Chapter 177: Axel: I Became a Guiding Light?

Accompanied by the roar of a Charizard, all the students on the playground looked up at the sky.

At the same time, the referee's passionate voice echoed across the entire field.

"Next to appear is Gym Leader Shasha of Emberpine City. She rose to prominence unexpectedly this summer, and the Emberpine City Gym has also become one of the most difficult gyms to challenge in Aurient."

"If nothing unexpected happens, within the next few months, Gym Leader Shasha will establish a gym in Petalglen City and be promoted as one of the Eight Major Gyms of Aurient."

"Today, our Ninox University and the Aurient Pokémon League have jointly invited Gym Leader Shasha to engage in an exciting exhibition match with our former gym leader, Director Norton."

"The winner will then guide our competition's first-place winner in a mentoring battle."

The moment the referee's voice ended, the entire playground suddenly fell into complete silence.

Everyone present were students who had lived college life for several years, and some had even traveled across several regions.

Their strength might not have kept up, but their judgment was frighteningly sharp.

Can Director Norton and this newly appeared Gym Leader Shasha really defeat Axel?

In the previous battle, Axel had astonishingly used the Dynamax system of Galar.

And he used it twice in a row.

"Brothers, why do I suddenly feel like this match isn't about them mentoring Axel, but Axel mentoring the two gym leaders?"

"Damn, finally someone who gets it. I also feel like they might not be able to beat Axel."

"It's not a 'might,' it's a definite!"

"We already know Senior Ricky's Blaziken is close to gym leader level, and Axel defeated him without even using Dynamax."

"If Axel uses Dynamax, Teacher Norton might really lose to him."

"Emmm… has anyone visited the Emberpine City Gym recently?"

"When I went last summer, I felt it was super easy. Why is it suddenly about to become one of the Eight Major Gyms?"

"You went there last summer? Then go challenge it again in a few days. Don't forget to prepare some quick-acting heart pills in advance."

"And Gym Leader Shasha is still so young. The League probably awarded her the Eight Major Gym title based on her potential."

As Gym Leader Shasha's Charizard landed, everyone politely stopped their discussions.

Axel hadn't gone far from the arena and waved to greet Gym Leader Shasha, "Gym Leader Shasha, congratulations on the promotion. Looking forward to the battle later."

"Sure, if there's a chance," Shasha recalled their few previous battles and subconsciously took half a step back.

But thinking of the plan she'd come up with on the way here, she still smiled and nodded.

'Battle? There's no way I'll ever battle you again in this lifetime.'

"Gym Leader Norton, please teach me."

"Alright. Gym Leader Shasha's Charizard looks better trained than before. I suppose your Incineroar must be even stronger, right?", What Norton said wasn't mere politeness.

The Aurient Trainers' Association puts a lot of effort into nurturing young talent, and with Shasha being named as a future "Eight Major Gym Leader," she was undoubtedly granted many resources.

This Charizard had already advanced far among gym leader-level Pokémon.

Shasha subtly glanced at Axel's back and resolutely began to play weak, laying the groundwork for her upcoming loss.

"Gym Leader Norton flatters me. As a junior, I still find it hard to defeat you."

Norton: "???"

'Why didn't you say that when you beat me last time?'

Very soon, the match between the two sides began.

Axel walked down from the arena and sat again beside Erika.

The seats they were in were very good, even allowing them to clearly observe the expressions of Gym Leaders Norton and Shasha.

In the first round, both sides sent out their main Pokémon.

As soon as it appeared, Incineroar let out a fierce roar.

A downward light ring appeared on Steelix's body.

The students on the playground were all fans of Axel, and someone quickly noticed the clue.

"Woah, no wonder Gym Leader Shasha is about to be promoted to one of the Eight Major Gyms at such a young age, her Incineroar has the Intimidate ability?"

"Opening with Intimidate, then combining it with Fake Out, no wonder that one guy said you need to prepare heart pills before challenging her."

Sure enough, the course of the battle between the two sides went just like that student predicted.

"Steelix, use Dig!"

"Incineroar, use Fake Out!"

Before Steelix could make any move, Incineroar's body shifted, instantly appearing beside it.

A large mass of black energy gathered in its palm, and it easily leapt more than five meters high and slammed a heavy palm onto Steelix's face.

A trace of fear flashed in Steelix's eyes, and due to the move's guaranteed hit effect, it fell into a flinching state.

Erika beside Axel opened her mouth wide, looking at him in disbelief.

"Mr. Axel, do Aurient's trainers always use this kind of…", Erika really wanted to say "shameless" opening, but felt it was a bit inappropriate.

So she changed to a more tactful phrasing, "...do you always use this kind of unstoppable opening?"

"It's not unstoppable," Axel cracked his fingers.

"Pokémon with abilities like Clear Body, Hyper Cutter, or White Smoke can all easily counter Incineroar, and prankster-style defenders with Prankster can also do it."

"If Shasha were a challenger, then maybe beating the gym would be pretty easy."

"But as a gym leader... she's too easy to target."

Hearing Axel's confident words, Erika wanted to retort that Pokémon with those abilities weren't so easy to find.

But recalling the scene where Axel beat Gym Leader Shasha that day, she decisively shut her mouth.

Aurient's Pokémon trainers were absolutely no weaker than Kanto.

The battle on the field had already entered a white-hot stage.

Incineroar used Parting Shot, placing one hand on its waist, with the other pointing to the tip of its nose, talking trash like a village auntie in a street argument.

Steelix roared madly with rage, even forgetting its trainer's plan, and its metal body slithered quickly across the ground, intent on pinning Incineroar down and giving it a fierce pounding.

Just then, a dazzling red light flashed on Incineroar's body.

The Poké Ball automatically activated, recalling Incineroar back into the ball.

Steelix's raised tail fell into thin air, smashing the stage and forming a depression.

At the same time, a wave of weakness washed over Steelix, and two downward light rings flashed on its body.

Axel could clearly see Erika's fair arm suddenly grab the corner of her skirt, seemingly worried for Steelix on the field.

"Ms. Erika is really a kind person."

Erika gently shook her head, "Mr. Axel flatters me. I'm just surprised that such a tactic could be this strong."

"Last time your Gardevoir wasn't affected much, so I underestimated Gym Leader Shasha."

"Now it seems there's good reason for Gym Leader Shasha to be promoted to Aurient's Eight Major Gyms."

"I just wonder who it was that came up with such a tactic."

"It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they're Shasha's guiding light!"

Axel: "???"

'When did I become the guiding light?'

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