Chapter 275

In the hushed atmosphere of the Stadium, the handsome young man stood on the field with a smile as refreshing as a spring breeze. However, his words added a solemn undertone to the ambiance of Rustboro Academy.

"What does he mean by this?" Hayuki of Rustboro Academy couldn't help but ask softly. Is it possible that... he truly intends to single-handedly overturn Rustboro Academy?

Iwamura's eyes shifted slightly, but he remained silent. After all, this was just a new teacher with limited experience. Even if he demonstrated historical leadership skills, it didn't necessarily prove his personal strength, especially against formidable opponents like Rustboro Academy.

"Let's go first," Iwamura urged, pushing his glasses. "Let me see the style of this Teacher Luke!"

After a brief silence, the entire stadium erupted in louder cheers. The matchup led by Teacher Luke, displaying invincible strength, promised a higher level of competition than the student exchanges. If he put forth his full effort, this game could easily turn into Celadon Academy's—or rather, Teacher Luke's—solo performance.

"Can he really win?" "The ability to coach doesn't guarantee personal strength!" "Didn't you hear what he just said? Too arrogant, brimming with confidence from the start!"

The buzzing on both sides bewildered Teacher Luke. 'Am I... perceived as arrogant? My attitude is sincerely meant!'

"I just came here to fish anyway," Luke mused, glancing down at the Luxury Ball in his hand. Togepi is still young; he can't let it get too overwhelmed. Arcanine, it's your turn!

Despite the escalating cheers, everyone at Celadon Academy wore tight frowns. The students' exceptional performances had set a high standard. If Teacher Luke fell short, it might result in embarrassment.

"Let me go," Tenzi suggested with a bitter smile. "There's no need for Teacher Luke to take this risk."

Wendy, with a determined gaze, shook her head. In her conversation with Erika, she had discussed Teacher Luke, and if the rumors were true, his strength might surpass even Erika's.

"Watch carefully," Wendy solemnly declared. "This might be a matchup that goes down in the history of the game."

Giselle bit her lower lip, glancing at the two senior and junior brothers. "Aren't you nervous at all?"

"What's there to be nervous about?" Wally blinked his maroon eyes. "In Teacher's words."

"In Teacher's words," Gladion echoed, crossing his arms. "Do you need to be nervous in a baby cup match?"

With bated breath, both sides entered the venue. Iwamura adjusted his glasses, nodded, and said seriously, "Please advise."

"You too," Luke replied with a slight smile.

"The match between the two sides has officially started!" exclaimed the commentator.

White light flashed as the starting Pokémon from both sides appeared. Arcanine, majestic and imposing, stood with a flaxen-colored mane swaying. Its roar sent a shiver down the spines of those in the front row.

"Hiss—" Seviper, adorned with dark golden patterns and scarlet eyes, coiled on the ground. The audience held their breath as it spat venomous Toxic saliva.

Iwamura whispered, "Seviper, Toxic!"

The giant serpent shot forward like lightning, releasing a cloud of purple poison mist toward Arcanine. However, Arcanine, with vigorous movements, ignited a fierce flame, breaking through the toxic mist.

Luke sighed, "Playing Toxic with me. Fire Blast on the face!"

With Flame Charge accelerating its speed, Arcanine countered the Toxic attempt, and Luke instinctively commanded a Fire Blast directly to the face.

This swift decision caught Iwamura off guard, and his immediate response was, "Seviper, Coil!"

While special defense couldn't be enhanced, narrowing the damage range could still serve a defensive purpose. Additionally, the improved status with the help of Coil would become the key to counterattack.

Seviper coiled up, but its eyes betrayed an unspeakable fear. The billowing heat wave distorted the air, and in an instant, the tongue of fire engulfed it!

Bang!

A violent explosion echoed, scorching Seviper's abdomen, yet it held onto the last trace of physical strength.

"Toxic!" Iwamura hoarsely commanded. There was still a chance! After Coil, Seviper's Toxic remained potent!

However, the next moment revealed a glint of despair in Iwamura's eyes. As Luke snapped his fingers, a light green Barrier enveloped Arcanine, impervious to the highly corrosive poison mist.

Protect!

Observing this, Roxanne, seated at the court, frowned deeply. Teacher Luke had anticipated and reversed all of Iwamura's intentions. The trainers' levels were evidently not on par, and Arcanine hadn't even showcased its full strength.

"This is..." Roxanne took a deep breath, her eyes filled with complexity. "Meeting him might be worse than facing Erika senior."

