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Roy couldn't wait to take Electabuzz to the basement training room for a comprehensive strength assessment.
The results were impressive.
The Thunder Armor, which previously could only be maintained for three minutes, now lasted a full six minutes.
Of course, this referred specifically to 'Bolt Strike mode.'
When flame energy was added to enter 'Fusion Bolt Mode,' Electabuzz's various capabilities increased by thirty percent compared to 'Bolt Strike' mode, while the lightning power coursing through its body increased by fifty percent.
However, this enhanced state reduced the technique's duration to just two minutes.
"Bolt Strike mode offers longer sustainability, while Fusion Bolt mode provides explosive power," Roy summarized.
Under normal conditions, Electabuzz maintained an A+ evaluation. Once Thunder Armor was activated, its displayed ability values completely overwhelmed rivals of the same level, faintly exceeding theoretical limits.
Lucario was no exception to this dominance.
Electabuzz's strength had definitively surpassed its teammate.
A single evolution had allowed Electabuzz to claim the title of 'strongest team member.'
After learning about this development, Lucario was leaning against the wall, staring blankly up at the ceiling.
"Well, this is..." Roy didn't know quite how to comfort his first partner.
Lucario was both naturally talented and incredibly hardworking.
But looking at any world, what did geniuses fear most?
The answer was overwhelming advantages that seemed almost unfair.
Electabuzz's painful struggles during the first half of its life had given it incredible willpower and tremendous hidden potential. After meeting Roy—like finding a wise mentor in a story—it had transformed dramatically in an instant.
"After half a year of training, the Thunder Emperor revealed its true power for the first time, completely overwhelming its peers."
Roy had witnessed another remarkable breakthrough moment.
At that moment, his phone rang. Roy answered the call, and since he was in an excellent mood, his tone was particularly cheerful.
"Captain Elon, good morning! What can I do for you?"
"Nothing urgent, just checking to see if you're awake," Elon said with a laugh. "If you oversleep and arrive late on a day like today, it'll be remembered by the entire country for the rest of your life."
That wasn't an exaggeration—there had been cases in the past where serious students were late on finals day, forcing their teammates to compete four-against-five. Unfortunately, they lost those matches and were repeatedly criticized by audiences for years afterward.
"Captain Elon, I want to request something from you."
Roy's suddenly serious tone caught Elon off guard.
After a moment, Elon responded in a joking manner: "As long as you're not asking to skip the competition entirely, I can consider it."
Roy didn't respond to the joke. Instead, with unusual gravity, he said, "For today's match, I want to be treated as the primary player. Captain Elon, please give me the opportunity to face Jaxon directly in a head-to-head battle."
Elon fell silent.
To be honest, he had already mentally prepared for losing today's match.
Originally, the Stonecrest University team stood alone among the 'Six Elite,' with comprehensive strength that had historically exceeded Capital University's capabilities.
After recruiting Roy this year, Capital University's overall strength had finally caught up with their rivals.
In previous years, Capital University already possessed the strength to compete for championships.
However, this year brought the complication of Jaxon's remarkable progress.
What exactly did a professional-level ace Pokémon represent?
Elon, an Peak-level trainer working toward professional status himself, understood the implications all too well.
It was no exaggeration to say that a professional-level Pokémon could easily handle multiple opponents that hadn't broken through racial limitations.
"Do your best this year," he had told himself countless times recently. "As long as Roy continues developing, the future will surely usher in an era belonging to Capital University."
However, deep in his heart, there remained a trace of regret.
Because this year represented their final opportunity as a team.
Elon asked in a serious tone, "Do you want to win today's competition?"
"No, not just wanting to win."
Roy suddenly laughed, delivering that statement in a tone that seemed simultaneously joking and supremely confident.
"I believe I can win."
Linan City, Stonecrest Province.
The largest Pokémon stadium in Linan was the 'Yellow Dragon Stadium,' capable of accommodating up to 54,000 spectators.
In the East China Division standings, only two teams had maintained perfect records in both individual and team battles: the Stonecrest University team and the Capital University team.
The winner would become East China Division champion, receive official rewards, and earn seeded team status in the national competition.
The loser would claim runner-up position—without rewards, earning only tickets to the national tournament.
All other East China Division competitions had concluded. Only today's "decisive" match had been officially scheduled as the finale, arranged specifically for Yellow Dragon Stadium.
The North China, South China, and West China division competitions had also reached their conclusions, giving players and spectators time to focus on live broadcasts from other regions.
Therefore, today's match had truly captured nationwide attention and drawn the entire country's focus.
Its viewership rivaled the main matches of the 'National Competition' stage itself.
Before the game even began, the entire internet atmosphere was incredibly heated.
[WantsToSnuggleGardevoir]: "Brothers, who's winning today's match? Your little brother wants to place a small bet."
