Another New Year had arrived.
After exactly one year, Ethan once again stood in the wide plaza of the university team headquarters.
The last time, the five reserve team members —including Ethan— had undergone their annual evaluation there.
This time, they would once again be evaluated in the same place, and the examiner was still Daniel Harper, the captain of the university team. In addition, all other team members were present as well —fourteen people in total.
Those participating in the evaluation were Ethan Black, Lucas Silver, Marcus Foster, Kyle Miller, and Jasper Reid, the five members who had entered the university team in advance.
More than an evaluation, this test was practically a transition ceremony between the old members and the new ones.
After spending one year in the primary campus, one year in the intermediate campus, and four years in the advanced campus —six in total— the current members of the university team led by Captain Daniel were about to graduate.
When that happened, the main team positions would be taken by Jason Brooks and the others, while Ethan and his group would take the positions of the reserve team.
"First, I want to congratulate you on having made it this far."
"However, although the university promised you entry into the university team, and your performance in the Exchange Tournament was truly outstanding, earning everyone's recognition..."
"If you want to successfully enter the team, you still need to pass a final test. As captain, before leaving the team I have the obligation to make sure this last barrier is properly set."
Captain Daniel's gaze swept over the five, and the faint smile at the corner of his lips made their expressions change instantly.
They thought the captain just wanted to evaluate their current state; they didn't imagine this would be another entrance test. Their faces turned serious at once.
"I wonder... what does the captain want to evaluate?"
Even Ethan's expression looked somewhat poor. After all, the only main Pokémon he had with him right now was Meltan.
If he had known that he would have another evaluation upon returning to the university, he would have brought back Sandslash, Slowking, and Cacturne to participate before sending them back to the guild.
"The content of the evaluation is simple: combat strength!"
"Although in an actual battle individual strength doesn't completely determine the strength of a team, if the powers aren't on the same level, the battle is meaningless."
"And the evaluation method is also simple: real combat. I will decide based on your performance whether you are qualified to enter the team."
"Those who pass will enter directly; those who fail, I'm sorry, but you'll have to go back and compete for team slots against the students in the advanced campus."
Upon hearing Captain Daniel's words, everyone looked toward him. As a legendary figure of the university, it was impossible not to have heard of him.
"Real combat, huh...? We should be able to handle that."
They recalled the captain's requirements and felt a certain degree of confidence.
"Who wants to go first?"
Daniel crossed his arms and glanced at the five, giving them a strange sense of déjà vu.
"I'll go first."
This time, as captain of the reserve team, Ethan stepped forward.
"Ethan, old rival then. Go, Breloom!"
Daniel muttered as he threw the Poké Ball in his hand, from which emerged the same Breloom he had used to evaluate Ethan last time.
"Breloom, huh? It's decided then. Meltan, you're up."
Ethan thought for a moment. He had no choice: he had to send out his strongest Pokémon, even if he was at a type disadvantage.
"Hm? He didn't use any other Pokémon? He chose Meltan straight away?"
Daniel was slightly surprised, though his expression quickly turned serious as he shifted into battle mode.
"Time starts now. You attack first."
Upon hearing him, Ethan nodded and ordered, "Meltan, fly."
With his command, Meltan's body opened and shot up into the sky.
"Trying to buy time by flying?"
"Breloom, get close and use Sky Uppercut!"
The moment he saw Meltan's action, Daniel issued his order.
Breloom leapt quickly; when it reached just below Meltan, it pushed off with great force and its body shot upward like a projectile, its fist aimed straight at the sky.
"Meltan, Thunderbolt at full power!"
Zzzzt—
Electricity exploded around Meltan as it unleashed its full current, colliding head-on with Sky Uppercut.
Boom!
The descending discharge was shattered head-on by Sky Uppercut, although Breloom's attack was also nullified, and the Pokémon began to fall due to gravity.
But just before hitting the ground, a grass rope suddenly appeared in its hand and shot forward, wrapping around the airborne Meltan.
Boom!
Breloom's body hit the ground, but with a violent pull it dragged Meltan down, ripping him from the air and slamming him heavily against the terrain.
"Finish it, Mach Punch!"
Whoosh!
As soon as Daniel's voice fell, Breloom's silhouette vanished from its spot.
Whoosh!
But just when Breloom attacked at full speed, another sound tore through the air: Meltan activated his control over magnetic fields at the last instant, generating a powerful magnetic force that shifted him sharply, allowing him to dodge the speedy punch.
"Grass Knot, catch him!"
"Change shape and cut it!"
Both voices rang out simultaneously. Breloom once again used Grass Knot with its hand.
Meltan, in response, rapidly altered his shape. He used Acid Armor, Harden, and Iron Defense almost all at once; when the attack came down, his body had transformed into a long blade that sliced the attack cleanly in two.
But Breloom leapt into the sky once more, concentrating Fighting-type energy into its fist, and once again launched Sky Uppercut, striking the Meltan who couldn't dodge. With a heavy metallic shudder, Meltan was violently thrown into the air.
"What a brutal attack tempo!"
Seeing Breloom constantly shifting posture and unleashing attacks like a storm, Ethan's heart tightened.
"Meltan, wrap your entire body in Thunder Wave."
Ethan's eyes sharpened—he had made his decision.
Since Breloom was a Fighting-type, it had to attack through physical contact. Thunder Wave would have many chances to hit.
Speed was Breloom's greatest advantage; if it became paralyzed, that advantage would disappear completely.
(End of chapter)