Chapter 72: Ortega's Provocation

Arven lost, and he lost badly.

That Quaxwell was simply too cunning; Arven felt his battle IQ was completely crushed by the opponent, commanding his Mabosstine step by step right into the other's trap...

Arven's match was one of the slower ones to conclude; after all, Mabosstine's strength was solid, and Quaxwell had to rack its brain quite a bit to defeat it on its own.

Among the other seven battle pairs, six had already decided their victors, leaving only the fight between Penny and Ortega just entering its final stage.

Luo Mu stood outside the battle arena with his arms crossed, watching the match; he had already seen the other battles and had gained a certain understanding of their strengths.

Take the pair of Nemona and Rika, for instance; Nemona had clearly taken his words from a while ago to heart, conducting targeted training for her Pawmi.

Whether it was the release speed or accuracy of its electric attacks, or even Pawmi's physique, obvious improvements were visible.

Fighting against Rika's Sprigatito, she managed to secure victory using electric-type moves that weren't very effective; although Grass doesn't counter Electric, it merely resists it.

Nemona's maneuvering reminded Luo Mu of Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town, who, whether or not he had started his journey yet, was already famous for several battles where he reversed type disadvantages.

Although the battle between Penny and Ortega was deadlocked, Luo Mu could tell at a glance that Penny would ultimately win; even though Bisharp's Dark-type moves weren't very effective against Greavard's Fairy type, it still had its secondary Steel-type moves.

Ortega's fighting spirit was lacking; this young master seemed quite unwilling to battle. While Penny's strength was definitely superior to Ortega's, her battling style was simply too conservative, letting several opportunities to decide the victor slip away.

In the end, Bisharp struck Greavard with a Metal Claw, deciding the match.

Ortega showed not a shred of reluctance at his defeat; indifferently taking out a Luxury Ball to recall Greavard, he merged back into the crowd of students.

Penny let out a sigh of relief; as the student council president, it would have been troublesome if she had lost to a junior. Using her right hand, which was already sweating, she took out a Timer Ball and recalled her Bisharp.

With the final battle concluded, Luo Mu checked the time; there were only a few minutes left until class ended. After a moment of contemplation, he clapped his hands, drawing the students' attention to himself.

"Ahem, the main purpose of this first lesson was to deepen your understanding of one another; the teacher has also gained a clear perception of your characteristics. Those of you who chose to enroll in the Battle Studies course must have a strong interest in Pokémon battles."

"With only a few minutes remaining until dismissal, I'll keep this brief and directly point out the shortcomings you exposed during today's battles."

Luo Mu scanned the room, first looking at Penny and Ortega, who had just finished their battle, and said, "Penny."

"Here!"

Suddenly called by name, Penny's body stiffened as she responded instantly.

Luo Mu paused briefly before saying, "Your Bisharp's rhythm in battle is excellent, which is praiseworthy; however, your commanding style as a Trainer is too conservative, which directly disrupted Bisharp's rhythm, causing it to struggle against Ortega's Greavard for so long."

Penny lowered her head, having nothing to say: "Uh..."

Luo Mu didn't proceed to lecture on the spot, as the class time didn't allow for it, and instead asked directly, "Do you have a mobile phone?"

Penny nodded: "Yes, I do."

Luo Mu nodded slightly, took out his cracked-screen phone, unlocked it, and handed it to Penny, saying, "Leave your number; I'll find a time to discuss the detailed issues with you over the phone."

After hesitating for a moment, Penny still took Luo Mu's phone; looking at the screen covered in cracks, she was somewhat surprised.

Teacher Luo Mu is already a teacher at the Orange Academy, yet he still uses such a phone?

After entering her number and adding a note, Penny lowered her head and handed the phone back.

After taking back the phone, Luo Mu didn't say much more; turning to look at the distracted Ortega, he frowned and said, "You don't seem very enthusiastic about battles?"

"Yeah, so what?" Ortega, leaning back with his hands behind his head and his gaze unfocused, glanced at Luo Mu and clicked his tongue disdainfully.

Luo Mu showed no emotional fluctuation due to Ortega's attitude and continued, "Your level of active command during the battle isn't very..."

"Shut up, you're so annoying!" Ortega suddenly shouted loudly, interrupting Luo Mu's voice; with an impatient expression, he said, "Just go manage those battle maniacs, and I advise you not to meddle in my, Master Ortega's, affairs. You're just a teacher living off a fixed salary; fighting that rigid bookworm was already giving you enough face!"

"My family are shareholders and investors of the Orange Academy; be careful, or I'll get you fired!"

Ortega was in a terrible mood; first, the old man at home had forcibly required him to enroll in this Battle Studies course taught by this new, arrogant teacher, threatening to cut off his bank card if he didn't.

Thinking he could just coast through it and thereby get more pocket money, he had assumed the new teacher would be like other teachers and wouldn't dare to manage him; he never expected that he would actually dare to lecture him now.

What was his status, and what was Luo Mu's status?

"Calling me a rigid bookworm..." Penny, who had been innocently dragged into this, murmured to himself in disbelief.

The other students were also stunned by Ortega's outburst; Clavell, who had a very good temper, stepped forward and tried to persuade him, "Student Ortega, how can you speak to Teacher Luo Mu like that..."

"Don't come over here pointing fingers at me, you big female gorilla!"

Ortega's words were exceptionally biting, having escalated to the level of a personal attack.

Even though Clavell would be his companion in the future, the few of them had not yet met because of Penny, so Ortega naturally spoke without any restraint.

"You..." Clavell froze in his tracks, looking at Ortega in shock.

Even Nemona, who had such a good temper, was somewhat angry at this point and immediately intended to rush up to reason properly with Ortega.

Amidst the chaotic scene, Luo Mu, who had not been hurt by the little brat's provocation, sighed; first, he gave Nemona a look to tell her not to get excited, then smiled at Clavell and Penny, saying, "Thank you, Student Penny and Student Clavell, for your defense; please wait a moment."

Luo Mu looked at Ortega; although what this kid said was indeed very arrogant and biting, he not only wasn't angry, but even felt a bit like laughing.

Come to think of it, shortly after Principal Mu Fei sent him the course message, he had specifically made a phone call.

After the call connected, the one speaking wasn't Principal Mu Fei, but another person.

He hadn't expected that thing would need to be used so soon.

Looking at Ortega, who was craning his neck with an arrogant expression, Luo Mu wore a kind smile: "It seems you are very proud of your family background?"

Ortega didn't speak, but from his raised head and unrestrained eyes, it was clear that was exactly what he meant.

Luo Mu lowered his head, operated his lit-up cracked-screen phone a few times, then looked up at Ortega and said with a fake smile, "Alright, your pocket money has now been completely frozen; congratulations, Master Ortega, now you can only eat the most meager free lunch at the Orange Academy every day."