The Blaziken didn't respond with words; it simply launched a punch forward.
Carl's eyes widened, utterly amazed by the scene before him.
"Is the effect of the Magnet Rock really this powerful?"
The ground bore a deep crater from the Thunder Punch, with residual energy still vibrating in the air. Even though Carl had been immersed in the world of Pokémon for over a month, experiencing this kind of destructive power up close left him breathless. The sheer force was unimaginable if it hit an ordinary person. He couldn't help but admire those with special physiques that could withstand such attacks.
Once he calmed down, Carl turned to Blaziken with a smile, "Excellent! Now we have a way to handle both Water and Flying-type Pokémon."
He hadn't anticipated the Magnet Rock's assistance to be so significant. Blaziken had always had potential for Electric-type moves, but truly mastering Thunder Punch would have required time. Yet now, a single attempt had broken through a crucial barrier.
"The electric energy feels much more familiar now, the problem that was bothering me suddenly resolved," Blaziken explained.
Carl, understanding through his aura, nodded. "Take ten more steps and see if you can use Thunder Punch again."
He needed to confirm whether Blaziken had truly mastered the move or if it could only be performed under specific conditions. Though puzzled, Blaziken complied.
"Boom!"
The ground tore apart once more, but this time, its movements were even more fluid.
"Not bad at all," Carl commented with a satisfied smile. It seemed the Magnet Rock indeed helped Pokémon quickly master skills in a more comfortable environment, rather than just forcibly boosting their strength.
Carl began to consider teaching Blaziken more skills. While Pokémon in the real world could learn an unlimited number of moves, their energy was finite. However, with the special aid of the Magnet Rock, Carl was determined to equip Blaziken with as many skills as possible, even if they weren't mastered, they'd be useful in a pinch.
"I'm ready, Carl!" Serena's voice came from behind. Today she was sporting a pink workout outfit, full of energy. Carl's eyes lit up as he smiled, "Let's go, there might already be people waiting at the gym."
The Summit Gym was packed to the brim. Despite varied opinions about Carl taking over as gym leader, this first battle since the gym's closure had drawn a massive crowd. Tickets were a hot commodity, and even important local officials attended. In the league system, a gym leader's status wasn't low; someone like Carl held a position equivalent to a district leader.
The crowd buzzed with speculation: "I wonder how much of the old leader's power the new one can display." "As long as he performs well, I'll be here to support every match." "Let's hope he doesn't embarrass the Summit Gym." "Isn't he a bit too young to be a gym leader?" "Geniuses have their plans, maybe he'll lead the gym to new heights."
"Enough chatting, what's known about today's challenge?"
"There's a rumor online that the opponent is Hop."
"Hop? That name sounds familiar."
"He's the younger brother of the champion from the Galar region."
"So it's him! The champion's brother must be quite skilled, Carl might be in trouble."
"But Hop has been a trainer for less than a year and is two years younger than Carl, which is an advantage."
"Still, with a champion brother's guidance, how can Carl bridge that gap?"
"Champions don't have that much time to personally teach their siblings."
"Even limited guidance means resources that ordinary people can't match, like pseudo-legendary Pokémon."
"Who cares, today's match will be exciting regardless."
"I'm afraid you might be disappointed."
"Why?"
"The challenger changed."
"What?!"
The audience erupted. Many were there just for the champion's brother.
"Who's challenging now?" someone asked, disgruntled.
"Haven't you checked the gym's announcement? They notified the change yesterday and allowed ticket exchanges."
The venue suddenly quieted.
"So who is it now?"
"Ethan Cross."
"That name rings a bell too."
"He's the trainer who's always trying to compete with Carl."
"Oh, the one who always wants to challenge Carl?"
In the preparation area, Ethan Cross nearly fainted with anger.
"What competition? We're evenly matched!"
"Sure, but the perennial second place still dares to talk."
Ethan Cross gritted his teeth in frustration.
The match was about to begin at the Summit Gym.
In the front row of the VIP seats sat a few formally dressed middle-aged men. The surrounding chatter reached their ears, their expressions varied.
The man in the middle suddenly spoke, "Old Guo, that Ethan Cross on the field is your son, right?"
"Yes, Mayor Whitaker." Richard Foss responded immediately, unable to hide his pride. His son was not only among the top ten in Havenport's high school league but also qualified as a professional trainer before enrolling.
"Looks like today's a showdown between two new talents from Fairfield," Mayor Whitaker smiled, "How do you assess your son's chances?"
Richard Foss feigned a moment of humble contemplation: "As the saying goes, success depends on the right time, place, and people. My son has the latter two advantages, so he has about a sixty percent chance." His implication was obvious, leaning towards his own son.
"Interesting," Mayor Whitaker nodded, "Let me see your judgment, Old Guo."
Richard Foss's eyes gleamed with joy. He was currently in a business competition with a rival, Daniel Ward, for an important project, and the decision lay with Mayor Whitaker. Previously, no matter his efforts, Wu remained neutral. Now, his words clearly hinted: if Ethan Cross wins, the project is his.
This trip was worth it. Richard Foss felt a thrill of excitement.
Sitting on the other side, Daniel Ward was worried. He had heard he had a better chance, but now there was a twist. "I hope Carl wins; this project is most beneficial to him," he silently prayed.
Suddenly, the whirring of machinery filled the venue as the entire arena lit up. First-time spectators looked up at the opening dome, while seasoned ones focused on the player tunnel on the left side of the field.
Tap, tap, tap... Clear footsteps echoed closer.
Under the gaze of the crowd, a young man in a black uniform walked out confidently. The unique patterns on his clothing stood out, and a confident smile graced his face.
"Oh my! It's Leader Carl!"
"So handsome!"
The venue erupted in cheers. As the acknowledged genius trainer of the Fairvale region, Carl's prowess was matched by his striking looks, which had amassed countless fans. As long as he maintained his current form, his popularity would only soar higher.
In the lounge, Serena watched the scene outside through the glass window and couldn't help but marvel, "If Carl went into showbiz, he'd be such a hit." With his charisma and presence, just standing there, Carl could draw all eyes.
As Carl took his place on the command platform, the field's electronic screen lit up. The referee, a Rotom, flew out from the screen, announcing, "Challenger, please enter the arena!"
In the competitor's lounge, Ethan Cross took a deep breath and, under everyone's watchful eyes, walked onto the field. Though he had participated in many major competitions, compared to Carl's entrance, his was notably subdued. This disparity made Ethan Cross's expression stiffen, and his gaze towards Carl sharpened.
"Now announcing the match rules," Rotom waved its flags, "Red side is Gym Leader Carl, green side is challenger Ethan Cross from Fairfield, Havenport."
The match rules were straightforward: both sides would send out one Pokémon in a duel, with the first to be knocked out or concede losing the match. The stakes were the Summit Gym's temporary badge. Rotom floated in front of Ethan Cross for confirmation.
"Understood," Ethan Cross replied crisply.
The number of Pokémon for gym challenges was determined by the challenger, between one and four. Ethan Cross had brought only one elite-level Pokémon, so he opted for a one-on-one match. If someone brought two elite-level Pokémon, they could choose a two-on-two. Fairness? Trainers always needed to be ready for endurance battles; if they weren't strong enough, they couldn't blame others.
"Gym side, please send out your Pokémon first," Rotom signaled with a flag.
This was a league rule, giving challengers the advantage of responding second.
"Go, Blaziken!" Carl released his Pokémon.
Seeing the choice, a smirk crept onto Ethan Cross's face as his confidence grew.