At the moment Lopunny was bound in place, Banette had already pulled out a Sitrus Berry, unzipping its mouth just enough to stuff it inside. Its stamina instantly began to recover.
"Just surrender, Teacher Peter… my Banette is invincible."
Valric's expression remained blank, though a complicated mix of emotions flickered in his eyes.
"If I'm not mistaken," Peter said calmly, "your remaining two moves are Protect and Phantom Force, right?"
"…"
Valric didn't respond—but his silence was answer enough.
Phantom Force: a Ghost-type physical move, similar to Dig. On the first turn, the user vanishes into another dimension. On the second turn, it reappears behind the opponent to strike—and it even bypasses Protect.
First, apply Curse, placing a continuous HP-draining debuff.
Then use Infestation to prevent switching.
After that, rotate between Protect and Phantom Force to avoid damage.
Given enough time… the opponent would inevitably fall.
After all, Curse couldn't even be blocked by Protect.
And Valric even carried a Sitrus Berry.
This meant that despite sacrificing half its HP with Curse, Banette could use the move twice—while still ensuring it wouldn't faint.
The only way to break this strategy was to strike decisively before Infestation took effect—or to use moves like Protect to avoid being trapped.
Otherwise… it was practically unbeatable.
The livestream chat instantly exploded.
"Holy crap! That combo is straight-up cheating!!"
"It's over… Teacher Peter's undefeated streak is about to end!"
"Huh?! Spread the word—Teacher Peter is finished!"
"Daily task: Teacher Peter loses (1/1)…"
"…."
…
At the sidelines, Whitney's eyes were filled with worry.
Meanwhile, Teddiursa's tiny face was being squished out of shape in her anxious grip.
Just as Peter had said—against an opponent of equal level, this combination was nearly impossible to counter.
On paper, Peter still had two Pokémon left, while Valric only had Banette.
But if Valric executed his strategy properly…
The one who would lose—
Would definitely be Peter.
"A brilliant strategy," Peter said, his expression sharpening slightly.
"But calling it invincible… is a bit premature."
"Lopunny, use Encore again!"
"Mi-lo!"
Lopunny clapped its hands lightly, and a spotlight shone beneath Banette.
Valric didn't flinch.
"Phantom Force!"
Banette vanished into the void, causing Encore to fail.
His reaction was quick—rather than risk a failed consecutive Protect, he chose Phantom Force.
However…
The moment he called the move, a familiar smile appeared on Peter's face.
"Thanks for the Phantom Force… Lopunny, use Copycat!"
A faint ripple of aura flickered at Lopunny's fingertips.
In the next instant, it sensed the swirling energy within the void—
And disappeared as well.
…
A heartbeat later—
Banette burst out from behind Lopunny, launching its attack.
But what awaited it…
Was Lopunny's fully charged Phantom Force!
"?!"
Valric's expression changed drastically.
"Banette, quick—use Prot—"
He froze mid-sentence.
Protect…
…couldn't block Phantom Force.
"Boom—!"
With a dull thud, Lopunny sent Banette flying.
It crashed onto the ground—
Unable to battle.
"Banette is unable to continue! The winner is Peter, from Goldenrod City!"
Peter smiled faintly, catching Lopunny as it staggered from exhaustion due to Curse. With a casual motion, he purified its negative status and fed it a Pokéblock.
"This strategy is powerful," Peter said calmly, recalling Lopunny.
"But until you're certain of your opponent's moveset, it's better not to reveal it too early."
"After all—even without Copycat, I could've used Baton Pass or U-turn to escape the binding."
…
Seeing his composed demeanor, the livestream instantly turned into a fan frenzy.
"My god… he actually won that?!"
"As expected of Teacher Peter—I've been a fan for ten years for a reason!"
"Didn't I say it? He never loses!"
"Using the enemy's own move against them… Master, I understand now!"
"There's always a way out, even in desperate situations!"
"I don't fully get it—but Peter is insane!"
"…."
[Ding! Battle rewards obtained: Master Points ×10, Physical Attack Talent Points ×3, Universal Talent Points ×15!]
[Ding! Main quest 'Sinnoh Gym Challenger'—Hearthome Gym cleared! Rewards: Master Points ×30, TMs 'Phantom Force' and 'Hex', held item 'Spell Tag'!]
