Calm Mind and Psyshock...
If it had been the old Roy, he would have envied anyone who could easily obtain TMs for such powerful moves.
But now, watching his popularity rise, Roy felt confident.
You have an Elite father, and I have a cheat system—that's fair, right?
More than the TMs, Roy was interested in Cade's command style.
"Preset tactics..."
Roy rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
He had watched many battle videos, but those Trainers were at a much higher level than he was currently. It was difficult to learn practical strategies just by watching—at most, it expanded his perspective.
But Cade was different. He was also a rookie, and there was much to learn from him.
Recently, Roy often found it challenging for a Trainer to keep up with the pace of battle and issue instructions for every move a Pokémon made... Especially during close combat between Pokémon. Even with his enhanced reactions, he could barely track what was happening. By the time he gave an order, several exchanges would have already occurred, and the opportunity would be lost.
And that was just a battle between novice Pokémon.
With stronger Pokémon, their speeds could reach incredible levels, and verbal commands might not even reach their ears in time.
Roy had a vague idea about this, but after watching Cade's match, the concept became clearer.
As a Trainer, what he needed to do was straightforward:
...Establish preset tactics in advance, arranging several different strategies targeted to specific situations.
...Simplify instructions as much as possible, or use pre-established code words.
...Time orders perfectly, requiring either exceptional reflexes to keep pace with the battle or extensive combat experience.
...Develop Pokémon's autonomous battle awareness.
Roy quickly opened a note on his phone titled 'Trainer Rules' and recorded these insights.
A good memory wasn't as reliable as written notes—a lesson he'd learned well.
After a brief intermission, Roy's quarterfinal match began.
His appearance triggered a burst of cheers from the audience, the enthusiasm matching Cade's reception.
The dark horse effect.
In any competition, people loved to watch underdogs rise and create upsets. The scenario of the weak defeating the strong created the most passionate and legendary moments in sports.
Of course, that was assuming the dark horse wasn't facing their favorite competitor.
"Making the top eight from an ordinary family background has already made history. Even if you lose now, you've accomplished something remarkable, so give it your all!"
"Hey, it would be interesting if he continued winning."
"That's unlikely. Didn't you see how close his last victory was? And there's someone as formidable as Cade waiting further in the tournament."
Chloe had also come to watch the match. Her usual arrogance had offended many people.
When she arrived, others took the opportunity to mock her.
Impressively, Chloe simply accepted the ridicule without retaliating. No matter who brought up her defeat to taunt her, she took it all with a look that said, 'Yes, I'm privileged, what about it?' She was keeping the promise she'd made on the forum.
Even so, hearing so many people express anger toward her was depressing. She quickly found an empty corner and sat down.
As she settled in, Chloe realized someone else was already sitting there.
"Callan?"
She exclaimed in surprise, never expecting to encounter him here.
However, Callan paid her no attention. He stared at the field with intense focus, continuously muttering something.
Chloe grew curious and leaned closer to listen. Her expression immediately turned bizarre.
"Roy, destroy them all! Haha, everyone must fall—!"
Chloe: "..."
Well then—the defeat had apparently broken him.
At that moment, the referee gave the signal, and both Roy and Axel threw their Poké Balls.
While Sandshrew was still in mid-air, before it even landed, Axel issued his first command:
"Sandstorm!"
He had clearly briefed his Pokémon beforehand. Sandshrew didn't hesitate at all and let out a powerful cry while airborne.
In the next moment, sand suddenly erupted from the cracks in Sandshrew's armor, expanding rapidly to engulf the entire battlefield.
Not only that, but Sandshrew's figure gradually blended with the sandstorm until it vanished completely.
"Sandshrew's ability in action!" the commentator shouted. "In Sandstorm condition, Sandshrew blends with its environment like a chameleon, becoming extremely difficult to track. Just like in the previous round, Axel is employing his weather strategy again!"
"How will Roy respond?"
Roy's approach was to meet challenges head-on.
In the games, under Sandstorm weather, all Pokémon except Rock, Ground, and Steel types would take damage.
But in real-world battles that weren't turn-based, using Sandstorm alone to secure victory was only possible if the opponent was significantly weaker.
Riolu wasn't about to stand still and let the Sandstorm wear him down.
Weather tactics were a classic and popular strategy.
Though this was Roy's first time facing it, he'd read online critiques from high-level players about the limitations of weather-based approaches.
The simplest counter to weather tactics was to introduce another type of weather.
—Fight weather with weather.
The trainer with the stronger weather move would prevail.
This approach wasn't viable since Riolu couldn't manipulate weather.
Other methods were challenging for novice trainers, but Roy had prepared well.
He gave no immediate orders, and like Riolu, he focused intently on penetrating the Sandstorm.
A faint cyan glow appeared in Roy's eyes.
Sensing an opportunity, Roy suddenly commanded:
"Thunder!"
This simplified command signaled a combination: Lightning Forged Body + Agility.
Riolu struck his fists together, channeling electricity throughout his body while simultaneously activating Agility.
"Hmm?" Elite Carter looked surprised.
Before he could comment, Roy gestured excitedly like a hunter who had spotted prey:
"Seven o'clock direction! Rock Smash!"
"What—!" Axel's face changed drastically, and he quickly shouted: "Protect!"
Sandshrew, which had been burrowing through the sand, was caught off guard. Its camouflage faded as it jumped up and attempted to use Protect.
However, its proficiency with Protect was clearly lacking, and Riolu's speed was overwhelming.
The Protect barrier was only half-formed when Riolu's Rock Smash shattered it.
Sandshrew cried out as it was sent flying into the air.
Roy seized the opportunity to press his advantage:
"Rock Smash Rock Smash Rock Smash!"
Riolu delivered a rapid succession of punches, his fists becoming a blur of afterimages. The only thing missing was the accompanying battle cry of "Ora Ora Ora!"
Sandshrew was helpless under the barrage of attacks.
Seeing defeat was inevitable, Axel couldn't contain his confusion and muttered:
"Why... Protect couldn't hold it..."
This was just a bewildered remark, and Axel would likely identify the cause of his failure once he calmed down.
But at that moment, the microphone he was wearing faithfully transmitted his unintentional words throughout the arena.
"Hahahahaha!"
"'Protect couldn't hold it,' oh my goodness, why does that make me laugh so hard!"
"It's weird that you're laughing—no wait, I'm laughing too!"
"The real question is, what did Sandshrew say?"
"Mystery solved! Sandshrew said: 'Protect couldn't hold it!'"
"Amazing!"