Max's defeat wasn't because Tyranitar was weaker than Aerodactyl but because of the timing of his entry into the battle.
If Tyranitar hadn't been worn down earlier and faced Aerodactyl in peak condition, the outcome could have been entirely different.
However, as the captain of Imperial University's team, Max's loss delivered a blow to his side's morale.
Some Shu University supporters, who had already been badmouthing Imperial University, seized the moment to mock them, claiming even their captain was "nothing special."
After Max stepped down, the fifth competitor for Imperial University was a 4th-year Water-type trainer, Finn.
Finn sent out his Gyarados, which was at the peak of pseudo-Elite level. Unfortunately, he didn't have a Mega Stone, so Gyarados couldn't unleash its full potential.
A few minutes later, Gyarados fell to Aerodactyl's sharp claws.
Carter had now defeated two competitors from Imperial University, one of them being the team captain. This bolstered Shu University's momentum even further.
But their excitement was short-lived.
When Imperial University's sixth competitor, Julian, stepped onto the field, the ecstatic expressions on Shu University supporters' faces froze instantly.
In their excitement, they had completely forgotten about this "inhuman" individual.
The memory of Julian's Metagross defeating eight opponents in a row yesterday was still fresh in everyone's minds.
"Don't panic! What if that Metagross didn't come out of yesterday's battles unscathed? It might still be recovering today."
"Carter's Aerodactyl can still Mega Evolve. There's a chance for a comeback!"
"If Julian doesn't use Metagross and wins with another Pokémon, I'll livestream myself kissing a Jynx!"
"Guys, take my advice—just give up now."
As Julian reached the battlefield, his hand moved toward Metagross's Poké Ball on his belt. However, another Poké Ball at his side began to shake violently.
Julian paused, momentarily surprised, as the shaking intensified.
"Alright, seems like you're eager to make your official debut today"
Julian said softly. He grasped the trembling Poké Ball, and it instantly calmed down.
"Go, Melmetal!"
Everyone had expected Julian to send out his signature Metagross against Carter's Aerodactyl, which boasted Elite-level strength.
Instead, he summoned a Pokémon no one had ever seen before.
It had a body like flowing silver liquid, with several hexagonal bolts adorning it.
'What in the world is 'that' Pokémon?'
Immediately, a single thought raced through the crowd:
This must be an undiscovered Pokémon. A brand-new species.
"Whoa! Has anyone seen this Pokémon before?"
"Could it be like Slowking—a brand-new evolutionary form of an existing species?"
"This silver body must mean it's a Steel-type Pokémon."
"Anyone knowledgeable care to explain?"
"All of you so-called experts, and no one has a clue?"
Not only were the spectators utterly confused, but even Ben and Lisa, seated on the podium, were left scratching their heads over Julian's Pokémon.
The only one showing a glimmer of recognition was Jose, the president of the Haitian City Trainers' Association, who wore a thoughtful expression.
Just then, an official comment popped up in the livestream chat:
"Melmetal, Steel-type, Mythical Pokémon"
At the same time Jose also stood up, slamming the table with excitement as he exclaimed, "I know what this Pokémon is! It's Melmetal, no doubt about it!"
"Just a month ago, 'Pokémon Monthly' reported that Wyvernia discovered Melmetal in their Steel-type secret realm. Despite not reaching Elite-level strength, its life energy already matches that of an Elite-level Pokémon. It even possesses a unique force of laws absent in ordinary Pokémon."
"They named it Melmetal and found it to be the evolved form of Meltan. However, the exact method of its evolution remains unknown."
"Their Steel-type Elite has a Meltan, which is likely tied to their research."
Whenever a new Pokémon is discovered, it must first be reviewed and approved by the World Trainers' Association before being officially recorded.
Only then is its data released to the public and added to educational materials.
However, as Melmetal was a recent discovery and a Mythical Pokémon, the review process had been notably slow.
Thus, as of today, no official information about Melmetal had been made public.
Jose only knew about it because he regularly read 'Pokémon Monthly', which had documented Wyvernia's preliminary research on Melmetal.
Since 'Pokémon Monthly' was an academic publication, it wasn't something the general public typically read—it was too complex and, frankly, boring.
"President Jose, are you saying that silver Pokémon is a Mythical Pokémon?" Lisa asked, her mouth agape in disbelief.
Legendary Pokémon and Mythical Pokémon were entities that surpassed ordinary Pokémon and even pseudo-Legendaries in every way.
The most well-known Legendary Pokémon included the Legendary Birds and the Regi Trio, while Mythical Pokémon like Shaymin and Celebi represented their category.
Now, a new Mythical Pokémon had joined their ranks—Melmetal.
"Yes, Last month's 'Pokémon Monthly' included detailed documentation on it. I expect the World Trainers' Association will soon make Melmetal's existence public."
Faced with a Mythical Pokémon they had never seen before, everyone stared wide-eyed at Melmetal, as though trying to memorize every detail of its form.
"Julian's really good at keeping secrets. If it were me, I would've revealed this Pokémon ages ago."
"I'm from the Wyvernia. For the sake of international friendship, I hope Julian can return Melmetal to us!"
"Our friends from the Wyvernia are absolutely right. On behalf of Drakoria and Julian, I apologize."
"What century is this? Still herding sheepdogs?"
"Sorry, everyone, I didn't keep it leashed properly. Let me get it back before it causes more trouble."
"Yeah, better tie it up. If I see it again, I'll deal with it myself."
That person was immediately met with a wave of backlash from countless viewers online.
"Mel! Mel!~"
Appearing openly for the first time in front of such a massive audience, Melmetal was overjoyed. It struck a series of bodybuilding poses, flexing its silver limbs.
This unexpected display instantly took away some of the awe and mystery surrounding its status as a Mythical Pokémon.
"Hahaha, it's so funny!"
"Why does it look so goofy?"
"Melmetal: Mythical Pokémon, nice to meet you!"
