Seeing how close the blonde-haired student came to a Waterloo, the following students from Zining High School's second-year Class One all opted for a steady and solid playstyle, ultimately winning their matches.
The morning matches concluded, and everyone in Chen Kai's class, except for Zhong Cong who had bad luck, advanced to the third round.
As soon as lunchtime arrived, everyone gathered around like hungry wolves, stuffing themselves with delicious food while chattering incessantly, just like a flock of little sparrows.
They discussed back and forth how to deal with the upcoming matches, finally concluding: as long as they didn't act like the blonde-haired student, there shouldn't be much of a problem.
The blonde-haired student felt a bit ashamed upon hearing this and decided not to send out Geodude and Larvitar in the afternoon, but instead to steadily have Dwebble participate.
After the meal, the horn for a new round of matches sounded, and these nine students, filled with confidence and determination, stepped onto the field once more.
On the field, Chen Kai and his Pokemon displayed their unique skills, powerful skill lights flickered, and roars shook the heavens.
The students commanded calmly and coolly, cleverly dealing with every opponent.
Relying on their strength and teamwork, they all successfully advanced to the fourth round.
At that moment, a burst of enthusiastic cheers and applause erupted from the small corner where their class was located, and a joyous atmosphere permeated the air.
However, some rejoiced while others worried.
Ma Yi Feng encountered a powerful Water-type Pokemon trainer in this round.
The opponent's Floatzel was agile and nimble, and its skills were precisely released and powerful.
Although Ma Yi Feng's Tepig resisted with all its might, launching attacks repeatedly, under the opponent's continuous, surging offensive, it gradually appeared to be out of its depth.
Floatzel's Water Gun was like surging waves, impacting Tepig's defense line again and again.
Ultimately, Ma Yi Feng's Pokemon still couldn't withstand it and fell on the field.
Ma Yi Feng's face was filled with disappointment as he slowly walked to his Pokemon, gently picked it up, his eyes full of unwillingness and heartache.
His classmates immediately gathered around, and the blonde-haired student patted his shoulder, comforting him, "Don't worry, there's a chance, we'll help you get revenge!"
Ma Yi Feng forced a smile after hearing this.
In the subsequent fourth round, the 64-to-32 match, Zhao Wenbin had bad luck; he and Squirtle encountered a Jolteon.
This Jolteon's fur stood on end, like sharp needles, shimmering with a metallic luster, and electricity crackled and jumped within it, indicating it would be difficult to deal with.
The match whistle sounded like a battle drum, and Zhao Wenbin quickly ordered, "Squirtle, Water Gun attack!" Squirtle immediately puffed up its round cheeks, and a thick stream of water, like a surging small waterfall, rushed towards Jolteon with a whooshing sound.
But this Jolteon was as agile as a phantom, lightly stepping aside, and the Water Gun whistled past its "needle fur."
Immediately after, Jolteon kicked off the ground with its hind legs, instantly shooting towards Squirtle like a black arrow.
Just as it approached Squirtle, electricity furiously gathered on its body, activating its signature Electric-type move—Thunderbolt.
In an instant, thick bolts of lightning, like pythons, shot out from between Jolteon's "needle fur," forming a huge and dazzling Electric Net, crackling as it enveloped Squirtle.
Where the current passed, the air sizzled as if being scorched, and a pungent burnt smell permeated.
The distance was too close, Squirtle had nowhere to hide and was severely hit by this powerful current, its body trembling uncontrollably, letting out a painful Growl, and falling to the ground with a thud.
Zhao Wenbin's heart instantly leaped to his throat, and he shouted loudly:
"Squirtle, get up quickly, we can't lose!"
Squirtle painstakingly propped itself up with its short legs, its head wobbling, but it still tried to puff up its cheeks again, attempting to fire a Water Gun in retaliation.
However, the previous Thunderbolt attack was too fierce; this time, the Water Gun's stream was weak and feeble, completely unable to pose a threat to Jolteon.
Seeing this, a hint of ruthlessness flashed in Jolteon's eyes, and it once again gathered electricity between its "needle fur," releasing another Thunderbolt.
This time, Squirtle was no longer able to dodge, completely swallowed by the powerful current, completely losing its combat ability, and slumping limply to the ground.
Ultimately, Zhao Wenbin and his Squirtle narrowly lost to the opponent's Jolteon.
Zhao Wenbin walked over to Squirtle with a dejected expression, gently picked it up, and said with heartache, "Squirtle, you've done your best."
The subsequent matches continued fiercely, with the lights of the Pokemon's skills intertwining and flashing on the field, and shouts and cheers rising and falling.
The remaining seven students from Chen Kai's class, relying on their accumulated experience, coordinated commands, and the excellent performance of their Pokemon, fought their way through, like seven shining stars, breaking through numerous obstacles and successfully entering the top 32.
