Paldea League.
While students were rubbing their fists and eager to try, the Elite Four and Top Champion symbolizing Paldea's highest combat power were already in position, sitting in the office for the final "pre-battle meeting."
"That's all for now. According to feedback from Gym Leaders, this year's students have excellent average quality. I hope everyone can reasonably control the difficulty. Even if they lose to the Elite Four, try to let them grow as much as possible."
Holding documents, Geeta finally tapped the desktop, her gaze inexplicably fixed directly on Aiden as she spoke.
"I understand."
Aiden sat upright, solemnly nodding toward the Top Champion.
"Good luck, Aiden."
Sitting beside him, Rika completely ignored the currently very formal occasion, casually patting Aiden's shoulder.
"You know those students best. Tell them their weaknesses openly and generously. Our Victory Road isn't something you can only challenge once."
"However, if no students enter the second level all day, I'll be very bored, so letting some water flow is fine too!"
"..."
Aiden didn't respond.
Because he discovered that not just Rika, but even Larry and Geeta were also casting concerned gazes at him.
After all, he was the first level of the Victory Road. If the initial difficulty was too high, there wouldn't be anything for the three Elite Four members behind him.
"It won't happen. This year's students are all excellent. There are several among them who are good seedlings that can grow into Champions."
"So I believe they can definitely do it."
"Moreover, the tactics I'll use on this Victory Road were also shown to students in advance a few days ago."
"Besides, there are student organizations like Team Star in Naranja Academy. Their preparations will definitely be very thorough—instead, I need to be more careful."
Only after Aiden gave a very sincere reply did Geeta finally let him go, then waved her hand grandly: "Alright, don't make Paldea's future wait too long either."
"Aiden, you go first."
Aiden nodded and quickly walked out of the office.
"He should be fine, right——"
The Dragon-type Elite Four member Hassel, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke, somewhat worriedly looking at Aiden's departing back.
As the only "art teacher" among the Elite Four permanently stationed at Naranja Academy, he was probably the person who most clearly understood students' impressions of Aiden.
To describe it, it would be… painful yet happy?
Although every time they challenged Aiden they would be tortured miserably and couldn't sleep well for days afterward, their strength was genuinely improving at flying speed.
After repeated back and forth, quite a few students had already developed "Aiden-phobia" by now.
After facing Aiden who had liberated part of his strength and reached Elite Four level, could they overcome their inner demons?
Regarding this, Hassel expressed concern.
"Don't overthink it. This kid knows too well how to guide students."
Larry beside him, with a face full of deep experience, tried hard to make a smiling expression, then sighed.
"You may not be clear, but those students trained by him are each not easy to deal with, much more troublesome than before."
"So, believe in them first."
"..."
Rika sitting on the other side blinked, somewhat interested in the two middle-aged men's topic, and nodded in deep agreement.
Don't mention just students—even her relative's child, Poppy, who wanted to become an Elite Four member, after battling Aiden once, her originally somewhat immature commanding level also suddenly rose a notch.
So, Aiden definitely has something to say about training students!
Walking into the hall, after Aiden took his position at the first checkpoint of the Victory Road, he leisurely poured a cup of coffee.
Although it's called the 'Victory Road', the Paldea region's design was completely different from other regions. They didn't set assessment points on mountaintops or waterfalls, but directly connected to Mesagoza, allowing students to directly enter the challenge.
"I wonder who today's first examinee will be. Hopefully someone with decent strength comes first to let me assess the difficulty—"
After taking a sip of coffee, Aiden was scalded and his tiger body shook, immediately feeling much more energized.
Hmm, this coffee has strength!
Just as he was appreciating the coffee alone, the room door was suddenly knocked.
He and the Rotom Phone floating behind him simultaneously looked back.
——
Because he needed to hold back for other students, during this Victory Road period, every one of his battles would be streamed live on the large screen outside in Mesagoza, for students to analyze his tactics and try to come up with viable solutions.
This was giving Team Star members an opportunity to work together and pool their collective wisdom.
"Please come in!"
Aiden instantly resumed a serious expression, hands behind his back, quietly waiting for the first challenger to appear.
