A Bitter Battle

Name: Weavile

Gender: Female

Type: Ice/Dark

Ability: Pressure
Effect: Increases the opponent's energy consumption when using moves

Moves: Scratch, Glare, Agility, Quick Attack, Assurance, Ice Shard, Protect, Icy Wind, Avalanche, Dark Pulse

Inherited Moves: Fake Out, Double Hit

Rank: Peak Intermediate

Evolution Progress: None (already evolved to final form)

Seeing the data panel for the Pokémon before him, Ye Lan knew that this was what a professional point hunter looked like.

Keeping its strength at the very limit of the intermediate rank not only avoided breaking the rules, but also earned more points.

The instant Weavile appeared on the field, its Pressure ability activated automatically, making Snivy feel immense pressure.

Aside from Wailmer, Weavile, and Absol, the only Pokémon with the Pressure ability were legendary Pokémon—or monsters like Mewtwo, which rivaled legendary Pokémon. It was downright terrifying.

Combined with Weavile's base Speed stat of a full 125, setting aside all other factors, it was already equal to Serperior, Snivy's final evolution, in Speed.

Yet Snivy's long and grueling training had forged an unyielding personality. In only a moment, it had recovered from that psychological pressure.

The moment it raised its head, it discovered that Weavile had already reached it with Quick Attack.

Ice-type energy gathered, and a biting Icy Wind blew toward Snivy from point-blank range.

At Ye Lan's reminder, it did not hesitate. A Protect barrier appeared before Snivy, blocking the attack for it.

Ice-type moves countered Grass types. Given Snivy's current condition, it absolutely could not gamble on saving Protect; an Ice-type move could very well knock it out in a single blow.

Snivy pushed off with both legs and swiftly leaped backward. Its nose twitched, and as though it had foreseen the attack, it viciously swung an Iron Tail at its rear left.

With a clang of metal against metal, Snivy used the impact to widen the distance again. The Vine Whips at its sides shot out, blocking Weavile's next Double Hit assault.

Its claws flashed rapidly. The Vine Whips that had once been so tough were sliced into several pieces in succession. Weavile paused only briefly before closing in on Snivy again.

Ye Lan's frown deepened. This Weavile's reaction speed was simply too fast. Snivy's speed, once its greatest pride, could only barely keep up with the opponent's attack rhythm.

Fortunately, this Weavile had not learned Ice Punch, one of the "Farmer's Three Punches." Otherwise, the situation would have been even more difficult.

"Weavile, use Avalanche!"

In an instant, the lightly drifting snowflakes began to multiply, as if a snow mountain were gathering its strength.

If such a large-area move was successfully unleashed, Snivy would suffer severe injuries even if it did not take the attack head-on.

There was no longer any need to widen the distance. Snivy suddenly turned around, Steel-type energy gathering at its tail as it abruptly smashed toward Weavile.

Seeing that its charged Ice-type move was about to be interrupted, the scarred man's face instead revealed a triumphant smile.

As Snivy drew closer, the drifting snowflakes began to slowly disperse, while Dark-type energy gathered in Weavile's mouth.

"It's Dark Pulse! That Avalanche was entirely meant to lure Snivy closer!"

The commentator's explanation made the audience hold their breath, afraid that the match would be declared over in the next second before they got to see its most exciting moment.

Some had even placed bets on one of the two fighters in advance, making them all the more concerned about the outcome.

The spectators who often came here to watch matches had some understanding of the contestants.

On one side was a newcomer competing for the first time. On the other was a point hunter who regularly took part in battles. It was obvious whose odds of winning were higher.

But higher odds of victory also meant lower payouts. There were always people who loved taking risks, and plenty who wanted to turn a small stake into a fortune.

As the snowstorm completely dissipated, Snivy's figure was fully revealed. What greeted Weavile was not an Iron Tail, but patterns over Snivy's body flashing with strange light.

Boom! As Weavile's head buzzed, paralysis made its entire body tremble uncontrollably, and the Dark Pulse in midair came to an involuntary halt.

"Pull yourself together, Weavile!"

The sudden turn in the battle made the scarred man's expression tighten.

Leech Seed flew over like a cannonball and burrowed deep into Weavile's flesh.

After a round of absorption from the Leech Seed, Snivy regained some of its stamina.

But in the blink of an eye, Weavile's sharp claws tore the thorns apart. The healing effect was far less effective than Ye Lan had imagined.

"Now, use Grassy Terrain!"

As Ye Lan's words fell, not only the commentator but even most of the audience looked utterly incredulous.

"This Snivy has mastered a field move at the intermediate level while still in its basic stage?!"

"Even if it's an inherited move, being able to use it now proves extraordinary talent!"

"No wonder this young man dared to keep challenging. He really had a trump card."

Grassy Terrain gradually spread across the field. Dense Grass-type energy radiated outward, healing Snivy's injuries while easing its fatigue.

Yet in the next instant, sharp claws howling through the air came straight at it. Even though Snivy tried its best to lean backward, three bloody marks were still carved across its abdomen.

Too fast! It had broken free of the paralysis from Glare far too quickly!

Although Snivy had relied on Ye Lan's commands and its understanding of moves to seize a brief advantage against Weavile, the enormous gap in raw strength still left it so suppressed that it could barely breathe.

After landing its blow, Weavile had no intention of stopping. Dark-type energy instantly enveloped its entire body as Assurance activated, and it closed in on Snivy's side once more.

Though Magical Leaf was already flying toward Weavile, it neither dodged nor evaded. It took the damage head-on, then slashed viciously at the wound on Snivy's abdomen again.

As Snivy was sent flying, many of its scales shattered and scattered away.

Seeing Snivy suffer such grievous injuries for the first time, Ye Lan's heart twisted in pain.

Even though Ye Lan had been fairly confident, he began to regret using this battle as a catalyst for Snivy's evolution.

The trainers who took part in these battles would not hold back in the slightest. Ending the fight as quickly as possible and preserving their stamina was what they aimed to do.

Snivy covered its endlessly bleeding wound with one hand and braced itself against the ground with the other as it slowly rose.

Facing an opponent stronger than any it had ever encountered, and bleeding this much for the first time, it felt no fear. Instead, its fighting spirit was ignited.

From the day it was born until now, no battle had ever placed such immense pressure on it. Its opponent not only countered its type, but also surpassed it by a considerable margin in raw strength.

Even giving everything it had seemed incapable of bringing victory. But its proud soul kept telling it that it could not lose here—not ever!

In an instant, white light enveloped Snivy's entire body, and its aura began to rise without end. A powerful gust blew out, forcibly halting Weavile's charge!

Snivy's body continuously lengthened. Its little hands transformed into leaves that rested against its front, leaf-like protrusions appeared on its tail, and its entire body became streamlined. Its bearing was completely different from its former cute appearance.

"Sssperior!"