Xia Huanao led his team into the tent. To his surprise, the tent, which looked simple, was actually worse than it appeared.
Such a large tent, yet it was completely empty inside. If not for the four walls, it would have been no different from a pavilion.
Xia Huanao was not picky and sat directly on the ground. "Come, come, let's plan our strategy for the opening match."
Everyone else also sat on the ground next to Xia Huanao, listening to his arrangements.
"Our first match is against Lianfu Elf University. If we go by last year's rankings, we should win this match easily. There's no need to reveal all our trump cards, that would be too foolish. However, we must win the first game; it's a matter of momentum. Lu Bingming, do you have confidence?"
Lu Bingming nodded. "Coach, don't worry, I've got it handled."
Xia Huanao patted Lu Bingming's shoulder. "Be smart, don't win too decisively. Do you understand what I mean?"
Lu Bingming grinned slyly. "I understand."
"For the second match, Chu Xiaodie, you go. Fight with all your might. Whether you win or not is secondary; you need to gain some experience in major competitions."
Chu Xiaodie agreed. Although she was a little nervous about playing in the first major match, Coach Xia's orders had to be obeyed.
Xia Huanao looked at the people present. "For the third match, Tan Yue, and the fourth match, Zhu Feng, you two must close the match for me. I have no intention of playing a fifth game."
The two responded solemnly, "Understood."
"For the final match, Wei Chiting, if we are unlucky enough to go to a fifth game, you need to be our fallback, understand?"
After arranging the battle order for the first match, Xia Huanao stood up and brushed the dirt off himself. "This league is too stingy. It's a major competition, yet the facilities are so basic and shabby."
Li Qiufeng approached him. "Coach Xia, just accept it. After all, it's a college student elf competition, not an Elf Grand Prix. There's a big difference."
As they were speaking, someone outside the tent called out, "Liuling University, check-in."
Xia Huanao pushed open the tent door. "Let's go, the battle is about to begin."
Speaking of the check-in process for the college student elf competition, it was a strange tradition. All ten members of each team, along with the coach and team leader, had to be present for check-in and submit the order of participating players for the match, otherwise, they would be disqualified. Xia Huanao didn't understand, but he wasn't going to ask. The league made the rules, so it was better not to ask.
Both teams lined up on the field and saluted each other. Xia Huanao glanced at his watch; it was 12:50 PM, ten minutes before the match began. As the referee signaled for both sides to return to the sideline preparation area, Xia Huanao spoke, "Coach of the opposing team, can we discuss something?"
The coach from Lianfu University stopped. "Oh, what is it?"
Xia Huanao rubbed his hands. "I think your side has better feng shui. How about we make a deal? We'll stand on your side."
The Lianfu coach had never encountered such a situation before and looked towards the referee. The referee, also never having seen a pre-match dispute over which side to stand on, was momentarily stunned.
"How about this, let's flip a coin. If I win, I'll take your half. If you win, then consider this as if I never said it."
Xia Huanao's proposal made the Lianfu coach hesitate. What was this kid up to? Could feng shui really influence a match?
While the Lianfu coach was contemplating, Xia Huanao had already produced a specially made coin. "This coin has the emblem on one side as heads, and the Poké Ball side as tails. To be fair, let's have the referee toss the coin."
Xia Huanao had now passed the ball to the referee. But the referee dared not make a decision on his own. "This, I need to get authorization for."
Xia Huanao smiled. "Don't worry, the rules don't prohibit this kind of action, so it won't be rejected."
As expected, the referee received approval from the competition committee, allowing Xia Huanao's somewhat nonsensical request. By the time the referee went to seek approval, it was already 1:05 PM.
The college student elf competition was broadcast live for every match, meaning all the spectators were wondering why the match hadn't started. They were also questioning if this teenager, who was supposed to be a coach, could truly handle the responsibility.
The referee returned to the field. "After approval from the competition committee, Liuling Elf University's request is reasonable, and they are permitted to choose their battle zones by coin toss."
A slight smile played on Xia Huanao's lips as he handed the coin to the referee. The referee stood between the two coaches, and just as he was about to toss the coin, Xia Huanao turned to look at Guo Shuang'er. Guo Shuang'er shook her head at him. Xia Huanao understood. "Referee, we want heads. Do you have any objections?"
The Lianfu coach shook his head. "We have no objections."
The referee, who likely worked as a croupier before becoming a referee, skillfully flicked the coin into the air with his thumb and then cupped it in his left hand with his right. He removed his right hand. "Heads."
