Most Pokémon simply did not have the same command over water as Feebas.
Qianqian's Seel, for instance, devoted a great deal of its energy to studying control over the ice element.
There was also its understanding of the move Surf. Surf, Waterfall, and Aqua Jet were the skills Feebas had always focused on mastering.
That was why, despite being only at the peak of Normal Class, it had managed to stay right behind the leading pack.
Now, Feebas's strength had finally begun advancing toward Entry Class, and that step had at last begun closing the gap between it and the other Pokémon.
"Feebas, keep going! You can do it!" Xiao Ran encouraged it.
The waves around them rose higher and higher, yet Feebas's fins moved more and more slowly. Its control over water was improving, which meant it was finding it increasingly easy to ride the waves with Surf.
Seeing Feebas's progress, Xiao Ran breathed a sigh of relief. Winning or losing no longer mattered. Reaching Entry Class would be Feebas's greatest gain today.
After all, reaching Entry Class was not evolution. Although its control had improved, its stamina had not recovered, so there was little hope of making up the distance it had lost.
He looked up. Qianqian and Seel had already surged into first place and were making their final sprint. Barring any surprises, victory was theirs.
She really did live up to being someone who had leaped over the Dragon Gate!
Xiao Ran marveled inwardly. He figured he could only manage a fairly respectable placing, but Qianqian's Seel truly was powerful.
Even while charging ahead in first place, it showed no signs of exhaustion. Its performance was steadier than that of the several late Entry Class Pokémon trailing behind it.
In the end, Xiao Ran placed only