Inside the Luxury Ball on Isobe Himeko's waist, Hirata Shiko was watching the entire battle from start to finish.
He also used the opportunity to complete one of his daily quests by spectating.
"Shiko, who do you think will win?"
Himeko noticed the Poké Ball at her waist twitch slightly and asked in a low voice.
She already had an answer in mind, but she wanted to hear Shiko's judgment as well—testing his eye for battle.
"Dragonair."
Shiko replied with just that one word.
"Same as I thought."
Himeko nodded.
"Raticate's momentum looks strong, but after taking those two hits, plus the recoil damage from Take Down, it's already at the end of its rope."
"This attack might do a bit of damage to Dragonair, but it won't turn the tide."
Himeko stated her view plainly.
Deep down, she naturally hoped Raticate could win.
But the gap between them was simply too large.
Dragonair was a noble Dragon-type Pokémon.
For Raticate to win…
That really would be like trying to climb to the sky.
Still, even so, this was already enough.
A battle with a twelve-level difference—
and he still couldn't crush his opponent, getting beaten into this sorry state.
Even if Amano Joji passed, he would still be humiliated, his face completely lost.
"I don't think it'll be just 'a bit' of damage."
"With this hit, Dragonair will lose most of its life. Even if it wins in the end, it'll be a miserable victory."
Shiko's voice sounded in Himeko's mind.
A miserable victory?
That was going too far, wasn't it?
Dragonair's HP base stat and level were far higher than Raticate's.
From beginning to end, it had only taken one Take Down.
Even if it took a Hyper Fang from Raticate now—
even with the boost from Swords Dance—
there was no way it would be beaten to half-dead that easily, right?
A doubtful expression appeared on Himeko's face.
She didn't believe it at all.
"Chi-ya!"
Her gaze returned to the battle arena.
Raticate sprinted at full speed.
A Hyper Fang—
before Amano Joji and Dragonair could even react—
smashed viciously into Dratini's abdomen.
Its razor-sharp fangs clamped down hard on Dratini's body,
biting deep into the flesh.
Blood seeped out in thick streams.
"Rooaaar!!"
Dragonair's pained howl echoed throughout the entire venue.
That strike dealt terrifying damage.
The commotion on Battle Arena No. 10
drew the attention of candidates on the other arenas as well.
When they saw Dragonair being brutally injured by Raticate,
everyone wore expressions of shock and disbelief.
No way…
Is this real?
Dragonair was actually getting pinned down and beaten by Raticate?!
"Rooaaar!!"
Under the searing pain, Dragonair lost some of its rationality.
Its aura immediately wilted.
Its condition looked terrible.
Himeko glanced at Dragonair's information—
and her expression sank.
Shiko had actually been right!
Dragonair had truly fallen into an extreme state, its stamina nearly exhausted!
That single attack
had directly wiped out most of Dragonair's life!
That wasn't reasonable!
Even if Swords Dance had boosted it once,
the damage shouldn't be this high!
Wait—
Himeko narrowed her eyes.
In an instant, she realized something.
This Raticate's Ability was definitely Guts!
After falling into paralysis, its Attack would be boosted.
In that case,
with Swords Dance layered on top, this terrifying damage made perfect sense!
So that's how it was!
Himeko's eyes brightened,
a look of sudden realization flashing across her face.
But something was off—
how did Shiko see that!?
Could it be…
"Shiko! The Charmander that Teacher Moo Inoshishe said smashed Raticate's fangs… that was you, right?!"
Himeko had already become completely certain.
If he hadn't met it before and exchanged blows,
how could Shiko possibly know this Raticate's Ability?
"You guess."
Shiko didn't answer directly.
Two words—deliberately keeping her in suspense.
"If you won't tell me, then forget it!"
Himeko rolled her eyes,
snorted softly, and turned away.
On the battle arena,
Dragonair, under Amano Joji's commands,
endured the intense pain.
It raised the long tail of its lower half
and wrapped it around the Raticate on its body, yanking it off and binding it tightly.
Then—
Dragonair swung its tail,
slamming Raticate down again and again with savage force.
The terrifying impact
even smashed small pits into the hard granite surface of the arena.
Immediately after,
it opened its mouth
and spat out another Fire Spin,
trapping Raticate inside raging flames.
"Chi-yaaa!!"
Raticate struggled free with great difficulty
and, charred black all over, flashed to the other side of the arena.
Black smoke curled from its body,
carrying a scorched, acrid stench.
"Enough. That's enough. Stop here."
"You're qualified."
Teacher Moo Inoshishe pushed up her glasses
and decisively called an end to the battle.
(End of Chapter)
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