As the sound of the horn echoed, the Charizards at the entrance and deep in the valley, including the strongest one, all lifted their heads in unison.
The last time this horn was sounded was last year, during a battle that shook the entire Charicific Valley, leaving a vivid memory in the minds of the many Charizards there.
Unexpectedly, after only a year's interval, is there already a new Charizard choosing to undertake that challenge?
Which Charizard could be so brave?
Under the summons of the horn, many Charizards gathered at the entrance of the valley, where a spacious area marked the site of the trial.
As more Charizards arrived, the entrance of the valley became increasingly crowded, though Ash and his Charizard stood in a space free from others' proximity.
With Ash at the center, a large area was cleared at the entrance, indicating to the observant that this human was the initiator of the trial.
Many Charizards focused on Ash's Charizard, the one to challenge all the valley's dragons this time. It seemed indeed robust, though it lacked the aura of invincibility.
Last year's challenger left a sharp memory due to intense training within Charicific Valley, although short-lived, making a deep impression with its strength.
Moreover, that Charizard, when challenging all in the valley, exuded an aura no dragon could face, leaving a profound impression even before the battle began.
This time, the new challenger lacks that previous aura; it is strong, yet the many Charizards doubt it can match the predecessor's feat.
Even the former Charizard ultimately fell to the valley's strongest.
No matter the exhaustion or whatever factors, a loss is a loss, the trial's cruelty.
This new challenger is likely to fare even worse.
"Alright, Ash, all the Charizards in the valley are gathered. Where would you like to start?" Liza glanced around, grasping the scene instantly.
The valley holds numerous Charizards, nearly indistinguishable to most; just seeing the swarm could cause dizziness, let alone confirming attendance.
Yet Liza could determine the quantity at a glance, unmatched in Charizard knowledge.
All gathered is the full valley's Charizards, exceeding Ash's expectations—over two hundred in number!
Two hundred eighty-seven Charizards are present; even defeating one per minute takes two hundred eighty-seven minutes, nearly five hours.
If each took five minutes, a whole twenty-five hours is needed!
In the past, Lance required about six hours to defeat all Charizards, then fewer than now, only around two hundred twenty, with over sixty more today.
Thus, the challenge is even greater than in Lance's time!
The new sixty differ in strength, yet their sheer number poses a great hurdle, featuring Elite and Gym Level among them.
Lance's challenge required six hours; Ash's Charizard is weaker against more opponents, needing at least ten hours even if successful.
Even with success, ten hours would sap Ash's Charizard entirely before facing the strongest one, an impossibility.
Ultimately, the trial grows harder yearly as the number of Charizards increases, more each year.
Charicific Valley is a sacred training ground for external Charizard Trainers, attracting endless numbers to send theirs here.
Despite yearly losses from aging or post-battle injuries, the increase surpasses the decrease.
Thus, the trial in Charicific Valley becomes more challenging annually.
Ash's Charizard may not clear even the first stage, let alone the second.
For now, Liza only watches to see how long Ash and his Charizard can last, noting that defeating two hundred Charizards would match Lance's overall performance.