If one word were to describe the challenger using Lokix's current state of mind, it would be—
Numb!
This isn't what I was promised!
Shouldn't I have commanded Lokix to kick that evil Sableye flying, avenging all the previous victims?
Then, after effortlessly passing the gym test, wouldn't I bask in the livestream audience's uniform praise and admiring gazes as I receive the Sunshine Gym badge personally awarded by Teacher Aiden, becoming the coolest guy in Paldea today?
It'd be even better if there were a few compliments thrown in, especially if they came from Teacher Azure himself!
But…
Why did Teacher Azure suddenly switch Pokémon?
Wasn't Sableye supposed to handle things? Where did this Riolu come from?
Staring at the Riolu now stretching its wrists, the young challenger suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
After a hard-fought victory, you suddenly discover the boss has a second phase…
He vaguely remembered hearing that Teacher Azure usually rented Pokémon from the League for evaluations.
But Teacher Azure also raised a few Pokémon himself. In Kitakami, he even captured a powerful Pokémon capable of single-handedly taking on four legendary beings in a 1v4 battle…
And this Riolu was one of the first Pokémon Teacher Azure showcased to challengers.
Perhaps using his main lineup would be too overwhelming for beginners, so he sent out this unevolved Pokémon instead?
Thinking this way, he finally relaxed a little in his heart.
If it's just a Riolu, it shouldn't be too strong, right?
"Lokix, it's just a measly Riolu! Let's power through together!"
Lokix instinctively turned its head, looking at its Trainer with an odd expression.
"Saa?"
Even Aiden could tell what it meant.
[Me? Fight Riolu? Seriously?]
Because Pokémon naturally possess combat instincts, their sensitivity to momentum or fighting strength far exceeds that of humans.
Especially for Fighting-type Pokémon aiming for inner peace, their sixth sense rarely fails.
Though Lokix wasn't a Fighting-type, it was still highly skilled at gauging an opponent's strength.
Thus, Lokix could clearly sense something off about this Riolu.
What kind of unevolved Pokémon exudes such intimidating presence? It felt like facing a Machamp!
But since the Trainer had already spoken…
"Saa!"
After nodding, Lokix quickly assumed a battle stance, unfolding its third pair of legs for balance.
Since it was the first time seeing this Pokémon, Aiden couldn't help but take a few extra glances at it.
It really looked like it had wandered over from a neighboring tokusatsu set…
At the same time, Lokix's stats appeared before his eyes.
[Lokix (Female)]
[Type: Bug + Dark]
[Ability: Tinted Lens]
"So it's Tinted Lens, huh?"
Aiden muttered quietly, immediately understanding why this student had the confidence to push forward despite the type disadvantage.
In reality, Bug + Dark wasn't particularly weak against Fighting-types…
The Tinted Lens Ability doubles the power of moves that would otherwise deal reduced damage.
Aside from cases where dual typing causes double resistance, it generally allows attacks to hit with normal power.
It didn't seem particularly useful, and indeed, it wasn't.
Rather than relying on the Ability to force a battle, it would be better to switch to a Pokémon with a more advantageous matchup.
This was part of what Aiden had referred to earlier as "synergy defense."
Clearly, Naranja Academy students still struggled to grasp this concept.
However, they would surely understand after today's battle.
[Is this really okay? Doesn't this challenger seem a bit stubborn?]
[Maybe they're hiding some secret move. Getting Teacher Azure to send out his second Pokémon is already a success!]
[True. Good luck, big brother using Lokix!]
On the battlefield, Riolu was also observing its opponent.
Judging from the muscle distribution in this cricket Pokémon's body, it was clearly a master of leg-based combat.
Though its Aura didn't seem particularly special, it might be hiding some terrifying moves…
"Lokix, use First Impression!"
The opponent quickly issued a command, shouting as they launched the attack.
First Impression was a move usable only upon entry or at the start of the battle. Its principle was to strike with overwhelming momentum, catching the opponent off guard, making its power quite formidable.
But…
"Riolu, Quick Guard!"
Aiden quickly smiled.
Young people are still too inexperienced; your intentions are too obvious.
As someone who endured prolonged beatings from Rapid Strike Urshifu's tutelage, Riolu's reaction speed had been honed to a terrifying degree.
Almost the instant the opponent's hind leg muscles tensed, Riolu sensed it through Aura and prepared accordingly.
