Chapter 277: Luo Mu VS Adak (7k)

"Next, let us applaud the five teachers and students from Orange Academy, who have traveled half a planet to reach us! In this academy that reveres battles, what kind of spectacular feast of combat will they bring us?"

As Bai Bai Leiya's voice, fully capable of stirring the emotions of the audience present, rang out, Luo Mu led the four others toward the stage, the very center of this battle grounds.

There, Champion Adak, Principal Cyan, and the four members of the Blueberry League were already waiting.

Though orderly applause filled his ears, Luo Mu knew very well that this was merely polite applause; just like a team playing an away game, all the spectators belonged to the opposing side, their emotions stirred for the opposition, which would bring unprecedented pressure upon Hearing Nimo and the others.

Fortunately, the quality of these students was decent enough; at least they did not boo to disrupt everyone's morale.

Moreover, having long prepared for the worst-case scenario, Luo Mu had already sent Hearing Nimo and the other four to experience the Gym battle at Glaseado Town on their own.

The performance by Grusha, the popular rapper and Gym Leader, which was enough to shake the souls of the audience, brought no less pressure after stirring the emotions of Glaseado Town's residents.

Finally, within the flow of this exchange battle, the exhibition match would be conducted first; whether Blueberry Academy wished to maximize their home-field advantage to the extreme, or use Adak's battle to raise the fighting spirit of the four Blueberry League members, it mattered not.

At this moment, appearing in the capacity of a teacher, his only duty was to carve out a battlefield for Hearing Nimo and the others where they could fight without any worries behind them, unaffected by external factors, free to exert their full strength!

Adak quickly let out a sigh of admiration, yet his expression did not change much.

Arriving at the center of the field, Luo Mu paid no heed to the exchanges between the students; he only needed to focus on the two individuals before him.

After a moment of silence, both issued their commands simultaneously.

"Leaf Storm!"

Krookodile let out a loud roar, immediately whipping up a sandstorm; in an instant, the venue was shrouded in yellow sand filling the sky, and visibility suddenly became obscure.

As Adak turned and walked to the other side of the battle field, Cyan suddenly said, "Champion, please do not underestimate Teacher Luo Mu. Why do you think Primarina, the Top Champion of the Paldea League, felt at ease letting him come alone? And why did we choose to invite you as our guest, rather than Grusha's father, Gym Leader Clay, or Dohyo's grandfather, Gym Leader Drayden?"

The weather was clear and sunny at this moment; the moment Serperior appeared, its aura was extremely high-spirited, indicating that the energy absorbed within its body had become active. Having glanced at Serperior just once, Adak became serious.

Even Adak revealed an expression of surprise: "Serperior, huh... truly nostalgic."

What Cyan said was correct; this was a formidable enemy!

"Both sides, release your Pokémon simultaneously."

"Such tremendous power!"

Luo Mu extended his hand, saying, "Hello, Champion Adak."

As Bai Bai Leiya finished speaking, Luo Mu and Adak exchanged glances; receiving the full-force shouts and cheers of encouragement from Hearing Nimo and the others behind him, he decisively took out a Poké Ball: "Serperior!"

This teacher was younger than he had imagined; he was about to engage in an exhibition match with this teacher. Considering the relationship between the Unova League and the Paldea League, it seemed he would need to hold back slightly.

Below the stage, a member of the League Club beside Carmine asked, "Carmine, who do you think will win?"

Although Luo Mu felt somewhat sorry for the Politoed he had prepared for so long, this was a singles battle requested by Adak, leaving it no room to take the field.

He was also very curious: after half a year of tempering, had the gap between himself and a League Champion narrowed, or had he perhaps surpassed it?

"This exhibition match will be a 3-on-3 singles battle; both sides may substitute their Pokémon at will. When one side's three Pokémon lose the ability to battle, the other side achieves victory."

Cyan shook his head: "That belongs to the confidential matters of the Paldea League; on this point, I am not clear."

"Hello, Teacher Luo Mu, I am Adak." Adak extended his hand to shake back, subtly sizing up the young man before him, before finally revealing an expression of emotion.

Adak quickly shouted, "Do not fear, block it with Rock Slide!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, under Bai Bai Leiya's announcement, the opening exhibition match was about to begin.

Kieran, hiding behind Carmine, quietly watched the two people and Pokémon on the field, unknown what he was thinking.

Bai Bai Leiya, serving as the referee, let her loud voice ring through the arena via the megaphone; Luo Mu, who had prepared for a double battle, showed a hint of surprise on his face, while Adak offered him an apologetic smile.

