The Champion's Return, and the Shock of a "Future Father-in-Law"**
"Holy hell… he won?"
"That Skeledirge actually defeated Gym Leader Guan Yi's ace Torterra?!"
"This has to be an illusion. There's no way an eighteen-year-old pulled off a battle like that."
"Just who is this Ethan?"
"That level of strength is straight-up monstrous!!"
Staring at the battlefield—now little more than a heap of scorched rubble—and at Torterra lying motionless with rolled-back eyes, the spectators inside the stadium were completely speechless.
No one could accept what they were seeing.
That Torterra was Guan Yi's strongest trump card.
At this moment, the audience wasn't the only one stunned. Guan Yi himself stood there in silence, gazing at his fallen partner, his expression dazed.
There was no denying it—Skeledirge was terrifyingly strong.
Yet Guan Yi had always been confident in Torterra.
And still… this was the result.
He slowly recalled Torterra, then looked toward Ethan and let out a long breath.
But instead of frustration, a broad smile spread across his face.
As an elder, the more outstanding the younger generation was, the more he liked them.
The referee, however, was completely at a loss.
The battlefield was so badly destroyed that there wasn't even a place left to stand.
The stadium only had two prepared arenas—
and both had now been utterly wrecked.
There was simply no way to continue.
This wasn't the referee's fault, nor the league's.
After all—who could have predicted that a four-star professional assessment would end up with both sides deploying King-tier Pokémon?
Just as the referee hesitated, unsure whether to suspend or end the assessment, a calm voice echoed through the stadium.
"Everyone, you've all witnessed today's four-star professional assessment."
"The battlefield is no longer usable."
"Therefore, the assessment must be terminated."
"But—"
"Considering that candidate Ethan has already demonstrated strength fully meeting the standards of a four-star professional trainer…"
"The league's executive committee has reached a decision."
"Candidate Ethan—passes the four-star professional trainer assessment."
The voice wasn't loud.
Yet through the stadium's sound system, it rang clearly in every corner.
Had this announcement been made after Entei's battles alone, some might still have objected.
But now?
Ethan's Skeledirge had defeated a King-tier Torterra.
If anyone still dared question his qualification, they'd only be embarrassing themselves.
To be blunt—
with the strength Ethan had shown, even passing a five-star assessment wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Of course, five-star certification carried enormous implications, so such a decision couldn't be made lightly.
That was a matter for later.
For now, Ethan smiled as he looked at the battered Skeledirge still standing proudly on the field.
"Skeledirge, looks like everyone's acknowledged our strength."
"SKREEE—"
The low, resonant roar carried unmistakable excitement.
Being recognized felt good.
"Alright," Ethan said gently.
"Since we've passed the four-star assessment, come back and rest."
"Once we leave the stadium, I'll have Hatterene and Meloetta heal you properly."
Skeledirge nodded.
It was still standing—but it was undeniably at its limit.
With a final low growl, it voluntarily transformed into a red beam of light and returned to its Poké Ball.
Guan Yi, having also recalled Torterra, strode over with hearty laughter.
"Haha! Incredible, my boy!"
"I lost fair and square in that battle!"
Ethan smiled lightly.
"I just got lucky."
"If you'd used Earthquake at the end, I'm not sure Skeledirge could've held on."
That wasn't false humility—it was honest analysis.
Earthquake was a nightmare matchup for Skeledirge.
Without dedicated defensive moves, resisting that kind of terrain-wide attack was nearly impossible.
Guan Yi looked at Ethan with renewed interest.
"You're right—but Earthquake isn't an absolute answer."
"The battlefield was already shattered. The ground structure was unstable."
"In that condition, Earthquake's power would've been severely reduced."
"Frenzy Plant was the optimal choice."
He paused, then smiled.
"Your talent is extraordinary—but battlefield details still deserve careful thought."
Ethan reflected silently.
Guan Yi was right.
