Hikaru's answer left Professor Burnet genuinely surprised.
"That codename… it's the International Police's."
She'd done some work on space, and had once been invited by the International Police, learning a few things about "extradimensional beings."
"You—don't tell me you study Ultra Space, too?"
Burnet's words naturally drew everyone's attention. But the more urgent matter was that after glancing over the surrounding humans and Pokémon, that Kartana flew straight at the black Haxorus!
If what happened at the Abyssal Ruins hadn't occurred, an Ultra Wormhole would never have opened here.
"Gruoooh!"
The black Haxorus roared. The dreadful aura it had felt invading its territory—that was it!
Kartana, one of the Ultra Beasts.
It looks like a humanoid folded from a sheet of paper—white on one side, red on the other. Its body is mostly white, its head folded into its torso; in the center a yellow four-pointed star is cut out, with no obvious facial features.
"Yah—! Toh—!!"
Kartana cried out in a language without meaning to them; because it's an otherworld tongue, even if Teacher N were here, he couldn't understand it.
In the anime, Meowth also mentions he can't understand Ultra Beast speech.
Hikaru: "Its entire razor body is a weapon. From that paper-thin form you can feel blade-sharp keenness, like a honed edge—one stroke can cleave the attacker. And that thin body is light, letting it dodge like a dancer. It's a dangerous life-form that excels at both offense and defense."
"This one comes from the Ultra Forest—that's one of the rare Ultra worlds where humans also live."
"In other words, it's an Ultra Beast."
Hikaru didn't say much, but Professor Burnet was already shocked. Current Ultra Space research is in its infancy—only to the extent of 'we know such a place exists.' Even the International Police have only recorded a scant two or three Ultra Beasts.
"These beings are dangerous, extradimensional life…"
"Yet in their original worlds, they're just commonly seen life-forms."
Hikaru's mind linked to the black Haxorus. It caught Kartana's sudden slash with Dragon Claw—this thing was very interested in the black Haxorus!
Rosa: "Why is it attacking Haxorus?"
Hugh: "Battles between Pokémon don't need reasons, right?"
Hikaru: "Because this Ultra Beast seeks things it can cut in one stroke—whether that's sturdy buildings, rock, steel, or living beings with supreme swordplay and sharp weapons. Those are its targets."
"Haxorus's tusks are unrivaled in sharpness—thick steel pillars get chopped like nothing. Feeling the black Haxorus's power must be what drew it out of that Ultra Wormhole."
From that first exchange, the black Haxorus sensed something off. Its green Dragon Claw aura burst—then the dragon gave a shocked bellow!
It cut the move itself?
Vmm—
Kartana's twin arms joined, becoming a single paper blade as keen as doom. A tidal whorl of power surged over it, and it blitzed for the black Haxorus's tusks!
With a pop, a Poké Ball burst open—
a golden greatshield slammed down, blocking the unstoppable paper blade!
Aegislash!
"If you want a 'sword' duel, why not pick a more professional opponent?"
Hikaru's voice reached Kartana's mind. It blinked—then brightened with interest!
So be it—let's test ourselves!
"Ah! That Pokémon is… such a colossal sword. Tch—looks seriously strong."
"Okay, me too!"
Benga whooped, eyes shining like he'd found a rare treasure, but Hikaru waved a hand:
"Benga, even if your Pokémon has the type advantage, Larvesta's speed can't compare with Kartana's. If it takes even a single hit, it could be badly hurt."
"Eh?" Benga had been ready to jump in. He stared in surprise. "My Larvesta beats it?"
Hikaru: "Yeah. Mm… pop quiz for you all: how do we reduce an opponent's offensive power?"
Hikaru looked to the three kids—no, make that four.
Just then, a debuff shimmered over Kartana—its momentum faltered!
Benga: "Tch—feels like its strikes aren't so fierce anymore!"
Hikaru: "Right—King's Shield, Aegislash's move. The shield blocks all contact and also drops the attacker's Attack."
"But it's a signature move—ordinary Pokémon rarely learn it. So there's also a more 'standard' line of play."
"How do you make a danger harmless—Larvesta!"
Hikaru's Poké Ball popped. Out came an even chonkier Larvesta than Benga's.
"Mera-mera~"
Hikaru's Larvesta warmly greeted Benga's Larvesta—whose eyes bugged out.
What are you eating to get that round?!
"Larvesta—Will-O-Wisp."
Larvesta's feelers spat flame!
Roger that!
Mini rocket, launch!
Larvesta hovered, spewing a string of azure ghostly flames—swish-swish-swish—rapid shots that left Benga's Larvesta gawking.
Bro, seriously?
You can fly?!
You haven't even become a moth yet and you can fly? Then what are the six wings for later?
Hikaru's Larvesta pondered seriously.
"Mera."
Probably to look cool!
Up in the air, Kartana swung its divine paper blade, slicing through the blue flames—then yelped a moment later!
In all its life, it had never felt the power of fire!
"Yah!"
