Terrifying Strength

The arrangement was smooth this time. Under the direction of the examiner, everyone went to the trial stone to test honestly.

Having already gone through two rounds of testing, most trainers understood how to achieve higher attack values. The testers had become more familiar with the process as well.

From the attack value results, it was clear that everyone's performance had generally improved. While the increase wasn't as significant as during the second test, the looming threat of life and death still drove noticeable progress.

This was especially true for the lower-ranking trainers. Over the past week, they had pushed themselves through intense training, knowing that being at the bottom could mean elimination—or worse.

"Number 46, attack value: 198. Next!"

"Number 54, attack value: 178. Next!"

"Number 58, attack value..."

As the examiner called out each number and corresponding attack value, reactions varied. Some trainers smiled with satisfaction, pleased with their results. Others looked visibly worried, unable to hide their concerns.

However, despair wasn't yet evident. Even for those with lower attack values, the upcoming challenges provided a chance for a desperate fight to stay in the competition.

Each test acted as a sieve, sifting through the trainers to reveal the strongest. Those with real skill and potential wouldn't remain unnoticed.

"Ekans, use Bite!"

Bang!

"Number 99, attack value: 337!"

Shortly after, it was Guga's turn with his Ekans. The attack value of 337 points was the highest recorded so far, marking the first time someone broke through the 300-point mark in this round of testing.

Amid the exclamations of surprise, Guga, with a proud look, led Ekans off the test bench.

Since being ranked second by Aoki in the last test, Guga had trained Ekans harder than ever. The snake Pokémon, also dissatisfied with its previous defeat by Murkrow, had shown clear signs of improvement.

Moreover, Guga had employed specialized training methods he learned from his brother, allowing Ekans to reach its current peak condition.

Returning to his group, Guga basked in the attention. Though proud, he wasn't foolish enough to lose focus.

He knew today's attack value test wasn't the true focus of the trial. The real test lay in the challenges that followed. Impressive numbers meant little if they couldn't be backed up in battle.

Aoki had to admit that Guga had optimized Ekans's training under limited resources. If not for the knowledge gained from his rebirth, Aoki might have found himself struggling to surpass Guga.

Guga's performance sparked excitement among the other trainers, motivating them to give their best.

"Number 134, attack value: 308!"

This was the second trainer to break 300 points. Jasmine, the trainer of a large Zubat, had been ranked third in the previous test.

Aoki had little recollection of Jasmine in his previous life. Even after joining Team Rocket, their paths never crossed significantly.

However, her presence was now more intriguing. As a young girl managing to thrive on Trial Island's harsh conditions, she had secured third place under the pressure of both Aoki and Guga.

Gathering her own faction and holding her ground against Guga suggested she was far from ordinary.

"This person's identity might not be simple," Aoki thought silently.

"Number 156, attack value: 330!"

Alec, the strongest of the independent trainers, had also surpassed the 300-point mark. He was the first trainer to evolve his Pokémon. His once-small Poochyena had now evolved into a powerful Mightyena. This advantage had allowed him to surpass Jasmine and establish himself as a top competitor, just below Guga.

Since Shadow hinted at changes in this trial, Aoki had noticed more peculiarities.

Some of the trainers' Pokémon were exceptionally strong, to the point where even Team Rocket squad leaders might covet them. Yet these Pokémon had been placed in the hands of trainees.

Guga's Ekans, Jasmine's Golbat, and Alec's Mightyena were all examples of remarkably high-potential Pokémon.

Furthermore, it was strange to see certain Pokémon from regions like Hoenn, such as Mightyena, appearing here in a Kanto setting.

The more Aoki thought about it, the more unsettling it became.

In his previous life, survival had occupied all his thoughts, leaving no time for deeper analysis. But now, with the opportunity to reexamine the situation, the anomalies became glaringly obvious.

"Number 234, ready to test!"

The examiner's voice snapped Aoki out of his thoughts.

Finally, it was his turn.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Aoki stepped onto the stage with Murkrow.

No one dared mock him now. After easily defeating Soros, recruiting Skye, and trading away Koffing to establish goodwill, Aoki had solidified an image as a ruthless, skilled, and calculated trainer.

Even Jasmine and Alec, usually indifferent, turned their attention to the stage.

"Murkrow, use Tailwind! Boost speed, then Wing Attack!" Aoki's calm voice cut through the square.

Murkrow took off, soaring high into the sky. With Tailwind increasing its speed, it reached the apex of its flight before diving sharply downward. The whistling sound of its descent echoed across the square.

The crowd watched intently as Murkrow executed the maneuver flawlessly.

With wings glowing faintly white from Flying energy, Murkrow struck the trial stone with a resounding boom. The ground seemed to tremble slightly from the impact.

Although the trial stone, crafted with advanced Team Rocket technology, remained undamaged, it appeared as if it could crack under the force.

For a moment, the square was eerily quiet.

All eyes locked onto the trial stone, waiting for the result to display.

"Attack value: 458!"

The crowd froze, stunned.

Everyone had expected Aoki to take first place again, but no one imagined he would reach an attack value of 458 points!

Aoki didn't just secure first place—he crushed the competition. His score exceeded Guga's by 121 points, a gap greater than what some trainers' Pokémon could even achieve.

Today's test had cemented Aoki's dominance.

Only two words could describe the impression he left in everyone's minds: terrifying.