He didn't know which Pokémon to pull out, or rather, he didn't dare pull one out at all.
How was he even supposed to fight this?
Forget his highest-level Krokorok and Malamar; even if he tied all the Pokémon in his hands together, they wouldn't survive a single Flamethrower from this Typhlosion.
That terrifying level suppression rushed at him like a physical wave of air.
Typhlosion just stood there, and beneath the fluffy mane around its neck, dark red flames flowed slowly like lava. The surrounding air was scorched and distorted, and the volcanic ash ground beneath its feet even began to turn slightly red, emitting wisps of white smoke.
This was no longer just a matter of having a high level; this was a manifestation of having reached the absolute limit of energy control!
Elite Four Level!
Alarm bells rang loudly in Ariel's heart, and his back was instantly drenched in cold sweat.
He was now incredibly grateful that he had remained calm enough just now and hadn't let any crooked thoughts take hold because of the opponent's testing.
Otherwise, the ones lying here right now would probably be himself and Weavile.
The old man looked at Ariel's embarrassed state—frozen in place with his hand on the Poké Ball at his waist, unable to make a move for a long time—and the bit of frustration he felt from Houndoom's defeat vanished instantly.
His chin lifted slightly, and a look of natural smugness appeared on his thin, withered face.
Kid, let me show you what real strength looks like!
Just as this tense atmosphere—or rather, this atmosphere of one-sided suppression—solidified to its peak, a crisp and somewhat urgent female voice came from behind the old man.
"Grandpa! What are you doing again?!"
The voice was very young and full of vitality, like a clear spring that instantly dispelled the scorching pressure brought by Typhlosion.
Ariel looked toward the sound.
A girl was jogging over from the mountain path not far away.
She was about sixteen or seventeen years old, with flamboyant flame-red short hair tied into a clean ponytail at the back of her head.
Her fair, healthy skin, paired with her athletic tank top and shorts, radiated an aura of passion and uninhibited energy.
The girl was beautiful, with a spirited look in her eyes, like a rose blooming beside a volcano—thorny, yet incredibly dazzling.
As soon as the old man saw the girl, his previous majesty as an Elite Four powerhouse crumbled instantly, replaced by an irrepressible doting look.
He even seemed a bit flustered as he tried to recall Typhlosion, muttering:
"Flannery, why did you come out?"
"Your grandpa here... just... just found a very interesting young Trainer and was having a spar. Yes, a spar!"
The girl named Flannery ran up to them and first gave her grandfather a fierce glare. Then, seeing Ariel's embarrassed face and lingering shock, she felt a massive headache coming on.
She walked over to the old man, grabbed his arm, and lowered her voice:
"Grandpa! How many times have I told you not to just find people to battle outside the town! Look at you, you've scared someone again! Hurry up and apologize!"
Hearing this, the old man stiffened his neck and pulled a long face, looking stubborn as if to say, 'I'm not wrong, why should I apologize?'
"What did I do? I was just having a normal spar! He's the one who's too weak; can I be blamed for that?"
"You!"
Flannery stomped her foot in anger, but she was helpless against this grandfather who acted like an old child.
Ariel listened from the side, complaining wildly in his heart.
Please don't! Definitely don't!
Have an Elite Four big shot apologize to me? Do I still want to survive in the Hoenn League? I'd probably be put on the high-level observation list by tomorrow.
He quickly waved his hands and coughed dryly, breaking the deadlock between the grandfather and granddaughter.
"Uh... it's fine, it was just a misunderstanding."
Seeing this, Flannery knew she couldn't force her grandfather, so she could only turn to Ariel apologetically and bow slightly.
"I am truly sorry. My grandfather just has this kind of temper; he's caused you trouble."
"It's no problem."
Ariel replied.
Flannery straightened up, looked at Ariel seriously, and asked:
"I don't know your name yet."
"Ariel."
"Ariel..." Flannery repeated it to herself, and then Ariel spoke first.
"You must be the newly appointed Fire-type Gym Leader of Lavaridge Town, Miss Flannery."
This time, it was Flannery's turn to be stunned.
A flash of surprise crossed her bright, large eyes: "You know me?"
Then she added with some uncertainty: "I only just passed the assessment and officially took over the position of Gym Leader a few days ago. The news shouldn't have spread yet."
Ariel thought to himself, 'As expected,' but remained calm on the surface, only coughing twice more in embarrassment.
He couldn't exactly say that in the games of his past life, she was the Gym Leader of Lavaridge Gym, which was why he knew her.
His thoughts spinning rapidly, Ariel quickly organized his words.
"A major event like a change in Gym Leader is news that Trainers like us, who travel around with the goal of challenging Gyms, must keep an eye on at all times. When I was in Rustboro City a few days ago, I happened to hear someone mention it, so I remembered it."
This explanation was reasonable and had no flaws.
It was perfectly normal for a Trainer focused on Gym challenges to follow the status of Gyms everywhere.
And in his memory, Miss Roxanne did seem to have mentioned this matter during a chat.
Flannery nodded in realization, and her impression of Ariel improved a bit more.
Not only was he a powerful Trainer, but he was also a very attentive person.
She looked at her grandfather again, the resentment in her eyes increasing.
The man came to challenge the Gym, and as a result, you blocked him outside the town, first testing him with Houndoom and then intimidating him with Typhlosion. What kind of behavior is that?
Thinking of this, the apology on Flannery's face deepened.
"Mr. Ariel, as an apology, if you don't mind, would you like to rest at our Gym first? Your Pokémon just went through a hard battle and also need to recover their strength."
This proposal was exactly what Ariel wanted.
He was now full of curiosity about this mysterious grandfather-granddaughter pair, especially this old man with unfathomable strength.
Entering the Gym was undoubtedly the best opportunity to get to know them up close.
"Then I shall intrude."
Ariel readily accepted.
"No intrusion at all!"
Flannery waved her hand quickly, then glared at the old man who had been silent, just observing Ariel with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Grandpa, hurry up and recall Typhlosion!"
The old man curled his lip and reluctantly pulled out a Poké Ball. With a flash of red light, the Typhlosion that had brought such terrifying pressure disappeared.
The scorching heat wave around them also dissipated.
Ariel finally let out a long breath, feeling his tense nerves finally relax.
Led by Flannery, the three of them walked toward Lavaridge Town.
Along the road, white steam could be seen rising from cracks in the ground everywhere, shrouding the entire town in a hazy mist like a fairyland.
The architectural style here was also very distinctive, mostly built with black volcanic rock, and the roofs were designed to be very steep, seemingly to prevent the accumulation of volcanic ash.
"Our Lavaridge Town is built on the mountainside of Mt. Chimney, so geothermal resources are very abundant. The most famous thing in town is the hot springs,"
Flannery walked in front, enthusiastically introducing the town to Ariel.
"Many tourists come here specifically to soak in our hot springs."
Ariel nodded, but his gaze occasionally drifted toward the old man following at the back.
The old man had his hands behind his back and was walking with a steady, leisurely pace, but his seemingly cloudy old eyes would occasionally flash with a sharp light as they landed on Ariel's back.
This guy is still suspicious of me.
Ariel understood in his heart.
However, he didn't care. He had nothing to hide, and when it came to disguises, he had never feared anyone.
Soon, the group arrived in front of an exceptionally grand building.
This was the Lavaridge Gym.