Pokemon: I refuse to be a supporting character!

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In the lower ranks, there's a famous saying: "Type advantage is king."

Of course, this statement isn't always true.

Take Li Xiang, for example. This guy with his "cheat-like" abilities has inherited the glory of a reverse-type master, defeating opponents with type advantages twice.

Battles are complex; winning isn't solely about having a type advantage.

However, in most cases, the side with the type advantage holds the upper hand.

Especially when the opponent's advantage isn't just marginal—it's significant.

In short, Yang Tianwang got utterly destroyed, the kind of beating where you're hung out to dry.

Both of his Pokémon were speedy attackers with low durability. Without moves to bolster their defenses, only Scyther managed to hold its ground for a moment, but even it couldn't take much punishment.

Even though both Pokémon had Quick Attack to speed up their strikes, it was meaningless when they couldn't deal enough damage to Litten.

With an incomplete Flame Charge boosted by Bulk Up, Litten barreled into Grovyle, which couldn't withstand even a single hit. On an open battlefield with no obstacles, Grovyle had nowhere to dodge and got slammed head-on.

The little cat taught it a harsh lesson.

When it was Scyther's turn, things went slightly better. It used Quick Attack to evade Litten's first Flame Charge, only getting one wing scorched in the process.

However, Scyther lost due to its predictable attack paths. Litten had already anticipated its movements, tanked a Fury Cutter head-on, and countered with Heat Wave, sending the massive bug packing.

What Fury Cutter? It couldn't even land the second slash, let alone chain the attack!

With a successful 2v1 victory, Li Xiang earned two big candies.

But things didn't seem to be going well on Lin Feng's side.

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Lin Feng had fallen behind.

Yes, the protagonist-like character was actually on the verge of losing in school, something Li Xiang hadn't expected.

But when he saw the Pokémon his opponent was using, he understood.

It was a fully evolved Pokémon, roughly 1.9 meters tall, resembling a humanoid blend of an armadillo and a hedgehog.

The creature had a heavy shell, four massive spikes, thick arms with sharp claws, and a rodent-like head with whiskers extending to its abdomen. At first glance, it looked like a humanoid armored tank.

It was Chesnaught, the Grass/Fighting-type starter from Generation VI.

Known as a shield Pokémon capable of withstanding direct bomb blasts, it could use Spiky Shield, turning the light-green spikes on its arms into a massive barrier.

An additional energy shield would then form over it.

It was said that the armed police force favored using Pokémon like this for their unparalleled defense capabilities.

A fully evolved starter Pokémon.

It had to be at least Level 33. There was no way Lin Feng could handle that at this stage.

Moreover, the Pokémon that had been following that guy earlier was a Drilbur…

Did he keep this hidden all day?

Possibly, but it was more likely delivered to him at the last minute.

A typical privileged teen Trainer… Who would've thought Class 2 had someone like this?

"Wait, I didn't notice earlier—this guy's from Class 2?"

Yang Tianwang's voice sounded beside Li Xiang.

"You know him?" Li Xiang asked.

"Of course, that's Zhu Huihui, whose family owns a mall. He's pretty famous in the circle. Got his first Pokémon at seven, and his family spent a fortune hiring private tutors for him. Totally spoiled," Yang Tianwang replied lazily, showing no signs of frustration over his earlier loss.

"People like that won't pass the preliminary screening anyway."

"Preliminary screening?"

Hearing an unfamiliar term, Li Xiang looked puzzled.

"It's something my dad mentioned. Starting next year, higher education will undergo reforms, and admission will involve three stages: preliminary screening, trial review, and final review. You have to pass all three to get in," Yang Tianwang explained.

"Those who cheat by getting Pokémon early will be eliminated in the preliminary screening. Even top grades won't save them."

Li Xiang raised an eyebrow. "They can detect that? Isn't that a bit too strict? Won't wealthy families protest?"

"It's an order from the newly appointed head of education," Yang Tianwang said. "The same person who spearheaded the Youth Trainer Restriction Act. My family says their own family was a victim of youth Trainer crimes. There was a big news report about it back then. That period was pure chaos—everyone was on edge.

