This finally caught Instructor Zane's attention.
This kid was anything but simple.
The quiet ones were always the most dangerous.
The moment he made a move, he actually injured Aggron. And what was more, those clones earlier had clearly been able to damage Aggron as well.
What exactly was going on!?
Did those afterimages have physical substance!?
A strange glint flashed through Instructor Zane's eyes as he gave the order,
"Aggron, use Metal Claw on Frogadier."
"Aggron—!"
Aggron roared, its right arm flaring with white metallic energy as it charged straight toward Frogadier.
"Frogadier, dispel the clones…"
"Again—Power-Up Punch!!!"
Aaron's voice rang out calmly.
The surrounding clones dissolved into white smoke, vanishing instantly.
At the same time, Frogadier's true body erupted with an overwhelming aura. A crimson glint flashed through its eyes as immense energy surged outward.
Its right fist condensed once more, glowing with power.
"Kraa—!"
Frogadier swung its fist straight at Aggron's Metal Claw.
The sight left everyone frozen.
Wasn't this suicide!?
Actually trying to compete in raw strength with Aggron!?
Was he insane!?
Nearly everyone thought Aaron had completely lost his mind.
Only Grace frowned deeply, her gaze locked on the two Pokémon about to collide.
Instructor Zane also sensed something wrong.
What was this sudden, explosive aura coming from Frogadier!?
In the next instant, Power-Up Punch collided head-on with Metal Claw—
BOOM!!
A thunderous explosion shook the entire training ground.
A massive Pokémon was sent flying like it had been hit by a speeding truck, hurled several meters backward and carving a long trench across the ground.
Its eyes spun as it collapsed, completely unconscious.
That Pokémon…
Was Aggron.
Meanwhile, Frogadier stood calmly at the center of the field, like a fortress that wouldn't budge..
The entire training ground fell into absolute silence.
So quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Students and instructors alike stared at the scene in total shock.
Students: "…"
Instructors: "…"
What just happened!?
That was the only thought echoing through everyone's mind.
"T-That… how is that even possible!?"
"I didn't study enough—someone explain what I just saw!?"
"I want to know too…"
"And did you notice… the aura coming off that Frogadier seems to have reached Intermediate (Mid Stage)…"
"Gasp… isn't that stronger than Grace's Pokémon!?"
"Absolutely absurd!"
"But… even at Intermediate (Mid Stage), it shouldn't be able to one-shot an Advanced Pokémon like Aggron, right!?"
…
The surrounding students erupted into chaotic discussion, disbelief written across every face.
Grace's expression remained composed, yet the shock in her eyes was unmistakable. She had always known Frogadier wasn't ordinary—but seeing it leap an entire tier and instantly defeat an Advanced Pokémon still left her shaken to the core.
"Aaron…"
"Is this your true strength?"
"Or are you still holding back…?"
Her gaze lingered on Aaron's smiling face, a thoughtful look forming in her eyes.
The angriest person of all was Simon.
"Damn it… damn it… damn it…"
"So he's actually this strong…"
He stared at Aaron as if he wanted to tear him apart.
Instructor Zane, meanwhile, looked at Aaron as though he were staring at a monster.
No one understood Aggron's defense better than he did—especially after Iron Defense had boosted it by two stages.
Even accounting for Power-Up Punch raising Frogadier's attack by one stage, it still shouldn't have been enough to instantly knock Aggron out.
Something had definitely happened.
Instructor Zane's interest in Aaron surged.
No matter what, at this level, a high school student capable of defeating an Advanced Pokémon was guaranteed entry into a top-tier university.
With another month of training here, he might even be able to compete with those elite geniuses from the capital for the top score in the college entrance exam…
Producing a top scorer!?
That was no ordinary achievement.
A flicker of excitement rose in Zane's heart.
...
"Ahem… ahem."
"Silence!"
Instructor Zane took out a Poké Ball and recalled the unconscious Aggron, then barked sharply at the crowd.
The training ground instantly fell quiet.
"Frankly speaking," he said coldly, "aside from a handful of students, I'm extremely disappointed in the rest of your performance."
He glanced briefly at Aaron, Grace, and a few others before turning back to the group.
"Now—everyone, attention!"
"Run ten laps around the field."
"Remember this well: a Pokémon's strength is important, but a Trainer's physical condition is just as crucial. If your body isn't up to standard, you won't earn the recognition of powerful Pokémon, and all kinds of problems will arise."
"Moreover, in the wild, hostile Pokémon and Trainers alike often choose to attack the Trainer directly. That's why your physical fitness must never be neglected."
"From now on, every morning—ten laps around the field."
"Move out… run! Anyone who's slow doesn't eat lunch!"
…
And so, under Instructor Zane's brutal training, by the end of the day everyone except Aaron was dead on their feet.
This left Aaron feeling puzzled. His stamina seemed completely different from everyone else's. Curious, he asked the System about it.
"Ding~ As the host of this System, how could your physique be that of a one-pump chump!?"
"After System modification, the host's physical constitution will improve alongside the level of their Pokémon."
"Gasp…"
"System, you're incredible!!!"
System: "Just the basics. No need to make a scene—take it and move on."
Aaron: "…"