Sceptile's sudden disappearance and sudden reappearance,as if it had used Teleport, stunned not only Selena, but also the group of Hualis' top-tier trainers nearby.
Everyone was shocked.
The surrounding students erupted in a storm of reactions.
"Holy shit... how did Sceptile dodge Extreme Speed!?"
"He's hacking..."
"It vanished out of nowhere, then appeared out of nowhere. It's just like when my Pokémon uses Teleport..."
"Are you stupid!? Since when can Sceptile learn Teleport!?"
"I know that! Then explain what just happened!"
"Paranormal event. No explanation possible..."
...
The students were nearly arguing with each other.
A trace of surprise flashed through Liora's eyes as she turned to Drake and asked,
"Brother... do you know what happened!?"
Drake frowned, thought for a moment, then slowly said,
"It should be a special effect produced by an Apotheosis-level skill. That's the only explanation that makes sense."
As expected of the Champion.
Drake was experienced and knowledgeable, and immediately guessed the truth.
"Aaron said he also mastered an Apotheosis-level skill inside the Insight Secret Zone. Could it be this Sceptile!?"
Liora nodded after hearing Drake's explanation and murmured to herself.
...
Back on the battlefield,
Sceptile's Leaf Blade had nearly knocked Togekiss out of the sky.
Fortunately, Togekiss had double resistance against Grass-type moves.
Otherwise, it would not have been able to endure a Perfect-tier Leaf Blade.
Selena's expression darkened.
Even now, she still could not understand why Sceptile was so fast that it could evade Togekiss's Extreme Speed.
But now was not the time to dwell on that.
She had to attack again.
"Togekiss... use Flamethrower!"
Selena forcibly suppressed the turmoil in her heart and gave the next command.
"Togeee!"
Togekiss opened its mouth, and a blazing stream of fire shot violently toward Sceptile.
"Sceptile... Wood Release: Wood Barrier Jutsu!"
Aaron's calm voice rang out.
"Scepti!"
Sceptile let out a sharp cry as emerald light surged from its body.
It slammed one hand onto the ground.
The earth instantly trembled as a gigantic wooden shield engraved with mysterious totems rose upward.
It blocked Togekiss's Flamethrower head-on.
Although Fire overpowered Grass, the intense heat of Flamethrower could not ignite the strange wooden shield.
It forcefully held the flames back, allowing them to advance not even an inch.
"Sceptile... bloom."
"Sage Art - Verdant Bloom Dominion!"
Ignoring Selena's stunned expression, Aaron calmly gave the order.
"Sceptiii!"
Sceptile nodded as dazzling emerald light burst from its body.
It brought both hands together, then slammed them onto the ground.
The earth shook violently.
Countless saplings burst through the soil and rapidly grew into towering five-meter trees.
Tempting pink flowers bloomed among the treetops, releasing a faint, mesmerizing fragrance.
Flowers and grass spread wildly across the ground.
Massive roots twisted above and below the earth like wooden dragons.
In a single instant, the entire mountain summit transformed into a dense forest.
This ultimate field skill, formed by fusing Grassy Terrain, Deep Forest Emergence, and Verdant Bloom Dominion, displayed overwhelming pressure at this moment.
...
The sudden transformation made everyone present feel as if they were dreaming.
It was as though they had been transported from the mountain peak into a forest in an instant. It felt utterly unreal.
Everyone was stunned by the sight before them.
Eyes wide as saucers, they stood speechless for a long time.
For a moment, an eerie silence fell over the area.
Several seconds later, the crowd finally snapped back to reality.
Then came an explosion of shocked cries.
"What the hell... what kind of skill is this!?"
"Damn it, is this even a field skill!?"
"I've studied for over ten years and never heard of a Forest field!"
"Unheard of. Absolutely unheard of... I feel like my worldview is collapsing!"
"Bro... not just yours. Mine too."
"Is this the power of the strongest exam champion in history!?"
"All I can say is terrifying beyond belief. My legs are going weak just watching this. Aaron isn't human."
"I'm tired. End the world already."
...
This horrifying display truly struck a heavy blow to many people.
Even Braveon and Blaze were filled with shock.
Braveon calmed the turmoil in his heart and looked through the dense trees toward Aaron.
He muttered softly,
"So this... is your true strength..."
"Aaron!"
...
None of the experts nearby were able to stay calm.
Sylka's mouth hung open so wide a sausage could fit inside as she stared at the dense forest around her in disbelief.
"My dear Aaron really is... far too surprising."
"As expected of the younger guy I've got my eye on."
A faint blush appeared on Lilith's face as she gazed dreamily toward Aaron in the distance.
Seeing her best friend acting foolish again,
Sylka rolled her eyes, suppressed her own shock, and said,
"Can you show at least a little dignity as a Champion!?"
"And you're almost thirty. Still thinking about an older woman chasing a younger man!?"
Lilith glanced at Sylka and replied coolly,
Hmph... do you even understand older woman/younger man romance!?
"And what part of me is old!?"
"Whoever dares call me old, I'll tear their mouth apart."
Lilith spoke with overflowing dominance as faint waves of psychic power rippled around her.
After all, she was the Psychic Champion known as the Human Shape Pokémon.
Ordinary people truly did not dare provoke her.
Sylka was speechless and rolled her eyes again.
Hopeless. Completely love-brained.