The massive Arena was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
The expressions of the Battle Department students shifted from disdain to shock, and then to utter fusion.
Natsume recalled his Gastly, his face a mix of emotions. "Looks like I won," he said.
Sakurako stood frozen in pce, only nodding after a long pause.
"Our css will be using this Arena," Natsume g Sakurako. "Any objes?"
Sakurako shook her head bnkly.
Natsume felt a pang of pity.
She's an ho kid, but it's a shame she's so withdrawn.
It wasn't until then that someoimidly spoke up.
"Natsume... won?"
"He beat the School team?"
"Holy crap, how did he pull that off?" Kazuya excimed.
"Brother Natsume, you're seriously amazing!"
The Finance Department css erupted in cheers.
Meanwhile, the Battle Department students were still in a state of disbelief.
This 't be right... It shouldn't be...
Sakurako was the stro in their css, even the School team coach had aowledged her strength.
But now, she had beeed by some unknown Finance Department student...
Was there something wrong here?
"Did you see the battle clearly?"
"Yeah... that Gastly's speed was insane!"
"No, I mean the ands from both Trainers!"
As students of the Battle Department, they could naturally see the gap betweewo Pokémon.
While Gastly's speed was impressive, it still fell short of Granbull's raw power.
But thanks to the Trainer's ands, Gastly had mao domihe battle.
This meant that Natsume's and skills far surpassed Sakurako's, who was at School team level!
"Is this for real? He's from the Finance Department?"
"Since whehe Finance Department have and skills like that?"
"Sister Sakurako was pletely predicted!"
Successful predis either e from luck or a signifit gap in skill.
The fact that Sakurako was repeatedly predicted couldn't just be chalked up to luck.
That left only one possibility...
"Let's just go..."
"This is too much to handle."
"I 't my head around it... How is he from the Finance Department?"
The Battle Department students left in frustration. Sakurako g Natsume, hesitating for a moment.
"Would you... sider trying out for the School team?"
Even though Gastly's strength was still developing, with Natsume's and skills, joining the School team was a sure thing.
Having lost to Natsume, Sakurako no longer had the face to stay in the School team. This might be her ce to...
"No!" Natsume said firmly.
Sakurako was taken aback.
What was Natsume's goal?
To make big money, bee a boss, and buy a mansion!
Before that, he ime to focus on his live streaming and tent creation career, all while keeping up with his studies.
Tokyo Metropolitan Uy's School team?
Is that supposed to be impressive?
Even the World Champion is one of my followers, and I don't brag about it.
But in Sakurako's eyes...
Outstanding strength, incredible looks, big dreams, and a gentleman's demeanor...
Sakurako bowed deeply to Natsume. "Thank you!"
Watg Sakurako hurry away, Kazuya nudged Natsume.
"She lost, yet she thanked you. What's she after?"
"Beats me," Natsume scratched his head. "Maybe because I'm just too handsome?"
Kazuya took a good look at Natsume and clicked his tongue.
"Eh, you're only slightly better-looking than me!"
With the dispute resolved, Teacher Hayato was immensely grateful to Natsume.
In the course "Pokémon Battle Studies," Natsume undoubtedly scored full marks.
By now, Natsume had aced all three of his courses, finishing at the top of his css.
Just thinking about the 6,000 Pokémon s schorship at the end of the term made Natsume's lips curl into a wide grin.
This is in the bag!
After the battle with Sakurako, the System also provided its evaluation.
[Received awe from cssmates, BP+1, BP+1...]
[Predi successful! BP+50]
[Strategy 'Trash Talk' successfully used! BP+50]
[Wotle, evaluation: Strategiination! (BP+100)]
Sakurako, true to her status as a Team member, was ae oppo, providing Natsume with over 500 BP Points.
[Remaining BP Points: 3280]
Even though ae oppo gave 500 BP, Natsume was still a bit dissatisfied.
"I get over 1,000 BP from editing a video."
"Seems like being a Trainer isn't worth it! I'll just stick to live streaming and making easy money!"
Refleg otle with Sakurako, Natsume also realized something was off.
In "Pokémon: Battle," the Trainers Natsume faced were at least Masters.
This had iently elevated Natsume's and skills.
But even so, you 't make something out of nothing.
Natsume still couldn't avoid the fact that breeding Pokémon required a lot of resources.
For now, Natsume's primary goal was to secure the schorship at the end of the term.
As for the Piplup Cup rookie Trainer petition...
Well, he'd just gh the motions.
It's not like he could actually win the championship, right?
That night, Gastly mastered a new move.
Natsume: ?
Perhaps it was due to the massive experience points gained from defeating Granbull.
Gastly's uanding of "Substitute" had reached a new level.
The new move was essentially a bination of "Night Shade" and "Substitute."
As one of Gastly's few early-game offensive moves, "Night Shade" was crucial.
Its maion was a oer-tall eerie phantom behind Gastly, dealing damage through illusions and fear.
Natsume couldn't help but ent, "Don't tell me you haven't watched 'Naruto.'"
"This is basically Susanht?!"
First, you have Substitute going around pung people, and now you've added a Susanoo cheat?
Does that mean "Will-O-Wisp" is basically Amaterasu?
Jokes aside.
Natsume's body was ho as he prepared Pokéblocks fastly.
After pulling an all-nighter st night and today's intetle.
Gastly had been awake for nearly two days straight.
Natsume crafted a mild Pokéblock, blending Moomoo Milk, Pecha Berry, and some sweet honey bought online.
After eating the Pokéblock, Gastly obediently curled up on the ceiling to sleep.
This brought a slight smile to Natsume's lips.
Sure, it might stab you in the baetimes.
But when it's sleeping, it's pretty cute!
At 2 a.m.
After two hours of sleep, Gastly suddenly opes eyes.
Those terrifyingly rge eyes glowed faintly green in the dark.
Tomorrow is the sed round of the group stage!
We o keep training!
