"Goodra has lost the ability to battle!"
Clavell's declaration rang out, and the entire venue erupted in uproar.
Many spectators were left utterly confused.
It wasn't as if Nemona couldn't win. Her partner didn't seem much weaker in terms of raw power.
So why couldn't she pull off a victory?
The previous few matches had inflicted at least some damage on Lucas's Pokémon. In this one, Goodra hadn't fallen instantly to Dragonite and had even shown the strength to fight back.
Yet after a barrage of combos from Dragonite, Goodra still couldn't hold on and collapsed.
As the saying goes, amateurs watch the excitement, while experts look for the finer details. Things that Geeta and Hassel could see were likely invisible to ordinary viewers.
Nemona knew that Dragonite was a versatile all-rounder in Lucas's team, capable of using moves of many different types. What she didn't know was just how much stronger this "jack-of-all-trades" Dragonite had grown compared to before.
The rigorous training of its "Extreme Speed" move, along with day-and-night instruction from Lugia—these were the reasons Dragonite had reached this level.
Just like how it had used "Hurricane" earlier with a level of control over airflow and wind that even shocked Flying-type Elite Four member Larry.
Dragonite's originally unremarkable ability to perceive and manipulate air currents and wind had evolved thanks to Lugia.
The move just now might have looked like Lugia's signature "Aeroblast," but in essence it was still "Hurricane."
Even with the precedent of Entei learning Ho-Oh's "Sacred Fire," acquiring a Legendary Pokémon's exclusive move was never easy or commonplace.
Dragonite had spent a full day and night learning the technique and principles, but it was still far from truly mastering it.
Lucas watched the Dragonite, which was breathing slightly heavily after releasing the move—clearly having expended considerable effort and energy. He took out a Poké Ball, recalled it, and said softly to the ball, "Thanks for the hard work."
Then he turned to Nemona and asked, "How do you feel?"
There wasn't the slightest trace of mockery in those words.
Nemona understood his meaning perfectly. Without any retreat in her eyes, her gaze sparkled with unyielding spirit as she replied, "Again!"
"Ursaluna!"
A red beam shot out, materializing into a massive, ferocious bear Pokémon.
It was the Ursaluna that had shone brilliantly during the Champion Assessment, single-handedly resolving 50% of the trouble from Geeta for Nemona's team!
After triggering its "Guts" ability with the held item "Flame Orb," its power had even allowed it to wrestle with the Dragapult from that time. Even Geeta's three Pokémon had fallen to it!
If anyone were asked which Pokémon in Nemona's team was currently the most popular, the answer from most people would undoubtedly be the Ursaluna before them!
Against such an Ursaluna, Lucas naturally sent out his own powerhouse known for strength: Swampert!
"Grrraaaah—!"
Swampert gazed calmly at the roaring Ursaluna.
Even back when Ursaluna was still a little Teddiursa stealing honey, Swampert had already been like this.
Not to mention that Lucas, as a teacher, often brought his various cultivated Pokémon to school to serve as sparring partners for students like Nemona.
From the moment it became Nemona's Pokémon, Swampert had left an extremely deep, seemingly invincible impression on Ursaluna.
Even though Ursaluna had grown tremendously since then, it still felt considerable tension when facing Swampert.
Just Swampert's single glance brought unimaginable pressure to Ursaluna. It could only roar loudly to bolster its own momentum.
"Trailblaze!"
Nemona's command followed immediately. Ursaluna glared fiercely at Swampert, unwilling to yield. It pushed off with all four limbs, its body glowing with grass-green light as it charged straight at Swampert, wrapped in a fierce wind carrying a faint scent of fresh grass!
Swampert's type combination was exceptionally well-balanced, with only one weakness: Grass-type moves, which dealt quadruple damage.
Nemona, who constantly wanted to challenge Lucas, had naturally taught Ursaluna the relevant moves long ago!
"Well done—take it!" Lucas issued his command.
Facing the incoming Ursaluna, Swampert braced its body and raised both arms.
Thud!
A dull sound of flesh colliding.
Just like a hunter catching a Dragon Rush with its bare body, Swampert used its sturdier-than-average physique as its foundation and perfectly absorbed Ursaluna's impact force without budging an inch!
Shock flashed in the eyes of both Ursaluna and Swampert as they stared at each other. Nemona's face was also full of astonishment.
Even if "Trailblaze" had average base power, the fact that Swampert could take it head-on with nothing but physical durability—no moves at all—was a bit ridiculous.
After all, Ursaluna was currently in its boosted "Guts" form triggered by the Flame Orb!
"Muddy Water," Lucas's voice rang out.
Swampert's body suddenly swelled while locked in a contest of strength with Ursaluna. A mass of murky sewage gathered at its feet and surged outward like a tidal wave in all directions!
This Water-type move was highly effective against Ursaluna.
The mud and sand mixed in the sewage could easily affect its tough peat-like outer shell.
Ursaluna's expression changed. It immediately broke free from Swampert's hold. Although it wanted to use the speed boost from "Trailblaze" to escape the range of "Muddy Water," at such close range it was clearly too late.
