To be fair, Mr. Hulk's proposal not only avoided bias toward his Fighting-Type Class but also showed consideration for the General-Type Class.
In a group battle, the side with more Pokémon naturally had an advantage.
And with nearly double the number of participants, the Fighting-Type Class's advantage was more than just slight.
Although the General-Type Pokémon technically countered the Fighting-Type ones, a simple calculation of combat power didn't fully capture the dynamics of a battle.
After all, Pokémon battles weren't so easily reduced to mere arithmetic.
In reality, Mr. Hulk's proposal was a gesture of generosity.
Mr. Dhan hesitated for a long time. While he wanted to challenge the suggestion, he couldn't come up with a better format and reluctantly agreed.
Both sides then entered their strategy discussions to determine their battle orders.
The mood in the General-Type Class was somewhat somber. They all knew they had been given a significant advantage in the format.
Even so, there wasn't much confidence that they could secure a victory.
Teenagers are thin-skinned. If they lost despite the favorable setup, it would be embarrassing for everyone present.
Especially since there were classmates from their other courses among the opposing side.
For a moment, no one dared volunteer to go first.
Ethan, however, didn't feel pressured. His confidence was as solid as an Aegislash's shield—getting beaten wasn't a big deal.
Given that their training time was far shorter than the other class's, losing was nothing to be ashamed of.
The path of a Pokémon Trainer had only just begun. Ethan had a clear plan for his future, and taking a few losses in the early stages wouldn't faze him.
Seeing no one step up, he raised his hand and said, "Mr. Dhan, how about I go first?"
But Teacher Dhan decisively refused. "No, you'll be saved for later."
Realizing his tone might have been too stern, he softened it with an explanation: "Your Eevee excels in agility, not strength or endurance. Let others go first."
The reasoning felt flimsy. With nearly 20 Pokémon on the opposing side, endurance battles would hardly make much of a difference.
In truth, Dhan simply wanted to save his "ace" for later—hoping Ethan might turn the tide if the earlier rounds went poorly.
"Dwayne, how about you and Doduo start?"
Dwayne's Doduo was considered the second strongest in their class. He replied casually, "Sure."
With the lead decided, arranging the rest of the lineup became much easier. In no time, the 30+ participants had their order set.
"Go, Doduo!"
"Machop, prepare for battle!"
With over 50 students from both classes ready to battle, there was no time for excessive chatter. The first match began immediately after both sides took their positions.
"Doduo, Quick Attack!"
As always, Dwayne opened with Quick Attack. Doduo, familiar with the move, launched itself forward like an arrow from a bow with its powerful legs.
Watching from the sidelines, Ethan shook his head. While "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" might apply, sticking to the same tactic against every opponent wasn't wise.
Machop was all muscle—a Pokémon that thrived in close combat. Dwayne's command was practically delivering victory to the opponent.
Sure enough, the other trainer smiled faintly. I didn't even have to go after you; you're coming straight to me? What a gift!
Without hesitation, they commanded, "Machop, use Low Kick as soon as it gets close!"
Ethan grew even more concerned. The opposing trainer had chosen the optimal strategy without wasting any opportunities.
While in the games, the power of Low Kick depended solely on the opponent's weight, in this world governed by classical physics, speed also played a significant role.
More critically, Doduo's long legs were a perfect target.
The difference in skill and training between the two sides was clear from this single exchange.
In these low-level battles, one mistake often sealed the outcome.
The moment Machop's Low Kick connected, the match was effectively over.
Doduo, dizzy and disoriented from its fall, couldn't put up much of a fight against Machop's follow-up close-combat attacks.
A flurry of punches left Doduo unable to continue, and Machop finished with a Karate Chop for good measure.
Doduo fainted, while Machop remained unscathed.
The result left the General-Type Class in stunned silence.
Their worst fears had come true—the gap in strength between the two sides was evident from the very first match.
Still, some clung to hope. After all, it was only one match. Perhaps Doduo's long legs were simply a poor match against Low Kick?
Maybe another Pokémon could handle Machop better?
The second challenger was their class's other top fighter, Snorlax.
With its thick hide and endurance, Snorlax surely wouldn't be as easy for Machop to handle.
Two minutes later, as the defeated Snorlax lay motionless on the ground, the General-Type Class fell into deeper silence.
Their high-speed, high-attack Doduo had been nearly one-shot. Their durable Snorlax had been reduced to a punching bag.
It seemed humiliation was inevitable today.
The atmosphere between the two sides couldn't have been more contrasting—one half fiery, the other icy.
Despite being a friendly intra-school exchange, free from intense rivalry, it was still hard for the General-Type Class to endure being so thoroughly beaten.
Even if no one said anything, the losses would remain like a thorn in their hearts, wounding their pride.
The third student scheduled to battle, a short-haired girl, hesitated. Her Happiny had been trounced by both Doduo and Snorlax in training, and now both had been crushed by Machop.
It seemed impossible to see a path to victory.
As she wavered, unsure if she should step forward, a calm voice broke through her thoughts.
"What moves does your Happiny know?"
The voice was clear and steady, standing out against the oppressive tension. Somehow, it brought her a sense of peace.
She turned to see Ethan, who was frowning as he studied Machop. His sharp features and composed demeanor were striking, almost like a scene worth photographing.
Her nervousness gave way to a rapid heartbeat as she replied in a small voice, "Pound, Charm, Sweet Kiss, and it inherited Mud Bomb."
"Mud Bomb?" Ethan's eyes lit up. "Does your Happiny have the Serene Grace ability?"
"I… think so?"
Ethan sighed. How do you not know your Pokémon's ability?
Still, there was no time for further questions. He quickly pulled her aside and whispered a plan.
"Got it?" Ethan asked, watching her flushed face.
"Yes!" She nodded enthusiastically, waved to him, and stepped onto the battlefield.
Watching her go, Ethan breathed a small sigh of relief.
He didn't care much about winning or losing, but since they'd be classmates for a year, he figured he might as well help where he could.
(End of Chapter )