"."

As the Champion of the Unova region, Adak knew very well Serperior's special abilities.

On Serperior's side, it raised the tip of its tail, its whole body radiating a deep green luster; countless sharp green leaves, each comparable to a blade, gathered into a hurricane, breaking through the omnipresent barrier of yellow sand with an overwhelming force, roaring toward Krookodile!

"Sandstorm!"

After a moment of silence, Adak's hand no longer gripped the Poké Ball in his pocket, but instead touched the six red-and-white Poké Balls that he always wore hanging on his person.

Compared to double battles, he was still more accustomed to conducting singles battles.

At this moment, the bright sun shone high in the sky, and the energy within Serperior's body became active.

Even facing Serperior's signature move, Adak's Krookodile did not fall behind in the slightest.

This time, Cyan finally seemed to have been reliable for once, not suffering from forgetfulness, as he introduced to Adak: "Champion Adak, this is a teacher from Orange Academy, and also your opponent in this exhibition match, Luo Mu."

Krookodile widened its fierce eyes, its thick lower limbs heavily stomping the ground; in the blink of an eye, several huge rocks descended from the sky, directly forming a solid wall in front of Krookodile!

The next instant, Leaf Storm swept in; its power completely exceeded Adak's expectations. The howling leaves directly sliced the massive rocks into countless fragments, carrying slightly diminished momentum as they attacked Krookodile again.

Carmine revealed a smile, saying with full confidence, "Naturally, it will be Champion Adak."

Krookodile did not just stand there either; without needing Adak's command, Krookodile opened its massive jaws, where scorching flames gathered, forming a giant fang burning with blazing fire, and bit down fiercely at the oncoming Leaf Storm!

Boom!

A muffled explosion sounded; amidst a cloud of black smoke, Krookodile's unharmed figure loomed indistinctly.

This signified that Adak would be sending out his main force.

Adak also threw out a Poké Ball: "Krookodile!"

The next instant, a wave of gasps rose up; clearly, the students of Blueberry Academy had not expected Luo Mu to send out Serperior, one of the signature starter Pokémon of the Unova region.

Luo Mu naturally did not miss the shift in Adak's actions and behavior; he chuckled lightly and murmured in a low voice, "That's right."

Adak's movements paused, revealing an expression of deep thought: "Is he Champion-level?"

Red light flashed; Serperior, proudly holding its snake head high, and Krookodile, deep red in color with many black stripes on its body and a fierce aura, appeared on the battle field.

This was the demeanor of a League Champion!

Luo Mu said with an unchanged expression, "Once more, Leaf Storm."

A Leaf Storm with even greater power, carrying momentum that seemed as if it would destroy the sandstorm itself, whipped up once again!

【It seems... it has the Contrary Ability; in that case, let's engage in close combat.】

Such a thought swiftly crossed Adak's mind, his gaze suddenly sharpening: "Dig!"

Krookodile waved its sharp claws, easily capable of severing steel bars, and swiftly burrowed underground; as the slightly delayed Leaf Storm struck empty air, strong red light once again surged over Serperior's body.

The Krookodile dug silently and swiftly; even the keen-sensed Serperior could not detect its movements for a while. This was likely due to targeted special training Dai Ke, as the League Champion, had given his Krookodile.

But, there was still a way.

Amidst the sky-filling yellow sand, Dai Ke, standing with arms crossed, suddenly noticed through his sharp eyes that Luo Mu's expression had changed.

As if sensing something amiss, Dai Ke's pupils constricted: "Get out of the ground, Krookodile!"

"Too late. Frenzy Plant."

As Luo Mu's words fell, energy vast as an ocean surged wildly from within the Serperior. In the blink of an eye, countless thick tree roots shot skyward, churning the sandstorm into chaos while slamming heavily onto the ground with tremendous force!

Boom!

Outside, the students, unable to see clearly through the yellow sand, poked their heads out to look with faces full of confusion.

The next instant, as the massive tree roots rose, the entire battle arena erupted in violent tremors. Students who were not seated firmly fell in groups, and the equipment set up by media reporters toppled every which way.

The Krookodile underground was affected the most, leaping out of the earth in a sorry state.

Watching the Frenzy Plant dance wildly like a wooden dragon, Dai Ke knew how formidable the Serperior's development of this move was. Fortunately, at this moment, the Krookodile had approached the Serperior at the cost of sustaining some injuries.

