On Shalour City's coastline.
The friendly match between Li Wei and Wikstrom
ended with Arcanine defeating Aegislash.
Arcanine was still howling excitedly.
The system notification Li Wei had expected never came.
Li Wei soon understood why. The system displayed a pop-up message: [Private friendly matches are invalid]
For a battle to be recognized, it needed an official referee, an official battlefield, and enough witnesses.
As for the friendly match between Li Wei and Wikstrom,
it met none of those conditions.
Oh well. Li Wei did not dwell on it.
This fight against Aegislash had confirmed some of Li Wei's ideas.
After fully absorbing the power of two Moltres feathers, Arcanine had reached the upper level of Master Tier.
Arcanine was now on par with Lucario in normal form, and the power of Arcanine's flames could not be measured by ordinary standards.
The ability to defeat Aegislash despite the gap in levels
was partly due to those extraordinary flames.
Wikstrom looked at Arcanine in puzzlement.
"Why did I sense Moltres's power in Arcanine's flames?"
"Your senses were right. We met Moltres in Seaflair City and received a gift of divine flames."
Wikstrom nodded. "I see."
Though Steven had defeated him that afternoon and Li Wei had defeated him that evening, Wikstrom was not discouraged.
Earning the blessing of Moltres's flames was also a testament to Li Wei and Arcanine's abilities.
After going to the Pokémon Center together to heal their Pokémon, they parted ways.
"May we meet again."
Li Wei shook his hand. "If you ever visit Jubilife City, you're welcome to stop by the Jubilife Breeding Center."
"It would be my honor."
The Steel-type Elite Four member, clad in a knight's armor and devoted to the spirit of chivalry, took his leave.
Li Wei and his companions' final stop