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"Go, Ninetales!"
Nikolas wore thick black-framed glasses that clearly indicated severe nearsightedness. He sported a full beard and was noticeably overweight.
Honestly, looking at his appearance, it was hard to believe Nikolas was an eighteen-year-old trainer.
Eighteen years old? If someone claimed he was a thirty-eight-year-old uncle, Jacob would readily believe it.
Observing Nikolas, Jacob couldn't help thinking this must be what people meant by a "mature young man"—someone who already had a beer belly at such a young age.
Nikolas's strategy remained identical to his previous matches. This was his signature style and routine—he consistently chose to lead with his weather-setter Ninetales, a standard opening move.
"Nine!"
The moment Ninetales with the Drought ability appeared, fire energy from its body instantly surged skyward, transforming the originally overcast day into brilliant sunshine.
Simultaneously, as sunlight bathed Charizard, its Solar Power ability activated, boosting its special attack.
"Charizard, use Ancient Power!" Jacob chose to proceed according to his original plan, having Charizard open with Ancient Power.
Upon hearing Jacob's command, Charizard breathed a sigh of relief. Just as I thought—master really hasn't changed; he's still the same.
However, Charizard soon frowned, sensing something wasn't quite right. Thinking from a different angle, could this also be part of master's tactics?
Delivering the most ruthless strategies in the most passionate tone.
Master, I understand!
At that moment, Charizard suddenly realized that as long as it maintained its calculated approach with a clear conscience, no one could fault its performance!
"Roar!"
Charizard let out a powerful roar as violent rock energy gathered before it like a surging tide. In an instant, a sphere of rock energy formed and flew directly toward Ninetales!
"Ninetales, dodge and use Psychic!"
Nikolas issued his command calmly. Facing Jacob's Charizard, he actually lacked effective countermeasures.
His remaining two Pokémon weren't well-suited for battling Jacob's Charizard. Although his own Charizard had mastered Stone Edge, which could certainly counter the opposing Charizard, switching now would mean taking a direct hit from Ancient Power, which would instantly deal severe damage to his Charizard due to its four-times weakness to Rock-type moves.
As for sending out Leafeon, that was even more impossible. With Leafeon's fragile special defense and the Grass-type's vulnerability to Fire-type attacks, it would be quickly overwhelmed facing Jacob's Charizard.
Therefore, Nikolas could only have Ninetales battle Charizard. Ninetales possessed higher special defense, and although it lacked moves to counter Charizard effectively, it could still put up a fight.
Even if it was defeated, he could safely switch to his Charizard afterward.
After receiving the command, Ninetales gracefully tapped its four legs, moving across the battlefield with elegant high-speed movements. Relying on its natural agility, it avoided Charizard's Ancient Power while rapidly closing the distance!
Under Charizard's control, Ancient Power continued to crash down toward Ninetales, but Nikolas's Ninetales was obviously well-trained. Its strength had reached the peak of Elite level, and its speed was exceptionally high.
It moved like a phantom across the arena, effortlessly dodging Charizard's Ancient Power attacks before launching a fierce counterattack.
A purple gleam flashed in its eyes as psychic energy erupted from its body, rushing toward Charizard suddenly. The invisible psychic force struck like a massive impact.
"Roar!"
Charizard bellowed as it felt like its body had been struck by a sledgehammer, letting out a pained cry. However, the actual damage from this Psychic attack was quite limited. Without same-type attack bonus and lacking type advantage, the damage dealt to Charizard was minimal.
"Charizard, maintain distance and use continuous Ancient Power!" Despite Charizard taking a hit, Jacob showed no concern and continued ordering Charizard to use Ancient Power.
"Ninetales, keep using Psychic!"
Nikolas issued his command almost simultaneously with Jacob. Charizard continued launching Ancient Power as rock energy spheres formed in the air one after another, flying toward Ninetales.
Ninetales dodged nimbly while quickly approaching Charizard.
However, at that crucial moment, rock energy suddenly erupted, and Charizard's aura dramatically intensified. After repeatedly using Ancient Power, it finally triggered the move's secondary effect—all stats increased!
"Jacob has been having Charizard use Ancient Power consistently, and the purpose was to trigger Ancient Power's secondary effect—a boost to all stats!" Layne explained to the audience.
At the same time, with Charizard's enhanced stats, the power and speed of its Ancient Power energy spheres increased significantly. This caught Ninetales, which had been successfully avoiding the attacks, completely off-guard. It was struck directly by Ancient Power and sent flying backward, clearly sustaining serious injuries.
"Continue with Ancient Power!" Jacob's voice rang out again.
After successfully landing a hit, he naturally wouldn't give Ninetales a chance to recover. As the saying goes, "pursue a retreating enemy"—Jacob wouldn't waste the opportunity to press his advantage against the downed Ninetales. Upon receiving the order, Charizard continuously fired Ancient Power at the fallen Ninetales.
"Ninetales, use Agility!"
After taking a direct hit from Ancient Power, Ninetales showed no signs of giving up. It quickly stood up as psychic energy emerged from its body, using Agility to boost its speed and avoid the incoming Ancient Power. It rapidly approached Charizard, then unleashed another Psychic attack!
"Now's the time—use Scorching Sands!"
Waiting for Ninetales to close in, Jacob gave the decisive command.
Charizard's special attack had already increased under its Solar Power ability, and now it was further enhanced by Ancient Power's stat boost. Charizard's special attack had reached a terrifying level.
Moreover, with Ninetales positioned so close to Charizard, using Scorching Sands now would definitely produce devastating results!
Charizard, which had been restraining itself, finally unleashed ground-type energy from its body, creating massive amounts of sand in the air mixed with fire energy, hurling the scorching sand directly at Ninetales.
"Is that the Scorching Sands move? This is the first time Jacob's Charizard has used this technique. It appears to have been specially prepared for Nikolas's Ninetales," Liliana observed.
"Given Ninetales' current condition, there's a high probability it won't be able to withstand a full-powered Scorching Sands attack," Layne added.
"Nine!"
Faced with the overwhelming barrage of scorching sand, Ninetales had no time to dodge and was directly engulfed by the attack. It only managed to cry out in pain before collapsing to the ground, unable to battle.
"Ninetales is unable to battle! Charizard wins!"
"Roar!"
Deafening cheers erupted throughout the venue, celebrating Jacob's victory.
"Return, Ninetales. You fought well. Go, Charizard!"
Nikolas wasn't overly affected by Ninetales' defeat. After recalling his fallen Pokémon, he grabbed Charizard's Poké Ball and threw it onto the battlefield.
"Go, Charizard!"
"Roar!"
Nikolas's Charizard appeared, and in terms of size, it was actually slightly larger than Jacob's Charizard.
"Return, Charizard. Go, Noibat!"
Jacob's sudden substitution surprised everyone. The entire audience had been anticipating the Charizard showdown, but no one expected Jacob to make a switch at this crucial moment.
"Jacob has made a substitution at this point. Does he have some special tactical arrangement in mind?"
Layne in the commentary booth looked equally puzzled, unable to comprehend Jacob's decision.