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"Rhydon and Squirtle, both Pokémon are unable to battle!" the referee announced loudly.
Seeing both Pokémon fainted simultaneously, the audience looked at each other, uncertain how to react.
At this moment, the commentator—who had maintained a low profile until now—seized the opportunity.
"Incredible! What an unexpected turn of events!"
"The first-year Chief recommended student, Roy, has once again subverted our expectations, just like he did two months ago! He's pushed this battle from what should have been a predetermined outcome into a nail-biting finale! At this point, who dares predict the result?"
"Will history be made again tonight?"
The commentator displayed excellent control of the atmosphere, perfectly capturing the audience's mood.
Indeed, no one had expected the battle to unfold like this. Brian had lost two Pokémon in succession and was now pushed to the brink of defeat...
Although Roy's Alolan Vulpix had sustained serious damage, even if it could only battle at reduced effectiveness, it hadn't been eliminated.
In other words, Roy still had two Pokémon remaining.
Brian's last Pokémon would need to win two consecutive rounds to defend his position on the school team.
'I've been such a fool—'
Brian clenched his fists tightly, his nails unconsciously digging into his palms, his face filled with self-reproach.
Being pushed to this point wasn't his Pokémon's fault—it was his own.
In the first round, Vulpix had managed to defeat a stronger opponent and secure victory despite a three-level gap by exploiting an "information advantage."
This was understandable—Alolan Vulpix had made its public debut for the first time, with its type, moves, and abilities completely unknown, utilizing a tactical system like "charm" that was unprecedented—
Any trainer would have struggled in that situation.
But in the second round, Squirtle's victory against Rhydon was entirely a reflection of the difference in the trainers' abilities... In that battle, Roy had maximized his type advantage, and the tactical groundwork with Spite and Snowfall was truly brilliant.
Brian knew very well that the loser in the second round was the trainer, not the Pokémon.
His Rhydon had actually performed admirably. Despite taking two consecutive Water Pulses, it had managed to execute Self-Destruct, displaying amazing willpower and forcing a mutual knockout...
Otherwise, Brian would now be facing a 1-versus-3 situation.
On the sidelines, Callan, Cade, and the other members of the mahjong group were both shocked and curious.
When had Roy's tactical command abilities become so formidable?
This was actually because during his time in the small town, Roy had frequently consulted with Cole and other professional trainers.
Everything he learned represented the experience and thinking of masters. In the past two months, not only had Roy's Pokémon grown stronger, but his vision and tactical thinking as a trainer had also progressed significantly.
'Unfortunately, the battle didn't develop in the most perfect direction according to my plan,' Roy thought.
The ideal scenario would have been a 3-against-1 advantage.
It was a pity that Rhydon's tenacious will and Brian's resolute command of "sacrificing one to save the rest" had forced Squirtle into a mutual knockout.
But the current situation was still favorable.
In comprehensive evaluation, the further ahead a Pokémon was, the more difficult improvement became. Even among Pokémon with the same evaluation level, the difference in strength could be dramatic.
For example, Brian's Marowak and Rhydon both had comprehensive evaluations at B+ level.
But realistically, Rhydon's strength could defeat two Marowaks.
Obviously, Rhydon had reached the B+ grade evaluation long ago and was only one step away from A- grade.
For Squirtle to achieve a B- level comprehensive evaluation and force Rhydon into a mutual knockout was already impressive.
Of course, Roy's biggest surprise was little Vulpix...
She had been the greatest hero in these two rounds.
The commentator analyzed: "Brian has only one Pokémon left—his ace, his strongest trump card. Coincidentally, Roy's last Pokémon is also his ace. The final round will be a classic 'trump card versus trump card'!"
As the words faded, the Poké Balls thrown by Roy and Brian revealed their champions.
Riolu.
And Steelix.
Standing over nine meters tall, Steelix looked down at Riolu with a stern gaze. The energy contained in its body, visible through Roy's aura perception, far exceeded that of Rhydon...
'A true A-level Pokémon—this is the strength of Capital University team members... With Riolu's strength having just reached B-level evaluation yesterday, winning seems almost impossible,' Roy thought to himself, though a slight smile played on his lips.
The next moment, Roy commanded loudly:
"Riolu, it's time to unleash your true power."
"—Evolve!"
As the words left his mouth, a dazzling white light enveloped Riolu's body. After being tempered by the "infinite" Calm Mind method, Riolu's spiritual power had already transcended ordinary levels, and its aura had transformed sufficiently to use Aura Sphere independently. It had already reached the conditions required for evolution.
