"No wonder she treasures it so much… so it has the potential of a Champion."
Sweeping a glance at Persian's attribute panel, Yozora's heart tightened.
In this world, Yozora had the unique ability to directly check a Pokémon's potential and limits through his system.
But he wasn't the only one. There were other means of detecting potential.
That prodigy, Giselle, or her family must have used some kind of method to learn of Persian's latent power.
Otherwise, she would never regard it with such importance.
Champion… potential!
Though it was only potential, the mere word "Champion" destined Persian to be extraordinary.
Its growth rate, the speed at which it developed and mastered new moves—far beyond that of ordinary Pokémon.
And according to the system's notes, that Persian also carried powerful inherited genes, granting it mighty inherited moves.
Which meant its parents must have been exceptional as well. Perhaps even Champions themselves!
If that were true, then Giselle's family background was far deeper than it appeared. No wonder she acted so spoiled and willful.
But how could Yozora ever bow beneath privilege and power?
Though outwardly patient and composed, deep down he was proud and unyielding. Any dissatisfaction would be pushed out with unshakable force!
"Kangaskhan, how about it? Can you still keep fighting?"
After its battle with Rhydon, Kangaskhan had taken heavy losses, its stamina drastically reduced.
At this moment, it looked very much like a bow at the end of its draw.
Yet—
At Yozora's question, Kangaskhan instantly straightened, determination blazing in its eyes. It nodded firmly, declaring it could keep battling for Yozora's sake.
"Good. In that case—use Dynamic Punch!" Yozora commanded.
The massive Pokémon charged toward Persian, energy gathering in its fist until it shone with blinding white light.
"Hmph. Touching, isn't it? But this is where it ends!"
Seeing Yozora and Kangaskhan care for each other, their bond subtly on display, Giselle felt a twinge of irritation. She gave a cold snort and shouted:
"Persian—Thunderbolt!"
On the field—
Kangaskhan's punch hurtled forward, but in that split second, Persian leapt high into the air.
It avoided the Dynamic Punch entirely, and with its body crackling with electricity, unleashed a searing Thunderbolt that struck Kangaskhan squarely.
"Grrroooaahhh!"
Kangaskhan howled in agony as the lightning coursed through its body, then collapsed with a thunderous crash.
For several seconds it did not rise.
Seeing this, Komiya's eyes lit up. He raised his voice to announce:
"Kangaskhan is unable to battle! Persian is the winner!"
Up until now, Yozora had finally lost his second Pokémon. The students watching all exhaled in relief, their excitement reignited.
Persian's strength was on full display…
Though Yozora still had four Pokémon left, anything was possible!
"Thunderbolt, huh?"
Yozora recalled Kangaskhan, musing to himself.
Persian was a Normal-type Pokémon. Thunderbolt, however, was an Electric-type move.
For Persian, it was an off-type move. Normally, such mastery would be extremely difficult.
Yozora didn't believe it had learned Thunderbolt on its own. More likely, it was an inherited move.
The real question was—besides Thunderbolt, what other inherited moves did Persian have?
Although Yozora had his system to check moves, it only worked for his own Pokémon.
Other trainers' Pokémon remained a mystery.
"Charmander, your turn!" Yozora sent out his partner again.
"Rooaaarrr!"
Charmander roared upon entering the field. Facing the powerful Persian, its eyes blazed with a fire that nearly seemed real, its fighting spirit erupting to an astonishing degree.
"…Hm?"
Noticing Charmander's state, Yozora felt a sudden jolt.
At this moment, Charmander seemed to be on the verge of triggering Blaze.
But it wasn't low on health, nor was it in mortal danger…
Could it be… with proper training, Blaze could be triggered even at full strength?
What the—
If that was true, what would that even mean?!
The thought set Yozora's heart ablaze.
Because Charmander wasn't just any Blaze user—it carried the power of Twin Blaze!
If Blaze could ignite at full health, its power would be unimaginable!
…
Of course, that was easier said than done.
Right now, Charmander was only showing faint signs of Blaze activation—not the true awakening.
So after a brief rush of excitement, Yozora calmed himself.
"Attack, Charmander! Use Flamethrower!"
With a thunderous cry, Charmander spewed a stream of scorching flames toward Persian.
"Evade it." Giselle's tone was calm, her confidence absolute.
Sure enough, Persian leapt high, avoiding the Flamethrower while keeping its incredible speed as it closed in on Charmander.
"Now—use Water Pulse!"
As Persian darted forward, blue energy swirled in its mouth, coalescing into a glowing sphere of water.
It launched the orb with force, striking Charmander dead-on.
Boom!
The sphere detonated, exploding into surging waves that blasted Charmander back.
Charmander staggered, badly hurt, pain etched across its face.
Even with its Water Absorb ability reducing the impact of Water-type moves, Persian's Water Pulse was simply too powerful. It still inflicted serious damage.
But this… was exactly what Charmander had been waiting for.
"Rooaaaarrr!"
With a thunderous cry, Charmander's aura erupted.
The blue flame at the tip of its tail flared skyward, swelling to several times its size—so vast it dwarfed Charmander's own body!
Twin Blaze. Terrifying beyond words.
In an instant, Charmander's potential surged, its strength breaking into the Senior Level's mid-stage.
And with Blaze stacked atop it…
The power of its flames was now beyond imagination.
Seeing Charmander's blazing aura, its presence as mighty as a war god, Yozora's blood boiled with excitement.
Just how strong were Charmander's flames now?
He didn't know.
But there was one sure way to find out.
"Damn it… to awaken potential at a moment like this? And that… that's Blaze?!"
Giselle's teeth clenched as her eyes locked onto the blue flames surging from Charmander's tail.
Terrifying—far too terrifying. Flames larger than Charmander's own body, roaring with power.
It was obvious…
In this monstrous Blaze state, Charmander's flames would multiply in strength by severalfold!
"Hhhhhh…"
Every student watching sucked in a sharp breath.
Blaze!
Unbelievable.
This Charmander carried within it a power so terrifying…
Its potential and ultimate ceiling must be equally astonishing—beyond the reach of ordinary Pokémon.
…
…
(End of Chapter)