"Temperature control, huh?"
"Charizard, use Dragon Claw and advance."
Seeing Charmeleon completely ignore fire-type moves as usual, Jason Brooks clicked his tongue and quickly ordered Charizard to begin a close-quarters attack.
"Charmeleon, Fire Claw!"
Charmeleon confronted him head-on. Its temperature concentrated in its claws, turning them red and glowing hot, and it slashed toward Charizard.
Boom!
After the clash, Charmeleon felt a tremendous force strike him, pushing him back several steps.
"Chaarmeell!"
Charmeleon barely managed to steady himself. He opened his mouth and launched another burst of flames.
Boom!
Charizard swung its claws, coated in dragon-type energy, easily dispersing the flames. Its wings flapped powerfully as it lunged forward again.
"Charmeleon, Flare Blitz!"
As soon as Ethan finished speaking, Charmeleon's entire body ignited in flames, charging directly at Charizard.
Boom!
Boom!
Two consecutive impacts resounded. Charizard, with both claws wrapped in dragon-type energy, received the Flare Blitz head-on.
With the first strike, it broke through the fiery cloak of the attack. With the second, Charmeleon was sent flying once more, leaving a trail of sparks.
"Chaarmeell!"
Charmeleon got back on his feet again, irritated, glaring intensely at his evolved form, Charizard.
"Charrzz!"
Charizard exhaled a puff of fire arrogantly, making a vein pop on Charmeleon's forehead.
At this point, the battle was essentially over. Even against its own evolved form, Charmeleon still lacked the strength to hold on.
Even so, the fact that Charmeleon could withstand Charizard's attacks surprised Jason a little.
Last time, Charmeleon—just newly evolved from Charmander—had barely won against a Pokémon Jason had just raised. But now... it was able to trade blows with Charizard! He couldn't help but look at it more seriously.
"Captain Jason, how about we leave this battle for next time?"
Ethan smiled as he returned Charmeleon to its Poké Ball.
"For next time?"
"Ah, I see... this Charmeleon is about to evolve into Charizard?"
Jason paused for a moment before showing a smile—he had understood Ethan's intention.
"Exactly, it's about to evolve."
"Before it evolves, I wanted to ask Captain Jason for some advice on the key points of evolution."
Ethan nodded. Both of them sat in an area of the gym and began exchanging knowledge.
...
Ethan left the academy with his Pokémon.
This time he was leaving specifically for Charmeleon's evolution.
To ensure a perfect evolution, Ethan planned to travel to Solaris City. Near the city were many magma-type Secret Kingdoms, which would be the most suitable places for Charmeleon to evolve.
But before traveling, he needed to stop by the Pokémon Researchers Guild headquarters in Ironvale City.
"Ethan, good to see you."
President Hamilton smiled as he greeted him.
"President Hamilton, why did you call me so urgently? Did something happen?"
Ethan greeted him and asked curiously.
"Yes, it's something good."
President Hamilton smiled and said, "Ethan, have you heard of the Pokémon World Championship?"
"Pokémon World Championship?"
Ethan frowned. He had truly never heard that name before.
But by its name, it had to be a global Pokémon tournament, something like a sports World Cup.
Still... what would that have to do with him?
He doubted that, with his current level, he could participate in an event of that scale.
"The official tournament, obviously, you're not ready for. But if we're talking about the youth division... you have a very good chance of earning a slot."
President Hamilton began explaining the structure of the Pokémon World Championship and the youth competition.
The tournament was like real-world sports world championships: held every four years, with two divisions—youth and adults.
The youth division, just like in sports, was for participants aged 18 to 22. Adults, from 23 and older.
The next edition would be held in June next year.
Ethan calculated the remaining time and thought that, with training, he could still improve a lot more. Even though he still had two years before reaching the age limit, that didn't mean he couldn't compete.
"So, what do you say? If you're interested, the recommendation slot from this branch is yours," President Hamilton said with a smile.
"Recommendation slot?"
Ethan didn't fully understand.
President Hamilton nodded: "That's right. We only have one slot. But to earn an actual position in the youth division of the tournament, you must pass the evaluation from the Pokémon Trainers Guild."
"I see... the Pokémon Trainers Guild evaluation?"
Ethan's eyes lit up slightly. Becoming the best trainer was his goal, and the Pokémon World Championship was undoubtedly a perfect stage to showcase himself.
"The evaluation has already been published. If you wish to participate, just submit this."
President Hamilton handed him a prepared registration form.
When Ethan checked it, he saw that all his information was already filled in, complete with the guild's seal. Only his signature was missing. Evidently, President Hamilton had already assumed he would participate and had everything ready.
President Hamilton also handed him another document detailing the specific contents of the evaluation.
"A gym challenge?"
Ethan looked up, surprised.
In other Leagues, gyms had existed for a long time, but he didn't remember the Daleron League having any.
"These gyms were approved recently. Also, the League will hold a Pokémon Championship as well. Both events will begin at the same time."
President Hamilton explained the decision made at the latest meeting. Ethan's evaluation would consist of examining these newly established gyms.
In other words, it would be like beta-testing a game: only if they passed the preliminary tests would the gyms officially open.
"I see... obtain eight badges and then, following a system similar to the League Tournament, determine the final team for the World Championship."
After reading the entire evaluation, Ethan showed an interested expression. After so long since arriving in this world... it was finally starting to feel like the games.
(End of chapter)