Metamorphosis

"Sha!!"

Arbok darted across the "stone steps" overhead. It also knocked nearby rocks toward Beedrill, trying to leave him as little room to dodge as possible.

Strangely, Beedrill made no move to stop it. He simply flew higher through the gaps.

Dian calmed down and began watching the battle closely.

Masamune kept giving orders with his whistle, wholly absorbed in this fight he had waited so long for.

The sweat on his brow, his focused expression, and the vigor that made him seem young again—his complete immersion stirred something in Cheng, even as she watched from afar.

"Ledy!"

The six Ledyba beside her were just as engrossed. Their black eyes tracked every move Arbok and Beedrill made.

Suddenly—

"Now! Arbok!" Masamune shouted.

"Arbok!"

By the time Masamune called out, Arbok had already maneuvered above Beedrill and sealed off every route around him. The only way out was down.

Arbok raised his tail high. A bright silver glow enveloped it, and his whole body tensed.

Bang!

His iron-hard tail tore through the air, a swift silver streak slashing downward.

"Well done, Arbok!"

The middle-aged man pumped his fist, carried away. He hadn't expected Arbok to fight so well after so long without a battle.

Then he clapped a hand in dismay. This was supposed to be a teaching battle. Had he gone too far?

"Rage."

Dian's calm command rang out.

Beedrill beat his wings and watched the silver streak hurtle toward him from above. Could he not dodge it?

Of course he could!

He practiced Agility at every opportunity. How could he fail to evade such an obvious trap?

Did they think he couldn't keep track of Arbok?

With his Swarm Ability fully engaged, he could sense Arbok's position even when Arbok hid underground with Dig. He could have disrupted the