Lin Yu thought for a moment and decided not to switch.
After all, Frogadier hadn't shown its full strength yet.
It was just a little paralysis.
Lin Yu immediately ordered Frogadier to use Thunder Shock.
When the tiny jolt of electricity shot from Frogadier toward Pidgeot and was easily dodged,
the entire crowd went completely stunned.
The Thunder Shock was small and cute…
but it was Thunder Shock!
Was it even normal for a Water-type Pokémon to use an Electric move?
What's more —
after using Thunder Shock, Frogadier looked noticeably better.
The paralysis effect from earlier had weakened a lot.
Someone with sharp eyes recognized it at once.
"That's Frogadier's hidden ability — Protean!"
He quickly explained to those around him.
"Protean: When the user uses a move of a certain type, it changes its own type to match that move!"
"You mean… Frogadier is an Electric-type right now?!"
"Yeah…"
"My whole world just got flipped upside down."
Across the field, Xiao Zhi was dumbfounded.
He'd planned that if he paralyzed Frogadier,
even if Pikachu lost,
his flying Pidgeot could take advantage and win.
But now…
How was this even possible?!
"The match continues…"
Everyone was shocked — even Ye Rong up above froze for a long while.
He wasn't surprised by Frogadier's ability.
He was shocked that…
Frogadier could use an Electric move?!
He was an Elite Four member, for goodness' sake!
He'd seen everything… so why was he standing there like an idiot, questioning his whole life?
"We're screwed…"
In the last round, Frogadier had taken almost no damage except a little splash.
And now it had turned into an Electric-type — super effective against Flying-types.
"Lightning Chidori!"
Terrifying thunder and water energy converged on Frogadier.
The familiar giant lightning bird took shape on the battlefield.
"Pidgeot, strike first! Quick Attack!"
Xiao Zhi had seen how broken Lin Yu's moves were. Even after freezing up for a second,
as a skilled Trainer,
he snapped back immediately.
That move was obviously devastating.
He had to interrupt it!
Unfortunately, the Chidori was fully formed the second he thought it.
The charging Pidgeot became a sitting duck.
"Switch to Sky Attack!"
Xiao Zhi shouted the new order in panic.
To his credit, the Elite Four-tier talent Pidgeot reacted just as fast.
BOOM!
Zzzzt…
The clash of energy sent a huge wave of wind blasting outward.
A thick mist filled the entire arena.
Xiao Zhi stared anxiously. As the mist cleared,
both Pokémon were still standing.
The wind blew quietly.
"Pid…"
A shrill, weak cry rang out.
Pidgeot staggered, nearly collapsing,
but forced itself to stay upright.
Anyone could see it was on its last legs.
Its feathers were charred black, its eyes glazed over.
Frogadier was injured too, but still standing strong.
"Match! Lin Yu wins! Both Trainers, return your Pokémon!"
Despite his shock, Ye Rong's composure as an Elite Four member let him announce the result calmly.
"You're strong!"
After the match,
the two shook hands.
Xiao Zhi's eyes burned bright. "Next time at the National High School Tournament, I'll beat you!"
"I'll be waiting!"
Lin Yu smiled gently in return.
This boy was just like him — he had a truly pure heart for Pokémon.
Lin Yu always respected people like that…
and was happy to call them friends.
"Alright, Pikachu. We fell at the quarterfinals, but next time we're taking first place!"
"We'll keep challenging Gyms — Provincial Gyms!"
"Pika!"
Xiao Zhi bumped fists with Pikachu on his shoulder and left, full of fighting spirit,
with no regret at all.
After this match,
Lin Yu had basically been crowned the expected champion by most of the audience.
There was no way around it.
He had strength, the home-field advantage, and the broken Protean ability.
His Frogadier was practically unbeatable here.
The audience chatted excitedly,
but they weren't as hyped for the rest of the matches.
Of course,
a small group still thought Lin Yu only had one strong Pokémon: Frogadier.
Riolu was tough,
but its stamina was terrible.
That "red rage" state didn't last long.
In the second round, a Flying-type Trainer had exploited that with a stall tactic —
staying in the sky and attacking from a distance,
he'd beaten Riolu easily.
So they thought the finals were still up in the air.
Either way…
Lin Yu was now a top-four finalist!
This result alone
was enough to get him into Zhongqing University.
In the rest area outside the arena,
Lin Yu was feeding his Pokémon.
"Only two matches left."
Thinking back to his encounter in Water Metropolis,
Lin Yu took out the painting again and opened it.
"Kirl~" (Who drew this?)
Kirlia floated over curiously.
"A girl drew it…"
Lin Yu patted Kirlia, then looked up —
and froze.
Standing right in front of him
was that very girl.
...
Shuimu City.
Shuimu No.3 Middle School.
The whole school canceled classes today —
all for one person:
Lin Yu, who'd fought his way to the Provincial Tournament.
It wasn't unheard of for students here to reach the Provincial stage…
but a first-year student?
He was the first in Shuimu City's history.
As a small prefecture-level city
with no Class-A or higher Secret Realms nearby,
this was an enormous source of pride.
In every classroom,
Lin Yu's matches were playing on the screens.
From Riolu's first battle against Servine,
to Frogadier taking down Pikachu and Pidgeot in a row.
The strategy teachers analyzed every fight in detail,
then broke them down for the students.
Some of the "tactics" they praised…
Lin Yu hadn't even thought of them himself!
"This kid… he might actually win the championship…"
First-Year Class 3.
Watching the confident Lin Yu on the lake,
Teacher Qin Feng felt proud and amazed.
He never thought his first group of students would include a Provincial Tournament champion!
Second-Year Class 4 — Teacher's Office.
The strict "Demon Teacher" Xiao spoke solemnly:
"Are you sure?"
Xue Nai stood before her.
"Yes, teacher!"
Xue Nai replied firmly.
"Alright. Here's your leave form. We'll keep your enrollment open.
You're young — you should go out and chase your dreams.
But traveling isn't safe like school.
Be careful. Safety always comes first…"
For all her usual strictness,
when her student was ready to spread her wings,
she chose to respect her choice.
She just couldn't help but worry a little extra.
"Thank you, teacher…"