Thus, when Lokix leapt forward to attack, Riolu simply braced itself with its hands and swiftly slid forward with a sweeping motion.
Smack—
A crisp sound rang out as Riolu dodged the attack while lightly slapping Lokix's abdomen, interrupting its assault.
Seeing this, Aiden silently smiled.
Though it had Prankster, Riolu had limited moves it could use with the Ability. Aside from supportive moves like Helping Hand and some stat-boosting moves, only Protect, Quick Guard, and Substitute remained.
Compared to those, in singles battles, moves like Fake Out and this Quick Guard were far more effective.
Quick Guard, a small technique to interrupt an opponent's attack by reacting to their movements and using a palm strike to briefly flinch them.
If the opponent's move wasn't a priority attack, it would fail due to giving them time to react.
In the game, it was a highly strategic move.
However, in reality, thanks to Riolu's "Aura" cheat, it could anticipate the opponent's actions, resulting in a relatively high success rate.
Though the move's power wasn't particularly high, Riolu's combat ability had drastically improved over the past two months of training.
That single slap left Lokix utterly stunned, lying on the ground for a while before getting back up.
Who am I? Where am I?
"Damn it, let's show them our spirit, Lokix!"
The challenger immediately clenched his fists, seemingly cheering on his Pokémon.
However, for Lokix, this statement was somewhat complicated.
Lokix struggled to stand, clutching its stomach.
The opponent had clearly held back—if not, it might have already been on the verge of fainting…
In this situation, was there really any point in continuing the fight?
Lokix instinctively looked at its Trainer.
"Not considering switching Pokémon? Lokix clearly isn't a good match for Riolu, is it?"
At this moment, Aiden timely spoke up, offering a reminder.
"Synergy defense is about finding the right moment to switch Pokémon during battle, allowing you to gain positional advantage with minimal losses."
"Learning to assess the situation and make switches is one of a Trainer's basic skills."
Aiden's words quickly made the challenger blush.
Originally, he had planned to use this surprise attack to heavily damage Riolu and earn Teacher Azure's admiration.
But he hadn't expected Teacher Azure to seemingly predict his thoughts in advance…
So, as long as it's a Pokémon from Paldea, there's nothing Teacher Azure doesn't know?
After some thought, he decisively followed the advice and recalled Lokix.
"My next Pokémon is—"
"Quaxwell!"
With a spirited shout, the second Pokémon was sent out.
A duck-like Pokémon covered in white and deep blue feathers, with large webbed feet and movements resembling a dancer, appeared on the battlefield.
(Quaxwell, the evolved form of Paldean starter Quaxly)
"Riolu, Swords Dance."
Taking advantage of the opponent's switch, Aiden quickly commanded Riolu to seize the opportunity and boost its stats on the spot.
After Swords Dance, Riolu's combat power skyrocketed, leaving the challenger, who had just switched Pokémon and was still pondering tactics, momentarily stunned.
"Switching during a match is a risky move—it can easily lead to situations like this, where the opponent capitalizes on the opportunity to use a stat-boosting move."
Aiden maintained his gentle smile, but to the challenger, it felt like the devil's lips splitting open…
What's going on?
Didn't you just tell me to switch?
The challenger was dumbfounded but soon realized after recalling Aiden's earlier words—
Damn, so I've become the negative example, huh!
Though he did hope to one day become famous in Teacher Azure's livestream…
But not like this!
How will I ever face the school forum again!
"Correspondingly, seizing the opportunity when the opponent switches, decisively boosting stats, using other moves, or even making your own switch are all viable options. How to choose depends on personal judgment."
After saying this into the Rotom Phone for the livestream, Aiden turned back to the challenger, whose expression was now complex, and smiled.
"So, how will you counter Riolu after it's boosted once?"
The challenger's lips twitched involuntarily.
What options do I have…
With the atmosphere like this, I'm bound to lose no matter what!
…
After several rounds of "difficult" struggle, both of the challenger's Pokémon eventually lost the ability to battle.
Meanwhile, the battle sparked discussions among the viewers.
[Teacher Azure definitely gave the opponent plenty of opportunities to switch, just to demonstrate the cost of switching to us, right?]
[I've seen many roads, but none as tricky as Teacher Azure's!]
[That said, this Trainer will probably never forget the concept of synergy defense—it's truly memorable…]
[You know what? This kind of practical explanation seems easier to understand. No wonder it's Teacher Azure!]
[Teacher Azure, forever the GOAT!]
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