Thursday, August 13th arrived, marking the second day of the Open Challenge. All eyes were fixed on the center of the battlefield as the participants who had advanced from the preliminaries were about to challenge Magic City Gym Leader Tang Hui for the chance to compete for the best individual award.
Sitting in the guest seat, Chairman Song Pengcheng wore a smile as he remarked, "All three Magic University players have advanced, but it remains to be seen how many of them can secure a Badge."
Du Yuanshan, who stroked his white beard, observed Tang Hui, dressed in a suit and leather shoes, with a contemplative expression. Tang Hui's capabilities in both strategy and tactics were exceptional. While this was an open challenge, if a participant's strength did not meet the Gym Leader's standards, they might not even receive a Badge.
Du Yuanshan nodded thoughtfully and said, "It all depends on Tang Hui's choices."
The audience held their breath as the first challenger took the stage. Tang Hui adjusted his gold-wired glasses, showing a composed demeanor and giving a slight nod.
"I've heard that challenging the Magic City Gym is no small feat," Angela Shen commented softly.
"If Tang Hui goes all out, it's possible that all the challengers here will face difficulties," Luke remarked, slightly surprised.
"Badge count may not necessarily dictate Tang Hui's choice of Pokémon," Angela Shen explained. "Even his weaker Pokémon are part of his reserve team, and his command abilities are exceptional. Every year in the Open Challenge, there are always challengers who find it extremely challenging."
Luke pondered for a moment. In this region's Gym system, Gym Leaders also serve as mentors for challengers. If a Gym Leader continuously issues three Badges without giving the challengers a proper learning experience, they might lose their Gym Leader qualification.
Tang Hui had secured the position of Gym Leader in Magic City, indicating his competence in this role.
"So...," Luke began to ask, "it's possible that the Badge won't be awarded despite it being an open challenge?"
Angela Shen nodded in agreement, revealing her lack of confidence in winning a Badge.
"Teacher Luke," Angela Shen hesitated, "are you sure about this?"
Luke gazed up at the sky. Although it sounded incredibly challenging, the prospect of winning 1 million was appealing.
"If you don't try, you'll never know," Luke replied resolutely. "What harm is there in striving for glory for Magic University?"
Angela Shen was taken aback. She had thought that Luke's goal was to obtain Move Secrets, but his dedication to the university's honor was inspiring.
"I've been too superficial," Angela Shen said, her face slightly red.
At that moment, exclamations echoed from the audience.
"He's done it! He's done it!"
Kadabra had locked onto Pidgeot with a blue glow in its eyes. While Disable kept Pidgeot immobilized, a mesmerizing beam reflected off the spoon in Kadabra's hand, striking Pidgeot and tearing off its wings.
Tang Hui nodded in satisfaction and said, "You did well. We can continue next time."
The challenger recalled Pidgeot with a hint of frustration, leaving the field.
"Although he has a diverse range of offensive tactics, his command is still quite rough," Tang Hui assessed in his mind, shaking his head.
In the guest seat, Chairman Song Pengcheng expressed his surprise, saying, "Tang Hui is taking this quite seriously."
"Perhaps some challengers underestimated his abilities," Du Yuanshan suggested, stroking his white beard. "After all, Magic City Gym's inheritance of Move Secrets is not easily granted."
In total, eight challengers came forward, and Tang Hui easily defeated both challengers in the morning, using only Kadabra, Meowstic, and Swoobat as his Pokémon. His victory over Tommy Lu from Luckie Prefecture University left a psychological impact on the other challengers.
"Is this Gym Leader even human?" Tommy Lu muttered, his frustration apparent. "If you don't even want to give Move Secrets, just say it!"
Chen Tingyu from Hutstate City sneered, "You're just not well-informed. Wait and see how Teacher Luke handles it."
"Ha, no matter how you brag, Teacher Luke is just a livestreamer," Tommy Lu retorted.
