After Dante's speech, the host continued with the program. And at the end, he invited the school's main lineup onto the stage, followed by members of the freshmen team.
Much of the overall top 10 rankings remained the same, though Isa and Liuai have managed to climb onto the top 5 and 6 respectively, followed by Larry in the Top 4.
The first place representative from the Freshman team had been tasked to also give a speech. It was supposed to be Dante, but since he already gave one earlier, the role was passed to Focalors.
And as expected of the heiress of an ancient family, her speech was impeccable. She was able to get the entire crowd going with every word that came out of her mouth.
Soon, the program ended, and the students resumed their classes. Only Dante and the other school varsity starters remained. And in front of them, was Professor Jomar.
"Everyone here today has proven themselves a cut above the rest, worthy to represent this university. You'll be awarded merit points just for training every day, and more privileges that other students won't have. However, let me remind you of one thing."
Jomar narrowed his eyes, gazing at everyone with an intensity similar to a wild Seviper.
"Don't get complacent. Just because you're selected now, doesn't mean you'll remain permanently. There will be two more Ranking Battles before the Tournament, two more chances for other students to replace you."
Some of the students who had been feeling comfortable at entering the starter lineup gulped, especially those who barely made it in.
"Heh, but then again, if they still replaced you after you already have such an advantage, they deserved that spot more than you do."
Jomar sneered, turning around and walking outside the auditorium.
"Follow me. For today, I'll have all of you conduct mock battles against each other."
"But coach, what about our classes?"
A student with brown hair wearing glasses asked. Dante remembered him from Class B, and that he is currently ranked 9 among the freshmen.
"You've already been excused, but only for today. Starting tomorrow, I expect you to gather at the team building after class. If you don't want extra training, that's fine. You're old enough to know the consequences of your actions."
Said consequences remain unsaid, but everyone knew what the coach was talking about. The rest of the walk was spent in silence as they arrived in front of a medium-sized, open-air building beside the Training Grounds. This was the Varsity team's own building.
Jomar casually pushed the door open. Unlike the Training Grounds, this place had almost no security. Even Dante and his group took a brief tour inside when they registered for the varsity team a month ago.
Apart from a flat, concrete floor marked like a battle arena, there was only basic training equipment and a stack of plastic chairs in the corner.
"In addition to the Pokemon's strength, the Trainer's ability is just as crucial in a Pokemon battle. So, for today, I want all of you to familiarize yourselves with each other's tactics."
Professor Jomar walked over to the center of the field, scanning the students. His eyes first landed on Dante, then shifted to the girl beside him.
"Mualani, Focalors, we'll start with you two. Mualani, you'll only be allowed to use a single Pokémon for this match.
"Yes, coach!"
Mualani saluted, then turned to face Focalors with an excited grin. Said girl just nodded back, a placid smile on her face.
The two took their positions and released their Pokémon, Dragonair and Sharpedo. Meanwhile, the other team members stood at the sidelines, watching the battle with interest.
"Focalors against Mualani, huh. It's gonna be a contest of speed."
Shinobu sidled up to Dante, her body slightly leaning against his. Dante nodded and pulled her closer, earning side-eyes from some of their teammates.
The match began with Professor Jomar's signal. And Focalors didn't waste any time issuing a command.
"Dragonair, Extreme Speed!"
Dragonair became a blur, arriving in front of the shark Pokemon in an instant and striking his forehead. However, he was puzzled as his body passed through the shark Pokemon, who then dispersed into countless particles.
Then, all around the arena, afterimages of Sharpedo began to appear.
"Hehe, too many already tried taking advantage of Sharky when he still hadn't warmed up. Of course we have to avoid that!"
Mualani beamed at Focalors, her fingers forming a V-shape. Whenever she had to send Sharpedo out without any cover, this was their go-to tactic- using Double Team at the start of the match to buy time.
Focalors stared at the arena, pensive. She could use a large-scale move like Blizzard or Surf to hit everything on the field, but Sharpedo would just counter it and remain unscathed. So, instead of senselessly wasting their energy…
"Dragonair, use Dragon Dance!"