The door creaked open, and a not-very-tall boy in second-year student uniform walked in.
"Oh? It's Okamoto~"
Recognizing the person at a glance, Aiden subconsciously raised an eyebrow.
It was actually an old acquaintance?
Besides Nemona the battle maniac, Okamoto should be the first student who came to challenge Sunshine Gym after his transmigration, and he was very resilient.
When did he pass his assessment? Aiden couldn't quite remember anymore, only remembering it was quite early.
It seemed under his tutelage, this somewhat talented teenager had been reborn and become a super newcomer capable of challenging the Victory Road.
Aiden felt somewhat emotional for a moment.
"Yes!"
Seeing the serious-expression Aiden, young Okamoto instantly stood at attention. Although he spoke with great momentum, his face had the appearance of going to death honorably.
"Don't be nervous, Teacher Azure isn't some devil. Is it necessary to be this scared?"
Aiden smiled, trying to calm his emotions. However, it seemed to have the opposite effect—the already nervous Okamoto immediately started trembling like a sieve.
As one of the old veterans who challenged Teacher Azure earliest in Team Star's strategy group, he knew too well!
What's more terrifying than a serious Teacher Azure is the current "smiling tiger" Teacher Azure—who knows how many bad moves he's holding back to use on him!
"Before the battle starts, let's do a simple interview question. Maybe it can relieve your tension."
Seeing Okamoto's look of being certain he wouldn't have good juice to drink, Aiden could only helplessly shake his head, then took out a stack of papers.
The interview test was a Paldea specialty, mainly aimed at detecting students' comprehensive qualities through conversation.
Under normal circumstances, this job should be done by Rika. She was very popular among students, especially female groups, and wouldn't make students break into a cold sweat the moment she appeared like himself.
However, after all, he was the first Elite Four member this year, so this job was also conveniently handed to him.
"Name?"
"Okamoto!"
"Very good, very spirited, Okamoto-kun."
"You're the first examinee of the Victory Road, so your number is 001."
"Then, here are several relatively important questions."
"Yes!"
"The number of Gym badges in your hand——very good, indeed eight."
"Next question, what do you plan to do after becoming Champion?"
"Oh? It's actually serving Paldea? Having this awareness, I think Chairwoman Geeta will be very happy. But still reminding you, never say such things in front of her in the future oh~"
Aiden blinked, seemingly joking with him, then continued asking.
"Among the eight Gym assessments, which one do you think made you struggle the most?"
At these words, Okamoto across from him suddenly fell silent, looking at him with an almost bizarre gaze, his expression also extremely complex.
At this moment, silence speaks louder than words.
"Alright, I understand. It seems the lessons I gave you back then were indeed very meaningful, leaving a very deep impression, right?"
Okamoto: ?
After several rounds of chat, Okamoto was indeed much less nervous now.
However, after being attacked face-to-face by Aiden, he now only felt his fists were slightly warm.
Hands itching unbearably, eager to fight!
But because he knew the strength gap between both sides, Okamoto could only deflate with a sigh.
If only he could win, he'd really want to have a no-rules wild battle with Teacher Azure!
Aiden didn't notice the subtle expression changes on his face. After diligently recording the conversation in the documents, he smiled and continued speaking.
"Next is the last question. This question is very important, so answer it well oh~"
"Yes!"
"Then—Okamoto-kun, do you like Pokémon?"
Aiden suddenly became serious and solemn, and Okamoto also subconsciously straightened his body.
Of course, the answer to this question, for every trainer embarking on their journey, would be without any hesitation.
"Yes! I like Pokémon the most!"
"Very good, interview assessment passed. Congratulations, Okamoto-kun."
After putting the documents back on the desk, Aiden smiled and applauded.
"You're an excellent student. If you can become Champion, you'll definitely become a backbone force of Paldea."
"So, let's temporarily set aside the red tape and directly enter the next segment."
Aiden walked forward and repeated the rules of this Victory Road to him.
"The second round test is continuous Pokémon battles with the Elite Four. During the challenge period, you may not leave the League venue, but can freely use items like Max Revive to temporarily replenish stamina."