"Kids walking alone with Pokémon were constantly stopped and questioned by patrol officers...

"And now, with youth Trainer crime rates rising again, this official is making moves to address it. Of course, those who exploit loopholes will get caught up in the crackdown. But honestly, it's their fault for trying to cheat the system.

"No need to worry. There are plenty of ways to experience Pokémon battles early without resorting to tricks."

"You mean like you?" Li Xiang asked, smirking.

Li Xiang turned to look at Qu Sheng with a shocked expression. He had always assumed that Qu Sheng had also "jumped the gun."

After all, this was the second phase of enrollment.

But now, it seemed he had been overthinking things. Qu Sheng was simply extraordinarily talented.

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

Qu Sheng frowned.

Li Xiang replied, "Oh, I was just wondering what kind of families you guys have. You're always saying, 'my family said this, my family said that.'"

"What kind of family? My grandpa is the Head of External Affairs for the Qingcheng Association!"

Yang Tianwang grinned as he patted Qu Sheng's back. "As for me, my family just runs a small business and happens to hear news a bit faster—"

"His grandpa is the director of Qingcheng TV Station, and his family owns the Southern River Evening News," Qu Sheng interjected coldly, tearing through Yang Tianwang's façade.

What the heck? They're all second-generation elites?

Why are second-gens even attending First High instead of Second High?

Li Xiang suddenly thought of another person, the quiet and unassuming Song Jie.

'Darn it, as someone from an upper middle-class family, I feel so out of place.'

Feeling inexplicably like everyone around him was a rising star, and not just any rising stars but exceptional ones, Li Xiang sighed.

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On the field, the battle was nearing its conclusion.

Perhaps realizing the gap between himself and his opponent, Lin Feng chose not to reveal his Charmander's special Blaze ability.

The disparity was simply too vast for it to make a difference.

After the match ended, it was no surprise that Lin Feng became the target of mockery once again.

Looking visibly disheartened, Lin Feng slumped his shoulders. He had gone into the battle with confidence, only to be caught off guard by his opponent's tricks.

"It's no big deal. You'll win it back next time," Li Xiang said, patting Lin Feng on the back. "Nobody wins forever. Even Xia Chunyu often loses to Mo Ye, doesn't he?"

Mo Ye, a Water-type specialist and Master Trainer, was also Lin Feng's idol—Xia Chunyu's greatest rival and best friend.

"Don't bring that up! It just makes me mad! What was he even doing last week? He almost got overturned. If he'd had to hand over the championship title before even warming the seat, it would've been a total disgrace!"

Lin Feng grumbled indignantly.

Li Xiang chuckled in agreement.

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On the other side.

Seeing Li Xiang step in again to console someone who was supposed to be ridiculed, the boy named Zhu Huihui wasn't having it. Muttering under his breath, he started walking over.

But halfway there, he was blocked by Yang Tianwang and Qu Sheng.

"Well, well! Isn't this Zhu Huihui, the Young Master of the Zhu family? What's the matter? Bullying your classmates just because your family has some money? Did you forget what your dad told you before coming here?"

Yang Tianwang's tone was dripping with sarcasm.

Qu Sheng didn't even bother addressing Zhu Huihui directly, letting out a derisive snort instead, his expression full of disdain.

Zhu Huihui's face turned red with anger. He jabbed a finger at Yang Tianwang and shouted, "What's it to you? Get out of my way! Who do you think you are? You're not that much better than me!"

"At least I'm not breaking the law," Yang Tianwang said, his grin fading as he spoke coldly. "I'll warn you once—keep your pigheadedness in check! Don't think jumping the gun makes you special. Four years to reach Level 30? What a waste."

Normally, talented young Trainers could fully evolve their starter Pokémon in just over two years.

But it had taken Zhu Huihui a full four years to achieve this, only recently managing it. This had made him the butt of many jokes.

Jumping the gun, yet failing to run the race properly.