As the group stages wrapped up for the day, the 20 advancing universities were regrouped that evening into five groups—A, B, C, D, and E—with four universities in each group.
Imperial University was placed in Group D, alongside the Modu Academy, Sichuan University, and Harbin Ice-Type Academy.
Group D was quickly dubbed as the "Death Group." Not only did it feature two elite universities, but Sichuan University was also a strong contender, just a little behind the elite status.
Harbin Ice-Type Academy, however, was considered the underdog in this lineup.
With only one college advancing from each group, the competition this time was far more intense. It was nothing like the earlier group stage, where Imperial University breezed through without breaking a sweat.
Of the opponents, only Harbin Academy seemed like a easy matchup. The other two colleges were formidable challengers.
When the groupings were announced, the public's interest was piqued.
Only battles between equally strong teams could deliver exciting matches. One-sided blowouts might be entertaining once in a while, but too many of them became predictable and dull, leaving little room for suspense.
The five group matches were scheduled simultaneously for the next day at 8 a.m., with audience capacity increasing from 30,000 in the earlier rounds to 80,000 now.
The matchups for Group D were:
Imperial University vs. Harbin Academy
Modu Academy vs. Sichuan University
The competition format was a ring battle system.
Each university will send out one trainer for a 1v1 match, with no mid-match substitutions. The loser will leave the field, while the winner could choose to continue fighting or switch with a teammate. And trainers who switched out could still return for subsequent rounds.
"Little Julia, you better not be the first to battle," Thea said to Julian.
Julian raised an eyebrow, confused, as she continued;
"I'm worried your Metagross will knock out all eight of their trainers."
During the previous exchange match with Shu, Julian's Metagross had singlehandedly swept their entire lineup.
"I'll see how Coach Wade arranges things," Julian replied calmly.
The lineup was entirely up to Coach Wade. Against Harbin Academy, Julian wasn't particularly interested, so it was better if he got placed later in the order.
The match began soon after, with both teams entering the field.
Imperial University's first trainer was Paul, a 4th-year Fire-Type specialist. Harbin Academy also sent out a 4th-year student.
"Typhlosion!"
Paul's Pokémon was a Level 67 pseudo-Elite Typhlosion. The flames erupting from its back showed it was in a highly excited state.
"Glalie!"
Harbin Academy naturally recruited Ice-Type trainers exclusively.
Coach Wade's decision to send out a Fire-Type specialist first clearly factored in the type advantage.
Glalie, outmatched both in type and level, couldn't last long. Within a few minutes, it was defeated.
Typhlosion stood proudly on the field, with high momentum. For it, the fight hadn't even been a proper warm-up.
Paul continued challenging Harbin Academy's second, third, fourth, and fifth trainers in quick succession.
By the time Typhlosion defeated the fifth Pokémon, it was showing signs of exhaustion. Its energy was nearly spent, and it bore a few visible injuries.
When Harbin Academy sent out their sixth trainer, Paul decided to recall Typhlosion and step down.
Though Typhlosion still had enough strength for one more battle, Paul saw no reason to push it further. After all, he still had seven teammates ready to fight.
The decision left Harbin's sixth trainer stunned.
'You've just steamrolled five of us like we were nothing, and now that you're a bit worn out, you're stepping down? Where's your pride as an elite university student? Your honor? Shouldn't you insist on fighting to the bitter end with your Typhlosion?'
The second trainer from Imperial University was Faye, a Fairy-Type specialist and Thea's best friend.
"Florges!"
Faye's Pokémon was a Florges with a white flower. Like Flabébé, Florges has flowers of five different colors: red, orange, blue, white, and yellow.
While there's no functional difference between the flower colors, white flowers were the rarest, and blue flowers were considered the most beautiful.
Despite its plant-like appearance, Florges is not a Grass-Type Pokémon. However, it does know a variety of Grass-Type moves and is often hired to tend gardens.
In fact, many national parks and luxurious private gardens employ Florges for their maintenance.
Faye's Florges was Level 68, nearing the peak of the pseudo-Elite.
Harbin Academy countered with a Level 65 Walrein.
"Florges, use Attract!"
A few alluring hearts resonated from Florges. Walrein, completely entranced, seemed to melt under the spell of her charm, its face betraying an expression of pure bliss.
"Florges, Magical Leaf!"
Walrein's Trainer was at a loss, how could his Pokémon's willpower crumble so easily in the face of beauty?
Shimmering leaves swirled around Walrein, striking it repeatedly. The attack not only inflicted significant damage but also snapped it out of its trance.
"Walrein, Ice Beam!"
Walrein opened its mouth, quickly charging and firing an icy beam, but Florges swiftly dodged it.
"Keep using Ice Beam!"
Walrein, with its heavy body, was clearly not built for speed.
"Moonblast," Faye commanded.
The moonlight gathered, forming into a gentle yet luminous beam of energy. It radiated a serene beauty—until the moment it abruptly exploded.
Walrein's bulky body was directly blown away.
"Florges, Energy Ball!"
Before Walrein even hit the ground, it was struck mid-air by a glowing green sphere, sealing its fate completely.
Harbin Academy's sixth trainer, who also happened to be their team captain, was eliminated.
The seventh trainer sent out a Dewgong.
A few minutes later, Dewgong also fell in battle.
The last trainer entered the field, sending out Jynx as their Pokémon.
Jynx, like Florges, is a Pokémon 100% female by species. However, their appearances couldn't be more different.
In a society where beauty often dictates first impressions, Jynx's presence inadvertently boosted Florges' popularity even further.
"Honestly, Jynx isn't that bad-looking"
"Low-budget Gardevoir"
"My Jynx is very caring; she's a fantastic Pokémon"
"Yeah, Jynx is amazing! I don't get the hate"
"But I'm still team Florges because I like white flowers"
Three minutes later, Jynx fell, defeated. Florges stood tall like a queen with a proud expression.
With that, all eight trainers from Harbin Academy were eliminated, their team swept clean by Imperial University.
At least, they could console themselves with the fact that it wasn't a one-person sweep, sparing them a total loss of face.
"How's that? My performance wasn't any worse than your sister's, right?"
Faye walked up to Julian, with a slightly smug face.
"My sister's still better"
With Thea standing right next to him, there was no way he would admit to Faye's boasting.
"Little Julia always likes to tell the truth, don't mind him, Faye."
Thea was very satisfied with Julian's answer.
After all, what are best friends for, if not a little friendly competition?
*****
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