Flames surged as Charizard charged forward.
It had just used Ember again, not giving Magnezone any chance to breathe.
Gu Yuan's sudden burst of speed caught Ayako off guard. She could only have Magnezone counter with Thunder.
That way, even if Gu Yuan ordered Charizard to use Flamethrower, Thunder could still block it.
"Charizard, use Fire Blast!"
A blazing, fiery sigil shot forward.
After using Ember several times, Thunder's power had weakened, falling slightly below Fire Blast. The scattered flames shot toward Magnezone.
Charizard used Flame Charge again, but instead of approaching, it stayed at a safe distance and launched another Ember.
With its Speed boosted, Ayako had no way to keep up. No matter what commands she gave to Magnezone, Gu Yuan could now respond freely.
"Magnezone, use Discharge, then fall back!"
Electricity burst out. Having taken several hits in a row, Ayako stopped thinking about counterattacks; she only wanted to stabilize the battle.
"Charizard, use Flame Charge to chase it down! Follow with Flamethrower, don't let it rest!"
Ayako's plan was solid, but Gu Yuan didn't give her the chance to execute it.
A flash of fire streaked past; Charizard had already outsped Magnezone.
As the distance closed, Magnezone could feel the heat rushing toward it.
Electricity crackled around its body, forcing Magnezone to turn and counterattack.
At that instant, the flames shattered, and Charizard unleashed another Fire Blast.
A thick lightning pillar burst out; Ayako had no choice but to let Magnezone use Thunder again.
Under Charizard's relentless pressure, Gu Yuan completely controlled the pace of the battle.
"Charizard, keep using Flame Charge, then Flamethrower!"
Flames surged again, and Charizard's speed rose even higher.
When lightning and fire collided, Magnezone had to counter with Discharge.
Flames and electricity clashed around its body, and the rising heat slowed Magnezone even more.
"Charizard, use Fire Blast!"
Under Charizard's relentless assault, both Ayako and Magnezone felt suffocated.
"Magnezone, use Thunder!"
Ayako desperately tried to find a way to turn the tide, thinking of all the moves Magnezone could use. But Gu Yuan didn't give her a chance.
The instant fire and lightning collided, Charizard dove from above.
Ember rained down, striking the helpless Magnezone.
"Charizard, use Flamethrower!"
The moment Magnezone got hit by Ember, its defense faltered. Fire swallowed the lightning, dealing a second wave of damage.
Charizard's attack didn't stop there. Flamethrower blasted Magnezone directly.
It flapped its wings and closed in quickly, using Fire Blast again. Even though Magnezone tried to resist with Discharge, it was useless.
As the flames engulfed Magnezone, draconic energy surrounded Charizard's body.
It unleashed Dragon Rush, slamming Magnezone into the ground, then followed up with another Fire Blast.
The roaring flames rose high, and Magnezone immediately lost its ability to fight.
"Return, Magnezone. You've done your best."
Ayako recalled her Pokémon. Though unwilling, she knew both she and Magnezone had already given it their all. Gu Yuan's control over the battle tempo was simply flawless.
After the referee announced the result, Gu Yuan took Charizard straight to the healing room to recover for the next match.
When he entered, he found Reima Mizutani still there. He didn't care, handed Charizard to the staff, and waited.
"Looks like I was right. The final winner really is you."
"I'm sure you already know who I am. I'm from the Mizutani family, and the only heir to it."
"I'll give you a chance. Lose to me in the final. I don't think you can win anyway, but I'll let you join the Mizutani family and serve under me."
Standing before him, Reima Mizutani wore an arrogant smile, as if Gu Yuan should be honored to lose.
"Nah, I'm good."
Gu Yuan didn't bother responding to such arrogance. He just pushed past him.
Charizard wasn't badly injured, so it had already recovered.
"What did you just say?"
Apparently, Reima Mizutani had never been treated like that before. He stared at Gu Yuan in disbelief.
"I thought you were just stupid, but it turns out you're deaf too."
Gu Yuan glanced at him with pity, then left with Charizard.
Back in the waiting room, he closed his eyes to rest.
He didn't care about offending Reima Mizutani.
With Kadabra and the system at his side, normal tricks wouldn't work against him.
Besides, with a Senior Rank Charizard, even if multiple Trainers of the same level teamed up, Gu Yuan could handle them in the wild.
He doubted Reima Mizutani had the authority to send Ace Rank Trainers after him anyway.
After all, even as heir, Reima's father was still alive, and big decisions needed his grandfather's approval.
In truth, Reima couldn't command many people; he just enjoyed the family's privileges.
Gu Yuan didn't have to wait long. The final match began.
"You're the first person to insult me like that. I'll teach you and your useless Pokémon a painful lesson!"
Reima Mizutani whispered as he passed by Gu Yuan, just loud enough for the two of them to hear.
Then he left with the staff, not giving Gu Yuan a chance to respond.
That alone showed what kind of person Reima Mizutani was.
Unfortunately for him, his words had only made Gu Yuan angry.
Gu Yuan didn't care about insults to himself, but he wouldn't tolerate anyone disrespecting his Pokémon. That was his bottom line.
"Charizard, listen to me carefully. When the chance comes, don't hold back."
After giving the command to the Poké Ball, Gu Yuan stepped onto the battlefield.
When the referee read the rules, neither spoke, but their eyes told everything.
"Battle, start!"
As the referee's voice fell, both Trainers released their Pokémon.
The final, decisive fight was about to begin.