"Mark my words, He'll be beaten 3-0 by Tang Hui!" Tommy Lu exclaimed, and Chen Tingyu chuckled in response.
"Next up, the third-place challenger! Sven from Jiyang City, River Perilla Province!" The announcer's voice rang out, creating a stir among the audience.
"Sven's performance... challenging the Gym should be a piece of cake!"
"After all, Bug Type has an advantage over Psychic!"
"Sven is keeping it together!"
But ten minutes later, the venue fell into silence once more.
"Seriously... is he not planning to award a single Badge?"
"Sven lost? Unbelievable!"
All day long, Magic City Gym didn't award a single Badge. Tang Hui's Pokémon may not have been strong, but in his skilled hands, he always found new strategies. This showcased the differences in specialization among Trainers and the power of different Pokémon types.
As the sun began to set, Tang Hui felt a bit weary and muttered, "There shouldn't be any more challengers today, right?"
"Hmm?" In the player's area, Teacher Luke noticed the situation and raised his head suddenly.
When someone is tired, their command abilities tend to drop significantly. If they don't seize the opportunity now, they might have to face a refreshed Tang Hui tomorrow.
"Allow me."
Luke's voice, though not loud, cut through the subdued atmosphere of the venue like a blade.
All eyes converged on this graceful young man.
"Isn't that... Magic University's contestant?"
"That's the guy who defeated Duan Cheng in a single battle!"
"He's on stage now!"
"Go, Teacher Luke!"
The previously silent venue burst into enthusiastic cheers and applause.
Even Tang Hui was taken aback.
Something was not quite right...
This is my open challenge, and yet, this contestant seems to be more popular than me?
Chen Tingyu, who had been cold-faced, suddenly blushed and stood up, shouting, "Come on, Teacher Luke!"
The crowd, which had been subdued for a long time, suddenly erupted with cheers and encouragement for Teacher Luke, their last hope for winning a Badge. His figure on the stage appeared strong and resolute.
Coach Zhai clenched his fists in excitement, his eyes shining. "Go, Luke! If anyone can earn the Magic City Badge and get the Magic City Gym's Move Secrets, it's you!"
Song Pengcheng, watching from the sidelines, was also surprised. "How did he... decide to challenge now?"
Du Yuanshan, stroking his white beard, smiled and said, "He's studying Tang Hui."
"Studying?" Song Pengcheng was puzzled.
"Every Trainer has their own unique habits in both command and tactics," Du Yuanshan explained. "Rather than rushing into battle, it's better to observe first."
Du Yuanshan expressed his satisfaction. "He's preparing for the challenge, and that suits my purpose quite well."
Song Pengcheng nodded in admiration. The old Principal's wisdom was evident.
"Sven lost, so is Magic University just here to be beaten?"
"Huh, how are they so popular? Who is Teacher Luke?"
"Teacher Luke, take him down!"
Tommy Lu, feeling somewhat embarrassed, muttered to himself, "3-0... 3-0..."
Tang Hui, in his suit and glasses, pushed up his golden-rimmed glasses and teased, "Teacher Luke, please hold back."
"I'll make sure of it next time," Teacher Luke replied with determination.
Tang Hui was taken aback by Luke's seriousness. In Luke's eyes, Tang Hui was no longer just a Gym Leader but a source of 1 million.
Teacher Luke took out a Poké Ball and said solemnly, "Let's go, Haunter!"
"Jie jie~!"
A red light flashed, and a hazy mist swirled around as Haunter emerged from the Poké Ball. Haunter grinned with a sinister smile, his long scarlet tongue extending from the corner of his mouth to the base of his tongue, giving him a sly expression.
"Jie jie~! (ૢ˃ꌂ˂⁎)"
Chen Tingyu's face turned slightly red as he cupped his cheeks in his hands and let out an exclamation of "Aww, so cute!"
At the guest table, Du Yuanshan's eyes gleamed with excitement.
He had thought that his Squirtle was well-trained, but this Haunter was even more impressive!