Chapter 32: Who Else Can't Fly?

"The Gym challenge is now officially underway! The challenger, N, versus the Gym Leader, Misaki! Both sides are limited to two Pokémon each. The match is over when one side's Pokémon are all unable to battle. Furthermore, the Gym Leader is not permitted to substitute Pokémon!"

The referee solemnly raised his flags, pointing the red one toward N as he announced the rules.

"Now... let the battle begin!!"

"Go, Furret!"

Misaki gave her circular glasses a slight nudge and tossed her Poké Ball with a flick of her wrist. After a burst of light, a well-developed Furret appeared on the field. One look at its sleek, healthy physique was enough to tell it was no ordinary opponent.

[Furret]

Strength: Mid Elite

Potential: Middle Grade

"...Mid Elite, huh?"

N gauged Furret's strength at a glance. Gym Leaders typically scaled their team's power based on the number of badges a challenger already possessed. Although Misaki seemed irritated, she was still adhering strictly to the Gym Leader code of conduct.

"Timburr, I'm counting on you."

Timburr stepped onto the field once more, though this time it looked a bit different, as it was sporting a pale yellow headband with bright red stripes, giving it a distinct look compared to others of its species.

"At least you know enough to bring a Pokémon with a type advantage. Not bad."

Misaki gave a slight nod of approval. Nagatsuki Gym was an official Normal-type Gym; leading with a Fighting-type to counter her specialty was the logical move to secure an early advantage.

Her gaze toward the boy softened slightly. At least he had a head on his shoulders, unlike the other rookies who challenged her on a whim.

"However, even with a type advantage, I won't be defeated so easily. Furret! Use Agility!!"

Furret suddenly exploded into motion, its speed skyrocketing. It moved so quickly that it left several afterimages behind, becoming a blur to the spectators in the stands.

"Forty-five-degree angle. Rock Throw."

A confident smile played on N's lips. Since his mental energy had been awakened, his five senses—sight, hearing, smell—and his reaction speed had been drastically enhanced. Even a Pokémon using Agility could be easily tracked by his eyes, allowing him to calculate the exact trajectory and landing point.

Crack!

Without a moment's hesitation, Timburr smashed the ground with one hand, snatched up a jagged rock, and hurled it with incredible velocity. The high-speed projectile flew true, striking Furret mid-dash and forcing it to a grinding halt.

"...He predicted that?"

Misaki's eyes widened behind her glasses. How could a rookie Trainer possibly predict the movement path of a Pokémon at high speed? Even experienced Elite Trainers struggled to pull that off!

"Furret! Snap out of it! Back away and use Thunderbolt!"

"Raise your log to block, then use Bulk Up."

N issued his commands calmly as Furret scrambled to create distance. The moment the golden arc of electricity tore through the air toward Timburr, the Pokémon simply raised its sturdy wooden log, intercepting the bolt.

Since wood is non-conductive, the Thunderbolt did practically zero damage to Timburr, though the sight of the charred log made the Pokémon look a little pained for its favorite tool.

"He blocked it like that? Is he really a rookie?"

It wasn't just Misaki who was shocked; the spectators were dumbfounded as well. They had never seen anyone dismantle Misaki's offensive so effortlessly, let alone a first-time challenger.

While Misaki was reeling from the shock, Timburr's Bulk Up was already in effect. Its muscles tightened and expanded as it struck poses to boost its Attack and Defense stats.

"Oh no!"

Having pulled back too far, Furret was in no position to interrupt. Not only did Timburr finish its stat boost, but it then suddenly hurled its log toward Furret.

Wait… it threw it??

The log was a Timburr's lifeline; they almost never let go of it. This time, however, it was used as a projectile.

What shocked Misaki even more was what followed: Timburr suddenly leaped into the air, its feet slamming down onto the flying log! It used the momentum to glide through the air at high speed!!

Holy crap, a Fighting-type Pokémon is actually flying!!

Several spectators stood up, unable to contain their excitement. The log-riding Timburr was moving so fast that by the time Misaki realized what was happening, it was too late to issue a counter-order.

"Mega Punch."

Descending from the sky like a god of war, Timburr's right arm coiled like a spring, muscles bulging as brilliant white light gathered in its massive fist.

Unable to react in time, Furret took the full force of the blow. Its body was sent screaming backward like a cannonball, flying dozens of meters before slamming into the Gym wall!!

A loud boom echoed as the tiled wall shattered into a massive crater. Cracks spiderwebbed across the surface, and broken bricks rained down as a cloud of dust filled the air, leaving the crowd breathless.

What terrifying power!

Knocking out a Furret in a single blow… this display of pure, raw violence sent a surge of adrenaline through the audience. Silence reigned for several seconds before anyone could process the result.

"Furret is unable to battle! Timburr wins! Will the Gym Leader please send out her second Pokémon!"

The referee stood stunned for a moment before remembering his duty. He snapped his red flag down, announcing the official result of the first round.