On the Imperial University side, everyone was equally shocked that Julian possessed a Mythical Pokémon. Julian's cousin, Thea, clenched her fists in frustration.
"That guy kept it a secret from even me! So unfair!"
"Maybe he didn't tell you because he knew you might spill the beans," Faye kindly suggested.
"Impossible! I'm known for being tight-lipped," Thea said with a serious expression.
Faye held her tongue but couldn't help complaining in her heart.
'Tight-lipped? Please. If Julian told you he had a Mythical Pokémon, you'd tell me the next second and ask me not to tell anyone.'
'Then I'd tell our other sisters and ask them not to tell anyone else.'
'And before long, the whole world would know Julian had Wyvernia's newly discovered Mythical Pokémon.'
Pokémon: Melmetal (Steel)
Level: 63
Potential: Purple
Ability: Iron Fist
Held Item: Black Belt
Gender: Genderless
Moves: Harden, Thunder Shock, Headbutt, Charge Beam, Giga Impact, Thunder Punch, Acid Armor, Flash Cannon, Thunder Wave, Dynamic Punch, Protect
TMs: Ice Punch, Hyper Beam, Thunder Punch, Thunderbolt, Brick Break, Electric Terrain, Brutal Swing, Thrash, Body Slam, Ice Beam, Darkest Lariat, Heavy Slam
Genetic Moves: None
---
Though Melmetal is a Steel-type Pokémon, its Iron Fist ability increases the power of punching moves by 20%. This is why it holds a Black Belt to further boost Fighting-type moves.
With the Iron Fist ability and the Black Belt combined, its punches hit with incredible power—few Pokémon could withstand a single blow.
Since its level isn't high enough, it hasn't yet learned its signature move, Double Iron Bash.
Carter was dumbfounded. After defeating Max, he had expected to face Julian and his Metagross eventually. He had even devised numerous strategies in preparation for this battle.
As a data-driven trainer, Carter had spent the entire night studying Metagross—its moves, battle style, and habits. He thought he had prepared thoroughly.
But then... Julian didn't even send out Metagross. Instead, he released a completely new Pokémon—a Mythical Pokémon no less!
A new Pokémon meant there was no external data on it at all. Carter didn't know its moves, its ability, or its battle style.
This sense of the unknown was utterly frustrating for Carter, who was used to controlling every variable in a fight. It was like being force-fed something unpleasant.
Sitting on the bench, Max noticed Carter's constipated expression and couldn't help but grin widely.
With the referee's whistle, the match officially began.
The spectators stopped chatting and turned their full attention to Melmetal. A new Mythical Pokémon had appeared, and they were among the first to witness it.
A subtle sense of pride bubbled within them.
"Aerodactyl, Mega Evolve!"
Carter didn't dare to hold back, immediately commanding his Aerodactyl to Mega Evolve.
After his match against Max, Carter had canceled Aerodactyl's Mega Evolution to conserve stamina and focus, saving the second use for his anticipated battle against Julian's Metagross.
Now, instead of Metagross, he faced Melmetal—a Pokémon he found even more troublesome.
Of course, his judgment was slightly off. While Melmetal was no match for Metagross, its strength came second only to it.
Mega Aerodactyl appeared on the field.
"Dynamic Punch," Julian commanded.
At that moment, Melmetal stood about 100 meters from Mega Aerodactyl, who was hovering in the air.
Carter thought Melmetal would close the distance by running and jumping, which would naturally give Mega Aerodactyl opportunities to dodge or counterattack.
But the next second, Carter saw Melmetal rotate its arm in a full circle, and suddenly, as if it were made of rubber, its arm stretched out in an instant.
(T/N: Gomu Gomu No....)
The Dynamic Punch tore through the air, its force so immense that a white shockwave formed around its fist.
Mega Aerodactyl realized it was too late to dodge. It hastily used Protect.
"Bang!!!"
The Dynamic Punch smashed into the protective barrier with such force that the surrounding air seemed to tremble.
Carter had barely breathed a sigh of relief when the Protect shattered into pieces. The Dynamic Punch, carrying incredible momentum, struck Mega Aerodactyl squarely on the face.
The diamond-hard stone on Mega Aerodactyl's face cracked under the impact of the punch.
With Melmetal's Iron Fist ability combined with the Black Belt, the attack's power was nothing short of terrifying.
Had the Protect not absorbed some of the power, that single punch would have left Mega Aerodactyl crying for its mother.
Even so, the punch left Mega Aerodactyl dazed.
Amid the haze, it vaguely heard its trainer shouting frantically.
Melmetal's body, composed of flowing liquid metal, granted it excellent flexibility and extension.
After delivering the Dynamic Punch with its left arm, its right arm followed suit, readying another Dynamic Punch.
While Mega Aerodactyl struggled to shake off its dizziness, the second punch closed in rapidly.
"Use Protect quickly!"
Carter yelled, seeing his Pokémon still shaking its dazed head, oblivious to the incoming attack. His voice was filled with desperation.
Of all the moves, Protect required the least amount of time to activate, though whether Mega Aerodactyl could respond in time was another matter.
'Second Protect, heh'
Julian sneered.
But in the next moment, that smirk froze on his face.
Somehow, despite its dizziness, Mega Aerodactyl seemed to have heard Carter's command and instinctively used Protect. To Julian's disbelief, it successfully executed the move.
Since his debut, Julian's Pokémon had never managed to pull off a second Protect in a row. His infamous reputation for bad luck with this move was well-known.
And now, right before his eyes, someone had pulled it off flawlessly.
This really felt like a slap to his face.
"Crush it for me!" Julian roared, his voice laced with jealousy and frustration.
Melmetal, feeling equally insulted, furiously swung its massive arm.
The second Dynamic Punch hit, shattering the Protect once again. The punch landed on the same spot as before, slamming into Mega Aerodactyl's already damaged cheek.
This time, Mega Aerodactyl couldn't hold on any longer. Its body fell out of the sky, plummeting toward the ground.
