"Besides that place, is there anywhere else you want to know about?" The habitat of the strongest Charizard is definitely off-limits, so Liza continued the previous topic, asking Ash and the others if there was any other place they wanted to visit again.
Ash and Charizard both shook their heads, and Ash said, "Miss Liza, we want to have a battle with that strongest Charizard. Is there a way to achieve that?"
Liza nodded and said, "I knew you would say that. There is indeed a way to challenge that Charizard. The conditions are simple to explain but nearly impossible to accomplish. So far, apart from Lance, no one has met those conditions."
Lance? That should refer to the Elite of Kanto, Johto Champion, Dragon Taming Lance, right?
Rumor has it that Lance's Charizard also trained here and even dominated the Charicific Valley. This rumor was confirmed by Liza, indicating that Lance's Charizard really defeated all the Charizards in the Charicific Valley!
"Did Mr. Lance's Charizard eventually defeat that strongest Charizard?" Misty blinked her beautiful eyes and asked curiously.
"No." The simple response caused everyone's faces to change dramatically.
Lance's Charizard didn't manage to beat that strongest Charizard?! Could that Charizard be a top contender even among champions?
"Back then, after Lance's Charizard dominated the Charicific Valley, it was only at Champion Intermediate Level. Now, nearly a year has passed since those events, and who knows how much Lance's Charizard has grown?" Liza shared some secrets from the Charicific Valley's past.
Despite being at Champion Intermediate Level, Lance's Charizard was still not a match for the strongest Charizard in the Charicific Valley. One can only imagine how powerful that Charizard is.
To challenge that Charizard, you would first have to defeat all the Charizards in the Charicific Valley just to qualify for the challenge. In other words, all the Charizards in the Charicific Valley combined are not a match for that one Charizard.
"The title of the strongest is truly deserved!"
"Miss Liza, I want to challenge that Charizard too! Could you tell me the specific process?" Ash shouted excitedly at Liza.
Challenging the entire Charicific Valley and the strongest Charizard in it—just thinking about it is thrilling!
"Are you sure, Ash? Challenging all the Charizards in the Charicific Valley is very dangerous. I admit your Charizard is strong and perfect at its current level, but... that's only within its current level. Do you understand what I mean?" Liza said sternly, her expression turning serious as her words grew more grave.
Clearly, Ash's decision did not receive Liza's approval.
Liza is thoroughly knowledgeable about the Charizard species. While she might not discern other Pokémon's levels when they are not in battle, Charizard is different.
Even standing still, Liza can accurately gauge Charizard's level and physical condition. Thus, she knows Ash's Charizard is only at Elite Level.
Although within the Elite Level, Ash's Charizard's physical condition is considered perfect, that's all within the Elite Level. Every level beyond the Elite Level is vastly different.
Thinking about using Elite Level power to battle against a Champion? Isn't that just dreaming?
"Since Miss Liza knows Ash and pays such close attention to Charizard, she should have seen that iconic battle of Ash's Charizard, right?" Brock stepped forward and said seriously. Despite his usual flirtatious nature, he's very serious when it comes to matters involving close friends.
From Liza's words, she clearly believes that the current level of Charizard isn't qualified for the trial at Charicific Valley. However, how can one judge Ash's Charizard merely by its apparent level?
"I know this Charizard has once defeated Elite Lorelei's main Pokémon, using power comparable to Champion Intermediate Level at that time, under the assistance of MEGA Evolution and the special power on Ash," Liza said, causing Brock to pause.
So Liza knows that Ash's Charizard can battle beyond its level, so why would she still say that Ash's Charizard isn't suitable for the trial?
Liza scanned the puzzled faces of everyone and then slowly began to explain, "Let me tell you about the trial process of challenging the strongest Charizard of the Charicific Valley and the rewards you can obtain."
Rewards? That thought immediately popped into everyone's mind.
Having challenges usually means there are rewards; generally, that's a rule, but only for official competitions where rewards are set to attract people for challenges, thereby making profits.
The economic boost brought by spectators, the fame drawn by strong trainers, and all sorts of benefits lead the league to set prizes and honors as rewards.
This is a mutually beneficial act, thus setting rewards isn't unusual. However, it's very strange for there to be so-called prizes inside the Charicific Valley.
This place is already famous, and those who wish to send their Charizard here have to queue and get selected. It's always the Charicific Valley choosing people, never the other way around.