Next, it was his turn!

The wildly dancing Frenzy Plant slammed toward the Krookodile the instant it leaped from the ground, under the Serperior's control. Dai Ke shouted: "Charge up! Superpower!"

"Roar!"

Dense red vapor rose from the Krookodile's surface, energy currents swirling around its sides. Facing a Frenzy Plant several times thicker than itself, the Krookodile charged fearlessly toward the Serperior now within striking distance!

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Four consecutive explosive sounds rang out; the Serperior's Frenzy Plant, which could even resist fire for a while, was torn apart by the Krookodile's absolute violence.

Yet the Serperior's body dodged the Krookodile's slashing claws with incredible agility. At one moment, the Serperior's snake eyes, beautiful as rubies, flashed with brilliance. Within the time gained by the Frenzy Plant, it completed charging its Leaf Storm for the third time!

Facing the Leaf Storm erupting at close range, the Krookodile could only hastily raise a pale green barrier. Relying on an absolute "Protect" known as an "invincible golden body" among peers of the same level, it was blown away along with the sandstorm by the howling gale mixed with leaves!

As the sandstorm dispersed and sunlight once again shone upon the arena, Dai Ke's expression became extremely Solemn as he looked at the Serperior bathed in light.

"This is troublesome now."

He had intended for the Krookodile to stop the Serperior from boosting itself using its Ability "Contrary," but he hadn't expected this Serperior to also possess considerable skill in Frenzy Plant and close-quarters combat.

Now, he had to face a Serperior whose Special Attack was boosted to the limit, further aided by solar energy.

Even if he sent out his ace, Volcarona, dealing with it would likely be very troublesome.

In just about two minutes, under the incredulous gazes of the students, the battered Krookodile, unable to withstand the Serperior's storm-like attacks, crashed heavily to the ground.

As for the Serperior that defeated the Krookodile, it had only sustained a few injuries from the Krookodile's desperate counterattack. With its stats boosted to the limit, it now possessed the capability to sweep the entire team.

Champion Dai Ke had actually lost his first Pokémon first!?

The students of Blueberry Academy were completely stunned. Hearing Hearing Nimo, watching from behind, let out a cheer in this deathly silence, adding several layers of heaviness to the hearts of the students who had once been full of confidence.

Helplessly recalling the Krookodile, Dai Ke shrugged: "You worked hard. Rest well."

He quickly accepted the fact that he was behind. Taking another Poké Ball from his person, before Dai Ke could even ponder how to handle the Serperior and release the Pokémon inside, Luo Mu suddenly raised his hand: "Return, Serperior."

Dai Ke looked puzzled: "What are you doing?"

Luo Mu smiled slightly: "This is an exhibition match."

There was no need for them to fight to the death; both sides should leave some face for the other, just as Dai Ke had initially intended to go easy on Luo Mu during their battle.

"Hahaha, I see!" Dai Ke let out a hearty laugh, his gaze toward Luo Mu gaining a touch of appreciation. "Then let us continue the battle. Bouffalant, run wild!"

"Luxray, it's your turn!"

Unlike the earlier battle between the Serperior and Krookodile, which took place almost entirely within a sandstorm that obscured vision, the fight between Luxray and Bouffalant fully displayed the power and beauty of the Champion realm.

The Bouffalant, with its Ability "Reckless," launched furious attacks regardless of its own injuries, while the Luxray, wreathed in electric currents, clashed boldly and heroically with the Bouffalant at lightning speed. This kept the watching students and media reporters from daring to look away for even a moment, fearing they might miss the most critical instant.

During the period when Dai Ke's ace was forced to stay in the hospital due to weakness, this Bouffalant had remained active as Dai Ke's second ace, continuing until Dai Ke cultivated the ace's offspring, another Volcarona.

The Bouffalant's strength was unquestionable. Even for the Luxray to defeat it required some effort Yi Fan Gong. In the end, only by landing a Thunder strike from the heavens did it critically injure the already battered Bouffalant, securing the victory.

As the Bouffalant fell, in an environment of dead silence, Luo Mu recalled the Luxray, which was panting slightly and had consumed some stamina due to the Bouffalant's frantic fighting style.

Through this comparison, Luo Mu gained a very clear understanding of his own strength.

Then, the next round should test his limits.

Looking at Luo Mu, Dai Ke's expression held both amazement and a hint of envy.

