"It looks like it's our turn for the first match. And the opponent is... the Pokémon University of Riverside City."
In the competitors' rest area, Ethan and the others were reviewing the information for this round.
"The strength of this university isn't particularly high. The age of their university team members is similar to ours, so it shouldn't really matter who goes out to fight."
After observing their opponents, everyone felt much more at ease.
After a brief discussion, Ethan, as the captain of the second university team, was chosen to go out first.
"Don't worry, leave this first battle to me."
Ethan smiled faintly and, when the match began, walked straight toward the battlefield.
"The first to step out is senior brother Ethan!"
"It really is Ethan himself—he's so handsome!"
The moment Ethan appeared, the entire stands erupted in deafening cheers.
Especially the students from the research department; regardless of whether they were from the Pokémon University of Ironvale City or from other universities, all of them began cheering enthusiastically.
"Who is that Ethan?"
A member of the university team frowned when he saw that students from his own university were cheering for a competitor from another school.
"You don't know Ethan?"
"He's the rookie king of our generation, and he's also an Advanced-level researcher in Pokémon evolution research."
"Many of the current special Pokémon evolutions came from his research. Do you think those from the research department wouldn't get excited seeing an idolized figure like him step onto the stage?"
Another university team member shrugged helplessly. Facing the Pokémon University of Ironvale City in the very first match was truly bad luck.
"Hmph! He's just a researcher—how strong could he be in battle?"
"And the Pokémon University of Ironvale City is sending out the second team of their university squad?"
"Is this confidence... or are they looking down on us?"
The captain of the university team from the Pokémon University of Riverside City, Jason Brands, spoke in a gloomy voice.
Since they had dared to come and compete, they naturally had confidence in their own strength.
At that moment, Ethan had already stepped onto the stage, becoming his direct opponent.
As he slowly stepped onto the battlefield and heard the cheers directed at Ethan from students of his own university, the university team captain felt an inexplicable irritation and couldn't help but stare intently at his rival.
Honor had to be earned by himself. He was convinced that as long as he defeated the guy in front of him, the applause would be his.
"Then... let's fight!"
Jason took a deep breath, fixed his gaze on Ethan, and a Poké Ball appeared in his hand.
"Huh?"
Ethan frowned slightly; he sensed a clear hostility coming from his opponent.
But... when had he offended that guy?
He couldn't remember, nor did he feel like thinking about it. At the same time, a Poké Ball also appeared in his hand.
In the next instant, after the referee's announcement, both threw their Poké Balls at the same time, and the silhouettes of two Pokémon appeared on the field.
When everyone saw the two Pokémon that had been sent out, they were completely stunned.
Because the Pokémon sent out by both sides were Rhydon!
"Rhydon versus Rhydon!"
"Wait... since when does Ethan have a Rhydon?"
"He's not pulling one of his usual stunts again, using a brand-new Pokémon to fight, is he?"
Those who knew Ethan frowned with concern. This was the opening match; if Ethan lost, it would be a serious blow to the morale of the Pokémon University of Ironvale City.
"So you have a Rhydon too. Interesting... but a head-on clash makes it even more exciting."
The corner of Jason's lips lifted slightly, and his gaze became sharp.
"Come on, Rhydon."
Ethan also smiled as he encouraged his Pokémon.
"Rhhydodnn!"
Rhydon roared with tremendous vigor. This was its first real battle; it couldn't afford to lose.
"Rhydon, use Take Down!"
Almost at the same time, both gave the same order.
Immediately, two robust bodies charged straight at each other.
Boom!
With a deafening crash, both figures collided violently.
Then, before the astonished eyes of the entire audience, Jason's Rhydon was sent flying through the air.
"How is this possible?!"
Jason's eyes filled with disbelief.
His Rhydon had specialized in physical training; among its species, its bodily toughness was definitely top-tier.
And yet, in a frontal clash, it had been blasted away with a single hit!
If it had been only slightly overpowered, he could still have accepted it, but being sent flying like that made no sense!
Could it be that the strength of the two Pokémon wasn't even on the same level?
"The resources Professor Harris has invested in this Rhydon are something other Pokémon simply can't imagine. This happening is completely normal."
Ethan gently shook his head. As a grandmaster Pokémon researcher with Quasi-Elite-level strength, the resources Professor Harris had spent on Rhydon were unimaginable.
Moreover, as the descendant of two Quasi-Elite-level Pokémon, Rhydon already possessed extraordinary talent. On top of that, from a young age its training had focused exclusively on strengthening its body...
And thanks to the body-training method of the move Smack Down, the genes and energy of Rhyperior within Rhydon had been stimulated.
With its innate advantages, specialized physical training, Professor Harris's additional methods, and massive resource support, Rhydon's strength was naturally terrifying.
"Rhhydodnn!"
Rhydon rarely fought; seeing that it had defeated its opponent with a single blow, it was as excited as a one-hundred-and-fifty-kilogram child.
"Rhydon, finish it! Use Hammer Arm!"
Upon hearing Ethan's command, Rhydon reacted immediately and charged at its opponent, who had not yet managed to stand up. It raised both arms, condensed Fighting-type energy, and slammed down fiercely.
Boom!
A violent crash shook the area.
The entire field trembled violently.
Then, the ground suddenly caved in, and spiderweb-like cracks appeared beneath Jason's Rhydon.
A fatal blow!
Under the terrifying attack of the move Hammer Arm, Jason's Rhydon was instantly defeated, showing not the slightest ability to resist.
Seeing this scene, Jason was completely frozen in place.
He had never imagined that the power gap between his Rhydon and his opponent's would be so abysmal.
(End of chapter)