I, Gary, Want to Become a Pokemon Master

Chapter 692 - 692: Dividing the Gap

The students turned their attention to the second tier, studying Breloom, the four Kabutops, and the four Omastar. Unlike the well-mannered Pokémon they were used to seeing around the academy, these creatures carried a sharp, almost predatory edge.Looking at Breloom's claws, the curved sickles of the Kabutops, and the thick armored shells of the Omastar, more than a few students sucked in a quiet breath. Even at a glance, none of these looked weak.

Gary moved on, gesturing to the group containing Blaziken, Swampert, Sceptile, Aggron, Salamence, and Slaking.

"This next group is the third tier. If you can defeat these six, then you have a realistic shot at winning the championship at a normal regional League Conference."

The moment Gary mentioned the championship, every student's eyes snapped to the third group.

Standing there were the fully evolved final forms of three of Hoenn's most powerful starter lines. Beside them, Aggron's iron-plated body gleamed like a walking fortress, Salamence's blood-red wings spread wide and imposing, and Slaking—despite its lazy, sprawling posture—gave off an unmistakable sense of raw power.

Just looking at them was enough to make most of the students in the stands lose any desire to fight.

The twenty selected challengers, however, were a different story. They stared at the third tier with intense focus.

As the strongest twenty students in the academy, if defeating this group was the benchmark for winning a Championship, then naturally that was where their ambitions pointed.

"I honestly didn't plan to bring these next three out," Gary continued, gesturing toward the fourth group. "But since they're already here, I might as well introduce them. This is the fourth tier. If you can beat these three, then as long as you don't run into a Trainer like me, you're basically guaranteed to win the championship."

He pointed to Annihilape, Gardevoir, and Metagross.

All three were Elite-tier Pokémon. Annihilape stood wrapped in a dark haze of seething rage, Gardevoir floated calmly within a faint shimmer of psychic energy, and Metagross sat still and heavy, like an unmovable block of blue steel. Any Trainer capable of defeating these three had championship-level strength and would almost certainly claim the title.

Penny and the other top students stared at the trio with eager, restless expressions, clearly itching to challenge them.

But Gary still wasn't done. He pointed up at Zapdos, circling above the storm clouds.

"And lastly, if you can defeat Zapdos in a fair, open battle, then congratulations—you can win any regional League Championship you like, and you'll become a Trainer worth my personal attention."

The students looked up at the lightning crackling in the dark clouds. Faced with the heavy pressure rolling off the Legendary bird, whatever ambition they'd felt a second ago simply vanished. No one was foolish enough to consider challenging a Legendary.

Gary glanced over the silent crowd. He knew this clear-cut classification would leave them stunned. Almost no one ever laid out the gap in strength so plainly.

"Let me go over the rules quickly," Gary said, his tone turning practical.

"You can choose which tier you want to challenge, then pick three specific Pokémon from that tier to battle. But you only get one choice, so it's best to be realistic about what you can actually handle."

Clavell nodded with clear satisfaction. This was exactly the kind of harsh reality check that would show the students just how wide the gap between them and real League competitors truly was.

Gary switched off his microphone and turned to the Director. "Principal, you can begin whenever you'd like."

Clavell nodded, switched on his own microphone, and addressed the stadium. "Then I officially declare the challenge open. Students, who will be the first to step forward?"

The twenty qualified students stood in a neat line on the arena floor, but every one of them hesitated, none willing to go first.

"I'll do it!"

A young man in the school uniform stepped forward. He looked to be around eleven or twelve, with curly black hair and a firm, stubborn expression that suggested a hard-headed personality.

He looked up at Gary, his eyes filled with dissatisfaction. "My name is Pina. I'd like to challenge you."

"Sure. Please make your choice," Gary said, gesturing politely.

Without any hesitation, Pina pointed straight at the third tier—Blaziken's group.

"Are you sure?" Gary asked, giving him a chance to reconsider. "Those are all Elite-tier Pokémon. They're really not something the students here can handle. The first and second tiers are more appropriate for you."

"Of course I'm sure," Pina said with full confidence. "I'm going to win the League Championship someday. Beating them is the only way to prove I have championship-level strength. Why wouldn't I fight them?"

From the way Pina carried himself, he looked exactly like the protagonist of some shonen novel.

"Alright. So which three do you want to face?" Gary asked.

There were six Pokémon in the third tier.

"I'll take Swampert, Sceptile, and Slaking," Pina said.

It was a thought-out choice. From his selections, it was obvious Pina had run through his roster and picked the three opponents he believed his Pokémon had the best chance against.

"Got it."

Gary recalled the three named Pokémon into their Poké Balls and walked onto the field with Pina. The remaining nineteen students retreated to the stands to watch.

The nineteen were genuinely curious about how strong a League competitor really was. Pina wasn't the strongest of the group, but he was no pushover either—he could comfortably rank in the top ten, so his match would set the tone for everyone.

Dendra took up her position as referee. Once both Trainers were set, she announced, "This is a three-on-three battle. The match continues until all Pokémon on one side are unable to fight. Please send out your Pokémon at the same time."

Gary said nothing and casually opened a Poké Ball.

[Lv. 53 Sceptile ♂ / Elite-tier]

Pina threw his own Poké Ball with confidence. "Honchkrow, take the lead!"

[Lv. 36 Honchkrow ♂ / Gym-tier]

Seeing Honchkrow's level, Gary was momentarily at a loss for words.

A Level 36 Pokémon? That was the kind of thing you'd bring to challenge a Gym, not a League competitor. In a real League preliminary, players brought Pokémon at Level 40 or higher at minimum. Sending out a Level 36 here was just asking for trouble.

In the stands, the students analyzed the matchup more rationally.

"At least it's a type advantage. Flying beats Grass."

"Pina might still have a chance!"

Dendra didn't comment on any of it and simply announced, "The battle begins!"

"Honchkrow, use Wing Attack!" Pina ordered, charging straight in as if a type advantage alone guaranteed victory.

Gary almost couldn't bear to watch. Honchkrow was a physical attacker, sure, but rushing in head-on without even testing Sceptile's speed first was reckless. It was like sending a lamb into a tiger's mouth.

"Sceptile, Leaf Blade. End it," Gary ordered.

Whoosh!

Sceptile sprang forward, closing the distance in an instant. Its arm swept out, the leaf-blades on its wrist glowing a sharp green and leaving a streak of color in the air.

Bang!!

The two Pokémon landed at nearly the same moment.

Sceptile touched down cleanly.

Honchkrow crashed to the ground and didn't get back up.

Dendra wasn't surprised by the result. Honestly, this outcome had been decided the moment Pina made his choice. She raised her flag. "Honchkrow is unable to battle! Sceptile wins!"