Chapter 20: The High School League in Five Days

Chapter 20: The High School League in Five Days

"I'm ready!"

Hikaru quickly responded.

With a flash of red light, Ralts appeared, floating gracefully in the air. The moment it noticed the crowd, it shyly floated onto Hikaru's shoulder, hiding behind his neck.

"Wow, Ralts is so cute!"

The girls in the group immediately swarmed over, eager to pet the shy Pokémon.

But Ralts refused to let anyone but Hikaru touch it. Noticing this, Hikaru politely declined their requests with a laugh.

"Ralts, huh? Not bad!"

Seeing the Psychic-type Pokémon, Luo Hoshino's previously stern expression softened a bit.

Ralts, even with just its Confusion skill, already had notable combat potential.

Luo Hoshino cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "Alright, the reason I called you here today isn't just for introductions. This year's High School League for second-year students will start on the 15th—just five days from now!"

The announcement left everyone stunned.

"What? The High School League is starting so soon? Isn't it usually held in March?"

"Yeah, why the sudden change this year?"

Luo Hoshino raised his hand to quiet the group.

"This year's sudden change is due to a discovery in the Chenghua District—a newly opened D-rank small-scale secret realm. This time, the High School League's reward is centered around this realm. The winning school will gain exclusive exploration rights to the secret realm.

"This isn't just an opportunity for you but also a significant chance for our school to shine."

The group buzzed with excitement, the prospect of exploring a new secret realm igniting their enthusiasm.

However, Luo Hoshino quickly quelled the chatter.

"Before anything else, release your Pokémon so everyone can get acquainted."

The team members spread out, creating enough space for their Pokémon.

Red light flashed across the field as Pokémon emerged one after another.

Hikaru surveyed the group, noting that every team member had at least one Pokémon above level 15.

There was a Grovyle, a Poochyena, a Beedrill, a Spearow, and even a Bulbasaur with Champion-tier potential.

Hikaru couldn't help but notice the Bulbasaur's trainer—a shy girl named Sayaka, who wore thick glasses and had a freckled face. When she noticed Hikaru's gaze, she smiled bashfully.

Another standout was a Fennekin, level 17, whose trainer was a cheerful girl named Aiko.

Kei Hoshino, the trainer of the Growlithe, surprised Hikaru by revealing his second Pokémon—a Grovyle, already at level 17 and with Gym-tier potential.

"Now, introduce yourselves and list the skills your Pokémon know," Luo Hoshino instructed. "Kei Hoshino, you go first."

"Kei Hoshino, Class 3, Grade 2. Pokémon: Grovyle. Skills: Bullet Seed, Leaf Blade, etc. Growlithe: Skills: Flamethrower, etc."

"Yuki, Class 1, Grade 2. Pokémon: Fennekin. Skills: ..."

"Zhu Yuli, Class 4, Grade 2. Pokémon: Pidgeotto. Skills: ..."

Eventually, it was Hikaru's turn.

"Hikaru, Class 3, Grade 1. Pokémon: Charmander. Skills: Leer, Ember, Fire Punch, Claw, Flamethrower, etc. Ralts: Skills: Confusion, Double Team, etc."

The moment Hikaru finished, all eyes turned to him.

His name had already become legendary in the school.

Everyone knew about the first-year student who had not only dominated his peers during the survival challenge but also outperformed upperclassmen to take first place.

"So, you're that famous first-year student, huh?"

Yuki, with her bright personality, approached him. Though her appearance exuded warmth, her tone carried curiosity and intrigue.

Hikaru smiled modestly. "It's all thanks to Charmander. I just got lucky."

"Such a humble little junior!" Yuki chuckled.

Their conversation didn't go unnoticed by Kei Hoshino, whose face twisted with jealousy.

That Charmander used to be his!

"Hikaru!" Kei's voice cut through the air.

Hikaru turned, frowning. "What do you want?"

"Another battle! This time, my Grovyle against your Charmander!"

Hikaru glanced at the Grovyle and then at Kei's Growlithe. The once-proud Growlithe now cowered, its tail drooping and eyes full of insecurity.

Hikaru sighed inwardly, pitying the Pokémon. Kei's treatment had clearly left it broken in spirit.

"Why would I waste my time battling you?" Hikaru replied coldly.

The tension between them baffled the others, but Luo Hoshino quickly intervened.

"Enough! If you want to prove yourself, do it during the League. The one with the higher rank will have the last word!"

Kei reluctantly backed down, but not without throwing one last threat at Hikaru.

"Fine! Hikaru, just you wait—I'll beat you in the League!"

Hikaru simply shrugged, unfazed.

Kei's Grovyle?

It was level 17 and Gym-tier at best. Hikaru's Charmander, now level 15, had improved dramatically since resolving its emotional struggles.

Given Charmander's innate strength, type advantage, and the sunny weather boosting its Solar Power ability, Grovyle wouldn't stand a chance.

Hikaru opened Charmander's status page, reviewing its progress:

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[Pokémon: Charmander]

Ability: Solar Power

Gender: Male

Potential: Champion-tier

Level: 15

Skills:

Scratch, Fire Punch, Fire Spin, Flamethrower, Leer, Ember, Smokescreen, etc.

Description: A completely transformed Charmander.

Equipped Traits:

Purification (Fixed), Effort Always Pays Off, Food Supply Station, King of Slackers

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Charmander was ready. If Kei Hoshino wanted a battle, Hikaru wouldn't hesitate to show him just how wrong it was to abandon such a loyal partner.

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