"Finish it, Flash Cannon!"
The hexagonal nut on Melmetal's chest glowed intensely before unleashing a brilliant silver-white beam of light. The beam struck the falling Mega Aerodactyl with pinpoint accuracy.
With a thunderous explosion, Mega Aerodactyl was sent flying through the air. As it tumbled away, its Mega Evolution form dissipated.
"Bang!!"
Aerodactyl crashed onto the ground, bouncing several times before coming to a stop.
"Aerodactyl is unable to battle. Melmetal wins!" the referee declared.
An Elite-level Mega Aerodactyl, defeated so decisively by the Mythical Pokémon Melmetal—and Melmetal wasn't even at Elite-level itself.
"Are Mythical Pokémon really this strong? It only took three moves to take down an Elite-level Mega Aerodactyl," Lisa muttered, still in disbelief.
Jose, standing nearby, didn't boast about Imperial University's victory this time. Instead, he wore a serious expression as he explained, "The key to winning was that Carter wasn't familiar with Melmetal. He didn't anticipate its incredible flexibility and range."
"Melmetal's punches are like Hitmonlee's kicks—but in terms of reach and flexibility, Melmetal's arms are even better than Hitmonlee's legs."
"And I suspect Melmetal's legs—or even its entire body—can also stretch just like its arms," Jose added thoughtfully.
He wasn't wrong. Carter had been caught off guard because he lacked knowledge about Melmetal.
If he had known about Melmetal's remarkable malleability and range, his Mega Aerodactyl could have evaded the punches.
Without a direct hit, the entire course of the battle could have changed.
Imperial University triumphed over Shu University, while Pearl University defeated the Second Military Academy. Alongside the First Military Academy, which had a bye in the previous round, the top three schools were decided:
Imperial University, Pearl University, and the First Military Academy.
Tomorrow would be the final match to determine the champion and crown the top university in Drakoria.
Ordinarily, the finals of the Hundred Schools League would attract enormous attention. However, the appearance of Melmetal had stolen much of the spotlight.
Adding fuel to the fire, Wyvernia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement demanding that Drakoria have Julian return Melmetal and explain how he obtained it.
Currently, Meltan and Melmetal were known to exist only in Wyvernia's top-secret realm. Even there, only the nation's Steel-Type Elite owned a Meltan—and its evolution method remained a mystery.
Now, however, a neighboring Drakorian trainer had revealed a fully-evolved Melmetal, causing uproar in the nation of Wyvernia, which suspected their secrets had been stolen.
In truth, they weren't entirely wrong.
The "theft" originated with the Smith family of Wish City, though Julian had acquired the then-egg-form Meltan from them legitimately.
The Smith family was quick to connect the dots, realizing that Julian's Melmetal had hatched from the mysterious Pokémon egg they had handed over—a Pokémon egg that had remained unhatched for 30 years in their care.
Not only had Julian successfully hatched the egg, but he had also managed to evolve Meltan into Melmetal.
Did the Smith family regret it? Of course they did. This was, after all, a Mythical Pokémon.
But alongside regret, they felt relief. The egg had remained dormant in their care for decades, and it seemed unlikely they would have succeeded in hatching it themselves. Keeping it would have ultimately been a waste.
By giving the egg to Julian, the Smith family gained the support of the Walker family and built a close relationship with him.
Given Julian's remarkable potential, it was nearly certain he would become an Elite Trainer in the future, with a solid chance of becoming a Champion.
And likely with Melmetal's help too. If that happened, Julian would owe the Smith family a big favor.
In response to Wyvernia's aggressive demands, Drakoria's stance was simple. That very day, Drakoria's Steel-Type Elite, John Walker, arrived at the border with ten other Elite Trainers in tow, sending a clear message:
'If you dare cross the line, we'll show no mercy'
Melmetal's public debut had indeed brought complications for the Walker family. As a brand-new Steel-Type Mythical Pokémon, it had drawn interest from many Steel-Type clans in Drakoria and abroad.
Fortunately, the Walker family's formidable strength, combined with the unwavering support of Drakoria's government, deterred anyone from making overt moves against Julian—at least on the surface.
After dinner, Julian returned to his hotel room, where his Pokémon were already resting.
Melmetal animatedly described its battle against the Mega Aerodactyl to Metagross, Dragonite, and the others, complete with vivid gestures and details about the cheering crowd.
It was so caught up in recounting the glorious moment that it ignored the Pokéblocks placed in front of it, eager instead for more Pokémon to join and listen to its story.
Unfortunately, Growlithe and Lairon were entirely uninterested. Their focus remained firmly on their food.
When Julian returned to the room, he found Melmetal enthusiastically chattering, its "Mel, Mel!" filling the air. Meanwhile, the other Pokémon were busy with their own activities.
The only one listening attentively was Slowking, though for some reason, it had removed the "crown" from its head.
"Mel—Meta!"
Noticing Julian's return, Melmetal let out an excited cry, the eye in its head-nut forming a crescent-moon shape as it joyfully grabbed Julian in a tight hug.
"Alright, alright, I know you're happy"
Julian said with a smile, patting its arm. Deep down, he felt a little apologetic in his heart. He hadn't allowed Melmetal to appear publicly before, and that was unfair to the Mythical Pokémon.
"Mel~"
Melmetal: I want to battle again tomorrow.
It had loved the cheers from the crowd and wanted to experience them again.
"Tomorrow, Metagross will take the stage. You'll have plenty of chances in the future"
Julian replied, shaking his head.
Melmetal might be incredibly strong, but tomorrow was the final match. Only Metagross could guarantee success.
Even though Melmetal was a Mythical Pokémon, Metagross was Julian's real trump card and his greatest source of confidence.
Winning the championship for Imperial University was critical—it would maximize his mission rewards.
"Meta~"
Hearing Julian's refusal, Melmetal became visibly agitated, trying to protest. But before it could, Metagross calmly interjected.
Metagross: You want to rebel?