Kartana gave a sharp cry. It felt its strength weakening; its sword swings grew sluggish!
The four kids stared at the now burned Kartana.
Hikaru: "So—burn status. What changes does it cause?"
Nate answered first: "It keeps chipping away a Pokémon's HP."
Rosa thought a moment: "Fire-type Pokémon can't be burned."
Hugh: "Does it… make them easier to catch?"
Benga chimed in: "Burn means hardship! Your stamina drains faster!"
Hikaru cleared his throat. "You're all correct—and Benga's right, too."
"Because among the abilities tied to status, there's Guts, which flips the script—but that's not my point today."
"The biggest help from burn is… Rosa, you were thinking about status earlier. Remember to flex it in the field."
"Burn halves a Pokémon's Attack."
"Indeed!" Principal Cyrano stroked his chin and laughed, joining in:
"So be very careful when fighting Fire-types."
Yes! Cyrano cheered inwardly.
This is what a "hands-on practicum" should feel like—teaching through battle. Only a truly strong Trainer can stay this composed—effortlessly handling even otherworld monsters.
"So it fears fire! In that case—" Rosa and Nate traded a look!
Nate: "Question! Which types are weak to Fire?"
Rosa: "Grass, Steel! Also Bug and Ice!"
Hugh: "So that thing must be at least one of those four—and its secondary type doesn't resist fire…"
Rosa: "Paper! Paper's made from plants—Grass type! And visually it's thin and white like paper!"
Nate: "True. Bug or Ice don't match its look. But 'Grass + something' that's weak to Fire is common; we can't nail the second type from that alone."
Grass/Flying, Grass/Poison, Grass/Fighting, Grass/Ground, Grass/Psychic… among Grass mixes, few aren't weak to Fire—so that won't reveal the second type.
Rosa: "It swings a sword! Then the secondary should be Fighting, right?"
Skyla-san joined in: "But it's flying around—maybe Flying type?"
Hugh: "Ugh… I'm bad at this! Type matchups… do I have to start memorizing them now?"
Benga: "Oh, same here! Can't remember all that—but some things your guts can sense!"
The red-haired kid pointed at the paper fiend hacking away: "I feel a weird aura from it! Gotta be Grass/Psychic!"
"Oh! Studying right now? Excellent," Cyrano said, amazed.
"Good transfer learning. But do Ultra Beasts even follow our world's type chart?"
Professor Burnet answered the principal:
"Yes. According to experts, Ultra Beasts also possess Pokémon-like types… In fact, they're likely some form of Pokémon from another world."
"That point isn't fully confirmed—because their bizarre looks and uncanny aura don't mesh with our world's Pokémon. In other words…"
"A biological feel, right," Hikaru tilted his head.
"Ultra Beasts almost all lack a normal 'living-creature feel'. They give people a sense of dread and strangeness—watch long enough and your skin crawls."
Burnet blinked. "Yes! That's it."
"Have you seen these before? Studied them? Or are you… International Police as well?"
Hikaru: "None of the above. That's a secret."
Skyla: "He knows a lot of secrets."
Cyrano laughed. "A man who knows everything! My eye for talent is flawless!"
At the same time, Hikaru told the three kids—and Benga:
"Linking paper to Grass is a great inference—and correct."
"But the second type can't be pinned down just from 'weak to Fire.'"
For oddly ecological Pokémon, professors and researchers spend a lot of effort just to determine their typing.
Even in the anime, there's an episode about researching Sudowoodo's typing—people got confused by its behavior and argued endlessly.
Kartana—judging from look and moves alone—you'd never guess its secondary type!
Rosa's eyes lit. "Sensei, you definitely know its typing, right?"
Hikaru: "I do, but it's better to demonstrate so you really feel the mystery of types."
"Aegislash—Sacred Sword!"
"S-Sacred Sword?!"
The three kids, Benga, and Principal Cyrano didn't react much—unfamiliar name, but obviously a powerful move.
Only Professor Burnet went white with shock.
"Sacred Sword is a legendary technique—the signature Fighting-type art of the Swords of Justice!"
Hikaru smiled. "Correct. My Aegislash recently passed the Swords' trial and became a new Swordsman of Justice."
Cyrano gasped. "And 'Sacred Sword' is…?"
Burnet's expression turned solemn. "The holy blade of legend—the ultimate technique forged by the Swords of Justice through harsh training. According to records, Sacred Sword ignores the target's stat changes!"
"In short—nothing can block Sacred Sword's cut!"
A dusky holy blade roared sideways!
The gigantic blade squeezed air to either side—vacuum seemed to bloom along its path. Alarm bells screamed in Kartana's mind, and a hot stubbornness burst out—
This is far more worth cutting than "Haxorus"!
The pinnacle of the sword I pursue… will this "being" give me the answer?
The indomitable paper blade met the sacred greatsword—paper crumpled, and with crushing power, the holy blade chopped it out of the air!
Boom!
Kartana cratered like a meteor. Less than a second later, swaying, battered, but still unyielding, it took flight again!
