Rank 1

"Ludicolo is unable to battle! Trainer Mualani has no more Pokemon. Trainer Dante has won the ranking battle and has risen to rank number 1."

The Rotom Referee's announcement was met with silence. 

Inside the stadium, the audience was still reeling in disbelief at the one-sided beatdown that just happened.

"Too, too strong…"

"As expected of the number 1 among the new Generation."

The students slowly came to their senses. With the first clap, a second one followed, and another, until the stadium was filled with the sound of applause.

In the professor's seats, most of them looked at the two young students in the arena with complex emotions. Especially amongst those responsible for teaching the Trainer course, their expressions were quite solemn.

Professors who have been accepted to teach in such a prestigious school and guide the new generation are required to have at least 8 badges and have qualified for the National Tournament. Therefore, they knew just how outrageous the scene they had witnessed.

"Hey, how high has that Azumarill's attack reached?"

"…probably more than 170. He should have used Belly Drum to double his attack. Coupled with his ability, he can achieve such a high value."

Jomar listened to the discussion of the surrounding Professors and inwardly shook his head in disagreement. 

Belly Drum is a Normal status-type move that doubles the user's Attack through self-inflicted harm.

If Azumarill really used Belly Drum, it would be easy to notice even with the fog. After all, using that move would produce a loud drum-like effect. Also, Azumarill didn't seem to even be slightly injured.

"What do you say, Jomar? Is Dante's performance satisfactory enough?"

The Dean's voice made him turn to look. Noticing the smile on the old man's face, he clicked his tongue.

"Hmph. It's barely passable."

After saying so, he stood up and left, not planning to listen more to the old man's rebuttal.

Dean Ronaldo grinned as he looked at the stubborn back of his University's coach. Turning his head toward the arena, his grin widened even further when he saw the young boy he recruited.

He didn't expect he'd be so lucky in the past few years. First Mualani, and now Dante, and even Focalors. He could already envision the scene when their university would finally win the championship. Maybe even do so for consecutive years. 

"HAHAHAHA!"

Under the strange gaze of the other professors, the university Dean let out a hysterical laugh.

…

"That was a great match, Mualani."

Dante walked towards the white-haired girl, his right hand extended for a handshake. 

"Hah, if being defeated by rocks is a great match, then yes, maybe."

Mualani smiled self-deprecatingly as she took Dante's offered hand. 

Although she had been prepared to lose since the beginning, gaining hope of winning in the middle of the battle and instantly losing right after was a huge blow.

Dante felt Mualani's weak grip and grimaced. He didn't regret doing what he did. However, causing his opponent to be disheartened, especially a friend, always leaves a sour taste in his mouth.

He released Mualani's hand and rubbed her head gently.

"If it helps, just know that the one who defeated you is the future strongest Trainer in the world."

"Pfft! Is that your way of comforting me?"

"Well, did it work?"

Mualani raised her head, her eyes slightly red. Feeling Dante caressing her hair, a strange emotion surged inside of her. Before she had time to ascertain it, however, Dante took his hand away.

"Haha, yeah. Sorry, Dan. You know, I should be congratulating you. It's just, it's the first time I was crushed this badly."

Mualani straightened her back and inhaled deeply. Then, she stretched out her hands into a fist, her eyes regaining their usual spirit.

"I won't forget this, Dan. You're now my rival number 2! Be prepared to get targeted by me!"

Dante didn't point out the tremor he heard in her voice. Stretching his arm, he responded to her fist bump.

"I'll be waiting then. But I don't like being number 2. If I beat rival number 1, can you promote me?"

"Maybe~"

The two talked and laughed as they walked to the exit.

—

"Cheers!"

In the restaurant outside the school, Dante, Shinobu, Candice, Focalors, Kachina, Furina, Dawn, Mualani, and the school team clinked their glasses. 

After the ranking battle, Dante and Mualani were besieged by their friends. Then, under everyone's decision, they decided to eat lunch together and get to know one another.

"Dan, how do you train your Pokemon? Please give your older sister some tips!"

Dante looked at Liuai, the 4th year, green-haired petite girl with her hands clasped together. They already made introductions on the way here- at least, everyone knew each other's name. 

The other senior students pricked up their ears when they heard her request. Although Dante would most likely not reveal his real secret, maybe they can learn a thing or two.

"Even if you ask me, I don't know what to tell you. I just train normally. If I really had a secret training method, then I would have already told my girlfriend about it."

"Aww…"

Liuai deflated like a kid who was denied dessert. The other seniors who were sneakily listening were also disappointed. 

"Hmm, perhaps there's another reason. Dante, have you noticed anything special about you?"

Roman, the green-haired guy, suddenly asked while adjusting his glasses.

"Special? Does being able to understand Pokemon language count?"

"Wait, you can understand Pokemon?"

"Yup. Have been able to since I was a kid."

Roman cupped his chin, a possibility emerging in his mind. Could Dante possibly be a superpowered human?

He looked at the said teenager who was being pestered by Liuai to translate what her Poliwrath said. Indeed. It would be a good explanation for his Pokemon's abnormal rate of growth.

Their lunch lasted for two hours before everyone decided to return. It was only 1 PM, plenty of time left to challenge others for the Ranking Battle.

With Dante and Mualani's match having ended, the Trainer course students have begun gearing up to raise their own ranking.

This was especially true for the current school team members. 

After Dante took the first spot, it meant one of them would be squeezed out of the starter position. There were also other students in the top 20 who definitely wanted to join the team. In short, the pressure they would have to endure to stay as the starter is quite high.

"Good luck! I'll just rest for a bit before joining you guys."

Mualani cheerfully waved her hand, encouraging Kachina and the others. She only stopped when they disappeared from her vision. 

"..."

She dawdled back to the mansion, the joy from her face earlier nowhere to be seen. Even though she kept telling herself it was just as expected, she still couldn't forget the earlier beatdown.

"Mualani."

As she approached her door, a voice from the side attracted her attention. There, Roman stood, a serious look on his face.

"Hey, Roman! What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to check up on you. Are you alright?"

"...no, but I'll get over it. Hehe, as expected of Dan, he's so strong."

Roman twitched when he heard the admiration in Mualani's voice. After being defeated like that, she's still so positive. Heh, but that's also one of the reasons he likes her.

"By the way, I hate to remind you this, but after falling from rank 1, you'd have to leave this mansion in a week. If you need help moving the items, don't hesitate to ask me." 

"Thanks, Roman, but there's no need. I've talked with Dante and Shinobu, they say it's fine if I continue to stay here."

"Hmm? They don't want to live in the mansion?"

"No, it's…well, we'll live together. After all, there's so many rooms here."

Roman frowned. The thought of Mualani living under the same roof with another man irked him. Still, hearing that Dante's girlfriend would accompany them, he felt that there would be no problem.