Shoom, shoom, shoom.
In the testing field, the dodge balls were still being fired intermittently. But Vibrava, fully focused, precisely detected each attack. Sometimes it dodged, sometimes it blocked them with a move, stopping every single ball.
"It seems the dodge balls can't do anything to it anymore."
"The detection ability of that Vibrava is incredible. I don't know what method they're using."
A trainer who had been eagerly waiting for Ethan to lose points spoke with some disappointment. Although he wanted to see him fail, Vibrava's performance still left him astonished.
"Could it be that guy will pass the test with the maximum score?"
Someone made the comment, surprising everyone.
And based on that Vibrava's monstrous performance, it was entirely possible.
"Here it comes—the gravity field!"
"The Ice Goddess lost points right here."
Someone's shout made everyone tense up.
Even Laura Frost, usually calm, unintentionally turned her gaze toward Ethan on the screen, her eyes shining.
That gravitational space was something her Froslass had been completely unable to deal with; she had been forced to push through it, and because of that, she lost five points.
So... could Ethan overcome the gravity field?
Meanwhile, Ethan had exited the rock forest and entered an artificial desert.
Fuuuuu...
The wind blew nonstop, lifting clouds of sand.
Ethan stepped on the sandy ground, but thanks to Vibrava's Levitate ability, the reduced weight caused his footsteps to leave extremely shallow marks.
This scene made some trainers squint, especially the one specializing in Flying-type Pokémon.
If that was control of airflow... then that level of mastery was terrifying.
However, only a few perceptive ones noticed; most of the attention was focused on the imminent gravity field.
"Viiibbraa!"
Every few steps, Vibrava made a faint sound, tapping Ethan with its antenna.
"You're saying there's a Pokémon ahead?"
Receiving the signal, Ethan understood. Using its antenna to touch him meant a Pokémon was up ahead.
"What could it be?"
Ethan pondered.
The presence of a Pokémon could only mean one thing: something was about to happen.
It could be a direct attack or the activation of a weather-based move, gravity, static field, and more.
In these tests, all those phenomena were also generated by Pokémon.
"Huh? Why did Ethan stop?"
"No way, did he detect something?"
The spectators were confused as they watched him halt.
And right before their eyes, Ethan decided to go around the area!
"Huh...? You can do that? Just avoid it?"
The trainers watching the screen wore strange expressions.
"Avoiding danger is a good strategy."
Gideon Crest shook his head, resigned. Even though he wanted Ethan to lose points, it was clear the guy was skilled. It wouldn't be easy to make him fail.
"Wait... look at that."
Suddenly, someone murmured in surprise.
A cloud of sand shot upward. When it dispersed, a massive figure made of rocks appeared: a colossal Gigalith.
The Pokémon was enraged, roaring at Ethan, clearly asking why he had tried to go around it.
"So you can't just avoid it...?"
Ethan frowned, confused. It seemed battle was inevitable.
Just as he was about to give orders to Vibrava, he felt his body grow heavy, as if an invisible force was crushing him.
"This is... Gravity?"
His expression changed drastically.
He tried stepping back to exit the field, but suddenly the sensation vanished. His body felt light again.
"Did Gigalith's Gravity disappear?"
"No... this feeling is... Levitate!"
"I see! Levitate can counteract gravity to some extent."
Ethan narrowed his eyes, realizing Vibrava was using its Levitate ability to its fullest to neutralize the move Gravity.
"The gravity field has begun!"
The red light on the screen announced it, and many trainers watched with anticipation. But when they saw Ethan standing there, completely unharmed, their expressions changed.
What was going on?
Had Gigalith not used the move Gravity?
"No... it's Vibrava. It's counteracting the gravity."
The trainer specializing in Flying-type Pokémon suddenly spoke.
He had been carefully observing Ethan's steps: at the start of Gravity, his foot had sunk and formed a deep hole; but on the next step, thanks to Vibrava's reaction, the footprint stabilized again, nearly just like before.
"That's... wind control?"
"Then this Vibrava has an unbelievably amazing talent for the Flying type..."
While Vibrava's Levitate ability fought against Gigalith's Gravity, Ethan quickly retreated until he was far enough away. At greater distance, Gravity's influence weakened.
After a moment, Vibrava, using Levitate to its limit, even managed to lift Ethan slightly off the ground.
"Levitate and Gravity are perfect opposites. Maybe I can use Gravity to train the Levitate ability..."
Ethan's eyes lit up as he connected both concepts.
Honestly, training Levitate had been a massive obstacle.
But now... he had finally found a viable method.
(End of chapter)