A Metagross capable of using Teleport was undoubtedly a far greater threat. The Dragonite's Trainer hesitated to issue any commands, seemingly waiting for Metagross to make the first move.
"Metagross, Zen Headbutt!"
Julian wasn't interested in guessing the opponent's strategy—he just wanted to take down the Dragonite quickly so the next contender from the Modu Academy could step in.
Metagross shot forward like a speeding train, gleaming like a silver streak of light.
"Dragonite, Air Slash!"
Dragonite's tiny wings flapped lightly, generating four or five arcs of sharp Air Slashes that tore through the air.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The Air Slashes slowed Metagross down slightly but couldn't stop its charge.
Dragonite quickly prepared a Focus Blast and hurled it toward Metagross, but this time, Metagross chose to dodge.
Unlike a straightforward move, Zen Headbutt could change direction mid-attack. It was a combination of psychic energy and brute force.
In the blink of an eye, Metagross evaded the Focus Blast and slammed its Zen Headbutt into Dragonite's round belly.
Technically, aiming for the head would have inflicted more damage, but Metagross found itself oddly drawn to Dragonite's belly, as if it had a glowing target painted on it.
The impact left Dragonite visibly distressed, its normally cheerful face contorted in pain.
"Dragonite, Dragon Claw!" the Trainer called out.
At close range, Dragonite's claws became encased in draconic energy, forming a spectral dragon claw that slashed at Metagross's back with a loud shrrrip!
Metagross: 'Huh? Did something just scratch my back?'
Dragonite froze, staring in disbelief at the unmarred surface of Metagross's back. Then it glanced at its own claws, as if questioning reality.
Did I not use Dragon Claw? Am I dreaming? Was I hypnotized?
The Trainer, too, was utterly dumbfounded.
He knew Steel-types had high defenses, but at point-blank range, Dragonite's Dragon Claw should've done 'something'.
Instead, Metagross had reacted like it was being tickled.
"Metagross, Hammer Arm," Julian said with a chuckle.
His Metagross's defense was truly monstrous. Not only was it a Steel-type, but its shiny variation came with unique trait.
In this case, an innate doubling of its defense. And this wasn't a simple 1+1=2 boost.
On top of that, Julian had invested heavily in its training, using system-provided enhancements like stat-boosting potions and items. All of this had elevated its defenses to terrifying levels.
Expecting a move like Dragon Claw to breach Metagross's defense was wishful thinking at best.
Under the force of Hammer Arm, Dragonite's belly took yet another heavy blow, and this time, it felt like it might throw up yesterday's dinner.
"Draaa!!"
Dragonite: 'Can't you hit somewhere else?!'
Metagross: 'Nope'
"Hammer Arm, Again!"
"Dragonite, Protect!"
Dragonite's condition was already dire—if it took another hit, it would undoubtedly collapse.
But last time Salamence had used Protect, only for it to be shattered by Metagross.
And this Dragonite was in worse shape than that Salamence had been.
The Protect barrier formed and broke almost instantaneously as Hammer Arm smashed through it and struck Dragonite's belly yet again. Dragonite's body was sent flying, its round stomach visibly warped from the impact.
With a loud 'thud', Dragonite slammed into the protective barrier surrounding the arena before sliding down to the ground.
"Dragonite is unable to battle. Metagross wins!"
The referee glanced at the unconscious Dragonite, its flattened belly evoking a faint sense of pity.
"Meta!~"
Metagross returned to Julian's side.
"There are six more left. Stop playing around, okay?" Julian said.
Given Metagross's strength, the battle shouldn't have needed a third move. The match could have been over with the second hit.
But Metagross had clearly been toying with its opponent, giving Dragonite the chance to endure longer than it should have.
Metagross: 'I can't help it! That Dragonite's belly was just too tempting—it practically begged me to keep hitting it.'
Metagross's internal monologue revealed its fondness for the squishy appeal of Dragonite's belly. Its reasoning?
It couldn't play around with its own Dragonite at home, so it might as well enjoy the opportunity with someone else's.
Julian, hearing this mental confession, decided to let it slide. After all, he himself often found Dragonite's belly irresistible and would casually pat it whenever he had the chance.
The third contender from the Modu Academy stepped forward. This one introduced himself as Akira Ono, a student from Babath.
Elite Universities often attracted foreign students, especially exchange students. The more prestigious the institution, the more diverse the student body.
"Julian-kun, please take care of me," Akira said with a polite bow.
Though many from Babath were infamous for their opportunism—flip-flopping between alliances with Drakoria and Celestria—their manners were, undeniably, impeccable.
"Let's not waste time," Julian replied curtly.
Julian's blunt attitude didn't sit well with some viewers of the livestream, who criticized him for being rude and bringing shame to Drakoria. However, these critics were quickly drowned out by others defending Julian.
(T/N: Again i have cut some parts, cause as i said before the author doesn't like Japan, so Julian's attitude toward any of them or you can say for any country in not favorable and I will try my best to cut any excess or bad things said)
Akira's Pokémon was a Goodra.
Goodra's body was predominantly purple and coated in a layer of goo. Among the Dragon-type pseudo-legendaries, it was known to be the most affectionate toward humans.
But Julian wasn't impressed. To him, its appearance left much to be desired—he thought even the "Disgrace of the Dragon Clan," Druddigon, looked better than this.
Looking at the Goodra, Julian suddenly realized he might be a "looks matter" type of person after all.
It was okay to look ugly, but at least be ugly with some flair. Be either 'ugly but cool', 'ugly but fierce', or at the very least, 'ugly but adorable'.
"Goodra, Dragon Pulse!"
"Teleport!"
Both commands were given almost simultaneously.
But Akira's face quickly darkened.
He had been outplayed.
Julian had anticipated his move and reacted in advance.
The Dragon Pulse barely left Goodra's mouth before Metagross vanished from sight.
"Metagross, Icy Wind!"
A chilling breeze swept in from behind Goodra, and within moments, a thick layer of ice several centimeters deep formed on its back.
Livestream Chat:
"Question for those who know: why didn't Julian use Meteor Mash? It's way stronger, and this was a perfect chance!"
"Yeah, I was wondering too! Metagross is insanely strong in close combat; why not finish it there?"
"Let me explain. Goodra's body is coated in goo. Physical attacks lose a lot of their force because the slime dissipates the impact."
"Oh, I get it. It's like trying to grab a wet eel with your bare hands—slippery!"
"Wait, grabbing eels? That...somehow sounds wrong..."
The power of Icy Wind wasn't immense, but its wide coverage made up for it. In just a few seconds, most of the battlefield was encased in ice.
The temperature dropped sharply, plummeting by dozens of degrees until it hovered near zero.
Goodra hadn't fainted yet, but it was clearly on its last legs.
"Metagross, Ice Punch!"
With a single, Ice Punch, Goodra was finally down.
The gentlest of Dragon-types had fallen to the iron fist of Metagross.
*****
Upto 30 chapters ahead on patreon :-
patreon.com/ReduxMagister