The so-called Mechanical Type that Xia Huanao mentioned was not referring to the Steel Type, but rather that all the Pokémon used by the team members at the Spiritual Spirit Technology University were mechanical structures or products.
Based on the intelligence already revealed, this Spiritual Spirit Technology University had used Pokémon such as Magneton, Electrode, Metagross, and Klink. If viewed from a technological perspective, Magneton was a magnet, Electrode was a Poké Ball, Metagross was a strong magnet, and Klink was a gear—all distinct technological features.
Logically, with the currently revealed lineup, a Fire-type Pokémon could easily counter them. However, the Spiritual Spirit Technology University's team had achieved a series of consecutive victories, with a better record than Six Spirits University.
"This team is quite troublesome,"
Wei Chiting asked in confusion, "What does Coach Xia mean?"
"Technology University, if their current lineup is purely based on mechanical technology, then what else would a school called a Technology University research?"
Wei Chiting pondered, "Electronic technology? Are you implying they might field Rotom series Pokémon?"
Xia Huanao nodded, "Yes. But besides electronic technology, there's also a broad category called biotechnology. Therefore, it's possible that Pokémon like Porygon and Elgyem, which are artificial or have a strong biological aura, could be in their lineup."
Xia Huanao's words trailed off. He held back a few more possibilities, namely that Pokémon like Mewtwo, Reuniclus, and Magearna could theoretically be part of the Spiritual Spirit Technology University students' lineup, provided that the research and development of this so-called Technology University could keep up…
Xia Huanao did not want to put too much pressure on them, so he kept this speculation to himself, planning to ask Yu Longdu later if he had any information on them.
Xia Huanao and Wei Chiting observed the competition from the front lines for two more days. All the matches finally concluded. The top three teams from each of the ten groups advanced to the knockout stage, while the remaining teams were sent home.
An hour after the final match ended and the qualified teams were finalized, all thirty-two advancing teams gathered at the venue to begin the draw for the knockout stage.
The draw for the knockout stage also followed a lottery system. The first and second-place teams from the previous tournament drew first, followed by the teams in order of their group rankings, with the first from Group A, then the first from Group B, and so on…
Six Spirits University was the third team to draw. Xia Huanao nodded at Guo Shuang'er, who represented Six Spirits University and went on stage to draw. She drew the second position, meaning they would play the opening match of the knockout stage again.
Xia Huanao nodded, "Excellent. We've avoided the previous tournament's Ling Ling University and Jing Hai University. This way, theoretically, we'll only meet them in the finals. Now, let's see the draws for the other teams."
"Excellent? The opening match is excellent?"
Xia Huanao nodded, "Of course, it's excellent. In the first round of the knockout stage, only the opening match is the most eye-catching. And only when it's sufficiently eye-catching can my tactics be effectively utilized."
"I see. Coach Xia is indeed Coach Xia."
It had to be said that Guo Shuang'er's drawing ability was top-notch. With the first position, it meant that their opponent in the first knockout match would be the third-ranked team from Group A. As for the subsequent matches, they would theoretically face that explosive team and the mysterious Spiritual Spirit Technology University that Xia Huanao couldn't quite figure out.
However, these were matters for the quarterfinals and semifinals. They would deal with them when the time came.
After the draw concluded, Xia Huanao said to the Six Spirits University team, "Wait for me for a moment, I'm going to gather some intelligence."
The team was taken aback. Gather intelligence? Where did he plan to gather it? Who would be foolish enough to reveal their own intelligence to him?
Xia Huanao then walked towards the Chuan Yuan Spirit University team. This Chuan Yuan Spirit University was the unlucky team they had just mentioned, the third seed of Group A, and the team that would face Xia Huanao's Six Spirits University in the opening match of the knockout stage.
Seeing Xia Huanao approach, the captain of Chuan Yuan Spirit University stepped forward, "Isn't this Coach Xia of Six Spirits University? Is there something you need from us?"
Xia Huanao nodded, "Of course. I'd like to arrange a practice match with you."
The captain was surprised, "A practice match? We're about to play the opening match against each other. You want to arrange a practice match before that?"
Xia Huanao shook his head, "Not at all. Arranging a practice match before that would expose some of our tactics designed to counter you. It would be after our opening match has concluded."
Xia Huanao's words clearly told Chuan Yuan Spirit University that they would defeat them and advance to the top sixteen.
The members of Chuan Yuan Spirit University were angered by these words, "You're far too confident. You know, in the group stage, we beat you three to two, and we didn't even field our main force!"
Xia Huanao waved his hand, "Three to two was still a win for us. Doesn't one point count as a point? Besides, you didn't field your main force, but did you think you won those two points against our main force?"
