Pokemon: I refuse to be a supporting character!

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Final Exams.

The practical test consisted of four rounds of battles. Based on their performance in these rounds, students were graded by different teachers, and the average of these scores determined their final grade.

On the day of the test.

Li Xiang stood in front of the classroom bulletin board and saw the name of his first opponent.

Class 2, No. 24 - An unfamiliar boy.

"As long as it's not Class 2, No. 7 or No. 29, or Class 3, Nos. 1, 2, or 3, it doesn't matter," remarked Yang Tianwang beside him. "Those guys are in a league of their own. Avoid them, and you'll be fine."

So many strong opponents, thought Li Xiang, but he remained silent. He believed that with Lin Feng's luck, he wouldn't be matched against those students.

Thinking this, he went to the next classroom to find Lin Feng, who was chatting with Xu Wan.

"Class 3, No. 3—what about it?" Lin Feng blinked curiously.

Bullseye.

Li Xiang stifled a grin and left after a quick reminder. Some people just have that kind of luck—whether it's good or bad is hard to say.

9 a.m.

The exam officially began.

The venue was Field No. 77. Teachers acted as referees, and the battle format was single battle, one-on-one.

Before the battle, students had to preselect their Pokémon and submit their choices. No substitutions were allowed mid-battle.

Two matches for Torracat and two for Riolu—an even distribution so neither would be unsatisfied.

Both sides entered the field.

In official battles, Pokémon had to remain in their PokéBalls until the countdown on the screen ended, after which they could be released.

This ensured fairness and avoided intentional delays to gain an advantage in setting the battlefield conditions.

The teacher read out the rules and, after glancing at both competitors, announced:

"Begin!"

Bang! Bang!

Two crisp sounds followed.

After flashes of light, two Pokémon landed on the battlefield.

Li Xiang's first choice was, of course, Torracat.

His opponent's Pokémon, however...

A creature with a lily pad on its head, a duck-like beak, green and blue skin—resembling the mythical kappa from Japanese folklore.

Lotad, a dual Water/Grass-type Pokémon.

What luck—to start against a type disadvantage. That's just life in a coastal city.

But Lotad—pre-evolution of Ludicolo, the rain-dancing powerhouse and supporter that dominated the seventh generation. Unfortunately, it fell out of favor starting in Gen 8.

"Lotad, use Bubble!"

"Fake Out!"

Both trainers gave commands almost simultaneously.

However, the order of actions between Pokémon differed greatly.

Fake Out, a Normal-type physical move with high priority but low power, was often used in doubles battles to disrupt opponents and protect teammates.

Interestingly, the move originates from a sumo wrestling technique in Japan called "Neko Damashi," where a clap in front of the opponent's face is used to distract or startle them.

Because of this...

The move doesn't require close proximity to be executed!

"Meow!"

Torracat let out a low growl as it dashed forward. While sprinting, it clapped its paws together with a loud thud!

A burst of white light surged toward Lotad, making it flinch and stunning it in place!

"Bulk Up!"

Flames flickered across Torracat's body, releasing wisps of white smoke. Its muscles tightened and bulged slightly, making its frame appear larger. The bell around its neck heated up, producing a clear, melodious chime that echoed across the field!

On the other side, Lotad snapped out of its daze under its trainer's call and spat out a stream of transparent bubbles at the rapidly approaching Torracat!

The bubbles obscured the battlefield.

"Heat Wave!"

Torracat's bell spewed flames, and with a swift strike of its paw, the fireball exploded into a fiery windstorm, scattering the bubbles in its path!

In an instant, the bubbles burst, revealing Lotad's figure.

"Ha-sshh!"

Lotad shrieked in terror, trying to distance itself from Torracat, but a battle-hardened Torracat wasn't about to let it escape.

As Lotad retreated, Torracat's bell blazed with intense flames, engulfing its entire body and transforming it into a giant fireball.

The blazing fireball crashed into Lotad!

Boom!

The explosion of flames rippled outward, accompanied by Lotad's pained screams as it was sent flying.

Although the Fire move only dealt neutral damage to Lotad's Water/Grass typing, Torracat's boosted attack power nearly knocked it out. Lotad was barely hanging on!

"Use Synthesis!"

The opponent panicked.

Lotad struggled to its feet. The lily pad on its head glowed green as tiny shimmering particles in the air gathered and absorbed into it.

Its HP recovered quickly. By the time Torracat recovered from its move's recoil and advanced again, Lotad had already regained most of its health.

Moves like Synthesis now healed progressively based on duration—the longer it was active, the more HP was restored.

"Impressive speed!"

Li Xiang raised an eyebrow. Lotad didn't excel in many areas, but its healing ability was remarkable.

Still, it didn't matter.

"Fire Fang!"

Seizing the opportunity while Lotad was still recovering, Torracat closed the gap and sank flaming fangs into it.

Crash!

Sparks flew as Lotad shrieked in agony, its HP dropping to critical levels again.

Even so, it managed to retaliate with a point-blank Bubble, attempting to create distance.

Torracat backed away, closing its eyes to avoid the stinging spray, while Li Xiang watched in disbelief.

"Is it an invisible Focus Sash? First time, fine, but again?"

With Lotad's frail defenses, Torracat's attacks should've been more than enough.

Was it sheer willpower?

...Or was it simply poor aim?

"Left side, Heat Wave!"

Li Xiang shouted firmly.

Even if Torracat couldn't see, its trainer could guide it!

Covered in foam, Torracat immediately stopped trying to clear its face. It unleashed a fiery wind from its bell that swept across the field.

Boom!

The scorching gust engulfed Lotad, cutting off its attempt to heal under the sunlight.

Lotad's pupils shrank in terror as it was swallowed by the flames.

Whoosh!

This time, the battle was over.