Chapter 272:
"???"
"!!!"
The wind currents swirled violently around Gardevoir and the fierce gales make even the ground seem to tremble.
Yet the spectators nearby felt only a gentle breeze.
And this breeze seemed to wrap around the entire town.
Though they stood only a few dozen meters apart, it felt like two completely different worlds.
No one could find their voice.
If this was the final challenge, then what kind of Trainer could possibly overcome it?
But even amid the chaos, Hayashi Kaede shouted loudly:
"Alright, Pidgeot, do your best! If you hit Gardevoir, I'll give you extra treats at noon~"
"Pidgeot!"
The entire flock immediately perked up at the promise of food.
"Begin!"
With Kaede's command, the lead Pidgeot took charge.
"Pidgeot!" (Everyone, follow my rhythm!)
"Pidgeot!" (For the extra food!)
Despite its large frame, its agility hadn't diminished in the slightest.
White light flashed over its body—it used Quick Attack right from the start!
Its entire form shot toward Gardevoir like a raptor diving for prey, cutting through the air with violent winds.
Then its wings shone with a sharp, metallic gleam—Wing Attack!
*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!*
The sheer force of the strike produced sonic booms, the speed so great that the crowd couldn't even follow before the Pidgeot was already at Gardevoir's position.
Everyone's hearts tightened. That strike didn't look like a joke.
The Pidgeot's diving speed was on par with what they'd seen in Pokémon League Conference matches.
But when their eyes finally caught up, they froze again—
There was no figure beneath the Pidgeot.
"Pidgeot!"
Another Pidgeot's cry echoed through the air.
Everyone instinctively looked up.
Gardevoir, who had been standing below moments ago, now floated serenely mid-air.
It had dodged effortlessly with Teleport.
Their minds struggled to catch up.
"Can't see it… can't see anything…" someone muttered.
They could only glimpse Gardevoir flickering within the storm, her graceful form constantly shifting, untouchable.
None of the Pidgeot could even graze her.
Then Kaede's calm voice rang out over the murmurs:
"The first level's actually quite simple. The defending side's Pidgeot are restricted in both speed and altitude. Also, every time they attack, they give a vocal cue followed by a brief pause."
"When you challenge, don't just think about your Pokémon's speed or precision."
"As a Trainer, you need to observe carefully during battle and give commands at critical moments."
"For example, Pidgeot's attacks all have telltale sign."
As he spoke, the onlookers gradually came to their senses.
Their eyes still followed Gardevoir, darting like a spirit within the storm, but their attention now hung on Kaede's words.
"For instance, Wing Attack's telltale sign is a faint glow from its wings. Air Slash requires a hover and a noticeable pause before the flap…"
"What about Teleport?" someone called without turning their head.
"Teleport… well…" Kaede's mouth twitched.
He knew exactly what they meant—how could Gardevoir's Teleport have no cooldown?
But what level was Gardevoir?
Its move startup animation was practically nonexistent.
So he simply refused to answer.
Three minutes passed quickly.
When Kaede finally called, "Time's up!" the flock of Pidgeot blinked as if waking from a trance.
At the same moment, Gardevoir, standing at the heart of the storm, smiled brightly.
(✿◠‿◠): "Gardevoir~" (You all fought so hard. Now it's my turn~)
Her gentle smile sent chills down the Pidgeot's spines.
"Pidgeot!" (Brothers, run!)
One Pidgeot cried out in alarm, and the whole flock instantly spread their wings, scattering toward the skies.
But one overeager Pidgeot—perhaps carried away by the battle—saw Gardevoir stop moving and charged forward with Agility, in a blur of motion.
It closed the distance in an instant.
It was thrilled—it might actually land a hit!
Extra treats at noon!
But in the next heartbeat, its body froze in place, restrained by invisible force.
Its eyes widened, and it found Gardevoir gazing down at it softly, almost affectionately.
Only then did it remember—the Gardevoir who cooked for them every day could also maintain a massive Psychic barrier over the entire garden for hours, even in heavy rain.
"Gardevoir~" (Wait here a moment, I'll go catch the others too~)
She spoke gently, then vanished.
In less than a minute, every Pidgeot was caught midair by her Psychic power, suspended helplessly before being lowered neatly to the bluestone path below.
The winds above dispersed as if nothing had happened.
Gardevoir clapped her hands, floated to the first Pidgeot in line, and extended one glowing Psychic finger—
*Bonk!*
Right on the head.
It was like a kindergarten teacher disciplining mischievous children.
One by one, she tapped each of them, ending with the lead Pidgeot.
*Thump, thump, thump!*
A series of crisp, dull thuds echoed through the air.
Watching from the side, Hayashi Kaede felt his scalp prickle.
For a brief moment, he feared she might float over and give him a tap too.
Fortunately, when she was done, Gardevoir simply flew to his side without saying a word.
Kaede exhaled in relief, turned toward the utterly dumbfounded crowd, and smiled.
"Alright, that was the final Sky Challenge. Everyone, do your best to reach this level~"