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Chapter 236: 3v3 Team Battle
🕑 Added 2025-10-02 10:43:30 +0000 UTCChapter 236: 3v3 Team Battle
At the Metro City Trainer Certification Center, the 22 candidates who had passed the morning's theory exam were gathered together once again.
Before entering the examination hall, however, they were divided into three groups of seven to eight people.
Basalt's luck wasn't great; he was placed in the same group as the square-faced man from the morning's prayer session.
"Bro, we meet again!"
The square-faced man, Ronan, was delighted to see Basalt. He casually sidled up next to him and started chattering away. "Next up is the 3v3 small-group battle. This is the second stage, and it's the toughest. The elimination rate has always been the highest for this part."
Although Basalt didn't really want to talk to him, the topic was interesting. "How high?" he asked curiously.
"They'll eliminate at least a third of us. If we're unlucky, it's not impossible for them to fail more than half the candidates." Ronan smacked his lips, his expression turning serious. He had failed this exact stage when he'd taken the exam in the first half of the year, so the memory was particularly vivid.
Pro-level trainers were the elite of society. Advanced-rank trainers were just one step below and were considered the backbone of the community. At the same time, all Advanced-rank trainers were part of the military reserve. If the nation ever faced a crisis, they would be the first wave of reservists called to the battlefield.
Therefore, becoming an Advanced-rank trainer was no small feat.
"The elimination rate for the second stage is that high?" Basalt was shocked.
"Of course!" Ronan shook his head and explained, "Don't be fooled by the 90% pass rate of the first stage. The theory exam is just an appetizer; the practical battles are the main event."
"The practical is divided into the second stage, an indoor simulated group battle, and the third stage, wilderness survival. If they don't weed out the weaker candidates in the second stage, the third stage in the wild becomes extremely dangerous. Even though there are guardian Pokémon following us, wild Pokémon are ferocious, and battles can break out in an instant. One careless mistake and a trainer could lose a limb. So, the League is doing this for our safety. Generally, if you pass the second stage, as long as your nerves aren't shot or your luck isn't terrible, you'll pass the third."
Ronan smiled at Basalt, looking very friendly.
"I see." Basalt nodded, a look of gratitude on his face. "Thanks for the explanation, old bro."
"Don't mention it, we're both locals!" Ronan said with a grin.
As they chatted, the candidates were finally led into the examination hall by the staff.
It was a separate battle hall with several standard battlefields inside.
Beside one of the fields, a sturdy, middle-aged man was already waiting. Next to him were five judges, a referee, and a scorekeeper.
The sturdy man scanned the candidates and announced in a loud voice, "I am your practical examiner for this session, Examiner Jensen. I will be conducting a 3v3 battle with each of you. The five judges will give a comprehensive score based on your performance to determine whether you pass."
Examiner Jensen loudly recited the rules. It was similar to the Battle Club's tryouts, but the format was a 3v3 group battle instead of a 1v1.
"I'll also give you a special reminder: losing the 3v3 battle does not necessarily mean you fail. However, if you win, you will definitely pass."
"Alright, the rules have been explained. I won't waste any more time. Will the first candidate please step forward."
At Examiner Jensen's instruction, the first candidate took a deep breath and strode onto the battlefield.
Examiner Jensen, meanwhile, took three Pokéballs from a rack on the side.
Basalt, who was number three, had sharp eyes and noticed that the rack Jensen took the Pokéballs from was already labeled with numbers.
"Don't bother looking. When we registered, we had to provide information on the three Pokémon we'd be using. The examiner prepared his teams based on that," the helpful Ronan explained again. "Based on typing, the examiner's team will definitely have one Pokémon that counters us, one that we counter, and a third that's neutral."
"So that's how it works." Basalt nodded, a look of understanding on his face.
In reality, he was already getting annoyed with Ronan. He had a feeling the guy had recognized him from the start and was just pretending not to, trying to score brownie points. The act was getting nauseating.
"Go, my warriors!"
The first candidate threw out three Pokéballs. His team was a Magneton, a Noctowl, and a Nidoking.
"Two in the air, one on the ground. Interesting," Basalt mused, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Based on his online research, he knew that the most common 3v3 composition covered the sky, the ground, and the underground to avoid blind spots. His own team was a good example: Bronzong with Levitate covered the sky, Excadrill covered the underground, and Lileep covered the ground. Magneton, since it could fly, could also be considered an aerial unit.
On the other side, Examiner Jensen smiled slightly and released his own team: a Gliscor, a Slowbro, and a Hitmonchan.
On paper, the two teams were evenly matched.
