Ian had a youthful, almost childlike face, and his eyes were clear and bright.
Looking at Aaron, he spoke sincerely.
"Aaron… your Greninja is incredibly strong."
"I've finally gotten the chance to battle you. I've really been looking forward to this."
"Let's both give it everything we've got and leave no regrets."
Ian's tone was sincere. Hearing this, Aaron smiled faintly, nodded, and replied,
"Then let's begin, Ian."
"Let's truly enjoy this match."
From what Zane had told him, Ian was known as the strongest third-year student in Sealine City.
His ace Pokémon was a Dragon-type: Haxorus.
"The battle officially begins—"
"Both sides, please send out your first Pokémon!"
The referee glanced at the two of them and announced loudly.
"Come out… Jolteon!"
"Come out… Gyarados!"
Ian and Aaron released their first Pokémon at the same time.
Ian sent out an Electric-type Jolteon, while Aaron released Gyarados.
However, the Gyarados Aaron summoned was nothing like an ordinary one.
It stretched over eight meters in length, twin horns rising from its head. Layers of hard, blue-green scales covered its massive body, glinting with a cold, metallic sheen. Beneath its frame, four razor-sharp claws extended, each one radiating lethal power.
A dense, cold mist coiled around its body, lending it the appearance of an ancient, divine dragon.
"ROOOAAARR—!"
Gyarados threw back its head and roared toward the sky.
A crushing draconic pressure swept across the battlefield. Violent gusts surged outward, and dark clouds slowly gathered overhead, dimming the sunlight as lightning flickered within them.
The moment Gyarados appeared, the entire arena erupted.
Everyone stared at the battlefield, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Th-this… that's Gyarados!?"
"I'm no expert, but don't try to fool me!"
"It looks like Gyarados… but since when does it have claws and horns!?"
"Could it be some kind of evolved form!?"
"That's impossible—Gyarados already has a confirmed final evolution!"
"Then what on earth is this Pokémon!?"
"Could it be… an ancient bloodline awakening!?"
A sharp gasp rippled through the crowd.
"Could it be like Champion Drake's Dragonite…?"
In the stands, the principals and school administrators stared down at the Gyarados below, their eyes wide with shock.
A wave of heated discussion immediately broke out among them.
"Principal Sterling—enough with the suspense already!"
"Explain this right now. What exactly is going on with that student's Gyarados?"
"Don't tell me this is really some kind of ancient bloodline awakening!?"
Principal Hoon, the most hot-tempered among them, was flushed red as he impatiently pressed Sterling for answers.
In an instant, all eyes turned toward Sterling.
Sterling's lips twitched as he cursed inwardly.
How the hell would I know!?
I didn't even know this kid had caught a Gyarados…
Outwardly, however, his expression remained calm and composed—like someone who had everything under control.
"Since things have reached this point," Sterling said evenly, "there's no longer any reason to keep this hidden."
"I've already submitted Aaron's information to the relevant authorities."
"My outstanding student, Aaron, has awakened a special ability."
"This ability allows his Pokémon to awaken extraordinary traits. The potential is enormous."
"The Greninja earlier, and now this Gyarados, have both undergone such awakenings."
"This Gyarados, in particular, should have awakened the same phenomenon seen in Champion Drake's Pokémon—"
"An ancient bloodline awakening."
A satisfied smile slowly formed on Sterling's face.
Although part of this was his own conjecture, he felt confident that his judgment wasn't far off.
"A special ability awakening!?"
"Ancient bloodline awakening!?"
A chorus of shocked gasps rippled through the crowd.
Even Major Grant, seated beside them, narrowed his eyes slightly—an unmistakable sign that he, too, was deeply shaken.
Humans capable of awakening special abilities were exceedingly rare.
And anyone who did awaken such an ability—so long as they didn't die young—had an overwhelming chance of rising to the very top.
Champion Drake and the Psychic Elite Four Lilith were the clearest examples.
Because of this, the state placed immense importance on awakened individuals.
Once someone passed the official assessment, they would be registered as a high-priority protection target and assigned elite security.
If Aaron truly had awakened such a power…
Then his future was immeasurable.