With Togekiss's defeat, Kalia emerged victorious, marking the end of this battle.
"Hassa, challenge failed!"
Following the referee's announcement, Hassa left the battlefield dejectedly, returning to the spectator area with his head lowered, seemingly deep in thought.
The loss dealt a significant blow to Hassa. Despite having a type-advantaged lineup, he was ultimately defeated by Kalia.
He began questioning himself: Why did he lose when Kalia's team had apparent weaknesses and suboptimal synergy?
Grovyle never even entered the field; Ninetales and Charmeleon alone were enough to consecutively defeat his three Pokémon.
His own team seemed formidable, featuring Feraligatr, skilled in physical attacks, and Togekiss, proficient in Special moves. Additionally, Feraligatr boasted strong defensive capabilities, while Blissey excelled in Special Defense, reaching exceptionally high levels.
Once his attacking Pokémon defeated an opponent, Togekiss and Blissey should have been virtually unstoppable. However, against Kalia's lineup, even the strongest Special Defense couldn't withstand Charmeleon's onslaught. He had encountered Sunny Day tactics before, but none amplified Fire-type Pokémon as terrifyingly as Charmeleon's use of it.
The competition continued, with Haley challenging Hassa. Following his defeat by Kalia, Hassa seemed to have lost his fighting spirit. Having already suffered one loss earlier, he succumbed again.
Haley had specifically trained her Pokémon to learn the challenging Heal Block move, which prevented Blissey from using Soft-Boiled to recover its stamina. Without this ability, Blissey's effectiveness was significantly diminished.
Ultimately, Haley defeated Hassa and secured the second position effortlessly. Whether Haley intended to challenge Kalia for the first place remained to be seen after subsequent trainee challenges concluded.
Trainees challenged each other one after another. However, some recognized their own limitations and chose not to initiate challenges, instead waiting to defend their rankings when challenged by others.
Time steadily passed.
After Kalia's victory over Hassa, few trainees dared to challenge her due to the overwhelming strength of her Pokémon. The combination of Sunny Day, Charmeleon's Flamethrower, and Weather Ball created a burst of power that even Blissey couldn't withstand, making it a daunting prospect for any challenger.
Even Charlie, who often competed against Haley, showed no desire to challenge Kalia. Instead, he opted to face Haley but ultimately met defeat at her hands.
Eventually, the rankings solidified: Kalia secured first place, followed by Haley in second. Haley chose not to challenge Kalia, clearly showing her disinterest in competing for the top spot.
Third place went to Hassa, fourth to Charlie, and fifth...
With this, the academy's tournament concluded. The next step was the distribution of rewards. Each Pokemon competition offered generous prizes for the top three competitors, with additional incentives for those in the top ten, aimed at encouraging healthy competition among trainees.
Kalia ultimately claimed the first-place reward as expected.
Initially, Axel had made his offer jokingly, never believing Kalia would secure the top position. However, since she did achieve it, he couldn't go back on his word. As the mid-level class instructor, many advanced-class students were his former pupils, including one young Elite Four member from the League who was once his student. Given that Kalia won, despite not being an official academy trainee, Axel could ensure she received the prize.
The first-place reward was the Strength Lens from the Ellie Region, part of the six-piece Power Set. When equipped on a Pokemon, the Strength Lens enhances its training effectiveness, leading to greater ability improvements.
The Strength Six-Piece Set consists of Power Bracers, Belt, Lens, Band, Anklets, and Weighted Gear. Developed by the Ellie Region's research institute, these items hold significant value; even acquiring just one piece is highly prized.
When Pokemon wear these accessories during battles, their speed decreases due to the added weight. However, they greatly enhance various abilities of the Pokemon.
This showcases the immense wealth of the Pokemon Academy, as such valuable items are used as competition rewards. The Strength Lens specifically aids in improving special attacks during training, making it particularly suitable for Pokemon with strong special attack capabilities.
The Strength Lens resembles a pink wristband with two lenses attached, designed to be worn around a Pokemon's wrist.
Holding the Strength Lens, Kalia recognized its immense usefulness for her. She could equip it on Charmeleon, accelerating its growth in special attack proficiency.
Alternatively, she could use it for Grovyle or Ninetales, both of whom were progressing at a slower pace. With the Strength Lens, their development in special attacks would significantly accelerate.
"Kalia, sell me the Strength Lens!"
After the match concluded, most trainees gradually left, with only a few remaining.
Kalia was still in the Combat Hall, gazing intently at the lens when she heard a voice.
She looked up to see Charlie, but they weren't particularly close, and she shook her head firmly, "I'm not selling."
Aside from the question of price, this Strength Lens was won by Kalia's efforts, so why should she sell it to Charlie? Moreover, accelerating a Pokemon's special attack growth isn't something easily achieved with money alone.
With the Strength Lens, Ninetales and Grovyle's growth rate would significantly increase, making it impossible for Kalia to part with such a valuable item.
Money could be earned, and currently, Kalia wasn't short on funds. However, items like the Strength Lens aren't readily available for purchase; once sold, it might take a long time before she could obtain another one.
"How about 30,000 Alliance Coins?" Charlie, being well-off financially, knew that most students at the Pokemon Academy had ample resources, making his offer seem insignificant.
"I've already said no," Kalia replied coldly, preparing to leave the Combat Hall. Offering just 30,000 Alliance Coins for the Strength Lens made Charlie appear naive or dismissive of its value.
Charlie watched as Kalia walked away without any attempt to stop her, but anger flickered in his eyes.
***
"Ninetales, wear this."
At the training grounds, Kalia prepared to attach the Strength Lens on Ninetales. Charmeleon had refused it earlier, so she decided to use it for Ninetales first.
Lian stood nearby, feeling slightly disappointed. He initially thought it was something exceptional, but it turned out to be just a Strength Lens, which held little value for him.
Lian himself had already surpassed the ability threshold long ago, while the Strength Lens could only enhance abilities up to that limit. In game terms, it's referred to as Base Stats or Effort Values.
The Strength Lens would indeed benefit Grovyle and Ninetales the most, but Lian couldn't help his disappointment as it wasn't what he desired.
Nevertheless, the Strength Lens wasn't bad. Lian planned to find an opportunity to boost Grovyle and Ninetales' abilities using it. Currently, both Pokemon were relatively weak, and earning Combat Points had become easier, allowing him to consider assisting them further.
With the Strength Lens now available, Grovyle and Ninetales might achieve decent Special Attack ability values solely through the lens. This would save Lian from spending Combat Points on their enhancements, conserving a significant amount of resources.