“I heard that the referees for our practical combat this time aren't just Trainers from the Binhe City Gym, but also second-year students invited from Binhe Elite University.”
Wang Luo, who was in line, overheard two students whispering in front of him.
“Oh? Is this like a university student internship?”
Wang Luo thought to himself, second-year university students generally have already caught their second Pokémon, and it's precisely the time when they need to hone their skills. Having them serve as referees for the class placement test would kill two birds with one stone.
“Students at the back, please hold onto your admission tickets and follow me closely. We're heading to the battle arena.”
The teacher holding the sign in front reminded the students behind him loudly, and then the line slowly started to move.
For this class placement test, the school could be said to have utilized every inch of its land, dividing the battle arena into five combat zones.
Combat Zone No. 1 was located on the playground where they had gathered. Binhe No. 1 Middle School's playground was quite large, with a running track surrounding an entire soccer field, and beyond the track, there were long jump pits, shot put areas, javelin areas, and so on.
Next to the playground, there were also several basketball courts, more than enough to serve as combat zones.
Combat Zone No. 2 was located in the gymnasium on the other side of the playground, where students usually played badminton, table tennis, and volleyball during physical education classes. It had now also been requisitioned.
Combat Zone No. 3 was a plaza in front of the library, from the school gate. There was also a fountain in the center of the plaza.
Combat Zone No. 4 was an internal park within the school, containing a small grove of trees, which was a good place for high school sweethearts to secretly date.
Of course, this was also a place where the Dean of Students frequently appeared. As for why, those who know, know...
Combat Zone No. 5 was located inside the Elf Comprehensive Building, where third-year Pokémon science students usually had their practical combat classes, similar to the free battle zones in clubs.
Wang Luo was assigned to Combat Zone No. 5. When he followed the team to the entrance of the Elf Comprehensive Building for check-in, the teacher responsible for check-in looked at him in surprise when he saw that his Pokémon was a Slowpoke.
“You're Wang Luo, right? Are you sure your initial Pokémon is Slowpoke? You didn't write it wrong, did you?”
“No, teacher, it's Slowpoke.”
Wang Luo had already guessed how the teachers would react when they saw his Pokémon, so he didn't feel embarrassed. He smiled and nodded at the teacher, then quickly caught up with the team in front.
The teacher responsible for check-in shook his head, thinking it was his first time seeing an initial Pokémon be a Slowpoke. Thinking of Slowpoke's “wise” gaze, the teacher quickly composed himself, as just thinking about it made him feel dull.
Wang Luo followed the team into the waiting area of the battle arena. A referee, who was clearly a male university student, was maintaining order there.
Why was he so certain he was a university student?
Are you kidding? Looking at the clear foolishness in his eyes, how could you not tell?
“Everyone can release their Pokémon now and get ready. Those whose battle numbers are called will then enter the arena.”
After maintaining order, the university student Wang Changwei said to the junior students in the waiting area.
He himself had graduated from Bincheng No. 1 High School and had also experienced the class placement test, so seeing these junior students eager to try their hand made him feel very nostalgic.
Pidgey, Sandshrew, Machop, Poliwag, Slowpoke... The junior students' Pokémon are truly spirited.
Hmm?
Wang Changwei double-checked. It was indeed a Slowpoke. He suddenly felt that this year's class placement test would not be peaceful.
After waiting for more than ten minutes, Wang Luo finally heard his name.
“Wang Luo, Battle Zone C, it's your turn.”
Wang Changwei looked at the list in his hand and then looked up to see that it was indeed the junior student with the Slowpoke. He gave this junior student an encouraging look. Junior, don't be afraid, go for it.
Wang Luo smiled helplessly, thanked his senior for his kindness, and walked to Battle Zone C to choose his opponent.
For this practical combat test, the school had prepared three Pokémon for each student to choose from, allowing students to select freely to prevent type disadvantages. Moreover, each Pokémon was a beginner-level Pokémon, which showed the school's consideration in this aspect.
The three opposing Pokémon were Sneasel, Magnemite, and a Meowth.
Among them, Sneasel and Magnemite were both type advantages against Slowpoke, so Wang Luo chose Meowth.
Although he knew that a Meowth chosen as the second Pokémon by a second-year university student from a Pokémon university would certainly not be that simple.
“I choose Meowth.”
Hearing Wang Luo choose Meowth, the scoring referee Gu Xiao looked at him with some sympathy.
This junior student was really unlucky. Two of the three Pokémon had type advantages. As for Meowth...
Unfortunately, this Meowth was the strongest of these three and even among all the referee Pokémon in this test. He had already decided that as long as this junior student's Pokémon could withstand the first round, he would give him a good score.
“Practical combat test begins! Battling parties: Slowpoke versus Meowth!”
As soon as the words fell, Wang Luo threw his Poké Ball and released Slowpoke.
As soon as Slowpoke appeared, it began to use Calm Mind. Its Trainer had instructed it that this opponent was very strong, so it had to go all out.
The opponent was also a senior, Deng Shun. He calmly released his Meowth and stood with his arms crossed, not saying a word.
In practical combat, the referee would not command the Pokémon; they would only let the Pokémon battle on their own. After studying at university, their command abilities were definitely not comparable to those of high school students.
“Meow~”
Meowth had a feline-like appearance, with features similar to a small domestic cat.
It had light yellow fur that turned brown at the tip of its tail and on its hind paws. Its oval face was connected to four prominent whiskers, and a shiny oval coin was affixed to its forehead.
Deng Shun's Meowth, upon entering the arena, began to harmlessly lick its paw pads, its cuteness enough to drive countless cat lovers wild.
Wang Luo dared not underestimate the Meowth in front of him. Its claws were usually hidden, but when battling, they would suddenly extend, incredibly sharp. Its sharp claws and Fury Swipes skill dealt more damage than other Pokémon.
Moreover, Meowth's base speed stat was a full 90, six times that of Slowpoke. High-speed Pokémon definitely had a huge advantage in reality.
“Battle start!”
With a command from the scoring referee, the battle began.
“Meow!”
The Meowth, which had just been lazy, suddenly had sharp eyes. It stood on two feet, and its cat paws suddenly clapped forward. A Normal-type force shot out from its paws, incredibly fast.
The Slowpoke, still meditating, had no time to react before the attack landed on it.
“Yadon~”
Slowpoke looked pained, retreating two steps and almost falling over.
Fortunately, Slowpoke had a thick base and withstood the blow. The intermediate energy cubes and energy crystal shards made Slowpoke's life energy abundant, in other words, it had enough HP.
“Fake Out!”
Wang Luo looked at this Meowth with a serious expression. As expected of a university student who had received higher education, the Pokémon they chose had excellent talent.
Fake Out is a priority move in the game, meaning it attacks first and hits. This indicates that Fake Out's speed is fast enough.
And judging by this Meowth's attack power, it was definitely not low. Its ability was probably Technician.
A high-speed Meowth, combined with the Technician ability which can increase the power of low-power moves, and a large number of same-type moves.
Wang Luo knew this would be a tough battle.