Luke crossed his arms, acknowledging his own skills. Although he was here to fish, he couldn't tolerate being looked down upon with Toxic and such. If anything untoward happened, it would be a loss.

Luke signaled Arcanine to play freely, and the excited Arcanine rushed forward like a heavy tank.

Boom!

"Seviper loses combat capability!" announced the referee. Iwamura gritted his teeth and recalled Seviper to its Poké Ball. The pressure from Teacher Luke surpassed any opponent encountered at the Hoenn Conference.

However, Iwamura, looking at the Poké Ball in his hand, knew that the restraint of Attributes could not be easily compensated by command.

"Go! Empoleon!"

In a burst of white light, the silhouette of an emperor penguin emerged, with eyes squinting like a king, and arms on both sides as sturdy as steel.

"Water Type's Initial Starter, Empoleon!"

The commentator exclaimed, "Arcanine has no advantage in Attributes!"

"Not only that," added the commentator, "according to what I learned before the game, Empoleon's Ability is an extremely rare Defiant. After confirming Arcanine is a threat, he just released this trump card. It is foreseeable that this will be a very difficult duel for Celadon Academy!"

Iwamura, intending to let Seviper go first, found his plans disrupted when Arcanine seemingly "slaughtered" Seviper. However, his eyes narrowed as he realized that he must win this game.

After "Defiant" is "intimidated," physical attacks will increase again. Empoleon stood on the field, facing Arcanine with its imposing demeanor, and Iwamura's eyes turned colder.

Hey!

Steel arms dangled in the water, and Iwamura Rin commanded, "Aqua Jet!"

Empoleon waved its double-edged blades, and the preemptive Aqua Jet split into two sharp water blades, slashing at Arcanine striding forward. Yet, the negligible damage left the audience dumbfounded.

"Why is Arcanine seemingly unaffected?" "It's strengthened, with double restraints!" "Why does Arcanine look unfazed?"

"A all rounder Arcanine?" Roxanne wondered aloud but widened her eyes suddenly. On Arcanine's body, a surging Spark wrapped around it, and the golden lightning vibrated like a dazzling lightning armor.

Arcanine raised its head, screaming, the crackling thunder and lightning, and the blessing of Wild Charge collided with Empoleon!

Dong!

Even as Empoleon used its arms to resist, horror filled its eyes. Like a kite with a broken string, Empoleon was knocked back several meters, its body charred black. In one round, it lost combat capability!

Roxanne swallowed unconsciously. "Is this really a all rounder? Super effective move shouldn't have this much power!"

The audience, seemingly still in shock from Empoleon being taken down so swiftly, burst into cheers. The commentator, who was enthusiastically instructing just moments ago, wore a solemn expression, silent.

"Freak, this one is too strong!"

"This is how a strict teacher can make a good student!"

"In the faculty and staff competition, if you can't do it, bestow zero score!"

This was a contest between nearly ten senior teachers at the Academy of Numbers! A new teacher who had just arrived, used his expertise to lead a team for a month and swept the other Academy. Was this really believable?

Principal Earl, watching the live broadcast, felt his blood pressure rise and quickly called the logistics room. "Hurry up, buy brand new training equipment. Remember, it must be of the highest quality!"

Iwamura swallowed hard.

Not only did he lag in Trainer commands, but the breeding strength also suffered a substantial defeat. Even when up against Erika, he had never experienced such overwhelming dominance. Where did Celadon Academy find these monstrous Pokémon?

The one-sided game on the field continued, leaving Roxanne observing Arcanine's slaughter from all angles with mixed emotions. Wasn't this supposed to be a friendly match? This level of bullying makes me reconsider exchanging pleasantries next year!

Ultimately, the match between Iwamura and Teacher Luke was settled at "3:0." Celadon Academy's Tenzi and Wendy Teacher, after the initial shock, gradually accepted the outcome. There are no weak soldiers under a strong general, and the reverse holds true!

Gladion cast a glance at Giselle and remarked, "This is a cakewalk."

"That's Teacher Luke's personality," Wally added with a shy smile. "He might continue to grace the court."

Thinking of challenging him again?

In the midst of absolute silence, Teacher Luke cleared his throat. "Does anyone else dare to step up and face the inevitable?"

Luke pondered. It had just been an oversight. Next time, he would definitely take it easy!

In a daze, Roxanne felt as if she were standing before a figure akin to Oda Nobunaga, known as the 'Demon King of the Sixth Heaven.'

With a nonchalant tone, he surveyed the audience below. "Is there anyone else brave enough to come forward and meet their doom?"