He was amazed that Luo Mu's strength could rival his own and consecutively defeat two of his main Pokémon without him holding back, and envious that the Paldea League actually possessed such a brilliantly talented Trainer.

With his former ace Volcarona hospitalized, he had not had a proper battle in a long time. He never expected that an exhibition match he treated as something to merely get through would lead him to encounter a powerhouse no inferior to himself.

The final part was coming soon; no matter what, he would go all out.

After ending this battle, he would travel throughout the Unova region to search for talent to cultivate, letting new talents support the sky of Unova.

With that same hearty smile, Emperor Yan Di's eyes revealed a gaze as domineering as a lion's as he threw out his final Poké Ball: "Shine upon Unova as the sun, Volcarona!"

As the Poké Ball opened, the Volcarona danced in mid-air.

The Volcarona possessed a pair of crystal-blue eyes, red antennae circling above its cheeks, and on the upper half of its plump body circled a ring of white fur, above which were the Volcarona's two pairs of small feet.

As the three huge pairs of orange-red wings on the Volcarona's back flapped, dazzling flame scales scattered. Its body was surrounded by fiercely burning flames, making the Volcarona at this moment resemble a Sun Monarch, emitting an aura that intimidated the entire arena.

The surrounding temperature suddenly soared. Countless people looked up at the sky, where the Volcarona emitted endless light and heat, like a dazzling crimson sun, illuminating the hearts of the lost Blueberry League students.

Akamatsu, the youngest of the Blueberry Elite Four, revealed a smile of relief. In his memory, whenever Dai Ke sent out Volcarona, victory was certain!

Du Ruo stared blankly at the Volcarona in the sky; this was the goal he had always pursued!

Peony recited from the data she had just looked up: "In the Unova region, Volcarona is known as the incarnation of the sun. It is said that when the ground becomes pitch black and cold due to volcanic ash covering the sky, Volcarona will incarnate as the sun, bringing light and heat to the Unova region."

"It is also revered by the people of the Unova region from ancient times as the God of Fire."

Hearing Hearing Nimo's eyes sparkled; Volcarona—she really wanted to catch one too!

Watching the Volcarona's cool entrance, Luo Mu felt not the slightest nervousness, but rather a moment of disappointment.

This Volcarona's momentum was only slightly stronger than that of the Bouffalant. Even if he let the Luxray battle consecutively, it could defeat the opponent without Terastallizing and at little cost.

As expected, Dai Ke's ace was currently in a critical, weak state of life, or perhaps had already passed away.

"Go with full respect, Swampert!"

Luo Mu's tone was calm, like the sea before an eruption, perfectly still.

Swampert's figure emerged, its aura not inferior to Volcarona's; before Alder could issue a command, Luo Mu lightly touched his Key Stone.

"Swampert, Mega Evolve!"

As a brilliant, dazzling light of evolution burst forth, the students and media watching were completely plunged into shock.

Swampert can evolve? Are you kidding me!

"Could it be that thing from the Kalos region?" Alder's eyes flashed slightly, unsure.

As the light faded, the muscular Mega Swampert let out a roar with terrifying presence; high in the sky, the proud Volcarona's expression changed, looking solemnly at Mega Swampert, this threatening opponent.

Alder spoke with a solemn tone: "Volcarona, Fiery Dance!"

Emitting a bug cry, Volcarona shook its six increasingly crimson wings, scattering flame scales as dazzling as sparks from Mars, which instantly transformed into a fiercely burning sea of fire; the heat waves distorting the air forced the students to retreat several steps to avoid being swept up in it.

Luo Mu grinned, as if he didn't care about Volcarona's attack at all: "Rain Dance!"

Heavy dark clouds gathered to cover the sky, raindrops the size of beans fell like a waterfall, and countless plumes of white steam rose from the evaporation between fire and water; standing amidst the sea of fire yet nearly unharmed, Mega Swampert flashed a taunting smile at Volcarona.

Volcarona's fury was instantly provoked by Mega Swampert; it let out a sharp shriek, wanting to attack, but was stopped by Alder's voice: "The weather is against us; change the weather first, Sunny Day!"

Just as Volcarona was about to gather Fire-type energy to send into the sky and overwrite Rain Dance, Mega Swampert, whom Alder thought unreachable from the ground, turned into an afterimage and vanished instantly within the shattered arena.

Alder's pupils contracted; Mega Swampert's performance completely overturned his imagination. He looked up at the sky and shouted urgently: "What is this speed? No, Volcarona, be careful!"

But all of this was too late.