[FarfetchdIsSoDelicious]: "Really? Send me the link to that betting website..."
[EeveeIsMyOnlyLove]: "Obviously Stonecrest University. Do you even need to think about it?"
[WantsToSnuggleGardevoir]: "Both teams are undefeated though, right? It's hard to call. Capital University has Roy, that talented player—I think there's hope for an upset."
[EeveeIsMyOnlyLove]: "You can tell you don't watch matches regularly and don't understand what 'professional level' means. I admit Roy is a genius and represents hope for our East China Division. Maybe he'll have professional-level Pokémon next year, but that's in the future. Let's focus on today."
[WantsToSnuggleGardevoir]: "You're right. Should I bet on Stonecrest University then?"
[EeveeIsMyOnlyLove]: "I've been watching competitions for over twenty years—nobody predicts better than me! Listen to me: go all-in on Stonecrest University. The odds are so low you won't win much money without going all-in."
[FarfetchdIsSoDelicious]: "Gambling addicts deserve what they get."
Similar discussions could be found everywhere across major forums, message boards, and chat groups.
Anyone who had followed competitions for several years understood the significance of 'professional level.'
Stonecrest University and Capital University were like a tiger in its prime versus a young dragon. Everyone knew that given time, the latter had potential to surpass the former.
But at least, not today.
Since only two schools needed to compete today, the schedule wasn't rushed at all. The competition was scheduled for the afternoon.
1:00 PM.
Audiences filed into the arena one after another. The biting cold wind couldn't dampen their enthusiasm. Half an hour later, Yellow Dragon Stadium was completely packed.
Outside the stadium, many people who hadn't secured tickets set up chairs and gathered together, watching the match through large screens positioned around the venue.
In Capital University's player preparation room, everyone except Roy was present.
Elon explained today's tactical arrangements to the team.
"Our goal today is to do everything possible to eliminate the other four players besides Jaxon, creating a situation where Roy can face Jaxon in a fair one-on-one battle."
Anya, Patrick, and Philip exchanged glances.
Philip was more philosophical about their chances: "We didn't have much hope of winning anyway, so let's give it everything we've got."
Patrick frowned with concern: "Does Roy really think he can defeat Jaxon?"
Anya asked curiously: "Does our junior have some secret advantage?"
"I don't know what cards he might be holding."
Elon shook his head and smiled. "I've never been able to see through Roy completely. After working with him for a while, you should also sense how mysterious this guy can be. Whenever you think you can evaluate his capabilities and try to 'categorize' him, he'll often suddenly demonstrate strength far beyond your expectations."
"Throughout our journey together, I don't know how many people have been amazed by the possibilities he's revealed."
"Anyway, everyone—including ourselves—doesn't think we can win today."
"So I believe it's better to bet our outcome on his potential."
After speaking, Elon took a deep breath and smiled wryly.
"Just consider this my desperation move. This year is my final opportunity."
These words created silence among the other three, resonating deeply with their own situations.
Rather than simply accepting defeat, it was better to choose to believe in Roy's possibilities. After all, he was the most outstanding talented trainer in Capital University's history.
Who would choose to lose if winning remained possible?
This was especially true for Anya, as this year was also her final opportunity to compete in the college league.
After graduating next year, Anya would concentrate on preparing for the 'professional-level assessment.' Until passing that evaluation, there would be no national-level competitions available to her.
How many years typically passed between university graduation and achieving professional status? In most cases, at least five years.
How many sets of five years could one life contain?
"I understand," Anya said seriously. "For today's match, I'll give everything I have—no, I'll give one hundred and twenty percent of my strength to leave that one-on-one opportunity for Junior Roy."
The Yang brothers also expressed their commitment one after another.
"By the way, where is Junior Roy? Hasn't he arrived yet?" Anya asked curiously.
"No, he's been here early," Elon shook his head. "He said something came up temporarily and borrowed a separate preparation room from the competition organizers. He asked us to call him when the match begins."
Philip chuckled and speculated, "Isn't he preparing some secret weapon?"
He was only joking, but didn't realize his words would prove prophetic.
In the borrowed preparation room not far away:
"kra!"
Mimikyu let out an exhausted whine, collapsing to the ground.
The reason for its exhaustion was the group of Pokémon positioned determinedly before Roy, ready for today's battle.
Lucario, Electabuzz, Blastoise, and Ninetales were all surrounded by light golden energy fields at that moment, their capability values significantly enhanced.
This was Electabuzz's first time entering this remarkable condition. It clenched its fists curiously, feeling the sudden surge of power coursing through its body.
Looking at the lineup of Pokémon all in Totem condition, Roy gently touched the Z-Crystal attached to the Z-Ring on his right hand and said quietly:
"Everything is ready."