Roy had been deliberately suppressing Riolu's evolution.
Why?
Because evolving under the watchful eyes of the public would create a more dramatic impact and generate greater popularity.
After two months of isolated special training, Roy had already spent almost all the popularity points he'd earned, and tomorrow's training resources couldn't be purchased...
He was desperate for an advantage.
The light of evolution shone brilliantly, and judging from the excited shouts of the audience, Roy's plan was succeeding.
The light faded.
Lucario appeared before everyone's eyes.
Its appearance hadn't changed drastically from its Riolu form—it still had blue-gray fur, but now steel spikes protruded from the backs of its hands and chest, and the muscles in its legs had developed significantly. It resembled a teenager who had grown from childhood into adolescence.
The heroic Lucario received enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Brian frowned:
"Impressive... but do you really think evolution alone will let you defeat my Steelix?"
"How will we know if we don't try?"
Roy shrugged.
The next moment, both trainers issued their first commands simultaneously.
"Iron Tail!"
"Force Palm!"
Both Pokémon executed their moves with extreme speed. Before the audience could react, Steelix's steel-energized tail had already collided with Lucario's palm.
In this contest of raw strength, Steelix had the clear advantage.
Lucario was sent flying, performing a dozen backward flips before finally regaining control.
After this exchange, Brian assessed Lucario's approximate level.
Post-evolution, it had reached a rating of around B+.
Not enough...
Not Steelix's equal.
'In just over two months, from a novice Pokémon to a B+ comprehensive evaluation? Truly monstrous...'
Even though Lucario was his opponent, Brian couldn't help but acknowledge its extraordinary growth. He then shouted:
"Press forward! Iron Tail again—crush him!"
Steelix's size advantage made its Iron Tail's attack range extremely wide.
An ordinary B+ rank Pokémon might have already fallen under such sweeping attacks.
But Lucario displayed amazing agility and reaction speed, like an Olympic gymnast, each time escaping the sweeping iron segments by the narrowest margin.
A dozen Iron Tail strikes carved deep gullies across the battlefield, but Lucario remained untouched.
'A speed specialist...' Brian realized, changing his strategy:
"Earthquake!"
Earthquake—a wide-area damage move perfect against agile opponents.
But just as Steelix let out a roar, preparing to channel earth energy, Lucario's body began to emanate blue-colored aura power.
Aura resonance.
The Force Palm from earlier had embedded some of Lucario's aura into Steelix's body, and now that energy suddenly erupted.
The exploding aura not only caused secondary damage but also disrupted the earth energy Steelix had gathered, causing it to rampage chaotically within its own body!
"GRAAAAH!!"
Steelix cried out in pain, its serpentine body convulsing.
It fell into a temporary paralysis.
"What's happening?!"
Brian was completely confused.
Roy didn't give his opponent time to recover and immediately ordered: "Thunder!"
Electric Body Forge + Agility—these enhancement moves required time to activate.
This was why Roy had instructed Lucario to meet Steelix's Iron Tail with Force Palm despite knowing Lucario's physical strength couldn't match Steelix. The damage sustained didn't matter.
The purpose was to plant aura within Steelix that could be detonated at the perfect moment, causing both damage and confusion, while buying time for Lucario to stack power-ups.
"Now!"
Lucario's expression grew focused as lightning gathered around its fists, which it then clapped together before its chest.
Electricity coursed through its entire body, forging and tempering it...
After practicing the "Infinite" Calm Mind method, its greatly enhanced mental strength had been completely transformed into physical speed...
Furthermore, Roy channeled all his aura power into Lucario's body.
Among his three Pokémon, only Lucario, known as the "Aura Pokémon," could fully withstand the blessing of his aura.
In this moment, Roy and Lucario's auras merged into one.
Instantly.
Massive blue-colored aura erupted from Lucario's body, forming a beam of light that soared toward the sky.
"Hmmmm!!"
The ground of the entire arena trembled.
Surrounding debris floated upward, orbiting around Lucario, with smaller pieces being pulverized into dust.
The aura surrounding Lucario climbed higher and higher with astonishing intensity before gradually stabilizing.
Blue aura flowed throughout Lucario's body like a second skin, with occasional electric arcs dancing across its surface.
"How is this possible—?!" Watching Lucario, now radiating power equal to Steelix, Brian broke into a cold sweat.