The students and instructors in the surrounding battle arenas were once again drawn toward Aaron's match.
Could a scene that looked like a missile barrage really be caused by a high school student?
"This is insane… did someone just fire missiles in there!?"
"What kind of level is this supposed to be!?"
"That's got to be Elite-tier combat, right!?"
"Elite? Are you kidding me—are you saying Aaron's Pokémon are Elite!?"
"Yeah, right. That's impossible. You must be blind."
"Aaron's just a regular-class student. He probably just lucked into a good Pokémon. What's he so smug about…"
"Exactly. Who knows—maybe he's using some kind of banned stimulant to force his Pokémon's potential."
"…Damn. That actually sounds believable."
"So that's it! No wonder a regular-class guy can overpower everyone—now it makes sense!"
…
The surrounding students buzzed with discussion. Some couldn't stand seeing Aaron steal the spotlight and immediately began throwing out sarcastic, malicious remarks.
The loudest among them was one of Simon's lackeys.
He was deliberately smearing Aaron to curry favor with his "boss".
Simon shot him an approving glance, instantly making the lackey feel as if every sycophantic gene in his body were boiling.
Emboldened, he pushed even harder, slandering Aaron with increasing aggression. Some of what he said even sounded convincing enough to sway a few other students.
"What the hell are you idiots talking about!?"
"You think a Pokémon can keep using banned drugs for ten straight days!?"
"Do you really think we wouldn't notice if a Pokémon had been doped!?"
"Do you see any side effects on his Pokémon at all!?"
"Is it really that hard to admit someone else is stronger!?"
"And you call yourselves the top students of Sealine Trainer Academy?"
"You're nothing but a bunch of cowards!!"
Some instructors finally snapped.
They came from ordinary backgrounds themselves and deeply despised people who relied on family wealth, acted self-righteous, and believed they were born superior.
Over the past ten days, they had closely observed Aaron's battles. Even though they'd been completely overwhelmed by him, they genuinely admired his strength.
Aaron's ability had earned their recognition.
Hearing these students hurl such ugly accusations, the instructors' faces darkened as they shouted at them.
"The Pokémon assessment continues!"
"So you think we've been too gentle, huh!?"
"All instructors—show them your real strength!!"
The musclehead instructor barked orders at the others.
From that moment on, every instructor's attacks grew noticeably fiercer. The students were completely suppressed.
Everyone now glared at the instigating lackey with burning resentment.
It was all his fault!
Damn it—someone would deal with him later.
Cold sweat drenched the lackey's forehead and back as he desperately looked toward Simon for help.
Simon didn't even spare him a glance.
In that instant, the lackey felt as if he'd been thrown into an ice cellar. He knew he was finished.
...
Meanwhile,
On the battlefield between Aaron and Instructor Zane, the thick smoke finally dissipated.
Bouncy Snorlax and Steelix were revealed once more.
Bouncy Snorlax stood completely unharmed.
Steelix, however, bore a massive wound along its tail, the rocky armor on its body cracked and fractured.
The moment Zane saw Steelix's battered state, his pupils shrank violently, shock surging through him like a tidal wave.
"Hiss—!"
He sucked in a sharp breath.
Steelix was famous for its physical defense, with a terrifying defense stat reaching 200. The rock plates on its body were said to be harder than diamond.
And this was an Elite mid-stage Steelix!
Yet it had been cracked open by a single punch from a high-level Pokémon.
How could Zane not be shaken!?
A faint smile appeared on Aaron's face.
He already knew how terrifying the power of Fourth Gear King Kong Gun was, but seeing its effect with his own eyes still filled him with excitement.
Snorlax's King Kong Gun had a base power of 320.
With same-type bonus applied, it skyrocketed to a staggering 480 power.
Utterly devastating.
And with Snorlax currently under a +3 Attack boost, the might of that King Kong Gun was self-evident.
"Snorlax… press the advantage!"
"Accelerate—Mega Punch!!"
Aaron immediately ordered Snorlax to pursue while the momentum was on his side.
"Puff, puff, puff—!"
Snorlax's legs compressed at extreme speed, using its rubber-like elasticity to launch itself toward Steelix.
If not for seeing it with their own eyes, no one would believe such speed could come from a rotund body like Snorlax's.
Its sandbag-sized fist, coated in black energy, flared with a white sheen as it swung down toward Steelix.
"Steelix—Dig to evade!" Zane barked the command.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Steelix burrowed into the ground in an instant, vanishing beneath the surface and narrowly avoiding Bouncy Snorlax's Mega Punch.
Zane's reaction was razor-sharp. By using Dig, he immediately shifted the battle from open ground to concealment.
Now Snorlax was exposed, while Steelix lay hidden underground.
The situation shifted.
Aaron and Snorlax both fixed their attention on the ground. Steelix could erupt from below at any moment.
Aaron couldn't help thinking—if only he had Observation Haki, he could pinpoint Steelix's position.
"Steelix—Gyro Ball!!"
Zane's command rang out again.
Aaron felt a tremor ripple through the ground and instantly knew Steelix was coming.
"Snorlax—watch the ground! Be ready to dodge!"
BOOM—
Suddenly, dust and debris exploded from the earth behind Snorlax.
Steelix burst forth, its massive body tightly coiled, transforming into a gigantic Gyro Ball that slammed straight into Snorlax.
BOOM—
Snorlax was sent flying, its enormous body carving a long trench across the battlefield.
"Snorla—!"
A roar filled with pain and fury burst from Snorlax's mouth.
It steadied itself and climbed back to its feet, breathing heavily.
The previous blow had clearly dealt serious damage.
If its physical defense hadn't been boosted by two stages, even a same-type Gyro Ball would have been hard to withstand.
"Steelix—back underground!"
Zane issued the command without hesitation, having Steelix retreat below the surface once more to set up another strike.
Aaron glanced at Instructor Zane and said evenly, "Instructor Zane… maybe you should stop calling it Steelix and just rename it 'Tunnel Snake.'"
Zane's expression didn't change as he replied calmly, "Aaron, that's hardly fair. I'm simply making proper use of tactics."
Clearly, this thick-skinned instructor wasn't about to be baited.
"Then don't blame me if I stop holding back."
A sharp glint flickered in Aaron's eyes as he spoke coolly.