Trainer's Gambit

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 confusion.

Natsume recalled his Gastly, his face a mix of emotions. "Looks like I won," he said.

Sakurako stood frozen in place, only nodding after a long pause.

"Our class will be using this Arena," Natsume glanced at Sakurako. "Any objections?"

Sakurako shook her head blankly.

Natsume felt a pang of pity.

She's an honest kid, but it's a shame she's so withdrawn.

It wasn't until then that someone timidly spoke up.

"Natsume... won?"

"He beat the School team?"

"Holy crap, how did he pull that off?" Kazuya exclaimed.

"Brother Natsume, you're seriously amazing!"

The Finance Department class erupted in cheers.

Meanwhile, the Battle Department students were still in a state of disbelief.

This can't be right... It shouldn't be...

Sakurako was the strongest in their class, even the School team coach had acknowledged her strength.

But now, she had been defeated 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 commands from both Trainers!"

As students of the Battle Department, they could naturally see the gap between the two Pokémon.

While Gastly's speed was impressive, it still fell short of Granbull's raw power.

But thanks to the Trainer's commands, Gastly had managed to dominate the battle.

This meant that Natsume's command skills far surpassed Sakurako's, who was at School team level!

"Is this for real? He's from the Finance Department?"

"Since when does the Finance Department have command skills like that?"

"Sister Sakurako was completely predicted!"

Successful predictions either come from luck or a significant 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 can't wrap my head around it... How is he from the Finance Department?"

The Battle Department students left in frustration. Sakurako glanced at Natsume, hesitating for a moment.

"Would you... consider trying out for the School team?"

Even though Gastly's strength was still developing, with Natsume's command 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 chance to...

"No!" Natsume said firmly.

Sakurako was taken aback.

What was Natsume's goal?

To make big money, become a boss, and buy a mansion!

Before that, he needed time to focus on his live streaming and content creation career, all while keeping up with his studies.

Tokyo Metropolitan University'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!"

Watching 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 class.

Just thinking about the 6,000 Pokémon Coins scholarship 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 classmates, BP+1, BP+1...]

[Prediction successful! BP+50]

[Strategy 'Trash Talk' successfully used! BP+50]

[Won the battle, evaluation: Strategic Domination! (BP+100)]

Sakurako, true to her status as a Team member, was an Elite opponent, providing Natsume with over 500 BP Points.

[Remaining BP Points: 3280]

Even though an Elite opponent gave 500 BP, Natsume was still a bit dissatisfied.

"I can 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!"

Reflecting on the battle with Sakurako, Natsume also realized something was off.

In "Pokémon: Battle," the Trainers Natsume faced were at least Masters.

This had inadvertently elevated Natsume's command skills.

But even so, you can'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 scholarship at the end of the term.

As for the Piplup Cup rookie Trainer competition...

Well, he'd just go through 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 understanding of "Substitute" had reached a new level.

The new move was essentially a combination of "Night Shade" and "Substitute."

As one of Gastly's few early-game offensive moves, "Night Shade" was crucial.

Its manifestation was a one-meter-tall eerie phantom behind Gastly, dealing damage through illusions and fear.

Natsume couldn't help but comment, "Don't tell me you haven't watched 'Naruto.'"

"This is basically Susanoo, right?!"

First, you have Substitute going around punching people, and now you've added a Susanoo cheat?

Does that mean "Will-O-Wisp" is basically Amaterasu?

Jokes aside.

Natsume's body was honest as he prepared Pokéblocks for Gastly.

After pulling an all-nighter last night and today's intense battle.

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 back sometimes.

But when it's sleeping, it's pretty cute!

At 2 a.m.

After two hours of sleep, Gastly suddenly opened its eyes.

Those terrifyingly large eyes glowed faintly green in the dark.

Tomorrow is the second round of the group stage!

We need to keep training!