"Today marks the third match of the school team selection tournament. A victory here means securing a spot on the school team!"

  "And now, we have the first match of the third round! Let me give you all a little spoiler—this matchup is special because both competitors come from the same css, Senior Year Css 2!"

  With the energetic announcement from the host teacher, Nero and Dennis stepped out from the contestant tunnel together.

  "Same css?"

  "I know both of them. They really are cssmates—what a coincidence."

  "A cssmate showdown? This could be interesting. If I remember correctly, both are strong, but in terms of Pokémon alone, Vibrava definitely has the advantage."

  "That’s true. This battle will be extremely tough for Nero."

  On the third day of the school team selection tournament, the audience was packed with senior students. Meanwhile, the freshmen and sophomores were glued to their cssroom livestreams, watching the battle with intense focus.

  …

  On the battlefield, with a decisive wave of the referee’s fg, both trainers simultaneously threw their Poké Balls.

  A fsh of white light revealed Combusken and Vibrava taking the field at the same time.

  Since these Pokémon were well-known among the students, there wasn’t much discussion from the crowd.

  Senior students were retively more mature. As trainers, they also understood an important principle—observe in silence.

  The tide of a Pokémon battle could change in an instant, and if the audience got too noisy, it would severely disrupt the trainers’ focus and strategic thinking.

  The past two days had been filled with chatter from middle schoolers and undercssmen who didn’t know better, but the senior students now sat quietly, watching the match unfold.

  With both Pokémon and trainers in position, the referee raised the fg.

  "Battle—begin!"

  "Vibrava, use Dragon Pulse!"

  Dennis noticed that their cssmates had already started timing the battle.

  More than anything, he wanted to end this quickly—win the match, secure his pce on the school team, and bask in the admiration of the girls watching!

  Vibrava’s green wings fpped rapidly as its sandy-brown body lifted into the air.

  Hovering above, Vibrava looked down at Combusken before unleashing a purple, dragon-shaped energy wave from its mouth!

  "Combusken, Fmethrower!"

  A torrent of scorching fmes erupted from Combusken’s beak!

  Dragon Pulse and Fmethrower cshed midair, sparks flying as the sheer energy of the Dragon-type attack ignited bursts of fme.

  Vibrava intensified its attack, increasing Dragon Pulse’s power. Combusken abandoned Fmethrower, instead unching itself into the air with a powerful leap.

  Dodging Dragon Pulse, it soared above Vibrava.

  White energy swirled around its body as Combusken aimed a flying kick downward.

  However…

  Vibrava fpped its wings and effortlessly dodged the airborne strike.

  "Vibrava, Earthquake!"

  A deep buzzing sound echoed as Vibrava nded right as Combusken touched the ground. Its small legs stomped forcefully, sending spiderweb-like cracks through the battlefield.

  A wave of earth-colored energy surged toward Combusken.

  "Feather Dance!" Nero commanded.

  "Cha-mo!"

  Responding instantly, Combusken spun rapidly, scattering fiery-orange feathers into the air, forming a defensive barrier in front of itself!

  The Earthquake’s shockwave crashed into the feather wall, its power significantly reduced.

  Not only was the attack weakened, but its speed also slowed down, allowing Combusken to leap away effortlessly.

  "Double Kick!"

  "Cha-mo!"

  Seizing the opening, Combusken charged toward Vibrava. Its feet gleamed with a crystalline blue glow, accelerating its speed.

  A streak of orange-red fshed across the battlefield!

  Just as Combusken closed in—

  A faint green protective barrier surrounded Vibrava!

  Protect!

  Ripples spread across the energy shield as Combusken’s attack was deflected. The impact sent Combusken skidding back.

  Vibrava then took to the air once more, its green eyes filled with a pyful glint.

  It was taunting Combusken for not being able to fly!

  …

  "Combusken against Vibrava—it’s really a tough matchup."

  "Yeah. That Thunder Colpse Punch move can’t be used due to the type disadvantage, and Combusken’s Fire-type attacks are ineffective against Vibrava. The only viable Fighting-type move…"

  "Is too reliant on close combat, and Vibrava can just keep hovering out of reach."

  "Combusken is at a serious disadvantage here."

  "If only it knew Sky Uppercut."

  Sky Uppercut—a powerful uppercut delivered while soaring into the sky.

  It was an incredibly useful move, but also difficult to master. Combusken had the potential to learn it, but its current strength wasn’t enough.

  However…

  Even without Sky Uppercut, Nero had other pns!

  The battlefield was a semi-rocky terrain. Throughout the battle, many rocks had been shattered into small fragments.

  Gncing at the scattered stones, Nero smirked.

  "Combusken!"

  "Cha-mo!!"

  Without hesitation, Combusken kicked a small rock into the air!

  Its sharp eyes gleamed as it executed a fwless 360° spin, unching a powerful kick at the airborne rock.

  The rock shot forward in a straight line, striking Vibrava head-on.

  Caught off guard, Vibrava was momentarily stunned. Before it could react, Combusken’s body radiated intense heat.

  This time, as it kicked another rock, the entire stone ignited in searing fmes!

  The bzing rock struck Vibrava, but the attack wasn’t over yet.

  Combusken began showcasing its soccer skills—

  Launching rock after rock like a fiery barrage!

  Fming stones rained down upon Vibrava, forcing it to fp its wings frantically in a desperate attempt to evade.

  "What?! You can do that?!"

  Dennis stared in disbelief at Combusken, which continued to kick rocks with precision.

  The stone attacks didn’t deal much damage, but the minimal energy cost allowed Combusken to maintain its stamina.

  Meanwhile, Vibrava was growing more and more flustered.

  Time ticked by. The ten-minute match limit was approaching, and Dennis was starting to panic.

  "You’re pushing it too far! Vibrava, Unleash Power—Outrage!!"

  Outrage—an incredibly powerful move that awakened a Pokémon’s tent Dragon-type strength, exponentially increasing its power for a short time.

  However, the drawback was severe—once the move ended, the Pokémon would lose control of itself.

  But Dennis no longer cared. He just wanted to win!

  Vibrava began surging with draconic energy, its green eyes turning crimson as a terrifying aura of Dragon power enveloped its body.

  And at that exact moment—

  Combusken's movements suddenly sped up. It swiftly leaped into the air, flipping midair so that its head pointed downward and its feet faced the sky. In the next instant, a surge of blue light enveloped its legs!

  "Tempest Kick!!"

  —————

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