Chapter 160

"Dragon energy... Such a rich concentration of dragon energy!"

As Nathan probed the source of the dragon's roar, he was truly stunned.

Because the dragon energy within this Charmander was so pure and so dense!

It was even more "dragon-like" than actual Dragon-type Pokémon!

"But... this isn't exactly a good thing..."

After the initial shock, Nathan began to frown deeply.

If Charmander were a genuine Dragon-type Pokémon, this would undoubtedly be an incredible blessing — a level of talent unheard of.

Unfortunately, neither Charmander nor Charizard were true Dragon-types.

To not be Dragon-type yet possess such overwhelming dragon energy — this wasn't a gift.

It was a burden!

As for whether it would affect Charmander's typing?

Impossible.

Barring evolution, a Pokémon's type could neither be increased nor decreased through any means.

Typing was determined at birth — like the flow of time, irreversible.

Like spilled water that could never be gathered back.

"Wait, didn't the system shop refresh earlier today?"

Remembering the system store, Nathan immediately exited the synchronization mode.

It had been a long time since he last checked the refreshed inventory.

Mainly because he usually didn't have the money, and even when he did, the items weren't particularly useful.

But this time, the items seemed relatively affordable.

Opening the store, he first saw the priciest item — a fossil — and thought it cost 30 million.

But on closer inspection... he realized he had missed two zeros!

Three billion!

"A Mew's fossil?"

Nathan's mouth twitched uncontrollably at the outrageous price and couldn't help but mutter:

"Legendaries really live up to their name."

Even a fossil remotely related to them could sell for such an astronomical price!

At that moment, Nathan genuinely felt like giving up —

Why not just find a legendary Pokémon, cling onto its thigh, pluck a few hairs or scales, and become the richest man alive? Easy!

Forcefully dragging his gaze away from the fossil section, he scrolled further down.

"Suppression Armor... the same type of armor Team Rocket used on Mewtwo to suppress its power, right?"

"Five million... must be a downgraded version. But it should work to suppress the dragon energy inside Charmander,"

Nathan muttered, rubbing his chin as his eyes flickered thoughtfully.

Although the excessive dragon energy was a burden during Charmander's, Charmeleon's, and Charizard's normal stages —

Once Charizard underwent Mega Evolution and officially gained Dragon-typing,

its power would experience a qualitative leap!

No joke.

The old saying, "Dragons overcome all types — only dragons can counter dragons," wasn't just empty words!

Even though Dragons were weak to Fairy-types nowadays, it still didn't diminish the Dragon type's absolute prestige!

Any Pokémon even remotely linked to "dragon" tended to be absurdly expensive.

No — they were completely overpriced!

With a tap of his finger, Nathan purchased the Suppression Armor.

The armor's design resembled the one from the anime but looked lighter and cooler —

even more stylish.

Honestly, when Nathan first got into Pokémon, he used to think Mewtwo's real form was the armored version.

He was even a bit of a fan because of it.

It was a shame that when Mewtwo's true appearance was revealed later, although not bad, it was a bit disappointing —

enough for Nathan to lose interest for a while.

Right now, although he didn't have a Mewtwo...

he had the armor and a Charmander.

That was close enough, wasn't it?

Thinking of this, Nathan channeled some of his Viridian Power into the Pokémon egg.

Although the Charmander inside was healthy, due to a long period of dormancy,

it needed a little external stimulation to hatch more easily.

"Calculating based on using 1% of Viridian Power... it should hatch in three days,"

Nathan quickly worked out the time and placed the Pokémon egg carefully by his bedside.

Then, he summoned his Volcarona.

"Vol?"

Volcarona glanced at the egg, then at Nathan.

"Vol?!"

Its meaning was clear:

[Are you serious, Master? You want me to hatch an egg?]

Although normally, a Volcarona could begin breeding and raising offspring at around three years old,

Nathan's Volcarona had been with him since birth.

In its worldview, it was still a pure little girl!

Cough cough.

"Volcarona, it's not that I want you to hatch the egg yourself. I just need you to help keep the room temperature warm. Please?"

Nathan quickly explained.

" Vol!"

After a good bit of persuasion from Nathan, Volcarona finally nodded in agreement.

A gentle warmth soon enveloped the Pokémon egg.

With the support of Viridian Power, the previously faint heartbeat inside the egg gradually grew stronger and more vigorous.

Another day passed — and it was time for the semi-finals.

This was a crucial stage in every division's tournament.

Because in the National Tournament, players who reached the Top Four in any regional qualifier would automatically qualify for the main event.

For those finishing below Top Four, things became much more uncertain.

After all, no one knew what kinds of monsters might emerge from the other seven divisions.

There had even been cases where a fifth-place finisher in one division failed to secure a spot in the main tournament.

Although luck always played some role,

any trainer serious about aiming for the national championship would never entrust their future to luck alone.

"Hello everyone, good morning! After countless brutal eliminations, our Top Eight have finally fought their way through!"

The announcer's energetic voice rang out across the venue.

"How will they perform from here on out? Let's witness it today with our very own eyes!"

As the commentary echoed, eight trainers emerged from their respective tunnels.

Each one maintained an astonishing win rate of over ninety percent!

In the eyes of ordinary trainers, they were veritable monsters.

Among them, two figures shone the brightest —

Nathan Vesper, and a female trainer named Cecil Lawrence.

That was because only Nathan and Cecil had preserved a perfect record — they had never lost a single match!

In particular, Nathan's performance was the most outrageous.

Not only was he undefeated,

but aside from some information about his Zeraora that had been exposed,

the rest of his Pokémon had revealed very little —

barely enough to draw any reliable conclusions.

"Hey, kiddo. First time stepping onto a stage like this, aren't you excited?"

Cecil casually slung an arm around Nathan's shoulder, her voice deep and pleasant, full of an easygoing, older-sister vibe.

A bit of a tomboy type, Nathan noticed.

However, he also realized something else —

this "big sister" wasn't nearly as friendly with the other competitors.

Probably an age gap issue, Nathan guessed inwardly.

But outwardly, he showed no change in expression.

He replied in an even, calm voice:

"My goal is the National Tournament championship."

"If a mere Top Four slot were enough to get me excited, then that would only mean I'm not worth much to begin with."

It wasn't bragging — it was simply the truth.

After all, Nathan had ventured into the Wandering Mountains, entered S-rank-danger level secret realms, and trained his psychic ability...

All of it had a single purpose:

to become stronger and win the National Championship!

If he hadn't had such a goal,

he could have easily coasted through by collecting eight gym badges,

and with just Volcarona and Pangoro alone, reached this point without breaking a sweat.

However, in the eyes of the other competitors,

Nathan's words undoubtedly sounded like outright arrogance.

But they couldn't refute it.

Because his battle record was genuinely the best in the entire Magic City division!

In the world of trainers, strength was the ultimate proof of everything!

"Giggle, you're quite the ambitious little guy. But unfortunately..."

"My goal is also the National Championship!"

Cecil flashed a bright, confident smile — full of strong, competitive energy.

It was clear:

In the Magic City division, Nathan and Cecil were recognized as the true seeded players.

Nathan could even clearly sense it —

the same kindred spirit aura coming from Cecil!

Elite level!

And not just one or two —

her Pokémon weren't newly-minted Elite Fours at levels 51 or 52 either.

She exuded a much more dangerous presence!

"Then let's find out who's stronger!"

Nathan's golden eyes burned brightly as he answered in a low, unyielding voice.