokémon, Swampert.
• Floragato used Seed Bomb, Quick Attack, and its flower stem to make Swampert crash into a rock pillar before landing another Seed Bomb.
• Swampert hit Floragato with Ice Punch, but Floragato answered with Petal Blizzard and endured their final exchange of attacks.
• Swampert collapsed, and Floragato remained standing on one knee as the arena erupted in cheers.

Xia Chi's Floragato swept Ruby's team alone, though the victory left it exhausted and recovering. While watching the tournament with Nemona and Lacey, Xia Chi learned that Red had eliminated Lacey and wondered why Red was competing.

• Xia Chi's Floragato defeated Ruby's Milotic, Gardevoir, and Swampert in a one-Pokémon sweep, drawing widespread disbelief and debate.
• The Rotom Phone examined Floragato and reported that its injuries were not serious, but it needed a few more days to recover.
• Xia Chi comforted Floragato, which admitted it wanted to become strong enough to protect him, and Ogerpon encouraged it by claiming her strength came from centuries of effort.
• Xia Chi spent the next three days at the Resort watching the tournament with Nemona and Lacey while Floragato rested.
• Xia Chi learned that Red had eliminated Lacey, then asked why Red was competing in the tournament.

After Lacey was eliminated, Xia Chi reflected on Red and Blue joining the tournament and prepared Pupitar for its first battle against Kiawe. Iono commentated on the match, while Geeta publicly encouraged her to persuade Xia Chi to stay in Paldea, leaving Iono wondering what they had discussed in Kitakami.

• Lacey told Xia Chi that Red and Blue had entered the tournament for Celadon University, and Nemona and Lacey compared Red's battling style to Xia Chi's.
• Xia Chi chose Pupitar for the second round after seeing its lively energy and discovering that Ogerpon's masks could grant it a Rock-type Bond.
• Iono hosted a popular livestream as Xia Chi's match against Kiawe approached and viewers teased her about her friendship with him.
• Geeta sent Iono a paid message favoring Xia Chi and urged her to get him to stay in Paldea, leaving Iono puzzled about Geeta's conversations with him in Kitakami.

Xia Chi’s newly evolved Pupitar overwhelmed Kiawe’s Arcanine with Iron Defense, Earthquake, and Rock Slide. When Kiawe tried to recall Arcanine and switch to Turtonator, Pupitar rocketed across the battlefield and blocked the return beam.

• Xia Chi sent out Pupitar against Kiawe’s Arcanine, surprising Iono and the audience.
• Pupitar used Iron Defense to withstand Arcanine’s Flare Blitz without moving.
• Pupitar’s Earthquake disrupted Arcanine’s attempt to escape, and its Rock Slide battered Arcanine with a barrage of boulders.
• Kiawe tried to recall Arcanine so he could send out Turtonator.
• Pupitar propelled itself across the battlefield and blocked the red recall beam from reaching Arcanine.

Xia Chi’s Pupitar defeated Kiawe’s Arcanine, Turtonator, and Alolan Form Marowak in succession, sweeping the battle 3-0. The crowd celebrated as Pupitar secured another one-Pokémon victory.

• Pupitar used Dragon Dance and Protect to withstand Arcanine’s Solar Beam, then knocked it out with Stone Edge.
• Kiawe sent out Turtonator, but Pupitar avoided Shell Trap, boosted itself again, and struck Turtonator’s exposed belly with Stone Edge and Rock Slide.
• The arena score changed to 2-0 as Turtonator fell, leaving Kiawe with only his Alolan Form Marowak.
• Kiawe chose to keep fighting and sent out Marowak, which launched Bonemerang at Pupitar.
• Pupitar unleashed Earthquake, overwhelmed Marowak, and won the battle 3-0.

After Pupitar’s sweep propelled Xia Chi to second place in the tournament odds, Xia Chi prepared for the round of sixteen against Drayton. Misdreavus eagerly volunteered to lead and attempt a third straight three-Pokémon sweep.

• Pupitar swept Kiawe’s team, and viewers marveled at its immense damage output and the gap between Kiawe’s tactics and Ruby’s.
• The tournament narrowed to sixteen contestants, and Xia Chi rose to second in the championship odds behind Blue.
• Lacey and Nemona warned Xia Chi that Drayton was his next opponent and that Drayton’s Archaludon was especially strong.
• Xia Chi recalled that Drayton had concealed his Pokémon’s true strength in their past battles, while acknowledging that he had hidden some of his own abilities too.
• On February 24 in snowy Kitakami, Xia Chi told Misdreavus it would lead against Drayton, and Misdreavus excitedly promised to try for a three-Pokémon sweep.

