Chapter 192: League Begins

The Hundred Schools League officially began on October 10, with the draw held on the 9th.

The tournament was named the Hundred Schools League because only 100 universities could participate, even though the number of universities in Drakoria far exceeded that.

(T/N: I know it's named school even though it's about universities and all but school's meaning at the end of the day is, an institution where you study, so yeah)

If a college couldn't even make it into the top 100, there was no point in participating—they'd just get eliminated in the first round anyway.

The 100 universities were divided into ten groups, labeled A through J, with each group containing ten schools. The top two schools in each group would advance to the next stage.

Imperial University was placed in Group B. Among the other nine schools in their group, none posed a real challenge, making their advancement almost certain.

Their archrival, Shu University, ended up in Group A.

Interestingly, this time, the top five universities in Drakoria were all in separate groups. This disappointed many other colleges.

They had hoped that Imperial and Shu would face off early, possibly knocking one of them out, creating opportunities for the other schools to capitalize on.

The group stage followed a 2v2 format. And winning against a team earned two points, a draw earned one, and losing earned none.

To speed up the group matches, four battles occurred simultaneously.

Each university team consisted of 8 members, divided into 4 pairs, each pair facing a different University in their group.

While the group stage didn't draw as much attention as the main tournament, the stands were still packed with spectators, and the livestreams had even more viewers.

Julian and his cousin Thea were paired together. Their opponents?, Coincidentally Students from Haitian City's Water-Type Trainer Academy.

One of them was the same guy Thea had rejected, calling him ugly and refusing to share her contact information.

The guy's expression was priceless—he never imagined that the woman who called him ugly would turn out to be from Imperial University and now his opponent.

This 2v2 format marked Julian's first time participating in a doubles match.

The most critical aspect of doubles battles was the synergy between the two trainers and their Pokémon. With good coordination, a team could achieve results far greater than the sum of 1+1. However, poor teamwork could have the opposite effect.

That said, there was one golden rule in doubles: if one person was strong enough, they could single-handedly take down both opponents, rendering synergy irrelevant.

---

"I've got this, Little Julia. Just leave it to me," Thea said confidently.

Julian glanced at the Rotom hovering above them, livestreaming the match. He wasn't sure if Thea's words had been captured.

"Alright"

Julian nodded expressionlessly.

The two students from Water-Type Trainer Academy sent out a Vaporeon and a Tentacruel.

Although both were 4th-year students, their Pokémon were still at the Advanced level. In contrast, most 4th-year students from Imperial University had Pokémon at Pseudo-Elite level.

At this point, the gap between the two colleges became painfully clear.

"Alakazam"

Thea released her Pokémon.

Julian followed suit, releasing his Growlithe.

Fire against Water—classic Ash style, bold and unbothered.

"Grow!~"

Growlithe was in high spirits and couldn't wait to bite its opponents.

---

"Alakazam, Psychic!"

"Psybeam!"

"Confusion!"

One minute later, the opposing Vaporeon and Tentacruel were lying on the ground, defeated.

Thea's Alakazam, a late stage pseudo-Elite, made quick work of the two Advanced-level Pokémon. Just one Psychic attack left them unable to escape its control.

Watching the fight end just like that, Growlithe turned to look at Julian, tilting its head in confusion.

Growlithe: So, I'm just here as a mascot?

"You'll get your turn, soon" Julian said nonchalantly.

Thea recalled Alakazam, flashing Julian a smug look as if to say, 'How impressive am I?'

The two Water-Type trainers were stunned. They had never expected their strongest Pokémon to be defeated so effortlessly.

They didn't even have a chance to fight back.

Looking around at the other university teams in their group, they saw the same story unfold—everyone being easily defeated by Imperial University. Somehow, this realization lightened their mood.

'If everyone's struggling the same, then it's fine.'*

---

In under three minutes, Imperial University defeated four colleges in their group and quickly moved on to battle the remaining.

"This time, let Growlithe take the lead," Julian said.

He knew Growlithe wasn't happy about missing the earlier match. If it didn't get its turn now, Julian could almost guarantee he'd come back to his villa to find his bed torn to shreds.

Their next opponents were from a Poison-Type specialty academy.

The trainers sent out a Vileplume and a Seviper.

Both near the peak of Advanced level.

Julian once again sent out Growlithe, while Thea stuck with Alakazam.

Growlithe eyed Alakazam, clearly doubting whether it would get a chance to shine. Resigned, it flopped onto the ground, ready to wait until Alakazam wrapped up the match.

"Growlithe, use Flame Wheel!"

Hearing Julian's command, Growlithe blinked in surprise. It quickly sprang to its feet, blazing forward with Flame Wheel.

Even at level 35, Growlithe's power was comparable to a peak Advanced-level Pokémon. Thanks to the energy from the Fire Crystal it had partially absorbed, Growlithe had boosted stamina and durability.

"Seviper, Venom Drench!"

"Vileplume, Acid!"

The two Poison-Type trainers realized that Alakazam wasn't making a move. They immediately understood Imperial University's strategy—they intended to let a single Pokémon defeat both opponents.

Just as they had done in the previous four matches.

Despite the match being officially a 2v2, for Imperial University, it had practically turned into a 1v2. Even with numerical advantage, their opponents still couldn't win, leaving them no room to complain.

Growlithe's flames burned fiercely, so intense that Seviper's Venom and Vileplume's Acid were evaporated on contact with the heat of Flame Wheel.

This unexpected turn completely disrupted the rhythm of the two Poison-Type trainers.

"Boom!!"

Flame Wheel sent Vileplume flying, and Growlithe immediately followed up with a powerful Fire Blast, chasing after its airborne target.

Attribute restraint, coupled with the terrifying temperature radiating from Growlithe's flames, even if Vileplume had a 20-level lead it would have meant nothing.

The Fire Blast hit, leaving Vileplume unable to battle.

However, at the same time Growlithe was struck by Seviper's Iron Tail, sliding back four or five meters from the impact.

"Seviper, use Poison Fang!"

The Iron Tail caused only mild pain for Growlithe, but the sight of Seviper lunging with glowing, venomous purple fangs triggered its instincts. Growlithe crouched low, coiling its powerful hind legs like a spring.

"Flare Blitz!" Julian commanded.

Moments later, two purple fangs flew high into the air, accompanied by Seviper's pained screech.

Growlithe landed gracefully, its striking red fur shimmering against the faint embers left behind by Flare Blitz.

If there was a Pokémon contest, Growlithe would be a guaranteed winner.

"Not bad, as expected from my cousin"

Thea said, recalling Alakazam. She gave Julian a playful pat on the shoulder, her expression brimming with pride.

"Grow!~"

Growlithe: That wasn't even my full power, and they're already down.

*****

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