Shu Uy had won two secutive matches, and against Imperial Uy no less. This victory sent Shu's supporters into a frenzy of pride aement.

  The proudest of them all was, of course, their "Queen" representative, Lisa.

  "With Mega Houndoom in such peak form, it looks like it could win another match"

  After Mega Evolution, Houndoom's strength had risen from a pseudo-Elite level to full Elite-tier.

  If Imperial Uy's fourth Trainer didn't have a Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution, there was a real ce Mega Houndoom would cim another victory.

  "Hey, Thea, doesn't yardevoir also have a Mega Evolution? Why didn't you use it earlier?"

  Faye, ever tactless, brought up the sore topic.

  "I wa to be a fair fight. If the oppo doesn't Mega Evolve, then I woher," Thea replied.

  Her reasoning wasn't just an excuse; it reflected her genuine mi.

  Thea had a strong sense of pride. If her oppo didn't choose to Mega Evolve, she wouldher—choosing to Mega Evolve first would feel like admitting inferiority.

  This kind of thinking wasn't uo her; it was a on quirk among the children of aristocratic families.

  They believed that Mega Evolution table only after demonstrating their strength and f their oppoo evolve first.

  It stemmed from a sense of superiority and pride cultivated by a life of privilege.

  Faye, upon hearing this expnation, nodded early, as if it made perfect sense.

  The fourth Trainer from Imperial Uy wasn't just a was Max, the captain of the school team and a 4th-year student.

  Max was re Imperial Uy. This was his sed time peting in the Hundred Schools League, and he pyed a signifit role in Imperial's championship win st year.

  He was also the current president of the student cil at Imperial Uy.

  "Tyranitar!"

  Max, a Dark-type Trainer, sent out the pseudo-legendary Tyranitar.

  Tyranitar oftehe role of a vilin in movies because of its resembo a kaiju monster.

  "Ty!!"

  With a roar, the armored Tyranitar made its entrance. As it let out ah-shaking cry, its ability activated, and a sandstorm began to sweep across the battlefield.

  The pale yellow sand filled the air, turning the arena into a miniature dust storm. From the stands, the field appeared as though it was caught in a desert whirlwind.

  The pseudo-Elite peak Tyranitar faced off against the Elite Mega Houndoom without Mega Evolving itself, opting io take on the formidable oppo head-on.

  Julian, who had been watg casually, suddenly focused his attention och.

  He didn't know much about Max's true strength. Duriraining, Max often held back, cealing his capabilities.

  Now, against a powerhouse like Mega Houndoom, Julian was curious to see what strategies Max would use to secure victory.

  "Mega Houndoom, Fmethrower!"

  A bzing stream of fire erupted from Mega Houndoom's maw, heating the air so intehat it caused visible distortions. Wherever the fmes touched, the ground turned scorched red, leaving molten-like trails behind.

  "Stone Edge!"

  Tyranitar stomped its left foot into the ground, sending tremors rippling across the battlefield. Thick, jagged rocks burst from the earth, intercepting the fmes. As the rocks tio rise, they advanced relentlessly toward Mega Houndoom.

  Seeing this, Mega Houndoom dashed swiftly across the ground. Razor-sharp rocks, as jagged as bdes, erupted in its path, f it to weave and dodge.

  Within the sandstorm, Mega Houndoom's speed and vision were signifitly hindered.

  Just as its pace slowed for a moment, the grouh it surged upward. A massive stone spike shot up from below, striking it hard in the abdomen and bending its body into an ied "U" shape.

  With a pained cry, Mega Houndoom colpsed, its body reverting from its Mega Evolution form.

  "How is that even possible? Mega Houndoom is ae-tier Pokémon!"

  Lisa excimed, her face full of disbelief.

  "There's nothing impossible about it. Level doesn't determine power. While Tyranitar may only be at the peak of pseudo-Elite, its strength rival that of ae-tier Pokémon," Jose expined calmly.

  "But why does Tyranitar have Elite-tier strength while still cssified as pseudo-Elite? Shouldn't it be sidered ae-tier already?" asked Ben, clearly perplexed.

  This question resonated with the audience, especially after what they had withe previous day. Julian's Metagross, at pseudo-Elite strength, had defeated several Mega-Evolved Pokémon with Elite-tier battle power.

  The se had shattered the ventional beliefs held by many spectators and Trainers alike.

  For the loime, Elite-tier Pokémon were sidered untouchable, a realm far above pseudo-Elite Pokémon. Even temporary boosts from Mega Evolutiohought insuffit to truly rival Elite-tier strength.

  Under normal circumstances, an early-stage Elite Pokémoing a peak pseudo-Elite Pokémon was as easy as a parent disciplining a child—effortless.

  But yesterday, Julian had overturhis notion, and today, Max had dohe same. Both Trainers had achieved the seemingly impossible feat of a pseudo-Elite Pokémon triumphing over ae-tier foe.

  As anticipation built, the audience fell silent, both iadium and online. Even the usually lively livestream chat slowed to a halt, as everyone eagerly awaited President Jose's response.

  "To achieve victory as a pseudo-Elite against ae-tier oppo, there are two main factors," Jose began, holding up two fingers.

  After a brief pause for thought, he tinued, "First, as everyone knookémon must possess at least a potential to bee ae."

  " potential allookémon to reach Elite-tier. Blue corresponds to pseudo-Champion, and Purple to Champion."

  "The higher a Pokémon's potential, the greater its future strength. Often, this also e to battle above its level."

  Both Ben and Lisa weren't slow to cat. As Jose expihey quickly pieced together the implications of what he was saying.

  "President Jose, are you saying that Max's Tyranitar was able to defeat ae-tier oppo because of its exceptional potential? Could it be Blue-grade?"

  "There is a high ce that it's Blue-grade," Jose replied.

  In fact, the Tyranitar iion was indeed of Blue potential, and it wasn't just an ordinary Blue—it had nearly a third of its potential b on Purple-grade.

  Uhe Probing Eyes, the details of Tyranitar were id bare for Julian to analyze.

  "And what about the sed factor?"

  Earlier, Jose had mentiowo key points. Potential was one of them, but the audience was eager to hear the other.

  "The sed factor is the resources ied"

  "As every Trainer knows, if you want your Pokémon's strength to grow quickly, the most effective method is to pour in resources."

  "For example, take two Charizards, both at level 50 and with potential. Now, if I i one billion into one and ten billion into the other, whie do you think will be stronger?"

  "The oh ten billion, obviously," Ben replied instantly.

  "Correct. Well done, you're so smart" Jose said with a slight smirk.

  Ben: 'What the heck? Why does this feel like an insult?'

  "In summary, it's about potential and resources. If your Pokémon has Blue potential and you i massive resources into it, defeating ae-tier Pokémon while still being pseudo-Elite is no big deal."

  The crowd: 'Listening to these words feels both enlightening and frustrating.'

  Everyone nodded, uanding the cept. But then a collective thought seemed to arise: 'Yeah, we get it... but how are we supposed to afford that?! (T﹏T)'