Dragonair began to dance in the air, his body shimmering with white light.
"Oh no you don't! Sharky, use Ice Fang!"
"Sharpedo!"
Mualani won't freely give Dragonair the opportunity to boost his stats. Among the countless afterimages, one of them rushed towards the dragonic Pokemon.
"Now, Dragonair! Thunderbolt!"
At this time, Focalors plan was revealed. With her Dragonair holding Eviolite, she was confident he could take on Sharpedo's attack. And as long as Sharpedo was hit by Thunderbolt, he would definitely get taken down.
Sharpedo chomped down on Dragonair almost at the same time Dragonair released a thunder current from the horn on the top of his head.
Their attacks hit each other. However, Dragonair felt confused when he only felt a slight pain. And in front of him, Sharpedo…poof.
Burst in a puff of smoke.
At this moment, one of the Sharpedo 'afterimages' behind Dragonair quickly approached, its fangs coated in ice.
"Dragonair, Prote-!"
Focalors noticed something wrong. She tried to warn her Pokemon, but she was a step too late. Sharpedo's fast speed allowed him to launch a quick attack without notice.
"Drag!!"
Dragonair cried out in pain, the sudden pain causing him to become disoriented.
"Sharky, finish him off! Crunch!"
"Protect!"
Sharpedo was about to launch the final attack, when a green barrier enveloped Dragonair's body.
"Sharky, retreat. Make another Substitute."
Mualani didn't get careless. Instead, she let Sharpedo blend in with the afterimages once again, along with a Substitute of himself.
Substitute is a Normal-type status move which allows the user to create a solid body made of energy. It can make simple actions to act as distraction, but it can't use any moves. In addition, unlike afterimages made from Double Team, it will only dissipate after the energy in its body is depleted.
"That's amazing…"
Shinobu looked in awe at her white-haired senior who hadn't lost her composure during the entire match.
"She is, isn't she?"
A soft male voice answered from beside her. She turned to see Roman gazing at the battlefield with a proud smile.
"By skillfully combining Double Team and Substitute, she constantly keeps her opponent guessing where the next attack will come from. Quoting her: 'It's like riding the waves on the ocean, you'll never know when the biggest one will arrive.'"
"Er, did you help her with that move, Roman?"
"Haha, I wish. But no. She came up and polished that strategy all by herself."
Roman had a rueful smile as he stared at Mualani in fascination. Seeing this, Shinobu and Dante, who had been silently listening to the conversation, glanced at each other and winced.
The battle continued.
After using Protect, Dragonair fell into a brief state of weakness. And at that moment, another Sharpedo came from the side.
"Dragonair, Rest!"
Focalors gritted her teeth, not refusing to give up. Her Dragonair has the Marvel Scale Ability. With it, his defenses are boosted when under a status condition. Coupled with how Rest can massively recover his health, she was betting.
Betting Sharpedo won't be able to take down Dragonair before he wakes up.
Unfortunately for her, she made a wrong bet.
"Don't waste this opportunity, Sharky! Focus Energy! Then Night Slash!"
Sharpedo roared, his body briefly shimmering with orange light. Then, Dark-type energy cloaked his fins as he rushed towards the unconscious body of Dragonair.
With the added momentum of his speed, the attack hit Dragonair in his critical spot, ignoring the boost in defenses from his Ability. Then, Sharpedo zoomed back, once again striking him. He wanted to zoom a third time, but looking at his opponent's condition, Sharpedo stopped.
"Dragonair is unable to battle! Mualani wins the match!"
A/N: I was thinking how I can introduce some of Dante's teammates and their Pokemon without being too boring. And voila, the sparring matches appeared! I'll try not to drag the battles too long, only a chapter or less each. We'll have Shinobu vs. Roman, Candice vs. Larry, one of Dante's mysterious classmates vs. Isa, and Kachina vs. Liuai. The rest, I'll only briefly mention.
And also, Dragonair's Defenses boosted with Eviolite and under status condition is 123, while Sharpedo's Attack is 110.