Master Math, Physics, and Chemistry, and Pokémon Battles Hold No Fear

Scorching flames rained down from midair. Beneath a crimson sky as blazing as a sea of burning clouds, Volcarona wreathed in fire was like a blazing sun.

Gladion stared at the scene in slight distraction.

Before the battle, he had already imagined what kind of opponent he would be facing, but Xia Chen's strength still exceeded his expectations.

Using a Volcarona that had only been caught—no, had only been born—for less than two years to suppress a stronger Lycanroc that had a fourfold type advantage over it sounded utterly absurd!

Yet everything happening on the battlefield was laid out before Gladion's eyes, undeniable and real.

From an omniscient perspective, perhaps it was merely a tiny command error that had led to this disadvantage. But it was precisely such details that revealed the gap between top-tier Trainers.

And the perfect combination of Fire Spin and Heat Wave had produced an incredible reaction, allowing Volcarona to turn its disadvantage into an advantage in one stroke.

For Gladion, the good news was that his opponent's advantage was not overwhelming.

Lycanroc itself was highly durable, and as a Rock type, it resisted Fire-type attacks twofold.

So although Lycanroc looked miserable now, its fur blackened all over, it was still far from being at the end of its rope.

That said, it was not having an easy time either.

With no time to regret that reversed Accelerock, Gladion forced himself to focus and commanded, "Lycanroc, Dig!"

Right now, he desperately needed to carve out a little breathing room beneath Volcarona's fierce assault. Protect was too passive; Dig was naturally the best choice.

After all, that giant fluttering moth did not have Earthquake in its move pool.

But that was not the only way to deal with a defensive move like Dig.

"Volcarona, Quiver Dance."

Having