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**Dragon News Express:** Dragon University students recently d an Enigma Berry tree to the school, and Principal Vladimir accepted it as part of the university's resources.
Chris was stunned when he read the news, hardly expecting Principal Vladimir to make such an announcement.
This message seemed intended to quell the recent stir after Chris brought the Enigma Berry tree to campus, signaling to interested parties that the tree was now property of Dragon University and directly under Principal Vladimir's care. The intent was clear: those with an eye on the Enigma Berry should step back.
As for the talk of Chris becoming a disciple...
Chris hadn't received any word about such an arrangement from the school, and Principal Vladimir hadn't spoken to him about it. In truth, Vladimir had stopped taking apprentices years ago, with his last student taken on twenty years back, practically twice Chris's age. The "acceptance" of Chris as a disciple was purely symbolic—a sign that Vladimir was officially supporting and protecting him.
This move could save Chris a lot of trouble down the road.
Anyone planning to meddle with Chris would now have to consider whether they were up to the challenge of facing Principal Vladimir.
"I'm truly honored," Chris thought, his admiration for Principal Vladimir rising to a new level.
Only such a wise principal could lead Dragon University so well, nurturing so many talents and inspiring graduates to return to their alma mater. This reminded Chris of Theodore, who had been offered better treatment elsewhere but chose to return to the university.
Since it was still the holiday break, and his counselor, Olivia, was also on vacation, Chris couldn't visit the Dragon Nest in the East China Sea alone. He'd have to wait until she returned before taking Axew there.
The Enigma Berry tree situation was finally settled.
Chris took the Metal Coat Principal Vladimir had given him to prepare for Onix's evolution into Steelix.
He used his handheld device to inspect the attributes of the treasure-level Metal Coat.
**Flame Pattern Metal Coat:** Increases the power of Steel-type moves by 40%, with a fire-type burn effect added to Steel-type moves.
The handheld also displayed the Metal Coat's hidden abilities, undetectable by ordinary machines.
Steel-type moves with a fire burn effect...
"Tsk tsk," Chris thought, amused, knowing that Steel-type moves usually don't cause burns. If his opponent were to suffer a burn from a Steel-type attack, their reaction would be priceless!
With the campus quiet, Chris planned to head to a secluded spot by the island's beach, release Onix, and apply the Flame Pattern Metal Coat as a full-body massage.
In games, Onix evolves into Steelix through a "link trade" with a Metal Coat (a process that can be limiting for single-player trainers). But in reality, it was easier: simply coating Onix's body with the Metal Coat would initiate evolution. (The Arceus version used a similar method.)
If his level 40 Onix evolved into Steelix, it would gain powerful abilities, instantly becoming a Ace Pokémon.
Just as Chris stepped out of his dormitory to begin, he remembered something and paused.
He decided he should first challenge the Fire-type gym with Onix before evolving it.
There was a simple reason for this: Rock-type Onix resisted Fire, while Steel-type Steelix would be vulnerable to it.
Back in his room, Chris turned on his handheld, guiding his character to Lavaridge Town to re-challenge the Gym Leader "Flannery" in the Lavaridge Gym.
A flash of light filled his view, and suddenly, Chris was inside the virtual gym. The temperature around him seemed to jump by seven or eight degrees, and the unique scent of hot springs filled his senses.
He had arrived at Lavaridge Gym.
Standing opposite him was a girl with bright red hair styled like iron tree branches, dressed in a cropped top and long pants.
"Welcome… Oh, no, insignificant challenger, nice to see you again!" she smirked.
"It seems the one who lost to me last time hasn't lost the courage to be a Trainer!"
"Not that I'm underestimating you," Flannery continued, "but if you haven't made serious progress since last time, you'd better leave now—the result will be the same."
"Because…the gap between you and me is just too wide!" Flannery crossed her arms over her chest, tilting her chin up with a hint of childish pride, making it hard for Chris to be offended.
Chris held up his Poké Ball, responding, "Enough talk. Today, you're the one who's going to lose!"
"You think so?" Flannery shot back, unfazed. "Just like last time, I'll show you the fiery moves I've honed with Laser Focus right here on this land!"
The referee had taken his position and, once both trainers were ready, announced the rules.
"The battle now begins as the Lavaridge Gym Challenge. Trainer Chris is challenging Lavaridge Gym Leader Flannery. Both trainers may use up to three Pokémon. No switching is allowed. The battle ends when one side has no available Pokémon."
"The Gym Leader will send out her Pokémon first."
Flannery confidently tossed her Poké Ball.
It landed on the field, and with a flash, her Torkoal appeared, now at level 38—two levels higher than their last encounter.
"Torkoal!" it roared in its usual breathy voice, exhaling fiery white smoke from its nose.
As it entered the field, the atmosphere instantly brightened. Torkoal's **Drought** Ability activated, summoning **Sunny Day** weather conditions!
Chris threw his Poké Ball, releasing his Onix onto the field. This update ıs available on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲·𝗻𝗲𝘁
Onix's body glinted like diamond, stretching an impressive 30 meters in length. As soon as it appeared, its massive form dominated half the battlefield, and its snake-like head glared down at Torkoal from above.
"It's so huge!" Flannery exclaimed, momentarily taken aback.
Most Onix are around twenty meters, but Chris's Onix was visibly larger, its size alone a testament to its power.
The referee checked both sides, then brought down the flag, declaring, "The battle begins!"
Chris quickly called out, "Sandstorm!"