Only after both regional champions finished their promotional segments did the "Gym Challenge" officially conclude.
Having listened carefully to Leon and Geeta's announcements, Aiden couldn't help but nod inwardly.
He hadn't expected Galar to already be mass-producing devices that temporarily sustain Dynamax energy.
Then again… the games had hinted at it.
Even in Galar, Dynamax required special infrastructure—that's why President Rose invested heavily in eight lavish stadiums.
There were only seven Gym stadiums despite eight Leaders because Spikemuth Gym (in rural Galar) lacked access to Power Spots.
But now… that limitation had clearly been overcome.
Of course, Aiden remembered Spikemuth for a far more exciting reason—
As Aiden drifted in thought, Leon—finally done with his duties—strode over, booming with laughter:
"Yo! Long time no see, Aiden!"
His thunderous voice snapped Aiden back to reality.
"If I recall, we last met at Master Mustard's dojo. It's been a while, Leon."
Aiden nodded in agreement—then added with a wry smile:
"But I didn't expect you to show up in Paldea… especially like this."
"Hahaha! Just fulfilling President Rose's request—to promote Galar's new tech. Part of a Champion's job!"
"…Truly the gold standard of Champions."
Aiden sighed in admiration.
Among all regional Champions, Leon alone bore Galar's entire weight on his shoulders.
Strip away the debatable "Strongest Champion" title, and no one could deny: he was an excellent Champion.
"No need for formalities—just call me Leon!"
Leon grinned.
?
Raihan—who'd been mentally checked out—suddenly perked up, slowly typing out a question mark.
"Wait… you two know each other?!"
"And Aiden is Master Mustard's disciple?!"
Damn it, Leon! Why didn't you mention this critical intel sooner?!
No wonder Lucario's punches felt familiar—it's Urshifu's Unseen Fist! And it even used that secret technique Leon himself never mastered…
If I'd sent out anything other than Gigantamax Duraludon, my instinctive "Protect" command would've gotten me instantly OHKO'd.
(Though he lost anyway—Leon's secrecy is unforgivable.)
"Huh? I never told you?" Leon scratched his head, puzzled.
"Also, technically, Master Mustard's disciple is Lucario—not Aiden."
At this, Leon's eyes sparkled.
"No wonder Master chose it! Its resilience and strength are unreal—and it can even combine Mega Evolution and Terastalization! What a fascinating little guy."
"Come to think of it… Lucario used a similar punch against Urshifu! Even Master Bear couldn't block its full power."
"By the way—that final punch… was it a new technique you developed?"
Aiden shook his head immediately.
"No, just a standard Final Gambit."
"NO WAY!" Raihan snapped, scowling deeper. "Final Gambit couldn't possibly defeat Gigantamax Duraludon. I'm 100% sure."
Final Gambit—a Fighting-type move that channels a Pokémon's entire HP into one desperate strike. Damage scales with HP spent…
…But even at max, it shouldn't one-shot a Dynamax-boosted Duraludon.
Raihan couldn't fathom it.
"…"
Aiden fell silent.
He's right.
"Kids just hit harder" or "trained a bit more" no longer explained it.
Time to give Lucario's move a proper name.
One perfect title popped into his mind:
"Serious Punch. That's what Lucario used."
It wasn't quite as overpowered as the meme version… but Lucario had gone all-out. The name fit.
Hope one day it becomes One-Punch Lucario!
"…That name sounds ridiculously lazy," Raihan deadpanned.
Typical of Master Mustard's disciples—same trash naming sense as Leon.
As if on cue—
"OOOH! Brilliant name!" Leon cheered. "Someday, I'd love to witness Aiden and Lucario's ultimate technique firsthand!"
He smoothly pivoted, eyes gleaming expectantly at Aiden:
"Speaking of which… after the battle…"
"…Isn't it time for the legendary 'Guidance Session'?"
?
"Huh?"
Now Aiden was the confused one.
"You know—the thing!" Leon pressed, equally baffled by Aiden's cluelessness.
"I don't watch your streams much, but I know this: why do people obsess over queueing against you? Why fight tooth and nail for a match?"
"Even if I lose to Teacher Yu, I'll gain insights to improve!"—common knowledge!
Even Champions like Wallace and Lance received your coaching!
"So… what could Raihan possibly learn from you?"
"…"
Aiden was stunned.
