Using a flick of Milotic's tail to add rotation and power to Water Pulse…
Was this what Champion-level control looked like?
Sam couldn't afford to be careless for even a moment.
He steadied himself and adjusted his mindset.
"Lapras—Water Dragon Bullet!"
His voice rang out, sharp and decisive.
If he wanted to defeat Wallace, holding back was no longer an option.
Lapras understood immediately.
The water in the air began to surge violently, gathering into massive currents. In an instant, four roaring water dragons formed beside it.
Each one bared its fangs, radiating terrifying pressure as they roared toward Milotic.
Even Wallace's expression grew serious.
As a master of Water-types, he could tell—this wasn't something an ordinary Lapras could do.
"Milotic—Ice Beam!"
If Sam could freeze the battlefield, Wallace could do the same to his attacks.
Beams of freezing light shot forward, striking the incoming water dragons.
In just moments, all four were frozen solid—turned into lifelike ice sculptures mid-roar.
The crisis was resolved.
But not without cost.
Milotic began to pant, its stamina clearly draining after repeated Ice Beams.
Sam's eyes sharpened.
This was the opening he'd been waiting for.
"Lapras—Blizzard!"
The battlefield temperature dropped even further.
A storm of snow erupted behind Lapras, sweeping forward with overwhelming force.
Wallace felt a chill run down his spine.
"Is your Lapras even normal?" he muttered. "Does it have endless stamina?"
Multiple high-cost moves in such a short time—and still going strong?
It was unbelievable.
Sam just smiled.
No explanation.
"Push it forward!"
The blizzard surged across the entire battlefield.
There was nowhere to dodge.
Within seconds, Milotic was buried halfway in snow, its movements slowing under the relentless cold.
Wallace clenched his fists.
He understood the situation instantly.
If this continued, Milotic would be worn down completely.
"We move now!"
"Milotic—Aqua Ring!"
A ring of water formed around Milotic's body, gently restoring its stamina.
The tide shifted—slightly.
Sam narrowed his eyes.
His plan to finish it with Blizzard had failed.
"Milotic—Dragon Tail!"
In the next instant, Milotic burst forward across the ice with astonishing speed.
Its tail glowed with dragon energy as it lunged at Lapras.
This was Wallace's final gamble.
A direct hit could end the battle.
But—
"Lapras—Water Barrier!"
A spinning wall of water surged up instantly, surrounding Lapras from all directions.
No blind spots.
No openings.
Milotic's tail struck the barrier—
And was immediately caught in the rotating current.
The powerful force twisted and dragged it off balance.
"Milotic!" Wallace called out, his calm finally breaking.
But it was too late.
The moment that attack failed…
The outcome was already decided.
The water barrier collapsed outward, flinging Milotic into the air.
"Now—Hydro Pump!"
A powerful stream of water blasted upward, striking Milotic mid-air again and again.
With a final impact, it crashed heavily onto the frozen field.
"Boom!!!"
Silence followed.
Then—
"Milotic is unable to battle! Lapras wins! The winner is Challenger Sam!" the referee ঘোষণা decisively.
Wallace recalled his Milotic, then looked at Sam with a smile full of admiration.
"I thought Steven was exaggerating… but it seems he was telling the truth. Your future really is limitless."
"You're too kind, Mr. Wallace," Sam replied.
After the battle, Wallace invited Sam to stay at the Sootopolis Gym for a while.
He was deeply interested in Lapras and wanted to study it more closely.
Sam didn't refuse.
From the outside, Lapras looked completely normal. No matter how much Wallace observed, he wouldn't find anything unusual.
And more importantly—
Building a good relationship with someone like Wallace had real benefits.
Just like with Steven, whose friendship had helped him obtain Charizard's Mega Evolution Stone.
Connections like these…
Were just as valuable as strength.