"After consecutively defeating four Elite Four members, you'll enter the final test segment. At that time, your opponent will be Chairwoman Geeta. As long as you defeat her, you can become the new Champion."
"Any questions?"
"None!"
"Very good, then let's start immediately."
Aiden nodded to signal, then stood at the center of the field, revealing a gratified smile.
"The one opening for the Elite Four is me, Sunshine Gym Leader Aiden, temporarily serving as Elite Four member."
"It's been several months since I last witnessed your strength. I hope I can feel your progress and recognize you as an excellent trainer."
"Please shine brightly, newcomer!"
After Aiden finished speaking, the corners of his mouth slightly rose, taking a Poké Ball from his pocket.
"If I remember correctly, your main Pokémon when challenging the Gym were Scyther and Mimikyu, right?"
"I don't know if Scyther has evolved now, so my lead Pokémon is—"
"I choose you, Salamence!"
"Roar—!"
After Aiden pressed the trigger, a red light flashed, and the streamlined-bodied, blood-moon-winged Salamence made a dazzling entrance.
"Salamence—"
Okamoto narrowed his eyes, immediately realizing Teacher Azure was giving him space to perform.
The Flying + Dragon-type Salamence—his Mimikyu could completely face it head-on and directly seal one of its STAB moves.
Even if there was clearly a certain strength gap between both sides, from Teacher Azure's performance, he should also hold back some strength.
I knew Teacher Azure definitely wouldn't go all out against newbies!
Okamoto breathed a huge sigh of relief in his heart, his expression becoming more confident. Following Aiden, he also took a Poké Ball from his pocket.
"I'll leave it to you, Mimikyu!"
Mimikyu, its body wrapped in a Pikachu cloth cover, only revealing one pitch-black claw and some eerie aura, appeared on the field, staring at the Salamence above in a silly but cute manner.
"Roar!!!"
The King of the Sky Salamence immediately displayed its powerhouse pressure, roaring loudly to try to suppress Mimikyu with momentum.
However, Mimikyu had no reaction, still standing in place quietly staring at it.
Instead, both Aiden and Okamoto immediately covered their ears, helplessly glancing at Salamence.
Especially Aiden.
He always felt his Salamence was a bit like a husky—why was it so noisy——
This was indoors! Roaring so loudly, even the echoes alone made his head buzz, making him think the opponent had used Hyper Voice.
However, now wasn't the time to fuss about these things.
Aiden narrowed his eyes, silently staring at Mimikyu on the other side, then casually and decisively spoke: "Salamence, fly up and use Dragon Dance!"
"Roar!"
Salamence unhesitatingly executed the command, immediately flying toward the sky.
Although limited by the indoor space, its flight height wasn't very high, but temporarily dodging Mimikyu's attacks was enough.
This was the first subjective question Aiden gave students—when facing flying Pokémon, what method should be used to solve it?
The answer to this question was very open and not hard to think of. For students who could obtain eight badges, it could be said to be very easy.
"Mimikyu, let's also use Swords Dance to power up!"
Okamoto acted decisively, directly commanding his Pokémon to similarly power up in place.
Anyway, Mimikyu's ability was Disguise, which could use its outer cloth cover to block one attack, so the error tolerance was quite high.
Since there was no way to interrupt Salamence's aerial power-up, then he might as well power up himself too, directly fighting a positional battle with Teacher Azure.
If he wanted to display Salamence's advantages, Teacher Azure would definitely actively attack, closing the distance between both sides.
And at that time, it would be the best opportunity for him and Mimikyu to counterattack!
Okamoto was certain of this idea in his heart, and all this was naturally within Aiden's expectations.
"Good choice, but you still need to consider one thing—"
"Salamence also isn't without long-range attack means, so breaking through Disguise's protection is very easy."
After Aiden gave a hint, he immediately supplemented with a command.
"Salamence, use Flamethrower!"
"Roar!"
Under Aiden's command, Salamence suddenly took a deep breath, then immediately launched a fiercely burning flame from its mouth, transforming into a pillar of fire attacking Mimikyu.
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