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The air inside the room seemed to ignite. Electricity surged from Kael like the rising sun, his magnetic field pressing down so hard that Merg could barely breathe.
"…What—"
Cold sweat beaded on Merg's forehead. His fists clenched, eyes flickering with genuine fear.
Clang!
Rynce shot up from her chair so fast that it toppled behind her.
"I knew it… this level of output!"
Her gaze locked on the Flaaffy at the center of the room, its wool bristling, arcs of lightning crackling like a living storm.
Bzzz-zzzt!
Kael's electrical reserves already surpassed the average for any Pokémon of his level. Now, supercharged by the high-grade Electric Gem embedded in his tail orb, the energy swelled to an almost dangerous magnitude.
Feeling the pressure of that near-overflowing power, Kael steadied his breathing, guiding the current inward. Slowly, deliberately, he gathered it at his chest.
Szzzt…
The furious charge condensed into a massive sphere of pure lightning. Heat shimmered off its surface, bathing the arena in blinding light. The temperature in the room climbed rapidly.
Merg's stomach sank. No floor guardian should have power like this.
Through the psychic link, he barked at his Kirlia: "Now! Anything [Confusion], [Psybeam] just stop him!"
But Kirlia stood frozen, trembling violently.
She was young, inexperienced, and Kael was the first opponent she'd ever faced who truly terrified her.
The crushing magnetic pressure and the raw, violent nature of his electricity pinned her in place. She couldn't even take a step forward.
Crackle!
At last, Kael completed the charge. The lightning sphere floated before him, restrained by his magnetic field, locked onto Kirlia like prey.
With a flicker of intent, the orb destabilized. Bolts whipped outward, the room filling with a sizzling roar.
Then Kael shoved.
The sphere lurched forward then shattered mid-flight into a roaring cascade of lightning, a surging river of heat and power flooding the battlefield.
It was [Charge] + [Thunderbolt], combined with electromagnetic control, a devastating, all-in technique.
BOOM!
Kirlia's vision was filled with blinding yellow.
Instinct screamed. Death loomed.
At the very last instant, she managed to summon [Protect], a shimmering green dome flaring around her.
The torrent hit like a typhoon.
Her small white figure bobbed inside the storm like a ship caught in monstrous waves, each crash of electricity dimming her shield.
Then, with a final burst of light, the barrier shattered and the storm swallowed her whole.
…
The acrid stench of scorched flooring filled the air. Black scorch marks spiderwebbed across the once-pristine arena.
Kael stood panting heavily, smoke curling off his wool.
Before him, Kirlia lay sprawled and unmoving, her once-snowy dress marred with burns, half her hair singed away.
Only the faint rise and fall of her chest proved she was still alive.
Ignoring the lingering static in the air, Merg rushed forward, recalled her to her Poké Ball, and bolted for the healing unit.
In the corner, Rynce, normally the picture of calm, watched with genuine shock.
This wasn't just "good battle instinct" as Kael's file claimed. This was raw talent, power, and precision beyond most elites she'd ever seen.
She crouched to check Kael over, her eyes narrowing as she confirmed there were no injuries no hidden side effects from such a massive attack.
"This wasn't desperation," she thought, rising slowly. "This… is just what he can do."
Kael flicked his tail, the last traces of static dissipating, and met her gaze.
…
Meanwhile, after confirming Kirlia would recover, Merg stood at the exit, his expression carved from frustration. He gave Kael one long, unreadable look—
SLAM!
The heavy door shut behind him, his footsteps echoing down the dark hallway.
"Yo, Merg! What happened? Don't tell me you lost on the third floor?"
The teasing tone from a passing member barely registered.
Merg just smiled weakly and shook his head.
In the Battle Tower, a loss meant returning to the first floor, no matter how far you'd climbed. For high-level challengers, it was a brutal setback.
For Merg, failing this low, especially as one of Dark Star's so-called "genius" researchers, was humiliating.
The Poké Ball at his waist shuddered faintly. His eyes lit up with a flicker of hope.
"That's right… This was only a newly caught rookie. Strong potential, but green in battle."
"If I'd used my ace instead…"
His lips curved into a grim smile.
"I'd have crushed that Flaaffy."
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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