As far as Aiden was concerned, unless he was facing someone with Masters Eight-level strength, there was no need to use any of his first-string Pokémon.
Because of that, he deliberately gave some of his newly captured Pokémon a chance to battle and gain experience.
However, there were only three matches before the final Masters Eight positions were decided.
Letting every one of his Pokémon appear was clearly impossible.
Aiden could only do his best to make sure as many of them as possible had a chance to participate.
After defeating Elesa's first Pokémon, he recalled his colossal King Rhyperior.
Then—
Crystal Onix entered the battlefield.
Facing Aiden's unusual Onix, Elesa sent out her second Pokémon—
Galvantula.
Ding! Galvantula's current attributes are as follows:
Pokémon: Galvantula
Level: 70
Ability: Compound Eyes
Type: Bug / Electric
Potential: Gold
Bond Evolution: Locked
Mega Evolution: Locked
Gigantamax: None
Moves: Sticky Web, Bug Bite, Fury Cutter, Agility, Thunder Wave, Electro Ball, Discharge, Electroweb, Gastro Acid, Bug Buzz, Screech...
This Galvantula had actually reached Champion tier.
It seemed Elesa was not merely a pretty face.
Even so, she was still far from being able to challenge Aiden.
"Onix, use Rock Throw!"
"Galvantula, use Sucker Punch!"
Aiden's Crystal Onix possessed the Steel and Ice types.
It was not actually immune to Electric-type attacks.
Elesa, however, had no way of knowing that.
The audience could not help marveling once again at how different Aiden was from ordinary Trainers.
His Pokémon were either enormous special variants or rare alternate-colored individuals.
Every one of them was extraordinary.
Crystal Onix unleashed Rock Throw.
Countless chunks of crystal crashed down from above.
Galvantula was not particularly fast, and it failed to evade the attack.
The crystals struck it directly.
"Now use Iron Tail!"
Crystal Onix's enormous tail gleamed with a metallic silver light before smashing down on Galvantula.
The impact flattened it against the battlefield.
Galvantula immediately lost the ability to battle.
Ding! Crystal Onix defeated Galvantula.
Experience gained: 7,500.
Level increased.
Current Level: Lv. 72.
Another effortless victory.
Elesa could only sigh helplessly.
Then again, it was hardly surprising.
The man standing before her was widely regarded as the strongest Trainer in the world.
Being defeated so easily by him was nothing to be ashamed of.
"Last one!"
"I'm counting on you, Zebstrika!"
Zebstrika was a Pokémon native to Unova.
Like Emolga and Galvantula, it was an Electric-type species unique to the region.
However, compared to Elesa's previous two Pokémon, this Zebstrika was clearly much stronger.
Ding! Zebstrika's current attributes are as follows:
Pokémon: Zebstrika
Level: 72
Ability: Lightning Rod
Type: Electric
Potential: Gold
Bond Evolution: Locked
Mega Evolution: Locked
Gigantamax: None
Moves: Flame Charge, Quick Attack, Shock Wave, Stomp, Agility, Wild Charge, Thrash, Overheat, Charge...
"Zebstrika, huh?"
"Then you're up."
Aiden switched Pokémon once again.
Crystal Onix disappeared from the battlefield.
In its place appeared an Alolan Ninetales.
"Hm?"
"An Alolan Ninetales?"
"Champion Aiden really does own nothing but unusual Pokémon."
"I've never seen him use any of these before."
"Could they all be Pokémon he captured recently?"
"I'm so jealous! I want to become a Champion too. Then I could date Cynthia and Lorelei!"
"Give it up. If becoming Champion were enough, Lance and Steven would have already won their hearts."
"To capture a woman's heart, you clearly need Legendary Pokémon."
...
Although Alolan Ninetales had already evolved, it was currently only at Elite Four tier.
Against Zebstrika, it was at a slight disadvantage.
But that did not matter.
Even if the opposing Pokémon was stronger, Aiden was fully confident that he could guide Ninetales to victory.
"Ninetales, use Ice Beam!"
"Zebstrika, use Flame Charge!"
Flames erupted around Zebstrika as it charged toward Alolan Ninetales.
Ninetales let out a sharp cry.
Dense Ice-type energy gathered before it fired an icy beam.
Ice and fire collided.
Zebstrika proved slightly stronger.
Using the momentum of its charge to reinforce the flames around its body, it pushed directly through Ice Beam and continued rushing toward Ninetales.
Seeing this, Aiden immediately issued another command.
"Ninetales, use Dazzling Gleam!"
Ninetales instantly changed moves.
Just as Zebstrika approached, a brilliant burst of pink light erupted from its body.
The Fairy-type energy caused Zebstrika to falter for a moment.
That brief opening was all Ninetales needed.
"Use Iron Tail repeatedly!"
Ninetales was called Ninetales for a reason.
It possessed nine tails.
When it used Iron Tail, all nine of them became gleaming steel weapons.
A rapid series of heavy impacts echoed across the arena.
Under Ninetales' fierce assault, Zebstrika was sent flying backward.
"Finish it with Ice Beam!"
An icy-blue beam shot across the battlefield.
Before Zebstrika could recover, it was sealed inside a block of ice.
The outcome had been decided.
Ding! Alolan Ninetales defeated Zebstrika.
Experience gained: 8,000.
Level increased.
Current Level: Lv. 70.
After defeating Zebstrika, Alolan Ninetales successfully advanced into Champion tier.
Seeing this, the referee raised his flag.
"Zebstrika is unable to battle!"
"Ninetales wins!"
"With all three of Gym Leader Elesa's Pokémon unable to continue, the winner is Champion Aiden Flint!"
Aiden won his opening match and advanced into the Top Thirty-Two.
Since every battle was three-on-three, the tournament progressed extremely quickly.
Aiden had competed on the first day.
As the matches were broadcast around the world, one powerful Trainer after another secured their advancement.
The Champions and Vice Champions from each region also defeated their opponents with ease and entered the Top Thirty-Two.
By the end of the seventh day, everything had finally been decided.
The first round was officially over.
From the Hoenn League, only five Trainers advanced—
Aiden, Steven, Wallace, Drake, and Glacia.
Harrison, Tyson, Juan, Norman, Sidney, and Phoebe were all eliminated.
It was somewhat unfortunate.
As for Galar, only two Trainers had entered in the first place—
Leon and Raihan.
Naturally, both advanced.
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