Battle Exams

After 20 minutes, Mr. Figg let the students go to the side of the arena, clearing the battle grounds in the middle. He also let them recall each pokemon to their respective pokeball.

Before they started though, Mr. Figg called Paul to the side in order to ask a question, "Paul, can you do me a favor?"

"For what matter is it, sir? I'm sorry, but I can't decide if I don't know what is it that I would do yet." Paul respectfully replied.

'As I thought, he is really cautious. A good trait to have for a trainer to survive.' Mr. Figg thought as he recollected his past observations of his youngest student. "Actually, It won't be hard, it's just being a battle judge for your classmates' battles." He replied after a pause.

"That would be fine, sir. But if so, may I know who the referee for our battle would be?" Paul asked, curious.

"Oh, then it would be Jake." Mr. Figg said, motioning his head towards Jake. Paul nodded in understanding.

Thus, when getting the agreement of Paul, Mr. Figg started the Battle Exam with the first examinee, Jake.

"This is a Solo Play Pokemon Battle, with a 1v1 match-up. Mr. Benjamin Figg versus Jake Azure. The first side to have their pokemon to faint or to surrender would automatically declare the opposing side as the winner." Paul announced with a clear voice, not needing a microphone for the audience of 25 people.

Seeing the nod from Mr. Figg, Paul continued, "Let the match, begin!"

"Go, Farfetch'd!" Jake loudly spoke as he threw a pokeball to the ground.

"Far~fetch'd!" The duck pokemon shouted, as it landed on the ground.

As Jake let out his pokemon, Mr. Figg picked up a pokeball from the pile behind him. "I choose you." He stated as he threw the pokeball on the ground.

A small, quadrupedal Pokémon that has blue-green skin with darker patches came out the pokeball. It has red eyes with white pupils, pointed, ear-like structures on top of its head, and a short, blunt snout with a wide mouth. Each of its thick legs ends with three sharp claws and it has a green plant bulb on its back.

"Bulba~saur!" The seed pokemon announced its name as it arrived.

Meanwhile, Paul tried to scan the pokemon immediately.

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Name: Bulbasaur (Dark Yellow)

Type: Grass/Poison

Gender: Male

Ability: Overgrow

Level: Adept

Held Item: None

Moves:

(Innate) Leech Seed, Tackle, Vine Whip

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Right after Bulbasaur came out, both Mr. Figg and Jake commanded simultaneously, though the latter was able to command first as the former thought about Bulbasaur's move set. But those few seconds were enough advantage for Jake.

"Farfetch'd, use First Impression!"

The duck pokemon quickly disappeared from sight. If one was observing closely, a shadow was rapidly closing on Bulbasaur.

'Crap!' Mr. Figg inwardly exclaimed as he quickly instructed, "Bulbasaur, Razor Leaf!"

Just as the [Razor Leaf] was casted, Farfetch'd reappeared from sight. Though, this time, it was right beside Bulbasaur. It resisted the few leaves that was able to hit its body as it slammed its leek stalk on Bulbasaur.

"Bulba!" The pokemon cried as it flew three meters away from its original position.

Wanting to press the attack, Jake immediately commanded, "Follow up with an Aerial Ace!"

Farfetch'd was covered in wind as it sped towards Bulbasaur, who was currently just standing up.

'Really a bad matchup, such a fast duck.' Mr. Figg cursed in his heart as he instructed the seed pokemon, "Use Vine Whip to Counter, then use it to jump right after!"

Just as Mr. Figg predicted, Farfetch'd firstly hit Bulbasaur downwards with its stalk. Luckily, Bulbasaur was prepared and was able to counter with [Vine Whip]. Following the rest of the command, Bulbasaur used [Vine Whip] to hit the ground in order to jump high, as he evaded Farfetch'd's upward swing of its leek.

'Tsk. That was a good opportunity though.' Jake thought, disheartened. Still, he made another attempt as the two were rather near each other.

"Farfetch'd, Use Fury Cutter!"

Farfetch'd's leek stalk glowed green as it approached Bulbasaur.

"Bulbasaur, use Take Down!"

'Mutual Destruction, huh.' Paul thought as he heard Mr. Figg's command, intently observing the match.

"Boom!"

Both pokemons flew a meter away from their clashing point. Both were also hurt from the recoil of their confrontation. Farfetch'd was only able to use [Furry Cutter] once, due to the heavy impact of Take Down.

On the other hand, Bulbasaur could be seen breathing heavily. Tired from the earlier hit of [First Impression], and recoil damage from his own [Take Down].

Seeing that Bulbasaur is taking the toil from the recent collision, Jake didn't want to let the chance go.

"Farfetch'd, another Aerial Ace!"

Farfetch'd was again, covered in wind, and sped towards Bulbasaur. At the same time of Jake's command, Mr. Figg also instructed the green pokemon.

"Bulbasaur, again, Razor Leaf!"

Leaves cut Farfetch'd's body as it approached Bulbasaur, though it gritted its teeth all the way through. Thankfully, Grass type moves wasn't much effective for Farfetch'd's typing.

Despite knowing that he might not prevent Farfetch'd's advance, Mr. Figg cursed in his heart as he tried to follow up his instructions.

"Follow up with a Vine Whip!"

Farfetch'd however, predicted the use of this move, as it was also used against it earlier. He jumped over the upward motion of the [Vine Whip], as he slammed its leek, which was covered in flying type energy, downwardly at Bulbasaur.

"Bulba!"

The seed pokemon cried aloud as it bounced up the ground due to the force of Farfetch'd's [Aerial Ace]. Though, it wasn't finished yet, as it followed up with the successive upward motion of the move. It also hit Bulbasaur squarely in the body as it flew a few meters away.

As it landed, Bulbasaur eyes are already spiral. Thus, Paul was able to announce the results of the match.

"Bulbasaur is unable to battle. The victor is Jake Azure and Farfetch'd!"

The class clapped a little bit loudly, happy that Jake was able to defeat their teacher and got the first win for their class.

"Aren't you cheering a bit too much?" Mr. Figg helplessly asked his class, though they replied with whistles and laughs.

"You did great Jake! You paved the advantage of Farfetch'd over Bulbasaur nicely. Though, I got a really bad luck with my pick from the start. You still did well though. Congratulations." Mr. Figg said as he walked over to Jake, who was currently patting Farfetch'd's head.

He remembered something thus immediately told to the blonde head, "Also, you will take charge in being a referee for my match with Paul. Thank you, Jake! Relying on you." Mr. Figg finished, as he went back to his position without even waiting for Jake's reply

Despite being happy for his victory, Jake was depressed in his heart as he was assigned with the task. 'Tsk, troublesome teacher.' He thought while being a little irritated, while sighing as he resigned himself to the upcoming referee task.