Melmetal instantly quieted down. Within the team, Metagross' authority was unshakable.
---
The next day, the finals began.
The format of the finals was different from the semifinals and qualifiers.
This meant that each universuty' eight-member team would be split into two groups, each group facing off against four members of another school.
Julian, Faye, Thea, and Paul were placed in one group, with their opponents being four trainers from the First Military Academy.
Meanwhile, Max, Finn, Mark, and Simon were set to face the other four from Pearl University.
Each victory would earn one point, and the champion would be determined by total points at the end.
Julian's group was up first. Stepping onto the field, Julian found himself facing none other than the First Military Academy's captain—a 4th-year and a man already holding the rank of lieutenant colonel in the military.
"Looking forward to seeing Melmetal in action!"
"The first match is already this intense—Julian versus the captain of the First Military Academy!"
"Does anyone know more about this Pierce? There's barely anything online about him except for recent records. His earlier history is impossible to find."
"Friendly advice: stop digging. You don't want an invitation for a little 'chat'."
At opposite ends of the battlefield, Julian and Pierce stood ready. Pierce, dressed in his military uniform, had a rugged and stoic expression, his face betraying no emotions.
From the sharp glint in Pierce's eyes, Julian sensed a faint killing intent. It wasn't directed at him, but rather seemed to radiate from Pierce himself—evidence of the lives he'd taken.
This man had clearly killed a lot.
To have reached the rank of lieutenant colonel at such a young age, Pierce must have earned countless military merits.
Such accomplishments often came at the cost of taking lives, something common and expected in war.
Julian couldn't help but feel respect for him.
In any world, soldiers who defend their nation and protect their people are always worthy of admiration.
"Metagross!"
Julian sent out Metagross. Against someone like Pierce, the captain of the First Military Academy, there was no telling what tricks or strategies he might have hidden. Sending out Melmetal and risking an unexpected loss was not an option.
Under Julian's watchful gaze, Pierce threw his Poké Ball into the air. A Pokémon emerged, its body formed of gray and orange rocks.
"Regirock!"
Seeing the Pokémon before him, Julian's mouth opened slightly in surprise. His expression was speechless—it seemed like every battle he entered involved encountering something extraordinary.
Now even Legendary Pokémon were showing up.
Regirock, alongside Regice and Registeel, was part of the trio known as the Legendary Titans. Due to their respective types, they were often referred to as the Rock Titan, Ice Titan, and Steel Titan.
According to legend, these three Pokémon were created by the ancient first-class legendary Pokémon Regigigas to serve as its companions and protectors.
Their depictions could often be found in ancient ruins, adding to the air of mystery surrounding them.
Pokémon: Regirock (Rock)
Level: 72
Potential: Blue
Ability: Clear Body
Held Item: Hard Stone
Gender: Genderless
Moves: Charge Beam, Rock Throw, Bulldoze, Stomp, Ancient Power, Rock Slide, Curse, Iron Defense, Hammer Arm, Superpower, Lock-On, Zap Cannon, Hyper Beam
TMs: Heavy Slam, Dynamic Punch, Protect, Giga Impact, Thunder Wave, Rock Blast, Rock Tomb, Sand Tomb, Stone Edge
Genetic Moves: None
--
It was no surprise that Regirock was another Elite-level Pokémon. Thankfully, Julian had sent out Metagross; if he'd chosen Melmetal, things might have gotten complicated.
With Regirock's appearance, the stadium and live stream audience erupted.
"Holy shit—this ticket was so worth it! Yesterday, we saw the Steel-type Mythical Pokémon Melmetal. Today, it's the Legendary Rock Titan, Regirock!"
"To all those who skipped the live event, regret it yet?"
"We'd come if we could! The tickets were sold out ages ago!"
"Scalpers are slacking. Just because they got busted a few times, they've gone soft. Don't they know that adversity is the time to rise up stronger?"
"Why didn't Julian send out Melmetal? Then we'd get to see a Mythical Pokémon versus a Legendary Pokémon!"
"Quick theory: do you think Pierce has the other two Titans?"
"It's not impossible... maybe a 0.01% chance?"
If the three Titans gathered, they could generate a powerful barrier. In fact, three Elite-level Titans could create a barrier strong enough to fend off a Champion.
In the Pyramid Kingdom, their Champion was known to own two Titans—Registeel and Regice.
(T/N: should be Egypt)
That country, rich in ancient ruins, had a higher concentration of the Legendary Titans compared to others.
--
"Regirock, Rock Throw!"
Pierce initiated the first move.
Regirock's head, adorned with a pattern of seven orange dots forming an "H" shape, began to glow as the orange dots flickered brightly.
Chunks of rock, each the size of a car, materialized above Metagross and came crashing down, casting massive shadows over the battlefield.
With a sharp sound, Metagross vanished from its position, utilizing Teleport.
The falling boulders smashed into the ground, leaving deep craters where the Pokémon had been.
"Metagross, Mega Evolve!" Julian commanded.
Regirock was Level 72, and Metagross, at Level 65, could hold its own against standard Elites, but Regirock was no ordinary opponent. It was likely capable of fighting above its level.
Mega Evolution was a necessity here.
Brilliant, prismatic light engulfed Metagross, and in moments, its Mega Evolution was completed. Mega Metagross stood tall, its Level temporarily boosted to 71.
"Metal Claw!"
Mega Metagross transformed into a streak of silver light, closing the gap between itself and Regirock in an instant. Its claws shimmered, slicing through the air with incredible force.
Under the Tough Claws ability, contact moves like this gained a 30% power boost, making the attack even more ferocious.
"Dynamic Punch!"
Pierce countered without hesitation.
Regirock's massive fist shot forward, tearing through the air. The impact of its punch meeting Metagross' claw sent shockwaves across the battlefield.
"Boom!!"
The ground beneath Regirock cracked instantly, spiderweb-like fissures radiating outward for hundreds of meters.
