"Frogadier… use Smack Down!"
Aaron took the initiative and launched the first attack.
"Khss—"
Frogadier immediately scooped up a stone and hurled it viciously at Beedrill.
"Beedrill—dodge!"
The burly instructor's pupils shrank. This Frogadier was far too fast!?
He hurriedly ordered Beedrill to evade, but the stone Frogadier threw was like a bullet fired from a gun barrel. Before Beedrill could even react, it was struck head-on and sent flying.
Its eyes spun in circles as it was knocked out.
"How is that possible!?"
Seeing his Beedrill get instantly knocked out in a single hit, the instructor couldn't hide his shock.
"Your Frogadier has already reached Intermediate (Peak Stage)!?"
He looked straight at Aaron. The aura Frogadier had just displayed clearly placed it at Intermediate (Peak Stage). No wonder Beedrill had been one-shot.
Aaron smiled slightly.
"Yes, Instructor."
Not only did Frogadier have the level advantage, but Smack Down was at Mastery proficiency. With Protean activating for type advantage on top of that—and Beedrill's frail defenses—if it hadn't been instantly defeated, that would've been strange.
"I underestimated you…"
"Come back, Beedrill!"
"Go—Fearow!"
The instructor recalled Beedrill and sent out another Pokémon.
Fearow appeared on the field.
[Name: Fearow]
[Gender: Male]
[Nature: Careful]
[Type: Normal / Flying]
[Ability: Keen Eye]
[Base Stats: 442]
[Level: Intermediate (Peak Stage)]
[Pokémon Potential: Elite]
[Known Moves: Growl (Proficient), Peck (Proficient), Aerial Ace (Proficient), Drill Run (Basic), Pursuit (Basic), Fury Attack (Basic)…]
[Description: Fearow, the Beak Pokémon. The evolved form of Spearow. Extremely aggressive—its long beak can deal lethal damage…]
...
Another Flying-type Pokémon.
Even at Intermediate (Peak Stage), it still wasn't enough to pose a threat.
Aaron was already starting to feel bored. Opponents at this level simply failed to pique his interest.
This time, the instructor struck first.
"Fearow—use Aerial Ace!"
"Caw—!"
Fearow cried out as white light enveloped its body. It transformed into a streak of light and dove straight toward Frogadier at high speed.
"Frogadier—dodge!"
"Then keep using Smack Down!"
Frogadier's reaction speed was lightning-fast. With a single hop, it effortlessly avoided Fearow's attack.
Immediately after, it grabbed another stone and hurled it at Fearow mid-air.
There was no contest.
Fearow followed the same path as Beedrill.
Knocked out instantly.
"…Hiss…"
The instructor couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath, looking at Aaron with clear surprise.
"Your Smack Down proficiency is pretty high, isn't it?"
"It's not even a move with type advantage, yet it still one-shot my Fearow."
Aaron smiled.
"Yes, Instructor. My Frogadier really likes throwing stones—so Smack Down is already at Mastery level."
The instructor's eyes widened slightly.
"Mastery level…?"
"Then my Pokémon didn't lose unfairly…"
"But the real fight is only just beginning!"
He quickly adjusted his mindset and released his next Pokémon.
"Come out—Arbok!"
A purple, cobra-like Pokémon slithered onto the battlefield. Its forked tongue flicked in and out between sharp fangs, exuding an oppressive aura.
Frogadier's gaze sharpened as it felt its own strength drop slightly.
Aaron immediately understood—this Arbok had the Intimidation Ability.
[Name: Arbok]
[Gender: Female]
[Nature: Bold]
[Type: Poison]
[Ability: Intimidation]
[Base Stats: 448]
[Level: Advanced (Early Stage)]
[Pokémon Potential: Elite]
[Known Moves: Crunch (Proficient), Wrap (Proficient), Poison Sting (Proficient), Acid (Basic), Thunder Fang (Basic), Ice Fang (Basic), Glare (Basic)…]
[Description: Arbok, the Cobra Pokémon. The evolved form of Ekans. Extremely ferocious—its fangs contain potent venom…]
...
As expected—an Intimidate Arbok.
And it was already an Advanced-tier Pokémon.
"Now this is more like it…"
A faint smile appeared on Aaron's lips.
"Frogadier—use Water Pulse!"
Aaron launched the attack first.
"Ribbit—!"
Frogadier rapidly condensed a stream of water in its hands, forming a Water-type energy sphere that blasted straight toward Arbok.
"Arbok—Acid!"
The instructor sounded much calmer now, confidence returning to his voice.
Finally… I can get my footing back this time, right?
Damn it—getting two Pokémon instantly taken out by a student is humiliating…
If this gets out, the other instructors will laugh at me.
I have to win this one. I need to salvage my pride!
What he didn't know was that the moment he'd been paired with Aaron, the outcome had already been decided.
From that day on, Training Camp No. 1 gained one more disheartened musclehead instructor—his once-burning ambition gradually worn smooth at the edges.
But that was a story for later.
Back on the battlefield—
Frogadier's Water Pulse collided head-on with Arbok's Acid.
"Zzz—sss—"
Thick white smoke erupted as corrosive hissing filled the air. Both attacks neutralized each other and dissipated.
"Arbok—use Glare!"
The instructor immediately issued the next command.
Aaron knew how troublesome that move was. Once hit, it guaranteed paralysis.
If Frogadier got paralyzed, things could turn dangerous.
But games were games—this was reality.
Aaron knew Glare worked by using the intimidating patterns on Arbok's body to frighten the opponent into paralysis.
If you knew the cause, you knew the solution.
"Frogadier—use Smokescreen!"
Aaron's voice rang out instantly.
...