Chapter 505 - Healthy Competition

It's just that starting directly from the high difficulty level, Aoki's goal of training the four little ones, including Aron, can't be realized.

Perhaps there will be a better opportunity on the way back.

After reaching the mountainside, the wild Pokémon were almost all above level 30.

Faced with this situation, Aoki summoned Skorupi.

In this kind of forest, the bug- and poison-type Skorupi could perform well and gain valuable experience.

Steven's eyes lit up when he saw Aoki's Skorupi.

"That Skorupi has grown so big? Its size is a bit intimidating," Steven said, looking at the imposing Skorupi.

Aoki responded with a smile, "Yeah, this little guy has developed remarkably well."

Steven then threw a Pokéball.

A silver-white Pokémon in armor appeared before Aoki.

Lairon!

The evolved form of Aron.

Aoki's system activated, scanning Lairon's data.

Pokémon: Lairon (Dark Teal)

Gender: Male

Level: 39

Type: Steel/Rock

Ability: Sturdy

Held Item: Hard Stone

Egg Moves: Heavy Slam, Curse, Double-Edge, Stealth Rock

Basic Moves: Tackle, Harden, Mud-Slap, Headbutt, Metal Claw, Rock Tomb, Protect, Roar, Iron Head, Rock Slide, Take Down, Metal Sound, Iron Tail, Iron Defense

Learnt Moves: Earth Power, Magnet Rise, Stomping Tantrum, Iron Tail

TM Moves: Protect, Hidden Power (Water), Earthquake, Shadow Claw, Stone Edge, Stomping Tantrum, Taunt, Substitute

A dark teal rating—within Aoki's expectations.

Seeing Steven's Pokémon's potential, Aoki couldn't help but sigh. While initially taken aback, Aoki realized it was acceptable.

Steven's family clearly had ways to enhance the potential of steel-type Pokémon. This Lairon, already at level 39, was close to evolution. Once evolved, its potential might even reach light blue.

Aside from Professor Oak's Dragonite, Aoki had never seen a Pokémon with blue-tier potential.

Steven likely had at least two fully trained Metang by now, but Aoki was uncertain about the level of Steven's hidden Metang.

Lairon's presence suggested that Steven was currently focusing on training it the most.

The general strength in this area was at the elite level.

Moreover, despite being only level 39, Lairon could likely hold its own against ordinary elite-level Pokémon.

"The training is impressive," Aoki remarked.

Hearing this, Steven smiled.

Praise from Aoki, a talented breeder, was even more gratifying than recognition from senior breeders.

So, the two battled their way up the mountainside.

Both trainers were among the strongest in the area, and the wild Pokémon that appeared were barely a match for Skorupi and Lairon.

A friendly rivalry seemed to develop between their Pokémon.

The competition became about who could defeat opponents faster and with less effort.

Even though Steven came from a prominent League family, he refrained from seriously injuring wild Pokémon, choosing instead to have Lairon defeat and incapacitate them.

Aoki naturally followed suit, ensuring Skorupi held back its more lethal instincts.

Still, Skorupi, being naturally combative, found it challenging to restrain itself fully, limiting its true potential.

However, Skorupi had its strengths. Against lower-leveled Pokémon, its Sniper ability allowed for devastatingly precise strikes, often outperforming Lairon's brute strength.

Even though Steven had trained Lairon's Stone Edge well, Skorupi had honed its ability to exploit enemy weaknesses.

As a result, despite Lairon's superior raw strength, Skorupi wasn't far behind in battle efficiency.

Against weaker opponents, Steven and Aoki allowed their Pokémon to battle freely, ensuring they developed combat awareness.

As trainers, they only needed to manage the rhythm of battle. When the Pokémon followed their intended strategy, it ensured they would respond better to commands in serious battles.

In this regard, Aoki and Steven had an unspoken mutual understanding.

Eventually, Skorupi and Lairon developed respect for each other.

After nearly an hour of battling together, they had grown closer, even communicating amongst themselves.

Seeing this, Aoki and Steven were pleased.

The two trainers followed their Pokémon, occasionally providing battle analysis and suggestions for improvement.

During breaks, their discussions never ceased, mostly centered around Pokémon training.

Steven often sought Aoki's advice on Pokémon breeding, having recognized Aoki's unique insights.

In return, Aoki learned valuable steel-, rock-, and ground-type training techniques from Steven.

They were both prodigies in the Pokémon world, exchanging knowledge and pushing each other forward. Not only did this strengthen their expertise, but it also enhanced their skills as trainers.

Although Aoki had his system, its data came from various sources. When it came to steel-types, Steven's firsthand experience was more reliable.

But their leisurely battles came to an end after two hours.

As they climbed higher, the wild Pokémon became increasingly formidable.

Soon, they encountered Pokémon that required strategic command to defeat.

Two Magmar, each at level 35!

Though their potential was only light green, they were among the strongest Pokémon in the area.

Fire-type Pokémon naturally had a strong advantage over grass- and bug-types.

For the bug-type Skorupi and steel-type Lairon, the threat was significant.

Both Aoki and Steven tensed—not because of the Magmar's strength, but because of their presence here.

Magmar were pure fire-types, and volcanoes were their primary habitat.

But they had only reached the mountainside—not the volcanic peak.

Magmar should not have left their habitat so easily.

Something wasn't right.