Ursaluna could only cross its arms, lower its stance, and stubbornly endure the force of the muddy wave while standing its ground.
Moments later, the muddy water receded, revealing Ursaluna's soaked fur—now somewhat bedraggled due to the mud and sand mixed in.
The damage from Muddy Water was secondary. Most Pokémon, especially those with fur, probably wouldn't want their precious coats dirtied by such filthy sewage.
Not to mention that Nemona's Ursaluna was a girl!
At this moment, Ursaluna's eyes toward Swampert were filled with obvious anger. It roared and charged straight at Swampert again.
"High Horsepower!"
Nemona coordinated with Ursaluna's rhythm, launching a fierce assault on Swampert.
"We'll do the same—High Horsepower."
The word "retreat" didn't exist in Swampert's dictionary. Lucas could also tailor his commands to suit each Pokémon's personality in his team.
Ursaluna charged on all fours, its rippling muscles showcasing the beauty of raw power. Its body glowed with an earthy-yellow light as it barreled toward Swampert like a mud truck.
Swampert raised its arms and took the impact head-on, then countered with a punch!
Female or not—Swampert never held back out of chivalry!
Bam!
Ursaluna was knocked off-balance by the punch, its vision blurring slightly, but its battle instincts still drove it to grab Swampert tightly and start exerting force!
At this moment, when both sides entered a pure contest of strength, whoever gained the advantage, threw the other off balance, or even flipped them over would see their momentum surge—and that could decide the direction of the rest of the battle.
Under Ursaluna's brute force, Swampert's feet left a deep, long groove in the ground as it was steadily pushed toward the edge of the field!
Ursaluna's goal was some obstacle farther out. It wanted to slam Swampert into it so hard that it couldn't move!
"...!"
Spectators who realized this immediately panicked and scattered, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.
But would Swampert really let Ursaluna do as it pleased?
The answer was no.
After throwing its punch, Swampert's right arm also gripped Ursaluna firmly.
Its gaze deepened. It lowered its stance and began exerting power, forcefully halting its backward slide.
In the next instant.
Under Ursaluna's horrified expression, Swampert effortlessly lifted its 600-pound body and slammed it hard into the ground!
Boom!
The entire Sun Square shook!
In the contest of strength, Swampert emerged victorious!
"...Monster."
Watching Swampert's figure—which looked even bulkier than when it first appeared, almost as if it were approaching Mega Evolution form—some spectators murmured.
Of course, this wasn't meant as an insult. It was simply the only word that came to mind when faced with the power Swampert was displaying.
The battle between Swampert and Ursaluna involved no micro-managing from either Lucas or Nemona.
Aside from Nemona holding back one "Seed Bomb," it was basically punch for punch, kick for kick—pure, raw power.
The gap in strength between them was even more obvious.
Ursaluna was almost entirely suppressed by Swampert's combination of battle experience and natural monstrous strength.
Even though, on paper, Ursaluna with "Guts" activated had physical attack stats that Swampert couldn't even touch.
Cultivation level, personal battle experience, and level were all factors that influenced the direction of a battle.
With a thunderous crash, water splashed everywhere.
After a prolonged melee, Ursaluna's body finally reached its limit. After taking Swampert's "Liquidation," it could no longer hold on. Its vision went black, and its body collapsed onto the now-messy battlefield.
Swampert itself wasn't in great shape either, with over a dozen bruises of various sizes across its body.
It was a bit of a shame it hadn't Mega Evolved, but it had truly enjoyed the pure hand-to-hand combat in its base form.
Even Luxray and Ceruledge wouldn't engage it in such a straightforward brawl.
Now Swampert finally understood why Lucas had been training all those students.
Indeed, fighting the ones he had personally raised felt so smooth!
"Ursaluna has lost the ability to battle!"
Clavell's voice pulled everyone's dazed minds back to reality.
The tension from the intense close-quarters combat finally eased slightly.
After a few seconds of silence, Arven hesitated and said, "From the looks of it, could it be that..."
Everyone understood the unspoken implication in Arven's words.
The well-traveled Penny pushed up her glasses and sighed. "It's no wonder. Not only did the teacher show no intention of building defenses or constructing complex tactics, he basically switched to Pokémon with similar playstyles tailored to Nemona's team."
"From what we've seen today, the teacher's pure hard strength might already place him among the absolute strongest in the world."
At least in Penny's eyes, today's Lucas—who had displayed his full power for the first time—and the undefeated Champion Leon from Galar, whom she knew well, left her unable to say who was stronger.
Perhaps what Nemona had once said in front of her uncle Rose was true: "I can't even imagine Teacher losing."
That statement... was fact.
The brief interlude among the students did not affect the proceedings on the battlefield.
After recalling Ursaluna, Nemona looked at the new Poké Ball she had taken out, her feelings rather complicated.
She did not regret choosing to challenge her teacher, who was going all out, on this "peak moment" of her life.
Rather, she was now even more certain that today was far from her true "peak." Becoming Champion was not the end—she still had vast room for growth.
—and she felt a deep sadness. Sadness that this battle, which had opened her eyes so profoundly, was already approaching its conclusion.