"We choose the East half. You will go second."
Everyone was stunned. Were they really going to gamble this much for mere feng shui, even giving up the first move advantage? It was known that in one-on-one battles, the first move had significant influence.
Xia Huanao led his team to the East half's preparation area. "Everyone, cheer up, and win beautifully."
In the first match, Lu Bingming faced a chubby kid from Lianfu. The match was truly a rout, with the chubby kid having no ability to fight back. Although he had specifically brought out a Ground-type Pokémon to counter the Luxray, the level difference was too great. Xia Huanao even suspected that the opponent had guessed that Liuling University would field their captain in the first battle, and thus, they had intentionally lost.
Lu Bingming, having secured the first win, returned to the preparation area. Xia Huanao tossed him a bottle of water. "Well done. Next up is Chu Xiaodie. You need to do your best, don't disappoint me and Guo Shuang'er."
Chu Xiaodie, though not fully understanding Xia Huanao's meaning, still walked onto the battle stage.
Lianfu University had fielded their vice-captain this time, a tall young man.
"Hey, does Liuling University look down on us that much? Sending a rookie to face me?"
Chu Xiaodie did not reply, merely waiting for the match to begin.
At the referee's signal, the second match began. Chu Xiaodie's Butterfree against the Lianfu vice-captain's Growlithe.
This uneven battle ended even faster than the first. Chu Xiaodie's Stun Spore directly controlled the Growlithe, and then it was Chu Xiaodie's turn to showcase her skills. Despite the Lianfu vice-captain's best efforts, he was eventually defeated by Chu Xiaodie, securing a crucial point for her.
Chu Xiaodie returned to the preparation area, excitedly saying to Xia Huanao, "Coach Xia, I won!"
Xia Huanao nodded. "Yes, you did not disappoint me and Guo Shuang'er."
In the third match, Tan Yue of Liuling University faced the captain of Lianfu University. Although Lianfu University had fielded their captain in this round, it did not prevent Liuling University from winning the match. Coincidentally, the Lianfu captain did not possess a single Pokémon that could counter Tan Yue's Tyranitar.
The match ended. The opening match of the Minglong Country College Student Elf Competition saw Liuling Elf University lightly defeat Lianfu Elf University three to zero.
Both teams returned to the center of the arena to salute each other. Just as the Liuling team was about to leave, the Lianfu coach asked a question. "I have something I don't understand. Why did you choose sides by coin toss?"
Xia Huanao pondered for a moment. "Did you watch the weather forecast last night?"
The Lianfu coach shook his head. "No, why?"
"The weather forecast last night said that today would be clear with temperatures between 21 and 25 degrees Celsius, and an east wind of three to four levels."
The Lianfu coach suddenly realized. "So, you chose sides to take advantage of the wind?"
"Yes. If it weren't for the wind, the second match wouldn't have been won so easily. Your students are quite skilled, you know."
"Weren't you afraid of guessing wrong?"
"Not afraid. If I guessed wrong, we just wouldn't use the wind. However..."
At this point, Xia Huanao tilted his head and glanced at Guo Shuang'er. "Although I don't like to discourage you, I was sure I would guess correctly. As for whether the wind would blow and when, that's up to fate."
The Lianfu coach sighed. "Truly a young hero. We admit defeat wholeheartedly this match."
Xia Huanao nodded slightly. "Thank you for your compliment. Let's head back, the next match is about to begin."
Although Xia Huanao and the Lianfu coach's conversation took place on stage, due to the nationwide broadcast of the competition, the entire Minglong Country heard Xia Huanao's explanation. Instantly, major universities began researching how to seize advantages of time and terrain. The method of choosing sides and the first move by coin toss, proposed by Xia Huanao, was henceforth incorporated into the rules of the college student elf competition.
While the second match was raging on stage, in the Liuling University tent, Wei Chiting was sitting in front of Xia Huanao, wanting to discuss the tactics for the first match of the day.
Xia Huanao looked at Wei Chiting, who was sitting on the ground. "No, let's be practical. Let's go find some chairs. I feel uncomfortable always sitting on the ground."
Wei Chiting nodded. "Indeed, we'll be competing here for over a month. We should set things up properly."
Thus, the Liuling University team began moving tables and chairs. After completing the simple arrangements, Xia Huanao sat in the main seat. "Alright, now we can properly plan for the matches."