"So you want me to go all out?", Axel glanced at Lacey and gave a firm nod to show respect.
As expected of the Blueberry Goddess in so many people's hearts. She truly had a tenacious, unyielding heart.
Even though she couldn't bring herself to say it, when spoken through someone else's mouth it still reflected Lacey's inner desire for battle.
"Don't worry, I'll definitely give it my all!"
Lacey: "???"
'What the heck?'
Very quickly, both sides finished registering all their Pokémon.
Lacey's Pokémon were Excadrill, Granbull, Whimsicott, Primarina, Alcremie, and Galarian Slowbro.
Axel's lineup was much simpler.
He only brought two Pokémon.
Pheromosa and Gholdengo.
The former was in charge of making the opponent cry, the latter was in charge of coaxing them back.
"This?"
Seeing Axel's team setup, Teacher Briar looked puzzled.
"Axel, you're supposed to bring six Pokémon."
"It's not a strict rule, but at least three, right?"
"Otherwise you'll be at a disadvantage."
To her words, Axel only gave a light smile.
"This is enough."
He wanted to finish the battles quickly, and bringing fewer than three Pokémon was the simplest way.
That would save a whole round.
Only bringing two, that was Axel's confidence in Pheromosa.
"Well, okay then," Seeing Axel so insistent, Briar didn't continue persuading.
But the students in the audience instantly went wild.
"What the heck, this is supposed to be a six-choose-three battle, but he only brought two?"
"Too bold! This is the first time I've seen such a confident challenger in an Elite Four match."
"Wait, could it be... that Axel is holding back for the Blueberry Goddess Lacey?"
"Hiss!", On the stands, a wave of sharp inhales sounded at once.
Thinking about it carefully, that really might be the case.
Since Lacey entered Blueberry Academy, people had secretly called her the Blueberry Goddess.
In the whole school, the only one whose looks could compare was Teacher Briar.
More importantly, Lacey was a pure ice-cold school flower.
Even though she always looked warm and kind toward everyone, she had never once let anyone get closer.
If Axel held back under these circumstances... Wouldn't Lacey be moved to death?
The whispers weren't even quiet.
Hearing them, a faint blush flashed across Lacey's snow-white face.
'Axel... could it be that Axel really likes me?'
Though she didn't want to be narcissistic, besides this explanation, she really couldn't think of another reason he'd hold back.
"You... you don't need to worry. Even if I win, I'll find a way to ask my dad to get you that composite metal!"
Axel: (O_o)?
'Why does everyone want to beat me so badly?'
First Oda, now Lacey.
Oda's reasoning made sense, he wanted to see Raihan.
'But Lacey... you don't even have an idol to meet.'
Looks like he had to show these classmates some strength, or else everyone who came up would keep spouting harsh words.
That wasted too much time.
"Lacey, are you done registering? If so, send out your Pokémon," Axel pressed the translucent Poké Ball at his waist, releasing Pheromosa.
Her tall, elegant figure, wings like a black shark's fins, the noble crown-like crest on her head, and those purple eyes, instantly, the entire arena exploded with excitement.
Axel's Pheromosa had hardly ever appeared in Blueberry Academy matches, usually it was Nihilego.
And just by strength alone, Nihilego had already become one of the hottest celebrity Pokémon in Blueberry Academy.
But now, the moment Pheromosa appeared, Nihilego's status in the students' hearts dropped several notches.
"Yoo~"
Looking at the long-lost battlefield, Pheromosa couldn't help but let out a soft cry.
It seemed today she could fight for her trainer again.
Seeing Axel's choice, Lacey blinked, her cheeks turning even redder.
'As expected... Axel really is holding back.'
Thanks to Nihilego's recent popularity, Lacey had also researched many Ultra Beasts.
According to reports from Aurient, Pheromosa was Bug + Fighting type.
And both those types weren't well-suited against Fairy-types.
"If that's the case, I won't let down your expectations!"
Lacey clenched her little fists, looking at Axel with seriousness and determination.
At the same time, she made up her mind.
Since Axel was being so considerate of her feelings, after the battle she wouldn't just give him composite metal, but also extra compensation.
Anyway, her father had tons of rare stones. She'd pick the most valuable one and give it to Axel.
Axel: "..."
'Has the world gone mad?'
'What expectations?'
'Even I don't know.'
'Exhausting...'
But Axel still patiently extended his hand, "Please send out your Pokémon, I'm in a hurry."
"Oh, okay, Brother Axel!"
After all her mental gymnastics, Lacey's way of addressing him had already shifted from "Axel" to "Brother Axel."
In the audience, Clay was instantly dumbstruck.
Ever since his daughter grew up, countless anonymous letters had been sent to his house, all calling him "father-in-law."
Fortunately, Lacey had never been moved by anyone.
That had comforted him as a father.
But now... it looked like his little cabbage was about to be dug out of the ground.
'No way, I absolutely can't let this brat succeed!'
Thinking this, Clay shot up to his feet, glaring viciously at Axel, "Boy, if you dare hold back against my daughter, I'll make you pay!"
Axel froze.
He hadn't intended to hold back at all?
But this worked out fine. If her dad himself told him to go all out, then after the battle Lacey couldn't complain or try to pull a Caitlin or Cynthia and challenge him to a fight in person.
"Pheromosa!"
Axel called out in his heart, and instantly light burst out from both him and Pheromosa.
The glow on her body shimmered in rainbow colors, dazzling to the extreme.
At the same time, a blazing white evolutionary radiance enveloped Pheromosa.
Bond Evolution!
Seeing this, everyone present was stunned.
They all recognized it, this was the evolution beyond evolution from Kalos, known as Mega Evolution.
To achieve this, both trainer and Pokémon needed overwhelming conviction.
A voice rang out from somewhere, "So moving... in order not to let Clay think he's holding back, he even unlocked Bond Evolution?"
"Is this the earth-shaking power of love?"
Lacey's delicate face flushed scarlet, her head bowed, eyes fixed on her toes, feet pressed together nervously. She didn't dare look at Axel at all.
Axel, Clay: "???"
'No, what are you people doing?'
[T/N: 🔥A new book is up— "Emiya in Honkai: Star Rail". Make sure to check it out and support. Have a great read~🙇]
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