As the last group of matches concluded, the sky gradually darkened, and today's competition officially drew to a close.
Teacher Xu's face broke into a wide smile, his eyes narrowing into slits, as he saw seven students from his class enter the top 32. This was unprecedented, even breaking Zining High School's record.
His heart was filled with pride, feeling that his current batch of students were like fledgling eagles spreading their wings, showcasing infinite possibilities in the vast sky.
"Let's go, tonight the teacher is treating you to dinner!" Teacher Xu stood up from the resting area, waved his hand grandly, and said.
Upon hearing this, the students immediately cheered and followed Teacher Xu to a lively restaurant.
The restaurant was brightly lit, and the aroma of hot, steaming food filled the air.
Everyone sat around a large round table, with laughter and joy echoing constantly.
Although everyone was happy, Teacher Xu did not forget any student.
He looked at the eliminated Zhao Wenbin, Ma Yi Feng, and Zhong Cong, and gently comforted them:
"Wenbin, I saw your tenacity when you and Squirtle fought. Failure is a stepping stone to growth; you will definitely become stronger in the future. Yi Feng, although your opponent was strong, your command was excellent, and your Pokemon fought with all its might. Summarize your experience, and you will definitely win next time. Zhong Cong, your Pokemon was very brave. This setback is a kind of tempering. Go back and train hard, and the future will be even better.
You are only in your second year of high school, and your future prospects are limitless!"
The three students rekindled their fighting spirit after hearing this.
Teacher Xu then encouraged everyone:
"Everyone, regardless of whether you advanced or not, you have gained something. The upcoming matches will still be very difficult. Let's work hard together!"
The blonde-haired student slapped the table:
"Good! Don't let me run into those guys! I'm going to beat them to a pulp and bring the Champion trophy back to our school!"
Qin Ying was also affected by the atmosphere and slammed her cup heavily on the table:
"Who said you have to be the Champion! The Champion will definitely be mine!"
Chen Kai leisurely said:
"I'm not targeting you guys! I think all the contestants in the top 64 are trash!"
"What! Want to compete?"
"Bring it on! Who's afraid of who!"
...
Teacher Xu saw that these three lively characters were really about to argue or even fight, so he could only shake his head helplessly and step forward to pull them apart.
Yelena, this girl from a foreign land, sat quietly in the corner.
Her snow-white hair emitted a soft glow under the warm yellow lights, her delicate face was like an ice sculpture, and her eyes were clear and deep, like a distant lake, revealing a hint of detachment and loneliness.
She was naturally aloof and kept a certain distance from people, and her purpose in coming to this school was merely to monitor Chen Kai. In her heart, everything here had nothing to do with her.
She quietly watched the scene before her: Teacher Xu comforting the eliminated students with a face full of concern, patting their shoulders, his words full of encouragement.
The students gathered around, despite their playful bickering, their faces were beaming with sincere smiles, smiles as bright and warm as flowers blooming in spring.
Yet, all of this, in Yelena's eyes, was initially just a lively show unrelated to her.
But imperceptibly, Yelena's usually taut lips showed an extremely subtle change, like ice and snow inadvertently beginning to melt, an extremely faint smile, like a fleeting faint starlight in the night sky, flashed across her face.
This smile was so subtle that even Yelena herself did not notice it.
At this moment, Wang Yi, holding a glass of juice, slowly walked towards the corner where Yelena was.
During the summer vacation, Wang Yi and Yelena had a good relationship, and Yelena even took Wang Yi and the blonde-haired student to train Pokemon. But because of training Pokemon, they got into trouble.
After that, Wang Yi and the blonde-haired student seemed to be pulled apart by an invisible rope. During Yelena's transfer to this school, their communication became very rare, as if an invisible wall stood between them.
But Wang Yi knew that Yelena couldn't be blamed for that incident; it was she and the blonde-haired student who begged Yelena to train them. If anyone was to blame, it was only her own insufficient strength.
She walked up to Yelena, took a deep breath, forced a somewhat awkward but sincere smile, and slightly raised the juice in her hand, saying:
"Yelena, you played well today!"
Wang Yi's voice wasn't loud, but in this lively restaurant, it clearly reached Yelena's ears.
A hint of surprise flashed in Yelena's usually calm eyes, because she had also noticed that Wang Yi and the others had intentionally or unintentionally avoided her, although she was already used to such things in her own country and didn't mind.
At this moment, she looked up, at the juice in Wang Yi's hand, and then at Wang Yi's expectant eyes.
After a moment of silence, Yelena slowly stood up, reached for a glass of juice on the table, and gently clinked it against Wang Yi's glass.
The crisp clinking sound seemed to be a signal breaking the barrier between them.
Yelena's lips curved slightly upwards, still that faint smile, and she softly said, "You played well too."
