A slight edge

"What incredible psychic power!"

Recalling the battle just now, Candice, who was serving as referee, could not help marveling.

She realized that Stantler's psychic power was far greater than her Medicham's.

"So he wasn't even going all out when he battled Candice!"

Sitting in the stands, Zoey looked thoughtful.

"Bai Shi's Stantler is way too strong!"

Seeing Paul's Pokémon go down so quickly, Ash could not help exclaiming.

"Hmph! That Stantler knows Psychic, too. I really underestimated it!"

Hearing Ash's exclamation, Paul snorted and recalled his unconscious Hariyama, looking thoroughly displeased.

Who could have imagined that such a lazy-looking Stantler would be so formidable?

Since this was a best-of-three match, he had no room left for error.

He would have to choose his next Pokémon carefully.

Otherwise, losing to Bai Shi would make him a laughingstock.

"Great job, Stantler! I knew you were hiding your true strength. You're much more reliable than that Staraptor!"

Unlike the grim-faced Paul, Bai Shi was overjoyed by his first victory and kept showering Stantler with lavish praise.

"Stantler~" (Whew~ How could a brute like Staraptor compare to an old fellow like me?)

Stantler panted a few times and accepted Bai Shi's praise without the slightest embarrassment.

Taking down that big fellow had taken considerable effort. Stantler felt more exhausted than after a full day's training.

If Bai Shi sent Stantler out to battle again, a strike was definitely in order.

"Thanks for your hard work, Stantler. Come back and get some rest!"

"Dudunsparce, you're up!"

Only after praising Stantler for quite a while did Bai Shi recall the Pokémon and send out Dudunsparce instead.

If he won this round, he would defeat Paul two to zero.

Then he would see how Paul could keep acting so smug around him.

"Is that Dunsparce's evolved form?