"It's over. That Lucario... is absurdly strong."
The members of other university teams watching the battle showed very serious expressions.
Judging from the strength Lucario had displayed, even if their own Pokémon had also reached the Quasi-Elite level, there was still an enormous gap between them and that Lucario.
"Honestly, I have no desire whatsoever to face Ethan."
In the team area of Daleron Imperial Pokémon University, Lucien Foster was sitting in the back with his arms crossed.
At that moment, images of Lucario defeating Darkrai kept appearing in his mind.
That Lucario's evolved form had displayed combat power that directly touched the Elite level.
"Is it really Elite level?"
The university team member beside Lucien could not help asking again.
If that Lucario really could erupt with Elite-level strength, then there was no point in fighting anymore.
"Maybe yes, maybe no. Professional level, Quasi-Elite level, and Elite level... The boundaries between those levels are very blurry, and factors such as type advantage, special abilities, and move combinations also have a huge influence."
Lucien thought for a while and shook his head slightly. Leaving aside whether Lucario, after that failed evolution, would even be able to evolve again, even if it managed to do so, the fact that it had been able to defeat Darkrai was also largely because it countered it in both attributes and abilities.
Darkrai was known as the god of nightmares, so its strongest power lay precisely in that aspect... but Lucario simply was not affected by that.
"Hmph, even if it really is Elite level, we still have to win. This will be our final year at Daleron Imperial Pokémon University. Before heading to the Elite Tournament, I don't want to leave behind any regrets."
The captain of Daleron Imperial Pokémon University's team took a deep breath, and his gaze suddenly became sharp.
Although in individual combat none of them had confidence in facing that Lucario, this was still a team battle.
...
"Phew, I suddenly feel like we're winning without doing anything."
After the battle ended, Ironvale City Pokémon University's team returned to the competitors' area.
All the team members had smiles on their faces. With Ethan there, victory had been far too easy.
"Yes. Although before the match we had also prepared a strategy to face Redrock City Pokémon University's team. But in front of that Quasi-Elite-level Kommo-o, the truth is we were very uncertain."
Captain Jason nodded. One should not be fooled by how easily Lucario had defeated that Kommo-o; if they had been the ones facing it directly, they would not have had any confidence in being able to withstand it.
"Lucario's strength is truly impressive. If Ethan participated in the Elite Tournament, his position surely would not be insignificant either."
Professor Langford, who had remained silent until then, finally spoke, with some emotion.
"The Elite Tournament... I hope one day I can also participate in a competition like that."
The other members of the university team also spoke with envy.
What was considered Quasi-Elite level was precisely the group of trainers who could compete in the Elite Tournament. And in a certain way, that tournament's ranking also served as a reference for level of strength.
For example, the previous captain of Redrock City Pokémon University's team, although he had also obtained the qualification to enter the Elite Tournament, only had one Pokémon that had reached the Quasi-Elite level, so he was practically at the lowest rung among all of them.
However, the Elite Tournament was truly an excellent place to improve.
With the enormous number of battles, trainers grew very easily.
For that reason, there were so many trainers who, even after only barely touching the Quasi-Elite level, threw themselves into the Elite Tournament without hesitation.
"The Elite Tournament, huh... When I have time, I'll go challenge it."
Ethan smiled slightly. Now there were very few rivals left that he could truly consider suitable opponents.
If he wanted to find opponents of a truly even level, the Elite Tournament was undoubtedly a good option.
As they chatted, the first group battle on the neighboring field also began.
Compared with the previous confrontation between Redrock City Pokémon University and Ironvale City Pokémon University, this time it was the 6th-ranked team against the 7th-ranked team, so it was a truly balanced battle.
Since neither team had Quasi-Elite-level trainers, the battle was extremely fierce.
In the end, it was the team ranked 6th that took the victory, and there was no comeback like the one Ironvale City Pokémon University had achieved.
After that second battle concluded, the morning's matches also came to an end.
In the afternoon, the third confrontation would begin: Rivergate City Pokémon University's team, ranked 4th, against Ironvale City Pokémon University's team.
Because there was a full break at noon, the students of Ironvale City Pokémon University and those of Rivergate City Pokémon University resumed their war of provocations once again.
But unlike before, now that Ethan had already shown his terrifying strength, the students of Ironvale City Pokémon University were full of confidence and responded with all their might.
"Rivergate City Pokémon University?"
"When we went to compete at their university last time, they certainly didn't have a very pleasant attitude toward us." Looking at the next opponent, Captain Jason let out a cold laugh.
(End of chapter)