Xia Chi and Drayton opened their tournament match with Misdreavus facing Kingdra in a snowy arena. Drayton turned the snow into rain to activate Kingdra’s Swift Swim, and Kingdra’s Aqua Tail crashed into Misdreavus’s Protect barrier.

• Xia Chi and Drayton sent out Misdreavus and Kingdra to begin their match.
• Kingdra used Blizzard while Misdreavus completed Calm Mind and endured the storm.
• Misdreavus fired Shadow Ball, and Drayton ordered Kingdra to use Fire Blast to collide with it and melt the snow into rain.
• Drayton’s Kingdra gained speed from Swift Swim and charged at Misdreavus with Aqua Tail.
• Misdreavus raised Protect in response to Xia Chi’s warning, and Kingdra’s Aqua Tail struck the barrier.

In Levincia, Xia Chi’s Misdreavus battled Drayton’s powerful Kingdra, using status moves and positioning to counter its attacks. As the fight continued, Misdreavus’s Shadow Balls revealed its powerful life-draining ability, leaving Kingdra under sustained pressure.

• Iono and the Dedenne Live Room viewers worried that Drayton’s Kingdra was pushing Xia Chi hard.
• Drayton ordered Kingdra to pursue Misdreavus with Aqua Tail, but Xia Chi had it rise and prepare Will-O-Wisp.
• Kingdra dodged the flames with Dragon Dance, and Misdreavus used Charm to reduce its physical strength.
• Kingdra unleashed a spinning Hydro Pump vortex, and Xia Chi guided Misdreavus along its edge before ordering a Shadow Ball barrage.
• Misdreavus struck Kingdra with repeated Shadow Balls and drained its life energy, showcasing its 55% life drain from Underworld Mark and the Radiant Hextech Gunblade.

Xia Chi turned Drayton’s rain against him, defeating Kingdra with repeated Thunders and preventing its recall with Mean Look. Drayton sent out Archaludon, and the chapter ended as Misdreavus’s barrage of Shadow Balls struck it.

• Drayton ordered Kingdra to use Muddy Water, and Xia Chi answered with Thunder, electrifying the muddy pool and badly injuring Kingdra.
• Xia Chi repeatedly commanded Misdreavus to use Thunder while its Blue Buff sustained its energy.
• Drayton tried to recall Kingdra, but Misdreavus used Mean Look to prevent it from escaping.
• Kingdra collapsed after another Thunder, and Drayton sent out Archaludon.
• Archaludon fired Spark Shot while Misdreavus launched a barrage of Shadow Balls, which struck Archaludon.

Xia Chi’s Misdreavus drained Archaludon’s life while attacking, overwhelmed it, and left Drayton guessing at the secret behind its growing power. As Drayton sent out Dragonair, Gladion and other competitors struggled to devise a way to face Misdreavus in upcoming rounds.

• Misdreavus healed itself by draining energy from Archaludon after their attacks clashed, shocking Drayton and the spectators.
• Drayton ordered Archaludon through a series of attacks, but Misdreavus overwhelmed it with a storm of Shadow Balls and knocked it out.
• Drayton considered possible explanations for Misdreavus’s abilities, recalled Archaludon, and sent out Dragonair.
• Gladion, Kiawe, Lana, and Mallow discussed how Silvally might counter Misdreavus, while Gladion doubted their plan to use Taunt.

Blue sought Red’s advice on how to counter Xia Chi’s Misdreavus, while Xia Chi’s Misdreavus defeated Drayton’s Dragonair and completed another 3-0 sweep. After the battle went viral and sparked theories about Misdreavus, Xia Chi prepared to face Gladion and Silvally the next day.

• Blue considered using Primeape, but Red pointed out that Misdreavus had dodged Dragon Tail because it wanted to keep its boosts.
• Red suggested Blue use Venusaur’s Toxic, Leech Seed, Synthesis, and Amnesia to wear Misdreavus down, and Blue thanked him confidently.
• Xia Chi’s Misdreavus defeated Drayton’s Dragonair, giving Xia Chi a 3-0 victory with three one-Pokémon sweeps.
• Pokémon Professors speculated about Misdreavus’s unusual power, and Trainers traveled to Donghuang seeking similar Pokémon.
• Xia Chi denied a bus driver’s claims about Pokémon breeding and told Lacey he did not know why Misdreavus was special.
• Lacey reminded Xia Chi that Gladion and Silvally were his next opponents, and Xia Chi declared he would win.