In close combat, Metagross never backed down from any opponent—let alone in its Mega Evolution form now.
The force behind Metagross' Metal Claw caused Regirock to stagger backward.
Seizing the opportunity, Metagross retracted its claw and swung its other arm, aiming a Hammer Arm directly at Regirock's head.
"Regirock, Iron Defense!"
"Clang!"
The sound of metal striking metal echoed loudly as Regirock hastily activated Iron Defense. While it managed to block the full force of the attack, the impact drove most of its body into the ground.
Regirock's head, with its glowing orange H-shaped pattern, began flashing rapidly. A yellow beam shot from it, striking Metagross.
Although the beam caused no damage, it left a distinct mark on the X-shaped cross on Metagross' forehead.
"What's that mark?" Lisa asked, puzzled.
"It's Lock-On, only a few Pokémon can learn this move. Once it marks a target, the user's next attack is guaranteed to hit."
Jose sitting next to her explained.
Julian, well aware of Lock-On's effect, didn't want to give Regirock a chance to counterattack.
Lock-On had a time limit, and once the time was up, the Lock-On mark will disappear.
"Metagross, keep up the pressure!"
"Regirock, Superpower!"
Pierce's voice rang out as Regirock unleashed a devastating Superpower. The strength it unleashed was terrifying, causing the air around it to crack and explode audibly.
The raw force of Regirock's attack overpowered Metagross' Meteor Mash, sending the steel titan hurtling hundreds of meters backward.
However, while Superpower was incredibly powerful, it came with a cost—reducing Regirock's Attack and Defense after each use.
"Regirock, Zap Cannon!"
Zap Cannon was a powerful move. If it hit, paralysis was guaranteed. However, its accuracy was notoriously low—except now, thanks to Lock-On. With the mark on Metagross, Zap Cannon's hit rate effectively became 100%.
A brilliant crimson-yellow Zap Cannon was launched, encircled by crackling electrical currents. The battlefield echoed with the sharp, relentless sound of electricity arcing in every direction.
Against the Lock-On and Zap Cannon combination, countering with a ranged move was futile. Even if Metagross unleashed Hyper Beam to intercept, the guided Zap Cannon would simply curve to strike its target.
"Protect" Julian said calmly.
A bright, emerald-green barrier formed around Mega Metagross, completely encasing it.
The Zap Cannon struck the shield with a deafening boom, generating immense force that kept pushing Metagross backward but the protective barrier held firm.
"Rock Blast!" Pierce called out suddenly.
Julian's expression shifted. He realized with a sinking feeling that Mega Metagross had been pushed into the same area where Regirock had used Rock Throw earlier.
The battlefield was littered with massive boulders—perfect ammunition for Rock Blast.
In an instant, the piled rocks became volatile explosives, charged with immense Rock-type energy. The boulders detonated one after another, their blasts creating shockwaves that sent debris flying.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
In an instant, there were flames everywhere, accompanied by a large number of Rock fragments, and Mega Metagross was directly drowned by these endless flame.
Rock Blast doesn't necessarily require forming new rocks. Previously formed rocks can also be used as ammunition for the move.
However, achieving this requires a Pokémon to have an exceptionally fine control over Rock-type energy.
As a Rock-type legendary Pokémon, Regirock's mastery over Rock energy was unquestionable.
At the same time, Pierce's commanding ability was remarkable. Step by step, he had maneuvered Mega Metagross into the area covered by the rocks from the earlier Rock Throw.
Julian, caught off guard, found his Mega Metagross trapped within the explosion zone created by Rock Blast.
Amidst the endless blaze, Mega Metagross was engulfed, its silver frame hidden in the sea of fire. The flames reflected in Julian's face, his expression growing colder and more resolute.
"Regirock, Rock Tomb," Pierce ordered.
As a military man, Pierce understood better than anyone the importance of not giving an opponent any breathing room. Julian was his current adversary—a formidable one.
The ground heaved as countless rocks rose, aiming to seal off the explosion area completely and trap Mega Metagross within.
But just as the Rock Tomb was about to close, a streak of silver light burst forth from the inferno. The fiery debris was split by the sheer speed of the movement, creating a long, blazing path.
Mega Metagross, with its Zen Headbutt move, crashed directly into Regirock. The latter braced itself, locking its hands against Mega Metagross's onslaught.
Despite its strength, Regirock was forced to retreat under the tremendous force, its legs carving half-meter-deep trenches into the ground as it was pushed back over 100 meters. Only then did the power of Zen Headbutt dissipate.
"Regirock, Thunder Wave!"
"Earthquake!" Julian countered.
Mega Metagross slammed its body down with immense force. The Thunder Wave missed entirely, while the ground beneath them trembled violently. Shockwaves radiated outwards, shaking the entire battlefield, which spanned the size of two soccer fields.
Within moments, the once-pristine arena had turned into a wasteland, riddled with deep cracks and fissures.
Regirock, caught in the tremor, wavered under the unrelenting assault. Its orange-yellow dots flickered as it endured the Earthquake.
For a Pokémon like Regirock, the damage from a Ground-type move was substantial.
"Regirock, Heavy Slam!"
Pierce commanded, his brows furrowed. Mega Metagross's tenacity was far beyond his expectations. It was no wonder that Julian had single-handedly defeated Modu Academy.
Even while enduring the residual effects of the Earthquake, Regirock planted its feet firmly on the ground. Though speed wasn't its forte, the explosive power in its legs allowed Heavy Slam to reach an incredible velocity.
The three Legendary Titans shared a common trait: unparalleled defensive or special defensive capabilities.
Regirock's defense stat reached an astonishing 200, a number that would make most Pokémon despair.
Against weaker opponents, it could likely remain motionless and still emerge unscathed.
Now, with the sheer momentum of Heavy Slam, Regirock descended like a falling mountain, its colossal weight and force compressing the surrounding air until it felt almost solid.
Mega Metagross, still grounded from its Earthquake, had no time to rise before Regirock's devastating Heavy Slam bore down upon it.
