The Imperial Elite students sat frozen in the stands.
How long had the match even been going?
Galen's second Pokémon was already down?!
Was this some kind of joke?
"What... what the hell is going on?! What's wrong with Galen today?!"
"I don't get it either. He shouldn't be getting crushed like this."
"Holy shit... Galen, are you doing this on purpose? Are you trying to make Imperial Elite look bad?!"
"Or is Aaron's Pokémon really that strong?"
"Bullshit. He's just some commoner with no family backing. How strong could he possibly be?"
"He's still number one in the Hidden Dragon Tower rankings. He obviously has something going for him."
"Those stupid rankings? Please. Even a dog wouldn't bother climbing that tower."
...
The Imperial Elite students glared down at Galen with grim expressions.
As far as they were concerned, he had embarrassed their university.
They already looked down on Aaron. Watching someone they considered beneath them humiliate one of their own only made things worse.
And Galen was not merely losing.
He was getting crushed.
To them, that was almost impossible to accept.
...
Back in League University's preparation area, Ivy stared at the battlefield with her jaw hanging open.
Two wins in a row?!
Greninja had actually taken down two of Galen's Pokémon back-to-back?!
This was Galen.
Steelbone's grandson.
He had been born into one of Hualis's most influential League families. His family carried even more weight than hers.
And Aaron was still wiping the floor with him.
After all the praise Ivy had piled onto Galen just minutes earlier, her face burned with embarrassment.
She had barely finished hyping him up before Aaron made her eat her words.
...
"Aaron is incredible... That Greninja is seriously strong."
Gage could barely contain his excitement.
Braveon leaned back with both hands behind his head, smiling.
"I'd put money on Greninja sweeping all six by itself."
"Hahaha... all six?"
Ivy was already in a foul mood, and that was the last thing she wanted to hear.
"If that happens, I'll admit I was wrong about Aaron."
Braveon gave her a sidelong grin.
"You? Admit you were wrong?"
He laughed.
"Now I really want to see it happen."
"You—!"
Ivy bristled.
"Braveon, don't push it."
He only smiled.
She still had no idea how strong Aaron actually was.
There was no point trying to explain it.
...
On the battlefield, a bead of sweat ran down Galen's temple.
He could feel the match slipping further and further out of his control.
This was getting bad.
He recalled the unconscious Kingambit and pulled out another Poké Ball.
"Huff..."
After taking a deep breath, he looked across the field at Aaron.
"I'll admit it... you've got real skill."
"No wonder you're number one in the Hidden Dragon Tower rankings."
"You've earned that spot."
Aaron smiled.
"Wow. I'm honored."
Galen's eyes hardened.
"But I'm not losing this one!"
He hurled the Poké Ball.
"Come out, Duraludon!"
A flash of light burst across the battlefield.
A nearly two-meter-tall Pokémon with a body of gleaming alloy appeared on the field.
A rare Steel/Dragon type.
Duraludon.
"DURAA!"
Its powerful cry rolled across the arena.
The atmosphere around the field seemed to shift the moment it appeared.
One look was enough to tell that this Pokémon was dangerous.
Aaron's attention sharpened as the System panel appeared.
[Name: Duraludon (Super Alloy)]
[Gender: Male]
[Nature: Quiet]
[Type: Steel/Dragon]
[Ability: Super Alloy — A unique Ability developed after consuming large quantities of specially synthesized aluminum alloy. Raises Defense by 2 stages and boosts the power of Steel-type moves by 50%.]
[Base Stats Total: 535]
[Level: Gym (Mid Stage)]
[Potential: Champion]
[Known Moves: Steel Beam (Perfect), Draco Meteor (Perfect), Dragon Claw (Perfect), Flash Cannon (Perfect), Iron Defense (Master), Thunderbolt (Master), Reflect (Master), Dragon Pulse (Master), Dark Pulse (Master), Iron Head (Master), Gyro Ball (Master), Rock Tomb (Master), Light Screen (Proficient), Protect (Proficient), Outrage (Proficient)...]
[Description: Duraludon, the Alloy Pokémon. After consuming large quantities of specially synthesized aluminum alloy, it developed exceptionally powerful defensive capabilities.]