Chapter 168: A One-Person Stage_1
"Finally going all-out, huh?"
In the match between Pingcheng No.1 Middle School and Jinghai Middle School, Eevee finally showed off its other abilities.
Professional Trainer Zhao Yan, along with some teachers from Wuzhou Number One High School, came to watch the battle and had mixed feelings.
They all knew that Eevee's close combat capabilities were just as impressive as its spiritual power.
Bursting through a Fire Vortex and knocking the Magmar into the wall hard enough to crack it was no small feat.
Moreover, as the discoverer of the Dangerous Premonition trait, Eevee's reaction ability had definitely reached a level unattainable for new trainers.
"This is a headache, even though the team members from Wuzhou Number One High School have improved a lot, it seems Eevee has improved even more. I knew I shouldn't have made that bet with Yang Han..."
...
Bang!!
On the field.
The clash between Infernape's split and Eevee's Iron Tail was evenly matched in strength.
But suddenly, Eevee's tail powered up for a second push, successfully propelling itself out of the way.
Infernape thought Eevee was scared, not daring to engage in close combat.
But the next moment, an attack descended on Infernape, leaving it stunned.
Enduring the pain, it turned around and found that it was actually its teammate that had charged forward.
His teammate had intended to attack Eevee, but because Eevee dodged in time, the attack hit Infernape instead.
"Oh!!!!" Infuriated beyond measure, Infernape bellowed furiously.
Damn it, carrying you guys was bad enough, but now you're even hitting your own teammates.
That darn Eevee was right, you guys are as good as pigs in a team.
Swearing and cursing, Jinghai Middle School almost showed signs of internal conflict.
"Infernape, calm down. Use a loud move to see if you can awaken them."
Jinghai Middle School's captain Guo Xuan was extremely calm at this point. He knew he couldn't panic, because if he did, everything would be over.
While his teammates were desperately calling out to their Pokemon, he also had to lend a hand.
Heal Bell couldn't resist Pretentiousness; now, all they could hope for lay in Infernape's uproar.
However, before Infernape could even open its mouth, Eevee forcefully pushed off the ground, attacking once more.
Eevee moved flexibly, unfazed by moves coming from all directions.
At the same time, Eevee's entire body was surrounded by white light.
This was its Payback Technique!
Payback manifested, resembling a suicidal Quick Attack, with an energy shockwave from its normal series, its might remarkably astounding!
Enveloped in a terrifying gust, Eevee charged straight for Infernape's chest, the commotion... forcing the Fighting Type to use Return Fist.
"Jump!" Fang Yuan shouted upon seeing this.
At his command, Eevee immediately concentrated its power in its legs and jumped, using "Payback version of Aqua Jet" to vault over Infernape.
Boom!!
Because of Eevee's leap, it was the Heracle Cros that had been flying toward Eevee that instead collided head-first into Infernape...
The expressions on Infernape and Guo Xuan... suddenly froze.
...
"Its power is not only on par with Infernape..."
"Its control, reflexes, and grasp of the bigger picture are leagues ahead. If someone said it had been trained specifically for two or three years, no one would doubt that..."
The referees acknowledged Eevee's performance highly.
Player Guo Xuan's Infernape, when it comes to sheer physical strength and close combat abilities, definitely ranks among the top in this competition, capable of being in the top three and overpowering Combat-style Pokemon despite type disadvantages.
But the seemingly frail Eevee, whether it be the strength of its Iron Tail or the power unleashed by Quick Attack, wasn't overshadowed in the slightest.
Without watching this battle, no one would believe Eevee could match Infernape in strength.
And most importantly, it wasn't just Eevee's strength that was fearsome, but its combat awareness that was truly terrifying.
"No good, with his teammates holding him back, Infernape simply can't exhibit its true strength..."
"If it were one-on-one, Guo Xuan wouldn't be so passive."
The teachers from Jinghai Middle School showed an embarrassed expression, this was not a team battle at all.
It was rather Eevee, a single Pokemon, holding back five Pokemon. Ridiculous, right?
In other words, this had already become Fang Yuan's solo stage.
"It's over."
In the spectator seats, the teachers from Pingcheng No.1 Middle School didn't know how to express their feelings.
Incredible! At first, when Fang Yuan said he wanted to try to have Eevee fight in close combat with Infernape to attract firepower, they thought Fang Yuan had gone mad.
As the captain of Jinghai Middle School, Guo Xuan's Infernape had also won three out of three in the selection meeting, with each fight lasting no longer than half a minute, striking with a one-hit kill every time.
One punch that sent opponents flying, Infernape had likewise left a deep impression on many people.
But now, that force more brutal than a Fighting Type Pokemon, having an even match in strength with Eevee?
With Eevee holding back five Pokemon at the same time, if Lin Jing, Liu Le, and others still couldn't break through the opponents one by one, Pingcheng No.1 Middle School might as well disqualify themselves.
Until the end, full of scars from teammate's attacks, Infernape, still furious, now had no energy left, and half of the scars of a warrior's honor were left by its own teammates.
"Ohhh!!!" Infernape felt unbearably bitter, looked at Eevee in a daze, and then collapsed in relief...
"Eevee~~" Eevee stuck out its tongue mockingly, finally dealing with this big dummy.
...
"So strong."
As the match ended, the reporter Lu Shuang murmured.
"With this performance, there's definitely a chance to win the championship..."
Could it be that the "Rookie King" and "Strongest Newcomer" he had touted might actually become a reality?
If that's the case, he would be considered a "prophet."
...
"Isn't that being too desperate?"
When Fang Yuan and the others returned to the player's lounge, Teacher Bai Ning said worriedly, "You still have individual matches coming up."
In the team battle, Fang Yuan and Eevee bore all the pressure alone, one restraining an entire team. The exhaustion they must have experienced was certainly tremendous.
Fang Yuan still had two individual matches today; could he keep going?
Liu Le and Lin Jing, and others also looked at Fang Yuan. No matter how strong Fang Yuan and Eevee were, they were still flesh and blood... There should be a limit, right?
"Just this once, I don't dare to play like this after the main competition," Fang Yuan said.
He just wanted Pingcheng No.1 Middle School to maintain a perfect record in the team preliminary round, and he had the ability to do so.
Out of twenty high schools, only up to four could maintain a perfect record in the preliminaries. What an honor would that be for Pingcheng No.1 Middle School?
But according to Eevee's reaction, that Infernape's strength was really exaggerated. If Eevee hadn't had greater control over its body, knowing some techniques to mitigate force, and hadn't been supported by Reflect Wall, the injuries it would have sustained by now would surely be more severe.
The results Fang Yuan and Eevee struggled to achieve were indeed commendable.
Soon, there was a heated debate online.
"Pingcheng No.1 Middle School, the new super high school!!"
"A perfect record in the preliminaries, does that mean Pingcheng No.1 Middle School has a foundation similar to those of prestigious schools like Nan University Middle School, Wu Jin No.1 Middle School, and Fengcheng Middle School?"
"Comprehensive analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the breakthrough high schools..."
And for causing these heated discussions, putting Pingcheng No.1 Middle School on par with those renowned high schools, Fang Yuan also became the main topic of discussion.
Even though they hadn't broken through the preliminaries yet, numerous universities within the province were throwing olive branches at Fang Yuan, promising him admission with a reduced score requirement and generous treatment upon entry.
And these... naturally couldn't tempt Fang Yuan.
After all, his goal was the Starry Sea!
What followed, the additional value brought by winning would only grow more and more, with prize money being of secondary importance.
Which university wouldn't want a student with exceptional potential who also loved to bring glory to their school?