NOVEL NEXT Chapter 34: Chapter 34: The Final Battle
Back in his room, Ron found himself increasingly perplexed by the nature of this trial.
First was the participants' strength. Among the 60 survivors, more than half had elite-tier Pokémon.
This number was no small feat. To survive while simultaneously training Pokémon to elite levels was not easy. Even if they hadn't fully explored every aspect of their Pokémon's potential, as Ron did, it still required significant effort.
For comparison, among the League's rookie trainers, only a select few could raise a Pokémon to elite initial-tier strength within three months. This demonstrated that the Pokémon provided by Team Rocket for this trial likely possessed excellent natural talents, enabling such rapid growth in power.
Then there were the trial staff. From the Rocket member earlier, it was clear that even the staff were at least mid-tier elite trainers.
In Team Rocket, such strength would be sufficient for the rank of a squad captain, yet here they were relegated to mere staff roles. This alone showed how seriously Team Rocket regarded this trial.
Finally, there was the trial's selection method. While the purpose of any trial was to select talent, this one felt more like a bloodbath.
For example, there was the merciless slaughter of Pokémon. Over the past three months, some participants had painstakingly raised an elite-tier Pokémon, only to have it fall outside the safe zones or in the arenas.
This meant that, aside from their three months of experience, these participants' strength was not much different from rookie trainers who had only just started their journeys.
Thus, Ron couldn't help but feel that this trial was akin to a Gu ritual—a brutal selection process to cultivate the strongest survivor, like nurturing venomous insects to find the deadliest one.
Unfortunately, with the limited clues at hand, Ron could only surmise that the trial was extraordinary but couldn't deduce Team Rocket's ultimate goal.
His thoughts were interrupted as the final battle began.
Entering the battle chamber, Ron saw that his opponent was indeed the cold-faced youth. The only difference was that there were now four Rocket members stationed in the room instead of two.
With four mid-tier elite trainers present, any unforeseen incidents would be firmly under control.
As the battle commenced, the cold-faced youth, Akita, released his Arbok.
Compared to Montson's Nidoking, Akita's Arbok was stronger, reaching level 34.
For this decisive match, Ron decided to let Machoke have its turn in the spotlight while showcasing his strength to Team Rocket.
If this trial was truly about cultivating the deadliest competitor, Ron had no qualms about becoming the chosen one. Only by doing so could he ensure his survival.
As Machoke entered the field, its level 35 aura rippled outward, filling the room with palpable intensity.
Upon sensing Machoke's power, a subtle change flickered across Akita's otherwise stoic expression. However, he quickly regained his composure.
"Arbok, Poison Sting and Glare!"
"Machoke, Soru to evade! Glare back, then Karate Chop!"
The commands were concise but effective, and the Pokémon launched their attacks.
Purple-tinged poison needles shot forth, while Arbok's undulating patterns attempted to paralyze Machoke with its hypnotic glare.
Machoke vanished with a burst of speed from Soru, causing both the Poison Sting and Glare to miss their mark.
Machoke countered with a powerful Karate Chop, sending the upright Arbok flying backward.
However, Ron didn't instruct Machoke to follow up. Instead, Machoke stood in Arbok's previous position, calmly watching it rise again.
Just like with the previous battle against the Persian, Ron didn't want to end things too quickly. Allowing his Pokémon to savor the fight was also a display of strength.
"Arbok, sweep with Poison Sting! Prepare Ice Fang!"
Once again, the battlefield filled with venomous projectiles as icy energy coalesced around Arbok's fangs.
"Machoke, Soru, then Karate Chop!"
"Arbok, counter with Iron Tail!"
Arbok's tail gleamed with metallic sheen, slicing through the air like a sword.
"Machoke, Counter Throw!"
At Ron's command, Machoke grabbed Arbok's tail with impeccable timing. With a swift pivot, it hurled Arbok across the battlefield.
The serpent slid along the ground, its scales scraping audibly against the arena floor until it came to a halt at Akita's feet.
Unshaken, Arbok rose again, its heat-sensitive senses locked onto Machoke. Yet, no matter how hard it tried, it couldn't keep up with Machoke's movements.
Meanwhile, Akita, who had been observing Ron, began to lose his earlier confidence.
Having watched both Montson and Ron perform during the trial, Akita initially believed neither posed a threat to him. But now, with Ron's Machoke standing before him—a Pokémon far superior to the Persian he had dismissed earlier—Akita realized this fight was slipping out of his control.
Akita clenched his jaw, determined to use his command skills and Arbok's strength to turn the tide. But the ghostly speed of Machoke and its precise execution left him reeling.
Without a solution to counter Machoke's agility, Akita hesitated to order further attacks.
Ron noticed this hesitation and sighed inwardly. Sometimes, being too strong was its own curse.
"Machoke, Soru, Glare!"
"Arbok, stay vigilant and use Glare as well!"
For the first time, Akita's cold demeanor cracked, his face betraying tension.
"Machoke, Karate Chop!"
Understanding the simplicity of its trainer's orders, Machoke leaped high into the air, avoiding Arbok's glare zone entirely, and struck down with devastating precision.
To Arbok, Machoke seemed to vanish from sight before suddenly reappearing, its blow landing squarely on Arbok's head.
"Machoke, Close Combat!"
Machoke unleashed a flurry of brutal strikes. Even Akita, standing nearby, could feel the gusts of air generated by the relentless onslaught.
Still, Machoke didn't pursue a finishing blow. It stepped back, watching as Arbok struggled to rise once more.
Akita, paralyzed by indecision, found himself unable to maintain his composure. He stared at Ron, torn between strategies.
"Arbok, Acid Spray—fire continuously!"
Backed into a corner, Akita resorted to covering the battlefield with Acid Spray, forcing Machoke into close quarters with Arbok.
Ron's eyes narrowed. Observing Akita's reaction, he grew more certain of his suspicions about the trial.
------------------------------------
If you want to support me and read advance chapters, please visit:
patreon.com / madbot635