"What terrifying explosive power!"
"That Magmortar has already found its own path."
"It is not just an ordinary Quasi-Elite-level Pokémon; it already has Elite potential!"
Seeing that scene, the way the Elite Tournament participants looked at Ethan changed completely.
Even among Quasi-Elite-level Pokémon, there were differences in strength. A Pokémon like Magmortar, which had already found its own path, naturally belonged to the strong group within that range.
"Elite potential!"
"It seems that another contender for the title will appear in the next Elite Tournament."
At that moment, Victor Caldwell, who was still standing on arena number one, also directed his gaze toward Magmortar.
Although Magmortar's current strength was still not enough to threaten his Pokémon, its potential was such that even Victor could not help paying attention to it.
Perhaps in the next Elite Tournament, that Ethan might become a dangerous rival for him.
"Blastoise has lost the ability to battle! Magmortar obtains the victory!"
As soon as the referee announced the result, the entire audience sharply inhaled again.
That explosive fire was too terrifying! Even a Pokémon like Blastoise, which had resistance to fire and was also famous for its great endurance, had been taken down in a single blow!
Seeing that, the tournament participants fell silent.
"With this, two Elite Tournament participants have already been defeated."
"Right now, in the stadium, there are seventeen Elite Tournament participants. Adding Ethan, that makes eighteen."
"Eighteen people fighting for eight Gym spots... It seems Ethan has already secured one of them."
Looking at Ethan, who was still alone on the stage waiting for new challenges, the audience began murmuring among themselves again.
"It seems it is secured."
Inside the venue, Alex, seeing that, finally let out a sigh of relief.
As long as they managed to obtain a Gym spot, the development of Solaria Town would fully enter the right path.
"Eh, someone else has gone up."
At that moment, someone spoke again.
Immediately, all gazes turned toward the person walking toward the platforms.
Without exception, that man was also an Elite Tournament participant.
"Could it be that he is also going to challenge Ethan?"
A spectator outside murmured, looking at the newcomer with anticipation.
But it was clear that he was going to be disappointed.
After stepping out, that Elite Tournament participant walked directly toward one of the empty platforms, without any intention of challenging Ethan.
At that point, Ethan had already fully displayed his strength.
Naturally, everyone had acknowledged his level, and now they began occupying the platforms on their own.
In addition, because of Ethan's performance in those two battles, for a good while, no one else challenged him again.
After all, each person only had two challenge opportunities. Once Ethan's strength had been confirmed, no one wanted to waste one of them.
Because if they were defeated twice in a row afterward, they would directly lose their chance to obtain Gym Leader qualification.
Among the Elite Tournament competitors present, aside from Victor, the strength of the others was fairly even, and none of them had absolute confidence in being able to win.
"It seems no one is going to challenge Ethan anymore. What a pity."
"Eh, wait... look at Ethan. What does he want to do?"
At that moment, a spectator shouted in confusion. Then everyone saw Ethan step down from platform number two.
And then, before everyone's stunned gaze, he went up onto platform number one and stood directly in front of Victor.
"My God! Ethan is going to challenge Victor!"
Seeing that, the entire stadium erupted with excitement.
No one had expected that, after already securing platform number two, Ethan would take the initiative to challenge none other than Victor, the leader of platform number one.
"Isn't this Ethan being a little too arrogant?"
"Although his Magmortar has already found its own path, Mr. Victor's Pokémon also did so long ago."
"And furthermore, Victor took that step a very long time ago! His accumulation is not something Ethan can compare with."
At that moment, a hint of mockery appeared on the faces of some of the Elite Tournament participants, secretly laughing at how excessive they thought Ethan was being.
"Mr. Victor, I ask you to instruct me."
Ethan bowed slightly before Victor.
One of the objectives with which he had come to that tournament was precisely to find opponents who were at his level.
And now that he was here with Victor, one of the highest-ranked competitors of the Elite Tournament, naturally he would not let this excellent opportunity slip away.
"I didn't think you would come looking for me. It seems you have taken this tournament as if it were a training field."
Victor looked at Ethan and immediately guessed what he was thinking, so he smiled and shook his head.
Afterward, a Poké Ball appeared in his hand, a sign that he officially accepted the challenge.
"Ohhh, the strongest battle is starting!"
"I was already wondering what would happen if Victor faced Ethan!"
"I didn't expect they would really clash!"
Seeing that, the spectators also erupted with excitement.
Amid a wave of cheers, Victor's Poké Ball released a flash of white light.
And, within that light, a large white bear appeared on the field.
"That is... Beartic!"
"As expected of Victor's Pokémon! Its presence is impressive!"
Seeing that, Ethan also grew a little excited.
And the Pokémon he chose to battle was naturally still Magmortar.
After all this time of training, Magmortar had grown with enormous speed.
This battle would be the best possible occasion to test the fruits of its training!
"Beartic against Magmortar!"
"I feel like my whole body is burning!"
Seeing those two Pokémon facing each other on the field, the audience's cheers reached their peak.
"Now begins the battle between arena leader Victor and challenger Ethan!"
When the referee saw that both were ready, he waved the flag and started the battle.
"Beartic, use Blizzard!"
As soon as the battle began, Victor gave the order immediately.
"Magmortar, Fire Spin!"
Ethan's order came right after.
Both Pokémon moved almost at the same time, releasing the move Blizzard and the move Fire Spin.
Beartic's move Blizzard had clearly been developed beyond the ordinary. It was seen opening both arms while a snowstorm surged from its body, directly transforming into a true icy tempest that rushed forward, instead of merely blowing it from its mouth as most Pokémon did.
Because of that, Beartic's move Blizzard looked much more like a true natural storm, and its power was also much more terrifying.
On the other hand, Magmortar fired the move Fire Spin through the cannons of its arms, making it look like a fire tornado that roared like a drill, piercing by itself into the interior of the move Blizzard.
"How can this be?!"
"Beartic's Blizzard was pierced through!"
In the next second, the entire audience shouted in shock. No one expected that in the first clash, it would be Magmortar who took the advantage.
(End of chapter)