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The tournament had progressed from sixteen to eight participants, with eight battles completed within two days.
After victory, Gym Leaders and their Pokemon were given a day to rest. Then the eight-to-four round began immediately, with four battles scheduled over two days—one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
The schedule was extremely tight. Several Gym Leaders had sustained injuries in their previous battles and now faced new challenges. As a result, two competitors withdrew from the tournament.
Though called the "eight-to-four" round, it had effectively become "six-to-three."
This was typical for Gym Leader Ranking Battles under Wild Battle rules. It wasn't uncommon for additional Gym Leaders to retire after the six-to-three and three-to-one rounds.
However, Gym Leaders who had reached the top 8 already qualified for first-tier benefits, so their efforts weren't wasted.
In the six-to-three stage, after defeating Remi of the Cloud Gym, Chris was matched against Atticus.
Interestingly, Chris was facing the two people Alexis had introduced to him on the first day of the Gym Leader conference.
Alexis had called this "destiny."
Chris's battle in the eight-to-four round was scheduled as the first match on day one.
In his previous battle, spectators had witnessed the terrifying strength of Chris's Hariyama, but they remained curious about what other powerful Pokemon Chris might have in his team.
Additionally, the higher-ranked Trainers wanted to see how others would develop strategies against Chris's spiral Aura Sphere. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹~𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮~𝚗𝚎𝚝
"Let's make this interesting, Chris! Whoever wins today treats the other to hotpot tonight!" Atticus grinned widely before taking the stage, displaying his bright smile with a playful expression.
"Deal," Chris agreed, though he wasn't fooled by Atticus's seemingly simple and honest demeanor.
No Gym Leader was truly naive. Apart from Chris himself, most Gym Leaders had hundreds of disciples. Chris wondered what face Atticus showed when training his students.
Walking through the competitor's entrance, both Gym Leaders stepped onto their battle platforms and took their positions.
More spectators had gathered today than for the previous match, including many high-ranking members of the Trainer Association.
The referee announced the rules as usual.
"The match now beginning is the second round of the Gym Leader Ranking Tournament.
Atticus from Forest Gym will face Chris from Green Valley Gym.
The battle follows Wild Battle rules.
Six Pokemon are permitted per Trainer.
The battle ends when one party surrenders, when all Pokemon lose their ability to battle, or when a Trainer becomes unable to continue!"
"Both Leaders, remember to use restraint!" the referee reminded them once more, then raised his hands. "The battlefield is randomized—begin!"
On the battlefield display, icons flashed rapidly below the stadium seating, eventually settling on a Volcano symbol.
The battlefield transformed immediately.
The standard arena retracted, replaced by scorched earth with visible sparks. Waves of intense heat radiated outward from the moment it appeared.
A protective barrier rose around the spectator area.
This prevented the battlefield's extreme conditions from affecting the audience while containing the unique environmental effects.
Scorched earth underfoot, high temperatures all around, and acrid smells permeating the air.
Unlike the "mild" Forest Field, the Volcano terrain was already punishing for Trainers before the battle even began!
The referee confirmed both competitors were in position, then swiftly lowered his hand to signal the start of battle!
At his command, Chris and Atticus threw their Poké Balls simultaneously.
Chris started with two Pokemon: Gardevoir and Hariyama.
This time, Garchomp couldn't burrow into mud—the scorched earth would likely inflict a "burn" status immediately upon contact.
"Spiral Aura Sphere!" Chris directed with a raised hand.
Hariyama immediately extended its right palm, and invisible blue Aura power began gathering.
"Tailwind! Quick Attack!" Atticus commanded loudly.
He also sent out two Pokemon simultaneously.
One was Weavile, the other Honchkrow—and this Honchkrow appeared to be a Totem Pokemon, extraordinarily large!
It's worth noting that Atticus specialized in Dark-type Pokemon, but was not exclusively committed to them. Gym Leaders typically trained Pokemon of various types as their main force to avoid type disadvantages.
Honchkrow spread its wings wide, flapping them powerfully. A gust of wind carried heat waves toward Chris.
However, this heat wave was easily blocked by Gardevoir's protective Psychic barrier around Chris, causing no damage.
Atticus hadn't intended for Tailwind to cause damage. Tailwind itself wasn't an attack move but a support move that increased his Pokemon's speed throughout the battle.
Weavile, already naturally fast, also used Quick Attack. With Tailwind's enhancement—
In the blink of an eye, it charged toward Hariyama!
Atticus's strategy against the unusual Aura Sphere was simple: don't let Hariyama use it!
While watching from the stands earlier, he had observed that Chris's Hariyama required a charging motion when using the "spiral Aura Sphere!"
That being the case, if he wanted to stop this spiral Aura Sphere, he needed to interrupt it during the charging phase!
"Blaze Kick!" Chris, detecting Atticus's plan, quickly threw another Poké Ball.
Blaziken entered the battlefield, facing the approaching threat!
Considering his opponent's specialization in Dark-types, Chris had specifically brought two Fighting-type Pokemon.
But against Blaziken's kick, the approaching Weavile suddenly became enveloped in dark energy, accelerating further. It dodged Blaziken's attack, rushing past and extending its sharp claws, eager to tear into Hariyama!
"Feint Attack? What a quick strategy change!" Chris remarked with surprise.
But Weavile's attack proved futile. At the critical moment, Gardevoir teleported Hariyama to the right!
"Parting Shot!" Atticus quickly commanded.
Weavile, having missed its target, immediately turned around and let out a challenging "Weav!" toward Hariyama, appearing ready for a one-on-one confrontation. However, the Parting Shot move caused it to return to Atticus's Poké Ball.
In the next second, the spiral Aura Sphere in Hariyama's hand fully condensed.
It immediately aimed at Atticus!
This spiral Aura Sphere didn't appear as large as the one Hariyama had used when Chris faced Remi.