After lunch, the participating trainers were given two hours of rest. While most of the others either took naps or wandered around to pass the time, Kael instead brought Lulu and Weavile to the gym aboard the cruise ship.
The gym was completely empty. After all, people paid to come here to relax and have fun—who would spend their vacation time lifting weights?
"Just two days without training, and I already feel like my body's about to rust."
"Wea-vile~"
Kael bent down and stretched his hamstrings. A series of crisp crack crack sounds rang out from his body. As expected of a luxury cruise liner, the gym facilities were top-tier, with equipment from world-class brands.
They powered on two treadmills. Kael and Weavile each took one, starting with a fifteen-minute fast run to warm up.
One-arm overhand pull-ups.
Russian push-ups.
Weighted squats.
A 200-kilogram bench press…
With Lulu reinforcing them using her psychic power, Kael and Weavile worked through exercise after exercise.
An hour later, both of them collapsed onto the padded mats, drenched in sweat and gasping for breath. Under Lulu's psychic pressure, Kael's body had effectively been training under constant added weight—being able to complete all this was proof of his formidable physical conditioning.
Weavile, as a Dark-type Pokémon, could nullify Psychic-type abilities, but with a gravity training ring equipped, the hour-long workout still left her soaked. As a feline creature, she clearly hated the damp, clingy feeling.
There was still one hour of rest left. Kael planned to take Weavile for a nice hot shower, then squeeze in a short nap so he could face the afternoon matches in peak condition.
...
The overall level of competition rose noticeably in the afternoon matches. Among the trio, Misty was the first to be eliminated. Soon after, Ash encountered a powerful opponent in the second afternoon match—a boy who used Marowak.
The problem was that Ash, lacking awareness as usual, sent out Pikachu.
Marowak was a Ground-type Pokémon. Pikachu's Electric-type moves were completely ineffective, effectively crippling its own strengths. Forced to rely solely on speed, Pikachu could only use hit-and-run tactics with Quick Attack and Tackle.
Despite Marowak's relatively small frame, its physical defense was outstanding. Pikachu's attacks barely scratched it. In the end, Marowak seized an opening and sent Pikachu flying out of the match with a single Head Smash.
"Ah…"
"Ah…"
Two sighs rang out at the same time. Ash and Misty glanced at each other—then immediately looked away.
"What kind of idiot sends Pikachu out against a Ground-type Pokémon?" Misty scoffed.
Ash clenched his fists and shot back, "Like you're any better! You sent Staryu out against a Grass-type!"
"That's because I only have Water-type Pokémon!"
"Alright, alright, break it up," Brock quickly stepped in to mediate, smiling. "Let's just treat this tournament as experience. Getting to battle so many trainers is already rare. As for the championship—no offense—but with over three hundred participants, it's unrealistic for either of you to stand out with your current strength."
"…That's true," Ash and Misty muttered, lowering their heads helplessly. There was no way to argue with that.
...
Kael looked at his third randomly assigned opponent of the afternoon and couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile.
"Sir Ron, what a coincidence."
"Coincidences are simply fate taking its course," Ron replied. Gone was the arrogance from their first meeting yesterday. His expression was heavy now, a trace of wariness flickering in his eyes.
Ron had heard plenty about Kael's morning matches—and even the two in the afternoon. He had even secretly watched one himself. Only then did he truly understand how terrifying this young opponent was.
More precisely, the attack power of that Weavile was downright monstrous.
For a gentleman, fleeing the match would be an insult to himself—and a stain upon his family's honor. Ron's heart was in turmoil. This wasn't some private duel he had arranged on his own; forcing a draw was out of the question.
He could only grit his teeth and fight.
On Kael's side, Weavile was sent out once again. Despite having already fought two matches, she showed no signs of fatigue. Naturally—both battles had ended in mere seconds. The stamina cost was negligible.
Losing the match was one thing—losing spirit was another.
Ron took out a blue-and-white Poké Ball and hurled it forward.
"Poliwrath! Show them your strength and bring me victory and honor!"
"Poolii!"
A powerful, bipedal, water-blue frog Pokémon appeared on the field. A black spiral marked its abdomen. Its clenched fists were as thick as sandbags, and its bulging biceps spoke volumes of its raw physical power.
Poliwrath, one of Poliwag's final evolutions, possessed both Water and Fighting attributes—equally formidable in close combat and at range.
The average Poliwrath stood around 1.3 meters tall, but Ron's Poliwrath was nearly a head taller, close to 1.4 meters, with a far more solid build. One glance was enough to tell it had been meticulously trained.
"Match start!" shouted the sailor at the edge of the field, waving the red flag.
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