The university's annual evaluation concluded without any issues.
Although Ethan didn't rush back, he was still among the first ten students to clear the test.
And the first place in this evaluation was, without a doubt, once again Kyle Miller, the expert in outdoor survival.
Back at the university's intermediate campus, Ethan resumed his usual daily training routine with his Pokémon. Moreover, after completing the evaluation, he had accumulated a large number of points, which he exchanged for resources needed for his Pokémon.
Unfortunately, after so much time, the resource warehouse's inventory had barely increased at all, which disappointed Ethan, who wanted to look for some Mega Stones.
He had had a Key Stone for quite a while, but so far there had been no signs of a Mega Stone. He couldn't help feeling frustrated.
That day, while Ethan was training Rock Throw with Shuckle, Lucas Silver unexpectedly came looking for him. His purpose: to invite him to visit the Silver family residence.
Coincidentally, Ethan had also planned to talk to Lucas in the coming days. His goal was to find suitable food for Sandslash and training methods to improve its Steel-type capabilities, in order to complete Sandslash's "steel body and bronze skin" training.
During this time, Ethan had been thinking and finally had some ideas about how to train Sandslash's body hardness.
His idea was to take the training methods of Drilbur and its evolution, Excadrill, as reference, and from them develop a unique method adapted to Sandslash.
Drilbur was a Ground-type Pokémon whose fighting style had many similarities with Sandslash.
And its evolved form, Excadrill, was a Ground/Steel-type Pokémon. That was the main reason why Ethan had thought of using it as a reference.
Since Sandslash wanted to activate the hidden Steel-type gene within its body to complete its training, the process was similar to what Drilbur experienced when evolving into Excadrill.
Additionally, due to the Steel type of its evolved form, Drilbur received reinforced training in that attribute, and that type of training was exactly what Sandslash needed.
"The training methods of Drilbur and Excadrill, and also their food recipes?" Lucas repeated in surprise after hearing Ethan's request.
Then, under Ethan's surprised gaze, Lucas took one of the many Poké Balls hanging from his belt, enlarged it, and with a white flash, an Excadrill appeared on the field.
Excadrill had a robust body of dark brown color. Its forehead and claws were covered by long, sharp metallic blades. It could bring its claws together with the blade on its head to form a drill-like shape and dig at high speed in a spinning motion.
"Excarrrd!!"
"I didn't expect you to carry this Pokémon with you."
Ethan's eyes gleamed. He wasn't surprised that Lucas had an Excadrill, but he was surprised that he trained it as one of his main Pokémon.
"Actually, I train Excadrill because of you," Lucas said with a smile. "Your Sandslash was so astonishing that I wanted to try training Excadrill using a similar method."
Lucas's words left Ethan dumbfounded. He hadn't expected Excadrill to be trained due to his influence.
But it made sense: Ethan's Sandslash was truly impressive, and the combined moves it mastered had completely changed everyone's perception of this Pokémon.
Especially in the battle at the National Pokémon Club Tournament against Lucien Foster's Garchomp. That battle had left everyone astonished.
"Yes, Sandslash and Excadrill have a lot in common," Ethan replied, nodding. Then he released Sandslash.
The two Pokémon faced each other from a distance. Their sizes were similar, both had sharp claws. Their resemblance was obvious.
The two Pokémon stared at each other, sensing the other's strength.
Especially Excadrill. Lucas had told him countless times about that red Sandslash, even showing him videos. Excadrill had a deep impression of that other Pokémon engraved in his mind.
Now that they were finally face-to-face, an intense battle spirit emanated from Excadrill's body. Clearly, he wanted to test himself against the Sandslash he had seen on screen so many times.
"What do you say, Ethan?" Lucas asked with a smile. "Want to try a match?"
"Perfect, no problem," Ethan replied with a smile as well. "I just want to observe a Ground/Steel-type Pokémon up close."
They soon found a battle field. Sandslash and Excadrill stood facing each other. The battle was about to begin.
"Alright, let the battle begin! Sandslash, use Sandstorm!" Ethan ordered.
Hearing the command, Lucas narrowed his eyes, but didn't give any orders, even though he could have acted simultaneously.
Uuuuuuhhh...
The sand began swirling in the field.
Although Sandslash already mastered the true Sandstorm move, he still had the habit of spinning his body to create the sandstorm.
Ground- and Rock-type energy flowed over Sandslash's body. The combination of both Sandstorm styles produced an even stronger gale, superior in speed and force to a normal sandstorm.
However, since Excadrill was a Ground/Steel-type Pokémon, the storm had no effect.
Clearly, Ethan wasn't aiming to deal damage with Sandstorm, but to activate the ability Sand Rush to increase speed.
Whish!
In an instant, Sandslash's body vanished from its place, turning into a red shadow launching straight toward Excadrill.
"Excadrill, meet him head-on!" Lucas ordered.
To Ethan's surprise, Excadrill also burst forward at extreme speed and charged directly at Sandslash.
"He also has the ability Sand Rush!" Ethan exclaimed, impressed.
Excadrill could have one of three abilities: Sand Rush, Sand Force, or Mold Breaker.
He hadn't expected this one to also have Sand Rush. Although perhaps it wasn't a coincidence... maybe Lucas had chosen this specimen deliberately.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
In the field, the two Pokémon collided rapidly.
Their claws struck again and again, evenly matched in strength.
(End of chapter)