"Grass Knot!" Julian suddenly commanded.
A sturdy vine appeared in Regirock's path, forming a loop directly ahead of its charging stride. Without pause, Regirock's foot slipped into the grass loop. To everyone's surprise, the small vine—seemingly fragile—did not snap under the legendary Pokémon's immense strength.
Instead, Regirock's momentum turned against it. Unable to maintain balance, it stumbled forward and crashed to the ground.
What was meant to be a devastating Heavy Slam now turned into a disastrous self-inflicted fall.
"Boom!!!"
The impact was so loud that some in the audience thought Mega Metagross had used Earthquake again.
"Beautiful!"
Jose cheered from the sidelines, his face glowing with admiration.
Moves like Grass Knot were often underestimated, rarely seen as useful in competitive battles. But when timed perfectly, they could create moments of brilliance like this.
Every move, no matter how small, had its purpose.
Viewers watching the live broadcast flooded the chat with messages like "6666," astonished by Julian's ingenious counter.
Faced with Regirock's Heavy Slam, most trainers would have either dodged or attempted to block it with a powerful move.
Who would have thought to use a simple Grass Knot in such a critical moment?
Most trainers sought moves with the highest power, often overlooking these subtle yet effective techniques.
Regirock lay sprawled on the ground, its impact shaking the battlefield. Pierce closed his eyes briefly, knowing the match was as good as over.
The next moment, Mega Metagross used Teleport to appear right above the downed Regirock. The legendary Pokémon, stunned from its fall, showed no signs of getting back up.
This was its last chance, but it was already too late.
The shimmering energy of Meteor Mash flared around Mega Metagross's claws, forming a dazzling rainbow trail as it brought its full force down on Regirock's head.
"Boom!!"
The immense force shattered the fractured ground beneath Regirock, pulverizing the earth into fine dust. Tiny shards of rock scattered in every direction from the impact.
"Regirock is unable to battle. Mega Metagross wins!"
The referee confirmed Regirock's condition before raising the flag to announce the result.
"Meta~"
With the battle over, Mega Metagross floated back to Julian's side, letting out a low metallic growl.
The crowd erupted in cheers:
"Long live King Julian!"
"First Articuno, now Regirock—King Julian's unstoppable!"
"Mega Metagross: Who's next?"
"If Regirock had a Mega Evolution, this battle might've gone differently."
"If Metagross had been at Elite level, it wouldn't have needed to Mega Evolve—let's stop dreaming about 'what ifs.' A loss is a loss."
Pierce, unfazed by the cheers, silently retrieved Regirock into its Poké Ball before leaving the battlefield. His calm demeanor reflected his acceptance of the defeat.
The arena itself, however, was beyond salvaging. The Earthquake had turned it into a ruin, forcing the officials to arrange a new battlefield for the next match.
The Hundred Schools League used only standardized arenas, which weren't tailored to any specific type advantage. While this system ensured fairness, it was particularly disadvantageous for Water-type trainers and other specialists who relied heavily on terrain.
In battles, having water in the field could significantly enhance Water-type moves. Additionally, certain Water Pokémon, like Seaking, Horsea, and Qwilfish, suffered a noticeable drop in combat effectiveness once removed from their aquatic environment.
That's why Pokémon with such limitations rarely appeared in high-stakes national tournaments like this one.
After Mega Metagross secured the victory, Julian calmly ordered it to revert to its regular form.
Most Mega Evolutions could only last about three minutes—not due to the Pokémon's limitations, but because the mental and physical strain on the trainer typically capped their endurance at that duration.
However, Julian was able to maintain Mega Evolution for nearly half an hour because of his Mega Pallet Town physique and intermediate-level Psychic abilities.
Even so, revealing this to the nation during a broadcast was unnecessary.
With Melmetal already exposed as one of his hidden trump cards, Julian knew better than to flaunt his extended Mega Evolution capacity. Some cards were best kept close to the chest.
Still, the four minutes he maintained Mega Metagross's form had already surprised many, sparking chatter among spectators.
In online forums and chats, fans debated and speculated about Julian's strength. Meanwhile, some overzealous admirers—particularly the fangirls—marveled at his stamina.
"Julian's endurance is insane! I'd love to put it to the test...," one fan commented, causing an uproar of mixed reactions.
The captain of the First Military Academy, Pierce, had been defeated by Julian. Naturally, the remaining three members of Pierce's team stood no chance against him.
Metagross didn't even need to use its Mega Evolution and managed to defeat those three opponents in under ten minutes.
Thus, Julian's group from Imperial University achieved a perfect record, earning four points.
Meanwhile, Max's group faced off against Pearl University.
Pearl University's captain wasn't in this group, as he was busy battling against the First Military Academy's team. As a result, the match was much easier for Max and his teammates.
Though they lost two matches during the battle, Max turned the tide when he stepped in as captain, securing victory.
In the end, Max's group also earned four points, bringing Imperial University's total to eight points.
Since both Pearl University and the First Military Academy had already lost to Imperial University in their respective matches, even if their other groups won all remaining battles, they could only earn a maximum of four points each.
Though the matches between Pearl and the First Military Academy were still ongoing, Imperial University had already secured first place. Pearl and the First Military Academy were now left to compete for second.
This time, Shu University didn't even secure second place. Once known as the "eternal runner-up," they didn't even manage to hold onto that title.
Half an hour later, the results of the match between Pearl University and the First Military Academy were announced.
The First Military Academy earned four points, while Pearl University managed three points.
Champion: Imperial University
Runner-up: First Military Academy
Third Place: Pearl University
As the champion, Imperial University would once again manage Advanced Secret Realm No. 36 for a year and receive additional resource allocations from the Ministry of Education.
Online chat exploded:
"Congrats to Shu for clinching fourth place!"
"Shu: We're no longer runner-up, call us the eternal fourth!"
"You Imperial folks better not brag. Without Julian, getting first place wouldn't have been so easy!"
