"That attack... is at the Quasi-Elite level!"
The guests in the stands made the most accurate judgment.
The power of that technique had undoubtedly reached the Quasi-Elite level.
Moreover, it was an indiscriminate bombardment attack, extremely difficult to defend against.
An ordinary professional-level Pokémon would practically be eliminated instantly in the face of something like that.
However, judging by Meltan's condition, it was evident that the physical consumption had been enormous. It was a limit-burst technique.
"So it ends like this?"
"That Blaziken with the Speed Boost ability didn't even manage to unleash its full power before losing."
The six spectators in the back were also left dumbfounded. Even they had not anticipated something like that.
"That Ethan... is very strong. And not just because of the strength of his Pokémon."
"If we talk purely about raw power, the two of them are more or less at the same level. Even considering the two Pokémon Jorge didn't get to use, he might actually have slightly superior individual strength."
"But Ethan's command ability is extraordinary. In this 6 vs 6 battle, except for Tyranitar's unexpected instant K.O. against Kommo-o, the rhythm was almost always under his control."
"From forcing switches with the sandstorm, to countering Swampert with Cacturne, trading at the limit with Sandslash against Kommo-o, and finally the appearances of Lucario and Meltan... every step was calculated. He constantly forced Jorge to respond."
"His Pokémon have very well-rounded abilities and, combined with his excellent defensive play and counter strategies, the overall power of his team rises tremendously."
"Just by the strength of his Pokémon, he barely touches the Quasi-Elite threshold. But if we add his ability as a trainer, he is undoubtedly already a Quasi-Elite level trainer."
"Even I, with a true Quasi-Elite level Pokémon, could lose to him if I'm careless."
After watching the battle, Adrian's face was extremely serious. His words caused the other five to change their expressions.
Even Adrian didn't have absolute confidence in winning?
Although they knew he was speaking cautiously, it only made Ethan seem even more terrifying.
They turned their gaze back to the battlefield.
When Jorge sent out Zoroark again, Ethan responded with Sandslash.
Sandslash completely ignored the illusion cast on it and directly used Sandstorm.
In an instant, the storm once again covered the field, with gusts of sand advancing toward Zoroark.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ethan withdrew Sandslash, which was still trapped in the illusion, and sent out Lucario.
Thanks to the power of aura and its strong mental energy, Lucario instantly broke the illusion and, combined with the sandstorm, suppressed Zoroark.
Under the pressure of the weather and the move Aura Sphere, Zoroark failed to organize an effective counterattack and eventually fell to the move Aura Sphere.
"Sandslash can also activate a sandstorm?"
Jorge sighed helplessly.
If it had only been Lucario, Zoroark could still have defeated it by pushing to the limit. But on the opponent's terrain, under the sandstorm, it was completely countered.
In the end, thanks to a perfectly structured team built around the sandstorm, Ethan defeated Jorge, considered by everyone to be the second strongest in the tournament, becoming the biggest dark horse of the championship.
With his victory, the first spot for the World Championship was officially confirmed.
And that spot did not go to any of the top eight strongest, but to Ethan, a trainer two years younger than them.
Moreover, his rise came by defeating Christian Brad and Jorge Holt, so no one could raise any objections.
After seeing the battle, everyone agreed: the spot was more than deserved.
...
"It's finally over. A 6 vs 6 battle is mentally exhausting. Much more than a simple game."
After the battle, Ethan collapsed onto the bed, dizzy.
He had always heard that only Quasi-Elite level trainers could truly handle a balanced 6 vs 6 battle. Now he understood it perfectly.
Of course, he was talking about even battles or against stronger opponents, not easy matchups.
Defensive coverage, countering, planning... everything required immediate reaction and precise judgment. It required broad vision, deep knowledge, and a lot of experience.
Moreover, even though he won with three Pokémon still remaining, there was some luck involved.
If Lucario had not mastered the power of aura and its strong mental energy to break Zoroark's illusion, that Quasi-Elite level Zoroark could have swept through his entire team.
And not only Zoroark. Jorge's Kommo-o also had sweeping potential, and it was only contained by Sandslash thanks to the sandstorm and the Sand Rush ability.
There were also Dragonite with its mastery of wind and the move Dragon Dance, and Blaziken with the Speed Boost ability. If they had not been eliminated quickly by Vibrava and Meltan, the battle would have been much more complicated.
Ethan took a deep breath and began analyzing the battle, searching for the shortcomings of each of his Pokémon.
Knock, knock, knock.
Suddenly someone knocked on the door.
"Who is it?"
He sat up, puzzled.
"It's me, Lucas."
Ethan narrowed his eyes.
Almost instantly he guessed the reason.
After seeing Lucario's battle, it was impossible that they wouldn't have ideas about it.
Ever since Riolu successfully evolved into Lucario, he knew the Silver family would eventually come looking for him.
He didn't make them wait long and opened the door.
"Congratulations, Ethan."
Lucas immediately congratulated him.
"Thanks. And... I'll be waiting for you."
Ethan smiled slightly. Lucas responded with a "of course."
They went inside and began chatting, naturally about the tournament.
Thanks to the conversation, Ethan learned more about the strength of his future opponents.
Especially Adrian. Upon learning that he possessed a Quasi-Elite level Alakazam, his pupils contracted.
After a few more words, Lucas said goodbye, but left behind an invitation letter.
"As I thought, they came for Lucario's evolution method."
"Choose three items from the Silver family's treasure...?"
After Lucas left, Ethan held the invitation thoughtfully.
He immediately thought of that possible Lucario Mega Stone stored in the Silver family's treasury.
That was why he accepted without hesitation.
When he received Riolu back then, he had already promised to help the Silver family find the evolution method.
But this time they did not demand it directly; they proposed an exchange.
More than a real trade, it was a show of attitude.
And with the possibility of obtaining Lucario's Mega Stone, he had no reason to refuse.
If he managed to get it, Lucario's strength would increase enormously... and it could become another secret trump card for the World Championship.
...
The next day, the tournament continued.
After the intense battles of the previous day, the top four of the winners' bracket had already been determined.
Besides Ethan, the other three belonged to the group of the eight strongest.
That day, the final four World Championship spots were also decided in the losers' bracket.
Under the double elimination format, each participant could only lose twice.
After fierce battles, surprisingly, after Ethan, Lucien and Lucas also qualified.
Thus, in the top 8 there were three trainers barely twenty years old, something that surprised the audience.
But upon learning their backgrounds, everyone understood.
One grew up in Dragon Valley; the other was the heir of the richest family in the country. Both had grown up with extraordinary resources, which explained why they far surpassed their peers.
(End of chapter)