And this battle had clearly exposed Skeledirge's weaknesses.
After the assessment, its training plan would need serious adjustment.
Real combat truly is the best teacher, Ethan thought.
If the trainers in the stands knew what he was thinking right now, they'd probably curse him out loud.
Already this strong—and still worrying about improvement?
That was just cruel.
A Name That Shook Donghuang
Less than half an hour after leaving the stadium, Ethan's name exploded across the Donghuang internet.
[BREAKING] Youngest Four-Star Professional Trainer in History — Ethan!
[Unbelievable!] An 18-Year-Old Raises a King-tier Skeledirge!
[Genius or Madman?] Are We Witnessing the Birth of the Greatest Trainer Ever?
Ethan's name spread like wildfire.
Everyone wanted to know—
where did this monster come from?
Donghuang Trainer Association – Mingling Branch
"Ethan, congratulations on becoming a four-star professional trainer."
"It seems our alliance has truly produced a once-in-a-generation prodigy."
Left Shenghui smiled warmly, his aged face creasing deeply.
Ethan bowed politely.
"You flatter me, sir."
Left Shenghui's fondness only grew.
Strong and humble—
a rare combination.
"Let's skip pleasantries," Left Shenghui said with a chuckle.
"Guan Yi mentioned you're interested in the five-star assessment?"
Ethan nodded.
"Yes, sir."
"Senior Li Yao has just been promoted to the Elite Four."
"I've long admired his strength."
"Today's victory was luck."
"There's still a huge gap between me and true top-tier trainers."
"I want to understand that gap—so I can improve."
"To receive guidance from an Elite Four… that alone would be an honor."
Li Yao, who had been neutral toward Ethan before, now looked at him with new eyes.
Respectful.
Earnest.
Not arrogant.
Instead of boasting, Ethan spoke like a genuine junior seeking instruction.
After a long pause, Li Yao spoke.
"If battling me can help you grow… then I'm willing."
Left Shenghui laughed.
"Very well. The match will be in five days."
"Venue: the Alliance Arena in Capital City."
"Mingling's stadium… needs repairs."
Both Ethan and Li Yao agreed without hesitation.
The announcement went public the next morning.
Ethan vs. Li Yao — Five-Star Professional Assessment.
Donghuang erupted.
Meanwhile – Capital City International Airport
A plane landed smoothly.
A middle-aged man wearing a mask, sunglasses, and a baseball cap stepped out.
Beside him walked a tall, broad-shouldered Western man dressed just as discreetly.
In the waiting crowd, Anna Stone spotted them instantly and waved.
"Honey, you're back!"
The man removed his mask slightly.
It was Victor Stone—
Champion of the Donghuang Alliance.
The couple embraced warmly, as they had countless times over the past two decades.
The Western man coughed exaggeratedly.
"Hey, hey, I'm still here, Victor."
"Mind not feeding me dog food?"
Victor chuckled.
"If you shut up, no one thinks you're mute."
"Anna, this is Donovan Kovalsky. You've met before."
Anna smiled.
"Of course. Nice to see you again, Donovan."
"You look even more dashing than last time."
Donovan burst into laughter.
"Still as charming as ever, my dear sister-in-law!"
On the drive home, Anna glanced at Victor with a mischievous smile.
"I've got some good news."
"Want to hear it?"
Victor raised an eyebrow.
"You're practically glowing. What is it?"
Donovan leaned in, clearly interested.
"It's about Ethan," Anna said proudly.
"Yesterday, he defeated Big Brother Guan Yi's ace Torterra."
"He's officially a four-star professional trainer now."
The car went silent.
Victor froze.
"…What?"
Guan Yi's Torterra?
That was a King-tier monster.
Did Ethan use Metagross?
As Victor's thoughts raced, Donovan nearly spilled his soda.
"WAIT."
"Your son is a four-star professional trainer now?"
"Didn't you say he's only eighteen?!"
The car fell into stunned silence.
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