"Well, we 'do' have Julian, so just keep being jealous!"
While Shu University was left frustrated, another school celebrated with enthusiasm: the Second Military Academy.
After years of being excluded from the Top Five, they finally made a comeback this year.
Though luck played a role, as their overall strength wasn't on par with Modu Academy, fate seemed to favor them. Unfortunately for Modu, they had to face Imperial University during the group stage.
As a result, the Second Military Academy secured their spot alongside their "big brother," the First Military Academy, making it into the Top Five together.
The annual Hundred Schools League officially came to a close after the final matches. The awards and closing ceremonies were scheduled for 9 PM.
At the same time, the six Best Individual Players of the tournament would also be announced.
These Best Individual Players represented the strongest participants in the competition. However, only the top spot on this list was considered the 'true' strongest.
After dinner at the hotel with the university team members, Julian found himself being dragged along by Max, Paul, and a few others to share some celebratory drinks.
But it was all beer, after all everyone knew their limits since they had to attend the closing banquet at 9 PM. No one wanted to get drunk at such an important time.
The Universities participating in the competition all dined at the same hotel.
Those with excellent results were naturally in high spirits, enjoying a great meal and drinks.
Meanwhile, Universities with poor results—or worse, results below previous year—sat in noticeably gloomy atmospheres.
For reasons unknown, the hotel seemed to have intentionally arranged Shu University's table right next to Imperial University's.
Watching Imperial's side celebrate so joyously made the Shu team's faces turn green with frustration. They couldn't shake the feeling that the smiles and laughter from Imperial's table were mocking them.
Especially when the Imperial team occasionally glanced their way while drinking.
'These Bas*ds are definitely mocking us'
"Alright, don't lose heart. There's always next year. Just win it back then," said their captain, Carter, trying to console his team.
The reasoning made sense—losing this time didn't mean they couldn't turn the tables next year.
"But Captain, you're graduating next year. Sure, Imperial's Max will graduate too, but Julian will only be a sophomore next year"
Muttered one of the more clueless team members with a dejected expression, clearly lacking confidence in the future.
Carter almost slammed the dish in front of him into the kid's face.
'Was this Bas*d serious? I'm trying to lift everyone's spirits here, and you're dragging us down with cold water like this?'
And it wasn't just any cold water; it was ice-cold, it directly cooled the heart.
The truth of the matter couldn't be denied. Julian was only a freshman this year.
A freshman who had completely dominated their 4th-year students. What would he be like as a sophomore—or a 3rd-year? At that point, the Hundred Schools League might as well bar Imperial University from participating altogether.
Just hand them first place and let the rest of the universities compete for second and third place.
Julian's presence felt like a 'BUG' in the system. Unless another 'BUG' appeared to counter him, it was hard to imagine anyone beating him during his university years.
---
At 9 PM, the awards ceremony officially began.
Imperial University's captain, Max, proudly held up the championship trophy. The trophy was then passed around for each team member to hold before finally stopping in Julian's hands.
With the awards ceremony over, it was time to announce the six Best Individual Trainers.
The presenter turned out to be a highly prestigious figure: none other than the current Dragon-Type Elite, Victor Drake. His appearance instantly sent the hall into a frenzy of excitement.
As the crowd buzzed with anticipation, the large screen in the venue began playing clips from this year's tournament. The montage featured one standout individual—the same person in every scene.
The montage lasted for just a minute.
When it ended, the screen displayed the name of the sixth-best Individual Trainer: Dylan, from Modu Academy.
The montage continued, and the screen revealed the fifth-place Best Individual Trainer: Yuna, from Pearl University.
She was a female trainer, and she exuded a valiant and confident aura.
Next, the fourth-place Best Individual Trainer was announced: Carter, from Shu University.
In third place was Max, from Imperial University.
Second place went to Pierce, from First Military Academy.
Despite being an Elite-level trainer, Dylan only managed to get sixth place this year because Modu Academy didn't even make it into the Top Five.
After the announcement of second place, it was finally time to reveal the first-place Best Individual Trainer.
While everyone already knew who it was, anticipation still filled the air.
The large screen began showing highlights again. First, it displayed Metagross single-handedly defeating eight trainers from Modu Academy, culminating in a victory against an Elite-level Salamence.
Next came Melmetal, defeating an Elite-level Mega Aerodactyl.
Finally, the footage showed Mega Metagross overcoming the legendary Pokémon Regirock.
In a twist of irony, three of the newly crowned Best Individual Trainers—Dylan, Carter and Pierce—found themselves serving as the backdrop to Julian's dazzling achievements. They couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration.
"Congratulations, Julian"
"Thank you"
Julian stepped forward and received the first-place trophy from Dragon-Type Elite Victor. Turning to face the audience, he raised the trophy high into the air.
In an instant, countless camera flashes lit up the hall. At that moment, Julian was undoubtedly the brightest star in the room.
Standing beside him were Pierce, Max, and the others, lined up according to their respective rankings.
Meanwhile, the online livestream was flooded with comments. The barrage of messages all seemed to echo the same sentiment:
"Hail King Julian!"
"Metagross is eternal!"
"I wish I could inherit Julian's genes!"
"Ding!"
"Main Quest Completed."
"Rewards: Rare Candies x5 (usable below level 70), Mewtwo Fragments x10, Golden Legend Fragments x3, Beginner Luck Card (10 minutes), Potential Enhancer Potion (Blue)."
As Julian held the trophy symbolizing his first-place finish as the Best Individual Trainer, a system notification echoed in his mind. A faint smile appeared on his otherwise calm face.
All his efforts over the past few days had been for this moment.
Main quest rewards were always the most generous, though they came with significant challenges.
If he hadn't led Imperial University to win the Hundred Schools League championship and claimed the individual title, the rewards wouldn't have been this bountiful.
After the closing ceremony, a celebratory banquet followed, but Julian didn't attend. He politely declined the invitation from Pierce, Carter, and others to sit down for a chat, choosing instead to return to the hotel early.
