Chapter 173: I'm So Scared
Chapter 173: I’m So Scared
Outside the arena?
Jing He: Not a chance.
The group from Yu Hong University: No surprise from the "Master of Strategy."
Fortunately, this exchange was a private one, so there were no spectators, and not many people noticed this scene.
Every year, various academies from different regions hold exchanges, or rather, exchange tournaments, aimed at fostering the battle skills of their students.
During the official exchange tournaments, the academies also engage in smaller, more informal exchanges, like this one.
In fact, it would be more accurate to call these one-on-one academy matchups "friendly matches."
Initially, Jing He thought he had a pair of Kings and an Ace, and he could win easily.
But it turned out his opponent had a pair of Kings and a Jack.
"Still, it’s just a friendly match, a way to gauge each other. Besides—"
With Dianthus, he was guaranteed a win.
Whether it was Dove or Aisha, either of them had an advantage against Aibi, who excelled with Bug-type Pokemon.
"Even if it comes down to a real battle, I still have the upper hand."
So Jing He was calm and collected.
Since it was a friendly match, neither side took it too seriously, and there was no need for elaborate strategies.
He scanned the room.
Dianthus, with a confident smile; Dove, with a slightly tense expression; Aisha, her eyes burning with determination; and Gengar, grinning wickedly and pointing at himself.
Jing He’s forehead twitched.
"Gengar, what are you doing here?"
Gengar licked his lips.
"Gengar~"
"I want to go up against that magician again."
"You sure pick your battles, don’t you?"
Jing He took a deep breath and said, "Dove, you’re up."
Dove stood up with a serious expression. She felt honored that Teacher Jing He chose her to go first, recognizing her strength and trust in her.
After all, she was the only one among the three who had truly battled Jing He.
Seeing her nervousness, Jing He encouraged her, "Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. It’s just a friendly match. Take it easy."
Dove nodded earnestly.
"If it gets too tough, we’ll bring out Dianthus and sweep them all," Jing He added with a smile.
Dianthus: “?”
Dove smiled, feeling the pressure lift.
From a distance, Rika patted Aibi’s shoulder, offering encouragement.
Dove vs. Aibi!
Aibi specialized in Bug-type Pokemon.
Bug-type Pokemon are generally considered one of the weaker types.
While they have only three weaknesses, they are ineffective against seven different types, making their coverage limited.
However, Rock-type Pokemon aren’t exactly strong either. Though they have more coverage, they also have five weaknesses.
The main advantage of Bug-type Pokemon is their relatively fast growth, making them easier to evolve.
Rock-type Pokemon, on the other hand, benefit from the combination of Rock and Ground types, which often go hand in hand.
But the most crucial point is that Rock-type Pokemon have an advantage over Bug-type Pokemon.
In this matchup, Dove clearly had the upper hand.
First Match:
Dove’s Rhyperior vs. Aibi’s Kricketune.
It was clear that Aibi was determined not to lose. Despite Kricketune being a pure Bug-type, it was incredibly strong and knew several Fighting-type moves, which could deal significant damage to Rhyperior.
However, Rhyperior’s defense was too formidable, and Dove had learned Jing He’s "Iron Defense Charge" tactic.
Even though Fighting-type moves weren’t very effective against Kricketune, the Cumulative Strike effect was still quite notable.
Aibi’s second Pokemon was his signature Scyther, which, with its speed advantage, managed to defeat Rhyperior but fell to Dove’s Nosepass.
There was no helping it.
A Scyther with Bug and Flying types was quadruply weak against Rock, putting it at a huge disadvantage.
"Teacher, I didn’t let you down!"
Dove’s face was flushed with excitement as she returned to Jing He with the good news.
"Good job."
Jing He didn’t hold back his praise, even though he noticed several areas where Dove could have done better.
On the other side, Aibi looked a bit dejected.
Rika tried to comfort him.
"Aibi did a great job too."
Since it was a friendly match, the two teams were seated close together, and Jing He’s words reached the ears of the Yu Hong University group.
Aibi, with tears welling in his eyes, looked at Jing He.
Jing He smiled gently.
"Actually, choosing Kricketune to start was a good move. You did well—"
Aibi looked confused.
"However, if you had sent out Scyther first and used its speed to stack ‘Swords Dance,’ then ‘Baton Pass’ to Kricketune, Kricketune would have been able to sweep the team."
Aibi’s eyes widened.
That makes sense!
The others also found this insightful, and Dove’s earlier sense of self-satisfaction faded.