There's a "Guidance Session"?!
Why's the main character hearing this for the first time?!
…Then he remembered: as a streamer, he always reviewed matches and critiqued opponents' flaws.
Over time, this "myth" probably spiraled out of control…
Pure nonsense!
But faced with Leon's hopeful gaze and Raihan's "Leon's never wrong, right?" expression, Aiden could only sigh.
"Let me think…"
Honestly, Raihan's strategy was solid—his team was well-constructed.
As a weather virtuoso, he fluidly switched between Sandstorm and Sunny Day in 3v3, keeping opponents guessing. In 6v6, combining both weathers created endless versatility.
Aiden had little to critique—his tactics perfectly suited his style and ace Duraludon.
But… weaknesses did exist.
"I recall… though you're the Dragon-type Gym Leader, your specialty is actually three weather systems, right?"
Aiden's eyes narrowed.
Yes—beyond Sandstorm/Sunny Day, Raihan dabbled in Rain Dance.
(Though it was… abstract. Something about Goodra's Hydration ability?)
"True, but I'm not skilled with rain," Raihan admitted.
"Mainly because fitting three weathers into six Pokémon is impossible."
"And among Dragon-types, only Goodra and Kingdra benefit from rain."
"To stand out from other Dragon Masters, I'd rather use Galar's signature Pokémon."
Aiden didn't dispute this logic—three weathers was absurd, and Sunny Day/Sandstorm worked.
But Raihan's team could run rain…
With one tiny tweak!
Aiden fixed Raihan with a knowing look:
"Raihan… did you know…"
"Duraludon might have an undiscovered evolution?"
"Huh?!"
…
Two hours later, Cabo Poco.
Outside the Sunshine Gym, Aiden—now dressed as a researcher, glasses perched on his nose—spoke flatly:
"Evolution Stones are miraculous. If a Pokémon carries one, resonance reveals its potential to evolve."
"If evolution is possible, the stone boosts its Defense and Sp. Def."
"It's not foolproof—sometimes new evolutions are discovered, and suddenly previously incompatible Pokémon resonate."
"But generally, it's reliable for detecting evolutionary potential."
"And Duraludon? Clearly, it has potential."
"Understand?"
Raihan and Leon—watching Duraludon—lit up simultaneously.
"OOOH! It's glowing faintly! Totally different from Coalossal's control test!"
"I've raised it for years… never imagined Duraludon could evolve further."
Raihan marveled. "Pokémon truly are wondrous."
Wondrous indeed…
Aiden nodded internally.
Logically, a Pokémon with a 535 BST, solid typing, and a unique Gigantamax form shouldn't evolve further…
Yet a generation later—Metal Alloy appeared, birthing the "Prodigy Archaludon" meme.
(T/N: Level 1 Archaludon which has insane BST and can defeat 'mons multiple levels above itself.)
It's all Game Freak's fault!
Lore-wise, Metal Alloy's discovery is tied to Blueberry Academy's Drayton—but he alone knew the evolution method.
Aiden had checked online earlier: just days ago, Drayton used Duraludon against Unova Gyms.
So theoretically… no one knew yet. No wonder Raihan—the "Duraludon Ace"—was clueless.
"But… how'd you know this?" Raihan suddenly asked, suspicious. "Paldea has no Duraludon habitats!"
"You can only encounter it in Galar's wilds, right?"
Here it comes!
Aiden had prepared this cover story:
"I've never seen Duraludon up close before. But…"
He paused thoughtfully:
"As a kid, I studied under Sinnoh's Professor Carolina. That's when my passion for Pokémon began."
"I wanted to understand every species—to discover their ideal battle styles. That drive brought me here."
"Rare Pokémon? I've battled Trainers who use them. Each match deepens my understanding."
"I see!" Leon beamed, nodding vigorously. "No wonder you know so much about foreign Pokémon and tactics—you genuinely love them!"
"Man, I'm itching to battle you! One match, and I'll feel your passion firsthand!"
"Hey, not the time for that!" Raihan interjected perfectly.
"Hahaha! We'll meet at the Master Tournament anyway!"
Aiden sighed in relief.
Every word was true—so the lie was flawless!
But focus—back to the main point.
"One critical warning about Duraludon's evolution…"
Aiden turned grave, locking eyes with Raihan:
"If it evolves… it may lose its ability to Gigantamax."
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