A string of system notifications echoed in Peter's ears, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly.
[Spell Tag: A type-enhancing held item. When held, Ghost-type moves gain +20% power. Long-term use improves sensitivity to Ghost-type energy and aids in learning Ghost-type moves.]
Perfect for Zoroark.
He handed both Ghost-type TMs to it as well.
Next, he fully maxed out Happiny's talent points, distributing the excess between Teddiursa and Rufflet.
[Happiny ♀ Lv.9 (Beginner)]
Ability: Serene Grace
Talent: 220 (Species Max: 220)
HP: 100 | Attack: 5 | Defense: 20 | Sp. Atk: 5 | Sp. Def: 70 | Speed: 20
With the system's support, Peter planned to cultivate an extreme zero-Attack, high-speed Blissey—
Completely abandoning offense, relying purely on status effects for damage.
After all, in the real world…
Multiple status conditions could stack.
With enough speed—and Serene Grace—
He could execute a kiting strategy so dirty…
It would make people furious and impressed at the same time.
"Come, Professor Peter. This Relic Badge… belongs to you."
Valric approached, placing a purple badge composed of four interlocking rings into Peter's hand. A bitter smile tugged at his lips.
Peter glanced at him and Banette briefly, then smiled.
"Got some time? Let's talk."
"…Sure."
After greeting Whitney, the two headed up to the rooftop.
Night had fallen, and under Hearthome Gym's elegant lighting, the area felt especially serene. Warm yellow lights softened the atmosphere, washing away all restlessness.
"Tell me," Peter said directly, "what's your story with Banette?"
His gaze swept over it:
[Banette Lv.43 (Elite – Low Tier)]
Description: A doll Pokémon formed from a boy's loneliness and resentment. It shares a deep, life-bound connection with its Trainer.
Valric lowered his head, his face filled with bitterness.
"If you don't say it," Peter continued, "some things might never be resolved… and you won't be able to grow any further."
Valric suddenly looked up.
Those words…
Felt eerily familiar.
Fantina had once told him,
"your heart isn't fully focused yet. At this rate, you won't become your best self. You know?"
Peter continued gently,
"Go on. Banette wants you to move past this too."
"…Alright."
…
As Valric spoke, Peter gradually learned his story.
A boy who had dreamed of becoming a Trainer since childhood—
Only to be suppressed by his father.
In the end, his father threw away his beloved doll.
In a fit of anger, Valric ran away from home.
By chance, the discarded doll became Banette.
And his own gloomy nature gave him an affinity with Ghost-type Pokémon.
That was how Fantina discovered him—
And took him in as a disciple.
…
"…All these years, you never went back?" Peter asked.
Valric shook his head.
"No… but I don't hate him anymore. In his eyes, having a stable job is what matters. Being a Trainer… it's too dangerous."
"Maybe…" Peter said softly,
"he's already regretted it."
"That's impossible."
Valric rejected the idea immediately.
"But fathers…" Peter said, turning slightly,
"…always try to save face."
"If you don't give him a chance… how can he ever say what he truly feels?"
As he spoke, Peter looked toward the rooftop entrance.
A shadow stood there.
"…Don't you think so, referee?"
He paused.
"Or should I say—Mr. Valric?"
The figure turned to run—
But Peter was faster, grabbing him by the arm.
It was the very referee who had officiated the battle.
Valric slowly turned around, staring blankly at the man beneath the brim of his cap.
"…You…"
The familiar silhouette overlapped with a long-buried memory.
The man removed his mask and cap.
His face—so similar to Valric's—was trembling.
"My son… it's me…"
Valric froze.
He never imagined…
That the referee who had worked diligently in the Gym since his first day—
Was actually his father.
Suddenly, everything made sense.
Why the battlefield was always perfectly cleaned the next day…
Why the man would silently wait, no matter how late he trained…
Why his room would sometimes have little things he used to like as a child…
…
"What you wanted to prove… you've already done it," Peter said as he walked past him.
"And what he wants to repay… he's been trying all along."
He patted Valric on the shoulder.
"What you choose next… is up to you."
With that—
Peter turned and left.
The rooftop remained quiet.
But something long buried…
Was finally beginning to surface.
--------------
T/N:
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