"Rapid Spin!"
In the next instant, both gave the command at the same time. Two silhouettes began spinning rapidly on the field, colliding again and again like two battling tops, sparks flying with each impact.
"Metal Claw."
After the order for Metal Claw, both Pokémon stopped spinning to unleash their slashing attacks. Another boom echoed through the air as they clashed once more.
The more Ethan watched, the more surprised he was. In combat methods, this Excadrill was practically an exact copy of his Sandslash! A true mirror battle.
And due to the natural boost of the Steel type—both in power and physical toughness—Excadrill even had a slight advantage.
However, this Excadrill still hadn't mastered any combined moves, and once Sandslash began using his combined techniques, Excadrill simply couldn't keep up. In the end, he could only accept defeat.
"Indeed, my Excadrill doesn't lose to your Sandslash in almost any aspect. But those combined moves of yours are too strong... When two moves fuse, the power becomes far more than one plus one. My Excadrill couldn't withstand it."
"But if Excadrill manages to master combined moves, with his dual Ground/Steel typing, his racial advantage, and his affinity with those techniques... he could reach Sandslash's level or even surpass it."
Lucas Silver immediately analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of his Pokémon, looking at Sandslash with anticipation.
"The Steel type really boosts Excadrill tremendously."
Ethan could also clearly see the situation, and he couldn't help clicking his tongue.
If Excadrill learned combined moves and received the massive resource investment of the Silver family... it was very possible he would surpass his Sandslash.
But the problem was that to learn Sandslash's combined moves, one first needed to master "one mind, two uses," and also learn the three key moves: Defense Curl, Rollout, and Rapid Spin.
Sandslash had achieved his combos starting precisely from that: he first mastered "one mind, two uses." Then, by learning to use those three moves, he fused the principles of combining Defense Curl and Rollout to replace that effect with Rapid Spin, thereby developing the combined move: Spin Drive.
And afterward, using that same principle, he incorporated Metal Claw, Crush Claw, and other slashing moves into Rapid Spin, finally completing his high-speed combined techniques.
According to Ethan's recollection, Excadrill couldn't learn Defense Curl or Rollout, so he simply couldn't follow the same path as Sandslash.
"Anyway, this Excadrill is very well developed. Without using combined moves, Sandslash wouldn't have guaranteed victory. If I can get his training method and food recipe..."
Ethan looked at Excadrill with shining eyes, just like Lucas.
At that moment, both lifted their heads at the same time and met each other's gaze. It was obvious they were thinking exactly the same thing.
"Shall we exchange training methods?"
Lucas spoke first. His interest in Sandslash's combined moves was evident.
"We can do it, but Sandslash's combined moves don't have a fixed training method. Everything depends on what the Pokémon can comprehend. I don't have an exact formula."
"You give me Excadrill's training method and food recipe, and I'll let Sandslash demonstrate the combined moves. Whatever you can comprehend will depend on you."
Ethan shrugged. Suddenly, he felt like he had lived this scene before...
Yes, just like when he ended up "scamming" Kyle Miller's family that one time.
"No fixed method for the combined moves...?"
Lucas frowned. Then he thought it through calmly.
Although Excadrill's training and the recipe were valuable, if he could research move combinations with Sandslash's help, his family—who had a full research team—might be able to decipher something useful.
"If you include Meltan as well, I accept."
In the end, Lucas stated his condition.
"Meltan, huh? Then I'll also add a condition."
"I want you to allow me to visit your family's treasury."
Ethan narrowed his eyes slightly.
The Silver family was backed by the Devon Corporation, the largest Pokémon item store in the entire League. It was famous for having the most complete item collection in the world.
And if Ethan wanted access to their treasury, there was only one reason: searching for Mega Stones.
If he found one...
And if it was compatible with one of his Pokémon...
He would undoubtedly do whatever it took to obtain it.
"The treasury?"
Lucas was stunned again. Then he quickly understood.
Besides being a trainer, Ethan was a Pokémon Researcher. And his research was directly related to special evolutions.
If he wanted access to the family vault...
Was he perhaps searching for an evolutionary item?
After Ethan had discovered that certain items could trigger special evolutions, the value of such objects had skyrocketed across the entire market.
No one knew whether a random item could be the key to some species' evolution.
Thinking about that, Lucas reflected for a moment... and then agreed with a nod.
Allowing Ethan to look wasn't a problem. And if they discovered an evolutionary item, it would be a great deal.
...
The Silver family resided in Luminary City, one of the most economically prosperous cities in the country.
The weather there was warm all year round, and it was close to the sea. Even though it was winter, the environment remained extremely pleasant.
Ethan traveled with Lucas to the city, and then they walked toward the family residence.
As a powerful commercial family, their mansion was in the most prosperous area of Luminary City. Looking up, one could see a massive commercial building: the headquarters of the Devon Corporation.
"Welcome to the Silver family."
Lucas guided Ethan to the entrance.
The butler and several servants came out to greet them and led them to the dining room.
Fortunately, Lucas noticed that Ethan wasn't comfortable with such a formal environment and asked the servants to leave.
"Phew... I'm really not cut out for the extravagance of rich families."
Ethan wiped the sweat from his forehead. Even though he now had money, he was still a boy from an ordinary family.
"Actually, I admire you quite a lot. Being a commoner and coming this far purely through your own effort..." Lucas began chatting with him.
They were classmates and rivals; they had faced each other many times. And Lucas realized that he had never managed to beat Ethan. That's why, deep down, he held sincere respect for him.
(End of chapter)