Taking a deep breath, Nemona focused entirely to cherish every remaining second. She threw her sixth Poké Ball with full concentration.
Miraculously, the Poké Ball—which usually flew in a straight line and smashed into the ground due to her terrible throwing technique, or wobbled awkwardly before "crashing"—drew a graceful arc in the air this time. It opened mid-flight, releasing the fluffy, furry Pawmot.
"Pawmot!"
After leaving the Poké Ball, Pawmot—perfectly in sync with Nemona—neatly batted the ball back into her open palm. Their eyes met in mid-air; everything was understood without words!
"Are you ready? Then let's begin."
A smile appeared on Lucas's face.
The spinning Poké Ball drew a clean arc as it flew, and Luxray—whose every movement radiated dignity—appeared on the battlefield.
From the electric arcs flickering across its fur and the faint sparks mixed in its bristling coat, it was clear that today, Luxray was holding an item!
With the sparks from the Flame Orb adding to its presence, the pressure Luxray exuded was overwhelming. It also completely ignited the fighting spirit in both Nemona and Pawmot.
In perfect sync, teacher and student threw the items they had been holding and shouted together: "Terastallize!"
The battle between Luxray and Pawmot lasted only a short three minutes.
But in those three minutes, on the battlefield sparkling with electricity, Nemona and Pawmot had shown everything they had.
Until Pawmot was pinned to the ground by Luxray's "Supercell Slam" and could no longer move, its vision gradually blurring.
Luxray stopped its next action, raised a paw pad, and sheathed its sharp claws.
"Luxray. Well done."
Having received praise from the Luxray it had admired ever since its Pawmot days, a satisfied smile appeared on Pawmot's face as it let its consciousness sink into darkness.
A gentle breeze blew past.
The Poké Ball in Nemona's hand, which had been faintly glowing blue, returned to stillness. Pawmot also exited its Terastallized state.
The outcome was clear.
She didn't speak. Instead, she covered her eyes and half her face with her arm.
The entire Sun Square instantly fell so silent that a pin drop could be heard.
"...!"
Rika, Hassel, Larry, and the senior noticed Nemona's unusual behavior first. Their pupils widened slightly in surprise.
Iono, who had rushed over as soon as she received the news but unfortunately missed the entire match—and who, due to her height, could only stand on tiptoes to peer through the crowd—glared furiously at the seemingly indifferent Lucas.
That Lucas—didn't he know how to hold back at all?
He had made Iono's money tree cry!
Geeta and Clavell also looked at her with concern, unsure whether to speak directly or step forward to comfort her. For a moment, they were at a loss.
Arven, Eri, Penny, and the others ignored the fact that Clavell hadn't announced the result yet and rushed onto the battlefield in a flurry, chattering all at once to comfort Nemona.
But the crying they had expected did not come. Instead... a bright, extremely cheerful laugh full of infectious power slipped out from the corner of Nemona's mouth.
Under everyone's dumbfounded, frozen expressions, Nemona lowered the arm she had used to cover her eyes (which had felt a bit uncomfortable from the wind and sand). Her slightly reddened eyes sparkled with unprecedented brilliance.
"Amazing... so amazing!"
"As expected, Teacher is the strongest. I'm so happy~!"
"I poured out everything I had without holding back—zap, boom, pow, just like that!"
As if words alone couldn't express her excitement, Nemona waved her arms and legs animatedly to show her joy. By the end, she was even using a string of meaningless onomatopoeic particles.
But the fact that she was thoroughly enjoying the battle rather than feeling sad or tearful about losing was clearly conveyed to those who had been worried about her.
A moment later, after fully venting her excitement, Nemona looked up and met Lucas's calm gaze as he walked over to her.
A smile appeared on Lucas's face as he extended his hand. "From now on, you have graduated."
Just as Lucas had never thought Nemona would cry over a mere defeat.
Nemona gently took his hand, her smile blooming into the brightest one she had shown all day.
"Perhaps this is the true joy of Pokémon battles. Even after becoming Champion, I can still keep growing!"
"Thank you for teaching me this."
"Choosing to become a Trainer and your student was truly the best decision!"
Nemona's excited voice echoed across the central square of Mesagoza.
Although she had lost—lost completely—her spirit moved everyone present.
Warm, enthusiastic applause rose from the surrounding spectators.
Nemona smiled a little shyly for once and bowed to thank the people who had come specifically to watch and support her.
Watching Nemona's back, Lucas exchanged a glance with Luxray. Both saw clear amusement in each other's eyes.
Watching a disciple he had personally trained grow up—this feeling was truly wonderful.
Just as Lucas was about to give Nemona the graduation gift he had prepared long ago, the girl—who had circled back—stretched lazily, extended her body, and said naturally, "Ahh Today's quota is satisfied. Tomorrow morning, I'll come challenge you again, Teacher"
"Let's fight from morning till night this time."
"?"
Lucas's hand, which had been reaching for the Decidueye Z-Crystal, froze. He looked at Nemona in disbelief—as casually as if she were saying "What's for breakfast tomorrow?"
Wait.
Was this rebellious disciple trying to turn the world upside down?!
…