Teacher Jing He was using Aibi to remind me not to be too proud, right?
"Teacher?" Aisha couldn’t help but ask.
Jing He, knowing what she was thinking, shook his head.
"Aisha, it’s just a friendly match. As a teacher, it’s my duty to impart knowledge, teach skills, and clear doubts. I don’t think it should be limited to one academy, one student, or one match."
Besides, was it that difficult a tactic?
No, it wasn’t really a tactic, was it?
But the others saw it differently.
Dianthus, Aisha, and Dove exchanged glances, their respect for Jing He growing even more.
This is Teacher Jing He!
Abe, Takeshi, and the others were all deeply impressed.
Listen to this!
What a noble spirit!
Liza was taken aback for a moment, then she smiled and nodded at Jing He.
"Thank you, Teacher Jing He."
Before Jing He could respond, she added:
"I'm starting to believe you don't have any ulterior motives."
Jing He: "."
You only believe me now?
Jing He glanced at Gengar.
"Gengah~~(ε｀)"
The second match ended quickly.
Yasha lost to Takeshi.
Just like Abe lost to Hoothoot, Yasha, who excels with Fire-type Pokemon, faced a disadvantage against Takeshi's Rock-type Pokemon.
Perhaps because it was a friendly match, or influenced by Jing He's earlier words, the atmosphere between both sides was very friendly.
Everyone discussed their thoughts and insights on the match.
This was true exchange.
Of course, Yasha's disappointment was inevitable, but given her personality, Jing He figured she would forget about it soon after leaving the battlefield.
Still, he consoled her:
"Don't be discouraged. I'll teach you a new strategy in a couple of days."
"Really?!"
See, she's forgotten already.
"Hmm."
Liza, looking at the remaining Itsuki and Daigo, suddenly said:
"Teacher Jing He, speaking of which, didn't you forget to prepare a gift for this young lady?"
"Huh?"
This sudden question left Jing He bewildered.
Why bring it up now?
He had a vague sense of foreboding.
"Let's have a battle, shall we?" Liza smiled.
"There's nothing better than a unique battle as a gift."
!!!
For a moment, everyone—Daigo and his group, as well as Itsuki and his group—perked up.
Here it comes!
A battle between teachers!
This wasn't uncommon during exchanges.
After all, each teacher had their own philosophy and teaching methods. If their ideas clashed during an exchange, they would often resolve it through a battle.
This was a traditional part of the exchanges between schools.
Earlier, everyone thought such a battle wouldn't happen due to the friendly atmosphere, but here it was!
"I heard that Teacher Jing He recently went to Kanto, challenged the Saffron Gym and the Vermilion Gym, and won both badges."
Huh?
Is Teacher planning to challenge the Indigo League?
This was what Daigo and his group were thinking.
Takeshi, Itsuki, and their group, however, looked more surprised.
They were more aware of the prestige of those two gyms.
To put it bluntly, the Saffron Gym and the Vermilion Gym were among the hardest gyms in the entire Kanto region.
"Moreover, I heard that Professor Oak highly commended Teacher Jing He, calling him a 'Master of the Mind.'"
!!!
Professor Oak!
A question mark appeared above Jing He's head.
What?
How did the news spread so fast?
And he challenged the gyms privately.
Neither Nastya nor Giovanni seemed like the type to publicize such things.
Suddenly, it dawned on Jing He.
Liza seemed to be the leader or overseer of all the gym leaders in Kanto, tasked with ensuring they were working hard and able to summon them when necessary, much like Natsuki, the girlfriend of the Mauville Gym leader, Maylene.
If a gym issued a badge, Liza would naturally be informed.
But didn't you change the subject a bit too quickly?
We were just discussing the students' exchange.
"I thought Teacher Jing He would also come to the Ikarishima Gym, and I was already prepared. I didn't expect..."
She first displayed a look of disappointment, then a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes.
"Could it be... Teacher Jing He looks down on my Ikarishima Gym?"
Well, if you want to get revenge for Yasha, you could just say it. No need to go around in circles with the gift thing.
She put on a serious face, but Liza was a straightforward and serious person who occasionally showed a playful, mischievous side.
Jing He remembered a scene from HeartGold/SoulSilver where Liza teased her friend Amy, leading her to criticize Sakura's outfit when Amy was feeling down about being ordinary.
Jing He said sternly:
"Then you can't cry if you lose!"
Liza smiled sweetly, feigning weakness.
"This young lady is so scared..."
(End of Chapter)
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