"What the hell—is that really a Gyarados?!"
"And what's with the dragon horns and those four claws?!"
Even Deputy Commander Xander's eyes flickered with confusion.
"That's… Gyarados?"
Someone couldn't help but ask.
"Th-This… could it be like Champion Drake's Dragonite? A primordial lineage?!"
An officer blurted out in shock.
The moment those words were spoken, the room seemed to snap to attention.
That explanation was the only one that made sense.
"No wonder that kid took first place. He has a Gyarados with a primordial lineage!"
"You all know how terrifying those Pokémon are. Champion Drake's Dragonite could defeat a Champion-level opponent even before fully reaching that tier."
"There are barely a handful of Pokémon in the entire Hualis with primordial lineage… and one shows up here?"
"This kid's future is limitless."
A wave of astonished murmurs swept through the room.
Then suddenly—
A thunderous roar exploded from the speakers, vibrating through the air.
Everyone in the monitoring room went rigid.
"That roar… don't tell me it's that one?"
"It is. This kid's luck just ran out. He's run straight into the strongest boss in this exam zone."
"He needs to retreat. Now. There's still time."
"Luck is part of strength. Is this where his run ends?"
The murmurs swelled once more.
On the main display, a massive silhouette stepped into view.
Even through the screen, its oppressive presence felt suffocating.
...
Meanwhile—
Aaron had just started searching for his next target when a deafening roar erupted from the side.
His expression sharpened.
Heavy footsteps followed.
A towering figure stepped into view.
The ground beneath it dried and cracked, crumbling into swirling sand that rose into the air.
A suffocating pressure surged forward like a tidal wave.
Even the air felt dense.
Aaron's pupils contracted.
The Desert Despot—Tyranitar.
A Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon.
Over 2.2 meters tall and clad in pale green armor as hard as steel, it resembled a miniature Godzilla radiating raw destructive force.
He hadn't expected to encounter a Tyranitar here.
This was an exceptionally rare Pokémon.
Without hesitation, Aaron activated the system scan.
An information panel appeared instantly before him:
[Name: Tyranitar]
[Gender: Male]
[Nature: Jolly]
[Type: Rock/Dark]
[Ability: Sand Stream]
[Base Stats Total: 600]
[Level: Gym Leader (Late Stage)]
[Pokémon Potential: Champion-level]
[Known Moves: Tackle (Mastery), Dragon Dance (Mastery), Fire Fang (Mastery), Ice Fang (Mastery), Thunder Fang (Proficient), Bite (Proficient), Rock Slide (Proficient), Dark Pulse (Proficient), Crunch (Mastery), Earthquake (Mastery), Thrashing (Basic)...]
[Description: Tyranitar, the Armor Pokémon and the evolved form of Pupitar. Renowned for its overwhelming attack and impenetrable defense, it is feared as the Desert Despot...]
"…"
Aaron drew in a slow breath.
Gym-Leader level.
Champion-tier potential.
And it even carried the inherited move Dragon Dance.
If capturing Pokémon weren't forbidden in this exam zone—
He would absolutely try to catch it.
"ROOAR—!"
Tyranitar threw its head back and roared.
Sand lashed outward in every direction like a raging typhoon.
Its Ability—Sand Stream.
A sandstorm erupted instantly, sweeping across the battlefield.
Aaron's eyes burned with battle intent.
Now this—
This was interesting.
The corner of his lips curved upward.
The clash between the strongest Pokémon in the exam—and the strongest contender among the examinees,
Was about to begin.