Xia Chi faced Gladion in the World Pokémon Academy Tournament quarterfinals, where Floragato exposed Gladion’s disguised Zoroark and surprised everyone by using Shift Gear. The battle continued with Floragato recovering from a point-blank Sludge Bomb, while Xia Chi’s unusual Pokémon and tactics left the audience questioning whether the Trainer himself was the source of the surprises.

• Xia Chi and Gladion opened their quarterfinal match with Floragato and a Silvally that Gladion had disguised Zoroark with Illusion.
• Xia Chi ordered Play Rough, revealing that he had recognized the disguise and letting Floragato strike Zoroark with a super-effective attack.
• Zoroark hit Floragato at close range with Sludge Bomb, sending it stumbling backward.
• Gladion prepared to exploit Floragato’s Protean with another Sludge Bomb, but Xia Chi ordered Floragato to use Shift Gear.
• Iono and the spectators reacted in disbelief as Floragato used the obscure Steel-type move, prompting them to wonder whether Xia Chi’s Pokémon were all unusual.

Xia Chi's Floragato battled Gladion's Zoroark, using its Steel typing and boosted speed to land Play Rough while Gladion adapted with Night Daze and U-turn. Zoroark withdrew after lowering Floragato's accuracy, leaving Floragato with two Shift Gear boosts as Gladion's remaining Pokémon awaited.

• Gladion ordered Zoroark to use Flamethrower, but Floragato dodged low and struck it with a boosted Play Rough.
• Floragato's Play Rough hit Zoroark super effectively and restored some of Floragato's life energy.
• Gladion had Zoroark repeatedly use Night Daze, and the attack lowered Floragato's accuracy.
• Gladion ordered Zoroark to use U-turn and withdraw, while Xia Chi had Floragato use Shift Gear again.
• Floragato ended the exchange with two Shift Gear boosts, and spectators speculated that avoiding a three-Pokémon sweep would count as success.

Xia Chi’s Floragato defeated Gladion’s Silvally in a fierce battle, and Pupitar helped secure Xia Chi an overwhelming 3-0 victory. The match established Gladion as Xia Chi’s strongest tournament opponent so far, while Xia Chi advanced to the semifinals against Blue.

• Gladion switched Silvally to its Fire type and ordered a powerful Multi-Attack, but Floragato dodged and struck Silvally’s neck with Shadow Claw.
• Floragato repeatedly attacked Silvally’s Memory Disc while enduring its Fire-type moves, then restrained Silvally and used Protect to survive a devastating Flamethrower.
• Floragato disabled Silvally’s hind leg and landed a final Shadow Claw on its drive, prompting the referee to end the battle.
• Xia Chi recalled the exhausted Floragato and sent out Pupitar, which defeated Gladion’s weakened Zoroark after helping secure a 3-0 victory.
• The Battle Log showed that Gladion’s team included a level 46 Zoroark, a level 48 Silvally, and a level 43 Umbreon.

Xia Chi strengthened Pupitar with new equipment before facing Blue in the World Pokémon Academy Tournament semifinals. Their battle began with Venusaur and Misdreavus, and Xia Chi disrupted Blue’s opening move with a perfectly timed Taunt.

• Xia Chi combined Critical Gloves and a Bramble Vest into Steadfast Heart, giving Pupitar damage reduction and critical-hit bonuses.
• Geeta predicted Xia Chi would beat Blue, citing his likely hidden strategy and Blue’s predictable battling style.
• Blue and Xia Chi opened their semifinal match with Venusaur and Misdreavus, drawing cheers from the arena.
• Blue ordered Venusaur to use Leech Seed, but Xia Chi’s Misdreavus used Taunt first and prevented it.
• Geeta explained that Misdreavus had likely charged Taunt before leaving its Poké Ball, allowing it to act immediately.

Xia Chi countered Blue’s stall Venusaur by using Skill Swap to take Chlorophyll, then let Misdreavus endure Venusaur’s attacks while building its own strength. The chapter ended with Venusaur firing Toxic at Misdreavus as Xia Chi continued Calm Mind, preparing a life-draining counterattack.

• Xia Chi used Skill Swap to exchange Misdreavus’s ability for Venusaur’s Chlorophyll, leaving Venusaur with Levitate.
• Blue ordered Venusaur to use Solar Beam, but Misdreavus dodged the blast and Xia Chi followed with Will-O-Wisp as Venusaur used Earthquake.
• Misdreavus fired a volley of Shadow Balls, and Blue restarted his stall strategy by hitting it with Leech Seed.
• Xia Chi had Misdreavus use Calm Mind while Leech Seed drained its health and transferred energy to Venusaur.
• Blue ordered Venusaur to use Toxic, and Xia Chi told Misdreavus to keep using Calm Mind.