"Sterling, you sly old fox! Your school produced such an unbelievable student, and you kept him hidden all this time!?"
"This is going too far!"
"Yeah, yeah—what, did you think we were going to poach him from you or something!?"
…
The other principals were so consumed by envy and frustration that they looked ready to lose their composure.
That old fox… he actually kept it under wraps for all this time before finally revealing it. Shameless.
The stands descended into complete chaos.
…
Aaron felt safe revealing Gyarados because Principal Sterling had already informed him that his awakened ability had been formally registered with the authorities.
Before long, the state would classify him as a high-priority protected individual.
From that point on, no one would dare target him openly—let alone attempt to seize his Pokémon for research. At least, not in public.
In this world, the Hualis government placed immense value on talent. Aaron understood that better than anyone.
And even in the worst-case scenario—if someone truly came after him—Frog Boss already possessed the absurdly powerful Flying Thunder God ability.
Unless it was Palkia itself, wielding authority over space, who in this vast world could possibly stop him?
That was Aaron's true source of confidence.
…
Aaron looked at the Jolteon across from him, its attribute panel flashing through his mind:
[Name: Jolteon]
[Gender: Male]
[Nature: Slow]
[Type: Electric]
[Ability: Volt Absorb]
[Base Stat Total: 525]
[Level: Advanced (Mid Stage)]
[Pokémon Potential: Class-Champion Level]
[Moves Known: Swift (Proficient), Double-Edge (Proficient), Tackle (Proficient), Quick Attack (Beginner), Thunder Wave (Beginner), Baby-Doll Eyes (Beginner), Thunder Fang (Beginner), Pin Missile Discharge, Thunderbolt...]
[Description: Jolteon, the Lightning Pokémon. One of Eevee's evolutions. It favors stormy weather and stores electricity when its emotions fluctuate...]
…
Advanced mid-stage. Class-Champion potential Jolteon.
Aaron immediately understood.
…
"The match officially begins!"
With a sharp command from the referee, the first battle was underway.
Seeing the colossal Gyarados before him, Ian's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise before he decisively gave the order.
"Jolteon—use Thunderbolt!"
Ian seized the initiative, opening with a high-powered move.
Against a Pokémon with Water, Flying, and Dragon types, Thunderbolt had a massive type advantage.
Its power was undeniable.
"Jolteon—!"
Jolteon cried out as violent arcs of electricity surged across its body. A thick bolt of lightning tore through the air, crashing straight toward Gyarados.
"Gyarados—fill the air with smoke and ascend to evade!"
"Then use Dragon Dance midair!"
Aaron's calm voice rang out from behind Gyarados.
"ROAR—"
Gyarados let out a deep growl. In an instant, dense smoke billowed through the air.
Its massive body surged upward through the smoke, rising into the sky and cleanly avoiding the Thunderbolt.
Within the swirling haze, Gyarados twisted its body.
Dragon Dance activated.
Gyarados's Attack and Speed rose by one stage.
"Tsc…"
"What the hell is this smoke!?"
Ian cursed inwardly.
Watching Gyarados already dominating the skies, he realized that many of Jolteon's moves were now useless.
Gyarados had seized an overwhelming advantage.
Still, Ian shouted firmly,
"Jolteon—hang in there!"
"Keep using Thunderbolt!"
He had no other choice. With Jolteon's current moveset, Thunderbolt was the only attack that could still threaten the airborne Gyarados.
"Gyarados—Heat Breath."
Aaron's voice sounded calm and detached.
High in the air, Gyarados opened its massive jaws. A torrent of blazing heat—like molten magma—erupted forth, colliding head-on with Jolteon's Thunderbolt.
BOOM—
The Heat Breath surged like a raging fire dragon, completely overwhelming Thunderbolt before continuing straight toward Jolteon on the ground.
"Jolteon—!"
Jolteon was blasted backward, its body engulfed in scorching flames as it let out a pained cry.
"Jolteon…!"
Ian's pupils shrank sharply.
He hadn't imagined that Gyarados's attack would be this monstrously powerful—so powerful that it overpowered Thunderbolt head-on.
How was he supposed to fight this!?
The corner of Aaron's mouth lifted slightly.
A 150-base-power breath attack—how could an ordinary move possibly compare?
Did Kaidou-sensei really think I'd hold back?
…