🎄 Christmas Special Discount 🎄
From December 23 to December 25, there will be a public 50% discount on the following tiers:
Intermediate Trainers, Advanced Trainers, Elite Trainers, Elite Four Trainers, Champion Trainers, and Legendary Trainers.
🎆 New Year Discount 🎆
There will also be a 50% discount, but it won't be public. On December 31, the discount code will be published inside the chapters, so stay tuned 👀✨
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"Is there anyone else who wants to challenge me?"
"If not, then I'll step down."
Ethan Black's figure remained on the stage, eyes half-closed as he looked down at the new students staring at him with caution.
Among the crowd, all the newcomers were momentarily stunned upon hearing his words.
What did he mean by that?
Did Ethan Black plan to turn this into a ring to accept challenge after challenge?
It was true that his Sandslash had defeated Owen Pierce's Cloyster in a single move—Crush Spin (Rapid Spin + Crush Claw)—but Owen Pierce had always been more show than threat, so beating him only proved Ethan Black was strong.
Still, just that demonstration wasn't enough to proclaim himself the strongest newcomer.
And now, in this situation, did he intend to accept the challenges of everyone else? Wasn't that overconfidence?
"A challenge ring?"
"No... his goal is to use the impact of his previous victory to intimidate us."
"If no one dares to step up now, then once he leaves the stage, no one will have the courage to challenge him."
Patrick Mills frowned as he watched Ethan Black, whose expression seemed to say: If you don't dare, I'm leaving.
It was obvious that, after Sandslash had crushed Cloyster, most didn't want to take the risk. After all, each of them only had one chance to issue a challenge, and no one wanted to waste it without knowing the full extent of Ethan Black's strength.
Though the first place was tempting, everyone knew that even if they got it, it would be impossible to defend it to the end.
Instead, if they waited until the end, when the rankings were mostly settled and the big threats were gone, then many would be willing to make a move. But now... impossible.
"First place can't be defended."
"The smartest thing is to aim for tenth."
"For now, the priority is securing a spot on the university team. Let others fight over first place."
The newcomers outside the top ten looked at Ethan Black, then at Jasper Reid and Kyle Miller, who held ninth and tenth place. Their eyes narrowed: they already had a plan in mind.
"Heh, interesting."
"So Ethan Black isn't just brawn, he can think too."
At that moment, the only ones interested in him were the top ten.
Unlike those fighting to enter the team, they only needed to defend their spots. Of course, if they could climb a rank or two, all the better.
The professors exchanged glances, surprised by the scene. Rarely did they see something like this. The rules allowed several to challenge the same person consecutively, but the challenged had the right to rest, so normally no one accepted back-to-back fights.
Ethan Black, however, had turned the stage into a real ring. Even for the professors, this was the first time seeing such a thing.
What's more, in past years, battles usually started with the lower ranks. Seeing someone begin by defending the top spot in the very first challenge... was unheard of.
Of course, Ethan Black was a special case: a commoner who had climbed all the way to number one. If he had been a veteran or heir of a great family, there wouldn't have been such controversy.
"This boy, Ethan Black..."
Leonard Langford smiled as he watched. That arrogance and confidence reminded him of himself when he was young.
He too came from a humble family, so he felt a certain fondness for Ethan Black.
"I'll fight!"
Amid the silence, the voice of Claire Dawson—third place—broke the tension.
As she passed Patrick Mills, she gave him a slight nod before continuing toward the field, stopping in front of Ethan Black.
"Third place, Claire Dawson."
Ethan Black frowned, though he didn't seem surprised.
He knew most hesitated to use up their one challenge. He had thought Patrick Mills would be the first to step forward, but in the end, it was Claire Dawson.
"She must be Patrick's opening pawn."
Ethan Black deduced it quickly.
"The third match: Ethan Black versus Claire Dawson."
The professor acting as referee announced with interest the start of the battle.
"Go, Skarmory."
Claire Dawson smiled as she tossed her Poké Ball. A bird clad in silver armor appeared in the air: Skarmory, a Steel- and Flying-type.
"A Skarmory!"
At the sight, Ethan Black's frown deepened.
That type of Pokémon was a perfect counter to both his Sandslash and his Cacturne.
No matter which he chose, Skarmory would hold the advantage. Clearly, Claire Dawson had planned this.
"Well, Ethan? Who will you send out now?"
Claire Dawson looked at him with curiosity.
"It's true Sandslash and Cacturne would have it tough..."
"But they're not the only ones on my team."
Ethan Black smiled, recalled Sandslash, and pulled out another Poké Ball.
"Go, Meltan!"
The light revealed a small Pokémon with a golden screw for a head: Meltan.
"What Pokémon is that?"
"I've never seen it before!"
The students and teachers were astonished.
Even the professors rubbed their eyes, trying to recall information, but came up blank.
"It must be that Meltan..."
Professor Leonard Langford suddenly remembered the reports his old friend, President Robert Hamilton, had given him about Ethan Black.
"One of the two newly discovered Pokémon."
Meanwhile, Lucas Silver, heir of a family specialized in Steel-types, was watching intently.
Since the discovery of Meltan and Klink, the Devon Corporation had been trying to uncover their origin and breeding methods, but had yet to succeed.
(End of Chapter)