Chapter 70: This Will Be a Teaching Match! Ditto, Transform!

The school field was surrounded by excited students, forming a wide ring around an open space.

Su Bai stood face-to-face with a very unwilling-looking Wang Tao.

Even in this setup, Su Bai couldn't resist slipping into teaching mode.

"Under normal circumstances," he said, "if we don't resort to special techniques like Terastallization, it's extremely difficult to overcome a type disadvantage."

"But... if you make smart use of moves and tactics, victory isn't impossible."

He shot Wang Tao a playful grin.

"To be fair, Wang Tao here has a real gift when it comes to being a Pokémon Trainer."

"Grotle is already known for its strong defense and decent attack power."

"Wang Tao's training style really brought out Grotle's strengths."

"That's why it played such a key role during the Death Beast siege."

Wang Tao chuckled proudly and reached down to pat his Grotle.

That's right—my Grotle's amazing!

"However…"

Su Bai's tone shifted as he turned toward Liu Yunlan.

"Liu Yunlan's Monferno is a Fire-type."

"And its moves also carry the Fire attribute. In terms of type matchups, Grotle would be at a serious disadvantage in a direct battle."

Liu Yunlan stood up straighter, pride glowing in her expression.

Wang Tao had no retort—what Su Bai said was the truth.

He just couldn't help wondering…

What is Su Bai planning with all this?

"There's also Ding Yue's Fletchling," Su Bai continued.

"Even though it hasn't evolved yet, it's a Flying-type, and it also uses Fire-type moves."

"In terms of type, Grotle would be at a serious disadvantage again."

"But because Grotle's training is far more advanced, and Fletchling hasn't even reached its second evolution yet, the type advantage loses its edge."

"Even if Fletchling landed an Ember on Grotle, it wouldn't be a major problem."

"There's no official leveling system in the real world, but training progress makes a massive difference."

Though it pained her, Ding Yue still nodded in agreement.

She no longer underestimated her starter. That tiny, chirpy Fletchling had grown on her, and now she adored it.

Su Bai glanced around.

All the students were listening with rapt attention, hungry for every word.

To them, this new world of Pokémon battles was captivating.

"That said," Su Bai went on, "a one-sided type advantage doesn't really prove anything."

"What I want to demonstrate today is how to win a type-disadvantage battle when the matchup isn't overwhelmingly skewed."

"Through proper training and strategic commands, even a countered Pokémon can turn the tables."

His words triggered murmurs throughout the crowd.

Awakened humans had elemental affinities too, and type disadvantage battles usually required a power gap to win. Otherwise, the odds were basically a lottery.

No one doubted Su Bai's credentials anymore—not after everything he'd done—but what he was proposing sounded… far-fetched.

Wang Tao raised his eyebrows, grinning.

"So you're saying you'll use a Pokémon whose type is roughly on par with mine?"

"Now this I gotta see."

"Just don't use Meloetta, okay? I still have PTSD from when she punched Grotle into the ground last time."

The mental image of that scene still haunted him.

Su Bai laughed.

"Relax. Meloetta's just watching this time."

"Today's contender… is this little guy!"

With a casual flick, Su Bai tossed out a Poké Ball.

Bang!

A pile of soft, wiggling "slime" appeared on the field.

The little blob glanced around in confusion before wiggling over to Su Bai's feet and snuggling against him.

"Wait a sec… isn't that Ditto?" Wang Tao blinked. "You're gonna use Ditto against me?"

Su Bai grinned.

"To be more precise… it's going to transform into Prinplup."

He gestured toward Murong Nan, who stood nearby with her proud-looking Prinplup puffing out its chest like a little emperor.

Ditto blinked, glanced at the haughty Prinplup—and in the next instant, its body rippled.

With a shimmer of light, Ditto took on Prinplup's exact form.

The students gasped in excitement.

Their eyes sparkled with awe and curiosity.

Pokémon were just too incredible.

The Pokémon Studies course? Definitely worth attending.

No other school had perks like this!

Su Bai beckoned, and Ditto—now in Prinplup's form—strutted toward him with the same arrogant swagger, perfectly mimicking the original.

The imitation was so accurate that students couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Su Bai chuckled.

"When Ditto transforms into another Pokémon, it copies all its moves—and even its Ability."

"As for its stats, don't worry. I'll make sure Ditto is adjusted to match Prinplup's values."

Ditto—now Prinplup—nodded seriously, as if to say: No problem.

What the others didn't know was that Su Bai's Ditto was no ordinary Pokémon.

It had maxed-out talent, effort, and individual values, courtesy of the system.

If they went by numbers alone, this Ditto completely outclassed Prinplup.

The only thing it needed to do… was tone itself down a little.

And for a Pokémon that shared such a deep bond with Su Bai, this was a simple matter.

Wang Tao's eyes lit up.

Meloetta was terrifying—but this?

A Prinplup? That's just a water-type.

Grotle's Grass-type counters it!

He pointed confidently and declared:

"Alright then! Just so you know—I'm not going easy on you just because we're friends!"

Nearby, Murong Nan looked nervous.

Prinplup was a Water-type, and if she were commanding it, she knew she'd lose to Grotle.

Grotle's training had progressed slightly further than her own Prinplup's.

She honestly couldn't imagine how Su Bai was planning to pull this off.

Even Prinplup itself wasn't looking too confident anymore.

Its cocky posture vanished as it locked eyes on Grotle.

That turtle… stole my spotlight during the Death Beast siege.

Let's see how Su Bai plans to beat it now.

The massive training field fell silent.

Even the whispers had died out.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for the showdown to begin.

Su Bai scanned the crowd, nodded in satisfaction, and smiled.

"Alright then… Diancie."

The Mythical Pokémon floated gently into the center of the field, sparkling like a gemstone.

With a wave of her tiny hand, she announced cheerfully:

"Then Diancie shall be your temporary referee!"

"I hereby declare… the battle begins now!"