In the illusion, Servine wandered aimlessly through the dense forest.
She calmly considered countermeasures, trying to find a way to escape.
But in a daze, she saw that Serperior again.
Serperior's noble body slowly moved through the forest, and suddenly, as if sensing something, she turned her head.
For a moment, their eyes met.
Servine immediately adopted a battle stance.
No, that's not right! She shouldn't be here!
Servine quickly recalled the little fox's ability—illusions… she was very good at creating illusions.
Therefore, everything here was an illusion created by the opponent, meant to trap her here so Draconis would lose the battle.
Servine keenly perceived this point.
She tried to find an exit from this illusion everywhere, but after searching for a long time, she couldn't find one.
Finally, Servine returned to the Serperior, who was as noble and elegant as a monarch.
"Servine…"
Servine calmly pondered.
At this moment, a bold guess suddenly popped into her mind.
Could it be that to escape the illusion, she had to defeat this Serperior, who had caused her psychological trauma?
Thinking of this, Servine immediately made a decision.
Draconis was still waiting for her outside; she had to get out of here as soon as possible!
Servine crouched down and charged towards the Serperior in a low-to-the-ground glide.
But facing this, Serperior only showed an expression of disdain and arrogance.
She gently opened her mouth, and a green glowing Energy Ball condensed in front of her.
"Boom!"
Servine was directly sent flying by that force.
"Servine——"
The pain on her body made Servine grit her teeth; her gaze towards Serperior was filled with fighting spirit.
Serperior's Energy Ball not only failed to repel Servine but instead ignited her strong self-esteem.
She would never fall so easily!
Servine charged forward again.
However, three seconds later, she was knocked back to her starting point again.
Servine paused for a moment, then once again launched an attack towards Serperior.
Once, twice, thrice… Servine's tenacious figure constantly flickered, and all the lessons Draconis had taught her rushed into her mind at this moment.
Grass Knot, Vine Whip, Magical Leaf——
Finally, after being knocked back for the 382nd time, Servine charged forward again.
This time, she glided low to the ground, dodging Serperior's Energy Ball, and then, just as she was about to get close, she leaped high, avoiding Serperior's Vine Whip.
Three hundred attempts had made Servine thoroughly familiar with Serperior's every move; before the opponent even raised her hand, Servine had already anticipated her next attack.
"Servine——"
Accompanied by a full-force Growl, a sky full of Magical Leaf appeared around Servine, blasting down at the Serperior below with full power.
With a bang, Serperior's massive body crashed to the ground.
The surrounding scenery quickly collapsed. Servine landed steadily on the ground, panting as she looked around. Seeing this, Servine knew she had succeeded.
The illusion was about to collapse!
*
"Teacher, we're going to win. Now you can't stop Zoroark and me from joining the Knights Order!" Anna said.
Everything in the illusion happened within Servine's mind. A long time passed inside, but for the outside world, less than a minute had gone by.
"Aren't you afraid of war, Anna?" Draconis asked.
"I only know that if we don't fight, we can only watch as enemies invade, and then everyone will die, and our home will cease to exist. So, Your Highness Draconis, I also want to contribute my strength to you and the territory!"
Anna recalled the things her mother had told her about war, pleading.
Hearing this, Draconis felt a little helpless.
If it were in modern times, Anna might have become a carefree Trainer, traveling the world like Ash and his friends.
But in this era… as Anna said, if you are weak, you will be bullied, and war will not show you mercy.
Looking at the evolved Zoroark, Draconis sighed helplessly and said, "I have felt your determination."
"Teacher, you agreed?!" Anna's eyes suddenly lit up.
And just then, Servine's body suddenly moved.
Draconis immediately noticed this; his Servine had broken free from the illusion created by Zoroark!
"However, the battle isn't over yet." Draconis changed the subject and ordered, "Magical Leaf!"
A sky full of Magical Leaf immediately condensed around Servine, then all blasted onto Zoroark's body.
Although Zorua had evolved, the Pokémon world was not like some RPG games where leveling up fully restored health.
Before this, Zorua had already taken damage from Servine's Vine Whip, Magical Leaf, and Grass Knot.
This last, sudden Magical Leaf directly left gruesome wounds on Zoroark's body.
And that Zoroark finally couldn't bear it anymore and collapsed to the ground.
Anna's eyes widened in disbelief, her small face filled with shock and indignation: "Teacher! You cheated!!!"
"You made a fatal mistake. Under no circumstances should you underestimate your opponent." Draconis smiled and continued, "Moreover, sending children to the battlefield is not what a qualified king should do."
Servine returned to Draconis's side.
"Well done, Servine." Draconis praised.
Servine gave a proud, slight nod. She clearly understood her position in the team; she was the strongest Pokémon here and should bear all responsibilities.
However, seeing this scene, Anna felt like crying.
Darn it! She shouldn't have underestimated her opponent!
But soon, Anna cheered up.
"Teacher, I'm going to fight no matter what!" She said firmly, "Whether you agree or not!"
Draconis: "…"
After a brief contemplation, Draconis immediately thought of a solution.
He looked at Anna and said to her, "I'll give you five months. After five months, we'll have another battle. If you can defeat me then, I will consider letting you join the Knights Order."
"Five months?" Anna calculated the time. She nodded and said, "It's a deal!"
"Of course."
"Zoura and I, oh no, now she should be called Zoroark. Zoroark and I will definitely train hard to defeat you!" Anna said, clenching her fists.
Draconis: "…"
By then, it wouldn't be so easy.
"I must balance the time for handling affairs and special training Pokémon," Draconis thought.
Although relying on a two-on-one was a bit shameless, he couldn't really send a ten-year-old girl to the battlefield.
During this time, he had been busy dealing with various affairs in the territory and didn't have much time to specially train Pokémon.
In contrast, Anna spent her days battling wild Pokémon in the wild according to his methods.
They started at the same line, but he didn't expect to be almost overtaken by Anna now.
Draconis looked at the two Pokémon beside him and said to them:
"Starting tomorrow, I'll take you to experience some practical combat training."
Just exercising without actual combat was far from enough.
۞۞۞۞
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