However, the moment the battle started, the candidate was at an absolute disadvantage.
Examiner Jensen's three Pokémon might have been of average strength, but his command ability was leagues above the candidate's. Basalt estimated that Jensen had to be a Pro-level trainer; otherwise, he wouldn't be qualified to be an examiner.
When the battle began, all six Pokémon moved almost simultaneously.
But compared to the candidate's uncoordinated "every mon for itself" approach, Jensen's team focused on tactical cooperation. While fighting their individual opponents, his three Pokémon could often spare the effort to support their teammates.
The first candidate, on the other hand, was a complete mess. His observation and attention couldn't keep up with the rhythm of a group battle.
And so, after dodging an attack from Nidoking, Hitmonchan seized the opportunity. An incredibly fast Vacuum Wave knocked the airborne Noctowl off balance, creating a crucial opening.
Then, Gliscor followed up with a Rock Tomb, and then a Thunder Fang sent Noctowl packing.
Meanwhile, although Slowbro was hit by Magneton's Thunder Wave, it had already set up Light Screen and Reflect, making it a good trade.
The subsequent 3v2 was a stomp, with no tactical beauty to speak of. The first candidate was swiftly defeated. The entire match didn't even last two minutes.
At the judges' table, the judges either pursed their lips or shook their heads, clearly unsatisfied with the candidate's performance. The three Pokémon had shown almost no teamwork, fighting as separate entities.
The result was no surprise. All five judges gave a "Fail" rating, and the first candidate was eliminated.
"Will the second candidate please step forward."
The assessment moved quickly. Almost every candidate was now staring intently at Jensen, trying to figure out his battle style. No one cared about the feelings of the loser.
The first candidate silently retreated to a corner, quietly watching the second assessment begin. Perhaps in his heart, he was hoping that every subsequent candidate would also be brutally eliminated.
Soon, the second battle began.
Although Jensen switched to a different team, his combat effectiveness didn't diminish in the slightest. He pressed the candidate just as hard, ending the fight in under three minutes.
The second candidate's performance was much better than the first. His three Pokémon showed occasional signs of mutual support and tactical cooperation. Unfortunately, it seemed he didn't have a particularly strong ace on his team. Their average power level was low, and in the end, the judges gave a verdict of 3 "Fails" and 2 "Passes." He was also eliminated.
"He was eliminated even after that? These judges seem really strict!"
Two consecutive eliminations was not a good sign. The remaining candidates' faces were grim.
As if hearing their discussion, Jensen said disapprovingly, "If you don't have sufficient hard strength, I will not let you pass this stage. Lowering the assessment standard would be doing you a disservice."
"Here, if you fail, you can try again. At most, you lose a little time, but there's no major loss. But in the wild, if you fail, getting injured is the best-case scenario. What if you lose your life?"
Jensen's face was stern as he reprimanded them. "The judges are being strict with you now because they are being responsible for your lives. But at the same time, I hope you will also be responsible for your own lives. Remember, you only get one!"
Jensen's demeanor changed. His gaze was like a falcon's as it swept across the crowd.
The candidates were intimidated by his presence and couldn't help but lower their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.
"Even if you pass the Advanced Trainer Certification, I hope you will continue to work hard and remain vigilant. The wild is a completely different world from the city. The dangers it holds are far more complex and varied than what you read in books or hear in class..."
The candidates' small complaints had given Jensen an opportunity to teach a life lesson. Although it was all common sense, at this moment, the candidates listened with rapt attention.
Even the two who had been eliminated no longer looked disappointed or angry. When they looked at Jensen again, their eyes were full of gratitude.
It was no exaggeration to say that this failure might have just saved them from a life-threatening crisis in the future.
...
"Will candidate number three please step forward."
After that small interlude, the assessment continued. A staff member gestured for Basalt to come to the field.
"Good luck, bro!" Ronan called out enthusiastically. Anyone who didn't know better would think they were the best of friends.
"Will the candidate please release his Pokémon!" the referee waved his flag.
Basalt nodded, unclipped three Pokéballs from his belt, and threw them.
"Dro-lisk~"
"Broonz~"
"Nee-nee~"
His three main Pokémon appeared. Excadrill on the left, Lileep on the right, and Super Bell in the center. Each of their faces was burning with fighting spirit.
They had been looking forward to this assessment for a long, long time. Of course, it was mostly Basalt's fault for holding them back with his theory classes.
But even though Excadrill and Bronzong were stronger, their auras more intense, and their presence more intimidating, everyone in the room couldn't help but fix their gazes on Lileep.
At the same time, their faces went slack with shock.
"Is that... a Lileep? Am I seeing things?"