The supervising teacher of Jiang Yuan Spirit University, however, remained composed, "Alright, we accept this practice match. Regardless of the outcome, it will be beneficial for us."
Xia Huanao naturally understood the unspoken meaning in the teacher's words. He smiled and nodded, "In that case, thank you, teacher. I'll be going now."
With that, Xia Huanao turned and returned to the Six Spirits University team. The Six Spirits University members, seeing Xia Huanao return, asked, "Coach Xia, you weren't here to gather intelligence, were you? Why did they seem so angry?"
Xia Huanao recounted what had happened, then added, "I intended to provoke them a bit, but it seems it had the opposite effect. However, it doesn't affect the difference in strength between the two sides. Moreover, I did manage to glean some information: they likely have a trump card to deal with us. Let's go, we're heading back."
Back at their accommodation, Xia Huanao began to study the competition format with Tong Ruo and the two vice-captains.
"So, the knockout stage is divided into three parts: the choice match, the challenge match, and the team battle."
The so-called choice match is where both sides choose one of the following: a one-on-one battle, a two-on-two battle, or a three-on-three battle. The team with the higher seed chooses first, and points are awarded based on the number of Pokémon defeated.
According to the current rules of the university Pokémon tournament, a competitor who has participated in the first part of the choice match cannot participate in the second part of the choice match. However, both sides can choose the same event. Therefore, the choice match can reveal up to six Pokémon from a team and their moves.
As for the challenge match, both sides send out five participants, and points are also awarded based on the number of Pokémon defeated. However, participants who have already competed in the challenge match are allowed to switch their Pokémon and compete again.
The final team battle is a six-on-six free-for-all, where points are also awarded based on Pokémon defeated.
Xia Huanao looked at this and asked, "What if the points are tied?"
Wei Chiting replied, "If the sub-scores are tied, then we look at the main scores."
Xia Huanao pressed further, "What if the main scores are also tied?"
Wei Chiting was stunned, "Main scores tied? How would that..."
As he spoke, Wei Chiting suddenly thought of the explosive team in the same large group as them. If it were them, it would be very possible for them to have a match where both the main and sub-scores were tied, as such a mutually destructive playstyle was rare.
"The league hasn't made a rule for this yet, but it should be coming soon, especially since such a team appeared this year."
Xia Huanao was swiping at his tablet, "Hmm, then we'll deal with it when the time comes. However, in my opinion, there are quite a few loopholes that can be exploited in this format. Wei Chiting, if I exploit the loopholes in the competition committee, will it implicate you and lead to sanctions?"
Wei Chiting shook his head, "Probably not. For example, when we flipped a coin in the group stage, it was also against the spirit of the rules, but after deliberation by the organizing committee, it became a customary tradition."
Hearing this, Xia Huanao's face showed a rather mischievous smile, "In that case, it's time for me to put pressure on the league again."
Wei Chiting and the other two felt goosebumps rise all over their bodies. Wei Chiting asked cautiously, "Coach Xia, what new idea have you come up with this time?"
Xia Huanao turned to look at Wei Chiting, "Wei Chiting, the upcoming matches are very important, and I'll be relying on you."
With that, Xia Huanao patted Wei Chiting's shoulder and left the living room with his hands behind his back. Halfway there, Xia Huanao suddenly stopped, "Oh, right. I won't be staying here for the next few days. During this short break, I'll be staying at the Grand Prix Committee for two days. Don't worry about me. I'll be here on time for check-in on the day the competition starts."
After saying this, Xia Huanao went back to his temporary bedroom, put on his backpack, and came down, "You all need to train hard. Sister Ruo, I'll trouble you to supervise them."
Watching Xia Huanao's departing figure, the three people present exchanged glances. Finally, Li Qiufeng asked, "Sister Ruo, is it okay for Coach Xia to leave like this?"
Tong Ruo put down what she was holding, "Don't worry. He's, after all, the honorary chairman of the Grand Prix Committee and the honorary vice-president of the research association. Who would dare touch him in Linglong City? He probably has some major undertaking. Let him handle it. Your task now is to use the two-day short break to adjust your condition and prepare for the upcoming matches."
Tong Ruo's guess was not wrong. The first thing Xia Huanao did after leaving the residential area was to take a taxi. However, he was not going to the headquarters of the Grand Prix Committee, but to the temporary headquarters of the Awakening Team, where they had previously developed the Pokémon Index.
Sitting in the taxi, Xia Huanao took a deep breath, "Let us demonstrate that technology can have other uses besides pioneering the future."