"It actually suppressed an Ultra Beast?!"
Professor Burnet pressed a hand to her brow, struggling to believe what she was seeing. Questions and curiosity flooded in—her files say these things are extremely dangerous!
If he can suppress an Ultra Beast… just how high is this Trainer's battle level?
But not only battle sense—
In this whole sequence, what mattered even more was his knowledge.
"Still… with such a flimsy body—after taking Sacred Sword, it can still fight?"
"So its defense is exceptional…"
Nate's eyes gleamed. "I noticed—when Sacred Sword hit, it took serious damage!"
"So it's weak to Fighting!"
Hugh was baffled. "A thing that slices the world with paper swords is weak to Fighting?"
Rosa suddenly thought of something.
Pop!
A Ferroseed bounced out, spinning on the spot like a top, its eyes locked on the airborne Kartana.
Ffff—
I sense it. You're my type of weirdo!
"I get it—it's Grass/Steel!"
Rosa was thrilled, like discovering a new continent.
Nate thought a moment, then offered a counterpoint:
"But Grass/Normal or Grass/Dark would also be weak to Fighting—and both are weak to Fire."
Hugh's pointy hair might as well have been smoking. Schoolwork nightmares loomed.
Benga, at least, settled down—born athlete.
"Because—look!"
Rosa scooped up Ferroseed. A soft magnetic field pulsed from its body. This wasn't a move—it's a natural ecological trait of Ferroseed. Under that magnetism, Kartana wobbled midair!
It was as if it were being pulled—its body briefly lost control and veered.
Ferroseed's magnetism was weak, though; Kartana corrected immediately.
But Ferroseed ptooey—spat a thin, pointed spike!
Riddle me this:
Why is my spike so pointy? What's it for?
Rosa flicked her twin-tails. "It fears Fighting, has standout defense, is extremely sharp, and is affected by electromagnetic force—so it's got to be Steel!"
"Excellent work, Rosa!"
Hikaru praised her. "Ferroseed uses fluids from its spines to dissolve minerals and iron from rock, then absorbs them to convert into energy."
"By using different Pokémon's ecology, habits, and natural traits, you can confirm a foe's secondary type!"
"Look—there it goes!"
That spike wasn't random—that was a setup.
"The move was… Pin Missile!"
"Sure, Bug-type won't threaten Grass/Steel much—but Ferroseed's fluids dissolve minerals, the exact thing Steel-type Pokémon worry about!"
"Steel-types are either iron all over, possess iron-like properties, or wear iron armor and shells."
"But there are rare cases where a Pokémon looks like 'A' yet is actually 'B,' or hides a 'C' type you'd never guess. Then you infer from other angles."
"Its blade-bodied construction, emphasizing metallic sharpness—meaning part of its body is as sturdy as steel. And what do those blades wield—a sword."
As Hikaru finished, Kartana unleashed its ultimate!
Its twin swords fused—dazzling light blazed along the blade!
In an instant, the paper sword magnified many times. A lethal aura erupted, making the other forest Pokémon quail!
Gale Katana Grand Slash!
One-Hit KO—Guillotine!
Though 'guillotine,' it was more like a reckless, death-dealing beheading cut!
An edge that could cleave any matter—even space—struck the golden shield and left no trace. Royal light flared; a wisp of blade-smoke curled.
"Yah-toh?!"
Nani? Kartana could not believe its all-out strike didn't even splash!
Aegislash's single eye slid upward—confident, fixed on the panicking Kartana.
King's Shield.
And I'm Ghost-type.
Guillotine is a Normal-type move. No matter the bravado, it does nothing to me.
At most, it gives me a shove.
If this had been a plain Protect, it might have been sliced—Kartana's blades are preposterously sharp.
But too bad—my specialty is a solid shield, not an energy screen.
Even without Ghost typing, this strike was doomed to fail!
Which means—we're done here.
Aegislash had only been co-teaching with Hikaru.
As for the Kartana before it—Aegislash did find it impressive.
But—
Compared to a Swordsman of Justice like itself, it was still far behind.
(Still, a normal Pokémon that can tank my Sacred Sword—there aren't many.)
Since receiving Kyurem's recognition, my Sacred Sword has been guaranteed to crit!
"Ge—ugh."
{How fascinating you are, life from another world!}
{You delight me!}
{I'll probably never forget you for the rest of my life!}
Kartana trembled in shock.
"Yah-toh?!"
Why—why is it ineffective? My swordplay is magnificent! O Swordsman of Justice! O Aegislash—why—gwaa!
Flames burst along Aegislash's blade!
The righteous swordsman invoked Hidden Power [Fire]!
A ribbon wipe—frame 0 startup, five-soul true form—engage!
I'm done with the frills.
Your sun has set.
Ugly weapon tactics that can leave invaders half-paralyzed—
their harm to young Ultra Beasts is immeasurable!
(End of Chapter)
[Get +20 Extra Chapters On — P@tr3on "Zaelum"]
[Every 500 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]
[Thanks for Reading!]