At 9 AM on Saturday morning, many university students who would normally still be sleeping in their dorms got up unusually early and made their way in small groups to the Gymnasium.
Celadon University's indoor Gymnasium could seat up to 2,000 people for a match, but even so, it had become nearly impossible to get a ticket, which made Sato reconsider just how popular he really was.
While he was still not on the level of that flashy guy Wallace… at least he didn't win the tournament for nothing.
At exactly 9:00, the Gymnasium was filled to capacity, and Sato appeared right on time at one end of the official battlefield.
The two massive projection screens inside the arena were also showing close-up views of Sato in crystal-clear resolution.
"Good morning, everyone! I'm Sato!"
Clap Clap Clap Clap !
Same simple opening, same enthusiastic applause. Compared to his first public lecture, the audience had increased tenfold, but Sato was even more composed.
After all, today was about real combat training -read: torture-, not two more hours of non-stop lecturing.
"Thank you to all the students and teachers for coming. Today's live combat lecture will use a drawing system to randomly select participants from the audience. If you'd like to come on stage and battle, please scan the QR code displayed on the big screen."
Just as Sato finished speaking, a huge QR code popped up on screen, and the Trainer Academy students immediately pulled out their phones to register.
Winning or not didn't matter, it'd be a great story to brag about later.
"Of course, after each match, I'll also share my suggestions and feedback for everyone's reference. Battle level is capped at Elite rank and below. Of course, if anyone wants to challenge upward and use a Ordinary level Pokémon, I won't stop you..."
As Sato was speaking, he noticed that several students had taken this chance to openly snap photos of him.
"Ahem… I'll give everyone two more minutes to scan the code. After that, today's public battle guidance session will officially begin!"
Sato quickly wrapped up and stepped aside to wait, pretending not to see or hear the flashing cameras.
After all, what he'd learned from auditing classes was that a good teacher must learn to turn a blind eye now and then.
During that time, plenty of students groaned and pounded their chests, saying they didn't bring the right Pokémon and begged for time to go get them.
Sato simply pretended not to hear. There were more than enough students here, one more or less made no difference. After all, opportunities are for those who come prepared, right?
When Erika gave Sato an OK sign from the control desk, he stepped forward again, just as a rolling window appeared on the big screen.
"Time's up for scanning. Ms. Erika, please draw the first student."
Erika blushed instantly, she hadn't expected Sato to call her name in front of so many people. Read complete versıon only at 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵•𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒•𝙣𝙚𝙩
But rationality quickly took over. With a slightly trembling right index finger, Erika tapped the random selector.
["From the Trainer Academy, Grass-type specialty, Class 2 of Year 1, student Asher Stride, please come to the stage!"]
A wave of applause erupted. The first lucky participant stood up amid cheers, his face red as he ran up to the stage.
"T-Teacher Sato! I'm a huge fan of yours!" Asher blurted out the moment he arrived, wasting no time on his confession… even though he was a boy.
"Uh… Thank you, Asher. Let's skip the talk and start the match." Sato replied, then turned to the on-field referee and gave a slight nod before sending out his Pokémon.
"Drapion, get ready for battle."
"If it's Drapion, then this one's yours… Breloom, go!"
Since it was a combat guidance match, Sato was the one to send out Drapion first.
His opponent, Asher, quickly followed up by sending out his partner: a High Elite Breloom.
Drapion still held a slight type advantage, but considering Asher's Grass-type major, Breloom wasn't a bad pick.
"Breloom, use Mach Punch!"
"Block it, Acupressure."
With the referee's call, the first battle guidance match officially began.
Breloom was incredibly fast. Its powerful legs gave it tremendous explosive strength, and in the blink of an eye, it had already charged in front of Drapion.
The bright blue Mach Punch came crashing toward Drapion, who didn't budge an inch. Instead, it crossed its massive pincers in front of its body and took the hit head-on.
At the same time, Drapion jabbed itself with its tail pincer.
Acupressure activated, and a powerful aura burst forth from Drapion's body. Its pincers swung with such force that they completely disrupted Breloom's Mach Punch!
"Drapion, Cross Poison."
The two were extremely close in distance, but compared to Drapion's stubby limbs, Asher clearly had confidence in his Breloom's mobility.
But in the next instant, Drapion's massive body vanished into a blur, and reappeared behind Breloom.
Cross Poison struck with brutal force. Breloom barely managed to glance back before it was sent flying!
Drapion's Acupressure had boosted its Speed.
"Follow up! Use Pin Missile."
Drapion raised its two claws and tail pincer high into the air, launching a barrage of white Pin Missiles. In mere moments, they became a full-on needle storm.
Whoosh~ Whoosh~ Whoosh~
Breloom's defenses were never its strong point. One Cross Poison had already badly injured it, and now the unavoidable Pin Missiles finished the job, draining its last bit of stamina.
"Breloom is unable to battle. Drapion wins! Match over!"
At that moment, this was the only thought running through the minds of nearly every student and teacher watching.
Then came the realization.
Sato's strength was terrifying.
The match had barely lasted one minute, and Drapion had used one clean combo to defeat Breloom. It was as easy and efficient as taking a sip of water.
Asher stood there stunned as he recalled Breloom. He hadn't expected to win, but he also didn't think his ace would go down this quickly.
"Asher, think back carefully on the battle just now. If you could do it again, what would you change?"
"…Change?" Asher clenched Breloom's Poké Ball and repeated the word softly.
Meanwhile, the chatter around the arena gradually faded. Everyone was eager to hear Asher's answer!
…And to see what kind of post-battle advice Sato would give.
After a long ten seconds of silence, Asher looked up and said, with a somewhat unsure tone, "If I could do it again… I wouldn't have let Breloom charge in so recklessly.
Just like Teacher Sato said in the last lecture… when you can't win, the first thing to learn is how to stall, not to rush forward blindly."
Sato nodded seriously, though deep down he thought, 'Kid, that subtle flattery hit hard… now I feel bad even criticizing you.'