As Charizard X fell i, the crowd erupted into its most thunderous cheers yet. Many spectators didn't fully uand the strength of a Mega-Evolved Charizard X, but after some quick expnations from others nearby, they realized it had reached the level of ae-tier Pokémon.

  Elite Pokémon are exceedingly rare. In all of Drakoria, there are only around 500 Elite-level trainers, pared to tens of thousands at the pseudo-Elite ones.

  This disparity isn't due to pseudo-Elites finding it extremely difficult to advao the Elite level, but mainly because a Pokémon's own potential often limits its growth.

  Still, the gap in power betweewo levels is vast.

  Ae-tier Pokémon has the destructive capability to level aire city—though it would require tinuous effort rather than a single move.

  Meanwhile, a pseudo-Elite Pokémon could potentially be tered by a suffit number of well-trained Pokémon at the Advanced level.

  What made Metagross's victory so astonishing was that it hadn't even used Mega Evolution. It defeated Charizard X, which possessed Elite-level power, while remaining at a pseudo-Elite level itself.

  Samence, Dragonite, and Goodra had all fallen to Metagross, but their losses now seemed justified.

  If even ae-tier Pokémon could be defeated, then their defeats were pletely uandable.

  "A pseudo-Elite beating ae? Am I dreaming?"

  "King Julian truly has the potential of a Champion."

  "In Drakoria, many of our Champions have records of defeatie-tier Pokémon while still at the pseudo-Elite level. Even some iional Champions have achieved this."

  "It's like his Metagross is breaking the ws of nature!"

  "If it take down ae-tier Pokémon, who could possibly stand against it now?"

  "King Julian's Metagross is ridiculously overpowered."

  The audience buzzed with heated discussions, and the i exploded with debates aement.

  Over at Imperial Uy, tless students cheered loudly. Some were even requesting leaves of absence from their professors to withe matches in person.

  "Metagross, use Icy Wind to cool the field."

  The battlefield had beeed to unbearable temperatures by Charizard's fiery attacks, reag as high as 70 to 80 degrees Celsius. While the extreme heat hadn't ively affected Metagross's performa was still somewhat unfortable.

  With the effect of Sunny Day now gohe temperature rapidly dropped uhe chilling influence of Icy Wind.

  Among the Imperial Uy team, Faye stood with her mouth agape before finally closing it. She muttered slowly, "Do you think Julian pns to sweep the entire opposing team by himself?"

  Her initial instinct was to dismiss the idea, but recalling how Metagross had just taken down ae Pokémon, she hesitated. ging her mind again.

  "That's probably the pn. No wonder he insisted on going first," Coach Wade ented.

  Though he hadn't ied much with Julian, he knew enough about his personality to be certain of ohing: Julian never acted without purpose. If he volunteered to go first, he likely had a very specific goal in mind.

  Two months ago, during the Shu Uy exge team's visit to Imperial Uy, Julian had asked to go first and then single-handedly swept through their ten-member team.

  This pret had already bee.

  "Now, there are four more Pokémon remaining, each either at pseudo-Elite or pseudo-Elite peak. If they Mega Evolve, they'll reach Elite-tier, and their captain hasn't even stepped onto the field yet."

  The ent came from Mark, a senior in his final year.

  "Mark, are you uimating my little brother?" Thea snapped back, visibly annoyed.

  "I'm not uimating Julian, the strength he's showing now is eveer than our captain's. I wouldn't dare," Mark replied with a wry smile.

  Previously, Mark might have looked down on Julian for being a first-year, but after seeing his Metagross in a, he knew full well that Julian alone could annihite his eeam.

  --

  The match began.

  The fifth member of Modu Academy stepped forward.

  Their choice was an Altaria, Level 66—slightly weaker than the pseudo-Elite peak levels of the previous four challengers.

  However—

  "Altaria, Mega Evolve!"

  In an instant, Level 66 turned into Level 71.

  Another Elite Pokémoered the fray.

  Modu Academy truly lived up to its reputation as the wealthiest academy in Drakoria. With Dragon-type pseudo-legendaries and Mega Stones-both rare and highly coveted iside world and they seemed to equip almost every student with these.

  Metagross was currently at Level 64, it had just leveled up after defeating Charizard X.

  Pseudo-legendary Pokémon ily leveled up slower aagross, with its immense accumution of resources overtime, required even more effort.

  Though Metagross had taken minimal damage over four battles, it did e a lot of stamina.

  All its ret oppos were best amos, capable of battling well above their level, and some even Mega Evolved.

  Every move Metagross used had been at full power, unlike fights against wild Pokémon where a fra of its strength would suffice.

  "Mega Altaria, use Disarming Voice!"

  A melodious yet eerie sound echoed across the battlefield.

  Don't be fooled by its pleasant tohe attack directly targeted minds.

  This type of sound based attack was difficult to ter—either it had to be interrupted before execution, or the opposing Pokémon needed soundproof ability

  Metagross got hit by Disarming Voice head-on.

  Its eyes briefly flickered with disfort, a testament to the sheer strength of ae-tier move.

  Julian chose not to Mega Evolve Metagross because it wasn't the right moment. Although his mental and physical stamina could sustain a Mega Evolution for over 20 minutes, he wasn't about to reveal this hole card in public.

  Exposing your ace for the sake of showing off would be dht foolish.

  "Mega Altaria, Perish Song!"

  The oppo was truly ruthless, going straight for an all-or-nothing approach.

  Perish Song was one of the most devastating area-of-effect moves. Any Pokémon weaker than the user that heard it would faint within three turns.

  In the games, Perish Song sts three turns, roughly transting to about a minute in real life.

  However, iy, the user doesn't simply faint; they fall into a critical state, barely ging to life. Without immediate medical attention, this could lead to death.

  Fortunately, rge-scale tours have top-tier medical support, which is one of the reasons the oppo dared to let their Mega Altaria use Perish Song.

  The real reason for such drastic measures, though, was Julian.

  Modu Academy, a prestigious institution ranked alongside Imperial Uy iop five, was being utterly dominated by a freshman. Their reputation was in tatters. If they didn't defeat Julian soon, their team's legacy would bee a stain on Modu Academy's history.

  "Metagross, use Psychic—shut it up!"

  A surge of powerful psychiergy rushed toward Mega Altaria, but it swiftly dodged with a fp of its wings.

  Once Perish Song begins, it ot be interrupted, otherwise the effect will be lost.

  Metagross's Psychic failed, and the effect of Perish Song on it deepened further.

  "Keep it up, Mega Altaria!"

  By now, nearly 30 seds had passed.

  The effects of Perish Song tio intensify. Julian could feel Metagross's disfort resonating through its Aura, paired with a growing sense e.

  A faint smirk formed across Julian's lips. A furious Metagross was not something anyone wao face.

  "METAGROSS!!!"

  It sychic again but this time, the psychiergy was far stronger, crashing across the battlefield like a releidal wave.

  Mega Altaria couldn't evade in time and was seized by the overwhelming force of Psychic. Its song tly cut off as its beak cmped shut, rendering it mute.