Snowpoint City — Snowpoint Gym.
After Aiden revealed his identity upon arrival, Gym Leader Candice personally came out to receive him.
But when she saw that he had arrived together with Sinnoh Champion Cynthia, she immediately straightened up.
"I didn't know the Champion and the Evaluation Officer were coming together. I apologize for the lack of preparation."
Aiden smiled lightly.
"There's no need for formalities. Leader Candice, if you're ready, shall we begin the Gym evaluation battle?"
Candice's eyes burned with fighting spirit.
"I'm ready at any time!"
…
Soon, inside the Gym arena, the official evaluation match began.
A Gym evaluation was simple in purpose — the Pokémon League Headquarters sent someone to assess the Gym Leader's strength and confirm whether they were properly fulfilling their duties.
But there was also an unspoken rule.
Those who served as Evaluation Officers were almost always future Champions or Elite Four members.
Four years ago, it had been Lance — at that time still Kanto's Elite Four leader, not yet Champion.
Now, it was Aiden.
There was another reason as well.
If a Gym Leader governed unchecked for years, they could easily become a tyrant in their own territory. The League had to ensure no one abused their authority.
That was why Aiden never notified Gym Leaders in advance and always observed the city first.
If he discovered corruption or oppression—
He would not tolerate it.
Fortunately, neither Volkner of Sunyshore nor Candice of Snowpoint were such people.
Under their governance, both cities thrived with vitality.
Volkner had simply lost motivation — now restored.
Problem solved.
It also proved Aiden's capability as a future Hoenn Champion.
"Gym Evaluation Officer Aiden Flint versus Snowpoint Gym Leader Candice! Full match recording active! Battle—Begin!"
As the referee's flag fell, Aiden released his Pokémon.
Freshly evolved—
Magmortar stepped onto the field.
Candice narrowed her eyes at the sight of the massive Fire-type.
"Go, Abomasnow!"
A towering white Pokémon with green leaf-like accents emerged, resembling a living snow golem.
Ding!
Pokémon: Abomasnow
Level: 56
Ability: Snow Warning
Type: Grass/Ice
Aptitude: Gold
Moves: Mist, Razor Leaf, Ice Wind, Ingrain, Wood Hammer, Blizzard
Level 56.
Higher than Magmortar.
But—
Four-times weak to Fire.
The moment Abomasnow appeared, hail began falling across the battlefield.
Candice intended to use weather advantage.
"Aerial assault won't work… go all in!" she decided.
"Magmortar, Fire Blast!"
"Abomasnow, Hyper Beam!"
Understanding the type disadvantage, Candice attempted to end the battle in one decisive strike.
But Fire Blast landed first.
Flames engulfed Abomasnow completely.
Even with a higher level—
Four-times weakness was brutal.
Hyper Beam was interrupted.
"Close in! Fire Punch!"
Candice had hoped to avoid close combat due to Magmortar's Flame Body ability.
But she had no choice now.
"Abomasnow, Focus Blast!"
The two Pokémon clashed at close range.
Fire Punch struck.
Abomasnow cried out—
But Focus Blast fired at point-blank range, blasting Magmortar backward.
However—
Flame Body activated.
Burn.
Abomasnow's body ignited with searing flames.
Burn status.
Its condition deteriorated rapidly.
"Now! Burn Up!"
A blazing inferno engulfed the battlefield.
Abomasnow finally collapsed.
Ding!
Magmortar defeated Abomasnow!
Experience gained: 3500
Level increased!
Current Level: 52
Two levels gained instantly.
However, Magmortar's stamina was heavily drained.
Aiden recalled it calmly.
"Rest."
Candice released her second Pokémon.
"Mamoswine, let's go!"
Ding!
Pokémon: Mamoswine
Level: 57
Ability: Thick Fat
Type: Ice/Ground
Aptitude: Gold
Moves: Ice Fang, Ice Shard, Blizzard, Earthquake
Stronger than Abomasnow.
And with Thick Fat reducing Fire damage—
This was a different challenge.
Rhyperior would struggle here.
Aiden made his decision.
"Glaceon, you're up."
Glaceon stepped forward.
An even colder aura descended upon the field.
Candice's expression shifted.
Earlier, she had wondered—
Was this truly the man who crushed Sinnoh League Headquarters?
Why had he used seemingly weaker Pokémon first?
Now she understood.
It wasn't that he lacked power.
It was that he could defeat her strongest Pokémon—
Even with newly evolved ones.
And now—
A true Elite-tier Glaceon stood before Mamoswine.
The pressure alone made Mamoswine uneasy.
The evaluation—
Was far from over.
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