Pokemon: I refuse to be a supporting character!

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According to the "agreement," Li Xiang went easy on the class representative. When Quick Attack could have ended it, he deliberately waited two seconds before attacking.

This was already a huge concession. Against someone else or a different Pokémon, they might have turned the tables.

But unfortunately, neither Heracross nor the class representative stood a chance.

Whether it was the delayed commands or the Heracross struggling even to get up, the outcome of this battle was already sealed.

Blaze Kick probably gave that Heracross a concussion. Otherwise, it wouldn't be shaking its head like that.

Thinking of this, Li Xiang held back no longer, having Riolu finish it off with Vacuum Wave.

The third exam was concluded.

The defeated class representative sighed heavily as he left. Although he was well aware of the gap between himself and Li Xiang, nearly being taken out in one move was just too much.

And to think that a single kick sent his 50-kilogram Heracross flying into the iron fencing, leaving it dented! How much force must that have taken?

If Li Xiang knew what the class representative was thinking, he'd probably tell him this:

Once, there was a Pikachu that used Iron Tail to send a Snorlax weighing at least 450 kilograms flying, even launching it five meters into the air!

Now that's a true legend. Compared to that, Riolu's feats are nothing remarkable.

Besides, with your ability to fly and your long-range moves, why wouldn't you fight from a distance when up against a close-combat opponent? Why insist on being clever and using a type-effective move?

"Riolu…"

Riolu, limping slightly, walked over to Li Xiang, grabbed his pant leg, and called out softly.

Li Xiang squatted down to check on him. Earlier, one of the Bullet Seed shots had hit Riolu's knee. The class representative had hoped this would slow Riolu down, prompting him to take a gamble.

Too bad he underestimated Riolu's perseverance and the six months of training they'd undergone.

"Here you go."

Li Xiang pulled out a small piece of chocolate from his pocket and slipped it into Riolu's mouth.

A promise was a promise—this was his reward for winning.

Feeling the familiar smoothness of chocolate in his mouth, Riolu immediately clamped down on it, chewing while using his little paws to cover his mouth tightly, ensuring not a crumb escaped.

At the same time, his big, shiny eyes darted around warily as though worried someone might snatch it away. The sight was utterly adorable.

Li Xiang couldn't help but laugh. He wanted to ruffle Riolu's head but restrained himself, knowing how strong-willed his partner was. Instead, he gently patted Riolu's cheek.

"Come on up. Otherwise, people will think I'm mistreating my Pokémon."

He crouched and extended his hand, signaling for Riolu to hop onto his shoulder. Given the condition of his leg, it was best not to make him walk.

Riolu glanced at Li Xiang, chewing thoughtfully. With a light push of its good leg and a quick twist of its body, it perched on Li Xiang's shoulder, hooking one paw around his neck to stabilize itself.

Li Xiang straightened up, steadying Riolu with one hand. His body wobbled slightly under the weight but managed to stay upright.

A Pikachu only weighs about 6 kilograms. Riolu, on the other hand, is at least 20 kilograms. If not for the martial arts training over the past six months, Li Xiang doubted he could carry it for long.

"Riu…"

Riolu started to speak but quickly shut its mouth when the chocolate inside nearly fell out, leaving it looking utterly flustered.

"Haha, finish eating first. We'll talk afterward."

Li Xiang chuckled, patting Riolu's back gently.

Riolu's Blaze Kick, as it happened, was a bit of a fluke. It was during a battle against a Torracat that he first discovered it.

Borrowing Torracat's flames, Riolu used techniques from martial arts training with Li Xiang to deliver a fiery counter-kick.

Who would've thought? Although the dogo's martial arts is designed for humans, it proved surprisingly effective under certain circumstances.

Over time, Riolu learned to generate his own flames.

It worked out perfectly since the Fire-type move covered a gap in his skill set. The move packed quite a punch—Fire-enhanced attacks often had superior impact.

Against opponents like Heracross, whose weight was double his own, kicking them into the air became an easy task.

And to think, Riolu was only at Level 19.

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At noon, Li Xiang checked on everyone's exam results.

Most had won all three matches. The unlucky Lin Feng managed two wins and one draw.

What surprised Li Xiang was that Qu Sheng had actually lost a match.

Qu Sheng! Losing a match!

Did the sun rise in the west today?

To be honest, even Li Xiang wouldn't dare claim a guaranteed win against Qu Sheng. His Wartortle, ever since mastering Aqua Tail and Scald, had become an incredibly tricky opponent.

Pulling off stunts like spinning in his shell while whipping Aqua Tail around the arena? Only Qu Sheng could pull that off.

Even Torracat had been chased around helplessly, unable to get close.

And then there was his trump card—Scald. If Riolu took a direct hit with a large enough dose, a burn would be almost inevitable.

Li Xiang suspected that if Torracat weren't a Fire-type, even it wouldn't escape unscathed.

His Magnemite wasn't as strong but still formidable in its own right.

The only plausible explanation…

"You ran into them?"

Li Xiang sat in front of Qu Sheng, tapping the desk to get his attention.

Looking sullen, Qu Sheng lifted his head and gave a muffled "Yeah."

It wasn't that he couldn't handle losing—it was just frustrating to lose in such an unfair way.

Yang Tianwang nudged Li Xiang.

"Class Three's top student, Ji Dong. His family owns a chain of hotels. He used a Luxray. Its energy level must be over 35."

He continued, "I caught part of the match. After Luxray set up Electric Terrain, its Electric-type moves got a boost. Wartortle couldn't withstand its Thunderbolt."

A gap of over ten levels combined with a type advantage—it was inevitable.

Lin Feng had been lucky that Freeze-Dry froze Torterra solid. Without that, his result wouldn't have been any different.

After all, these were fully evolved Pokémon at Level 35 and above. There was no closing that gap in just six months.

"Don't overthink it. It'll be fine."

Li Xiang patted Qu Sheng on the shoulder. Four wins were a guaranteed pass. Three wins and a loss would still be stable. Two wins and two draws might be risky.

Qu Sheng nodded, though his spirits remained low.

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In the afternoon, the fourth match began.

As expected, Li Xiang still didn't encounter any of the top five students, but his opponent this time was a bit tougher.

"A Torkoal in the sun, overpowering Kyogre… It must be at least Level 20, right?"

Li Xiang licked his lips. Not far in front of him, Riolu stood tense and focused.

The Torkoal emitted plumes of white smoke from its shell, breathing heavily as if it were a boiling kettle. Moments ago, it had forced Riolu back with a move resembling a volcanic eruption.

The move had wide coverage, leaving Riolu with no path forward. He had to retreat while dodging using Detect.

That move was Overheat.

Sunny day-enhanced Overheat was terrifying. If the Torkoal also had a Wise Glasses, its power would be even more devastating.

Riolu was struggling.

This type of opponent was beyond his current capabilities.

Li Xiang sighed.

He felt like a Kyogre that missed twice with Origin Pulse, only to be obliterated by Torkoal's Solar Beam. All that was left was to eat the Torkoal out of spite.