"Don't take it personally. That's just how Julian is"
Max explained on Julian's behalf.
As the captain and a senior, Max felt obliged to smooth things over. Normally, he wouldn't bother, but the people here—Dylan, Carter, Yuna, and Pierce—were all among the Best Individual Trainers.
Originally, the six of them had planned to sit and chat, but with Julian gone, only the remaining five stayed behind.
Except for Pierce, who was competing for the first time this year, Max had crossed paths with Dylan, Yuna, and Carter before—especially Carter, who had been a long-time rival.
None of them took Julian's departure to heart. As geniuses themselves, they respected Julian for defeating them so convincingly.
Respect, after all, was built on strength.
Yuna, who had never battled Julian, also knew she wasn't a match for him.
"You guys at Imperial really struck gold this time"
Carter muttered as he sipped his juice, giving Max a pointed look while sighing inwardly.
The others nodded in agreement.
With Julian at Imperial for the next few years, what University could possibly challenge them?
Meanwhile, they themselves would be graduating by the middle of next year.
"Heh, go ahead and envy us"
Max replied with a grin, unfazed by their remarks. He understood their feelings.
Still, he had to let them vent a bit—better than them teaming up to give him a beating.
"Pierce, why haven't we heard of you before? If it's something you can't talk about, that's fine," Yuna asked curiously.
Typically, participants in the Hundred Schools League' senior division had already competed in the junior division the year before.
Pierce, however, was a senior at the First Military Academy but had been absent from last year's competition.
Yuna and the others wouldn't buy it, that someone as strong as Pierce, already at Elite level, had been unqualified to compete in the Hundred Schools League during his junior year.
"I was exploring ruins"
Pierce replied calmly, offering no details about which ruins or what he was doing there.
"Ruins, huh? That's so enviable. I've never had the chance to explore one," Yuna said wistfully.
Pierce glanced at her.
"With your level of strength, you'd die in there."
Yuna's face froze, and she glared at Pierce in frustration.
'Do you even know how to talk? If not, just shut up.'
Despite her annoyance, Yuna didn't refute him. Ruins were far more dangerous than secret realms.
Secret realms were classified into four levels—basic, intermediate, advanced, and top-tier—based on the strength of the Pokémon inside.
Ruins, on the other hand, had no such classifications.
The Pokémon inhabiting Ruins were universally strong. Each ruin almost always contained Elite-level Pokémon, and often more than one. Worse yet, you might run into Champion-level Pokémon if you were unlucky.
Some legendary or mythical Pokémon also resided in Ruins.
Except for a few particularly friendly ones, most Pokémon would attack any humans entering their territory.
A trainer with pseudo-Elite strength could enter Ruins but wouldn't be able to venture far. Only Elite-level trainers had the qualifications to explore deeper.
Even so, it was unwise for low-ranking Elites to delve too far.
"Your Regirock must've come from a ruin, right?"
Pierce nodded. As he started using Regirock in battle, this secret would inevitably come to light.
"I'm so jealous of you and Julian, both of you have such incredible Pokémon," Yuna sighed, propping her chin on her hands as she gazed out at the distant ocean.
The moon shone brightly that night, accompanied by a sky full of stars. The sea sparkled under the starlight, with the waves creating a mesmerizing, undulating pattern.
---
Back at the hotel, Julian fed all five Rare Candies to his Metagross, raising its level from 65 to 70, the peak of pseudo-Elite.
To reach the Elite level, it would now need to gradually accumulate energy within its body.
Fortunately, Metagross still had plenty of energy remaining from the Heart of Arceus, so Julian wasn't too worried. Besides, he always had the system to fall back on.
As for the Mewtwo Shards and Golden Legend Shards, they weren't immediately useful. With 25 Mewtwo Shards and six Golden Legend Shards in total, he was still far from using them.
The Beginner Luck Card, however, sparked some anticipation. Given his notoriously poor luck, having this card made him feel confident enough to test his luck—albeit only for the ten minutes it lasted.
He then released his Steelix into the room and handed it the Blue Potential Potion. Thankfully, the hotel suite was spacious; otherwise, there wouldn't have been enough room for the massive Pokémon.
Among Julian's Pokémon, only two had Cyan-tier Potential—Steelix and Slowking. The rest were either Blue or Purple-tier.
As for why he chose Steelix over Slowking, it was simple: Steelix was part of his main battle lineup.
As Slowking wasn't fond of battling and saw itself as more of a household manager, the Blue Potential Potion was given to Steelix instead.
Julian figured that if the system rewarded another Blue Potential Potion in the future, he would give it to Slowking.
Steelix swallowed the Potion along with the glass bottle in one gulp, its expression shifting into one of sheer bliss. Its tail rose high into the air, swaying with excitement.
"Hold it! Don't swing that tail—this is a hotel," Julian quickly warned.
They were on the 30th floor. If Steelix's tail struck the ground, it might smash through the floor, causing injuries or death to people below.
Steelix nodded obediently, its eyes narrowing in satisfaction. Internally, it once again praised its own decision to follow Julian.
'This was the right choice! Since I started traveling with him, not only do I eat well and live well, but my strength has skyrocketed!'
Initially, Steelix had only been a Green-tier Pokémon. Later, it advanced to Cyan-tier, and now it had reached Blue-tier Potential.
Steelix: 'Mom, I've made it big!'
Julian sighed as Steelix lowered its massive head and affectionately nuzzled him. 'Seriously? With your size, is this the right way to show affection?'
He winced, pinned against the wall by Steelix's bulk. If it weren't for his enhanced physique, he might have suffered internal injuries from the force.
"Alright, alright"
Julian muttered, patting Steelix's metallic surface.
Through their bond, he could sense Steelix's overwhelming joy, gratitude, and even a hint of reliance.
As Steelix's potential upgraded from Cyan to Blue, its level also rose from 67 to 68.