From Volcarona's perspective, Mega Swampert suddenly appeared before it with speed difficult to discern by the naked eye; its right fist's air sacs fully expanded, accelerating with sprayed water, carrying immense force, and Waterfall exploded directly on Volcarona's surface!

The blazing sun hanging in the sky was knocked down by Mega Swampert at this moment!

Boom!

Accompanied by Volcarona's painful bug cry, its body was heavily smashed to the ground, causing the earth to crack layer by layer; even Volcarona's noble form was stained with mud and filth.

With no time to adjust its posture, seeing Mega Swampert falling rapidly, Volcarona flapped its wings fiercely, sending a gale along with burning flame scales howling toward Mega Swampert.

Boosted by Rain Dance, this strike was quite fierce; unable to exert force properly, Mega Swampert crossed its arms in front of itself, forced to be blown back by the wild wind, giving Volcarona time to catch its breath.

Rising again, Volcarona evaporated every water droplet approaching it, dancing gracefully amidst a beautiful white mist; this was a combination technique of "Quiver Dance" and "Fiery Dance" developed by Alder, allowing Volcarona to grow stronger as the battle progressed, much like a Serperior.

Swampert's body, which should have been clumsy and heavy, once again turned into a deep blue afterimage, instantly closing in on Volcarona; a biting frost exploded, completely freezing everything—water droplets, white mist, and even Volcarona itself.

However, as a dazzling firelight ignited, the ice melted directly from the high temperature, and Volcarona, its movements slightly slowed, continued to dance.

A trace of shock still lingered on Alder's expression; if he guessed correctly, Swampert's Ability after evolution must have become "Swift Swim"!

Facing an opponent like Volcarona, Mega Swampert grew more excited as the fight went on; wreathed in surging flowing water, ignoring Volcarona's hot wind capable of melting steel, Mega Swampert charged at Volcarona with unparalleled power like a land tank, crashing forward with a boom.

The constant clash of fire and water left the audience stunned, but as the battle progressed, some students showed expressions of panic: "Hey, aren't Volcarona's movements getting slower and slower?"

Indeed, Volcarona, whose movements should have become increasingly agile with the stacking of Quiver Dance and Fiery Dance, saw its aura decline further during the exchange of brute force with Mega Swampert, and even its fiercely burning flames were completely suppressed by the Surf stirred up by Swampert.

Until, when Volcarona, whose movement continuity had developed a fatal flaw, was violently slammed into the ground by Mega Swampert's Liquidation, the sea of fire that could even resist rain gradually extinguished as if it had lost its support.

On the battlefield, now so messy that its original state was unrecognizable, Mega Swampert stood towering like a mountain; having suffered almost no damage during the fierce battle, its figure contrasted sharply with Volcarona lying nearby, no longer burning and in a wretched state.

Only when Bai Bai Leiya announced the result of the exhibition match with a slightly trembling voice did the students and media reporters show expressions as if waking from a dream.

Alder, the Champion of the Unova League, had actually lost to an ordinary teacher from Ju Zi Academy!

This was a result they had never imagined.

Compared to the entire Blueberry Academy group, who looked dejected as if their main pillar had collapsed, Hearing Nimo and the others were already cheering.

Pushing up her glasses, Momo had to admit that Teacher Luo Mu's strength was much greater than she had anticipated.

Akamatsu, who had regarded Alder's Volcarona as a savior, showed a shaken expression: "No way... Mr. Alder actually lost..."

The members within the League Club were in complete chaos; behind Danyu, Wuli stared fixedly at Luo Mu and Swampert, which had already exited its Mega Evolution, his face filled with admiration: "So strong... so amazing."

Alder recalled Volcarona, shrugged helplessly, and showed a relieved smile: "I am simply outmatched; you won."

Alder would not think about whether the outcome might have been different if his first partner, Volcarona, were still here; a loss is a loss, and a complete defeat at that—he wasn't shameless enough to make excuses like that.

This was likely his last all-out battle; the moment Volcarona fell, Alder had already made up his mind.

From now on, he would focus on training young trainers in the Unova region; the responsibility of protecting Unova could only be shamelessly thrown onto the Elite Four.

However, Luo Mu's slightly regretful response made Alder pause: "I really wish I could have a match with your initial partner too; I imagine that heat of the flames would surely burn even Mega Swampert's Surf to nothing."

Is he still not satisfied?

Alder's expression became somewhat disappointed, but he still rallied his spirits and promised: "If my old partner ever has a day of recovery, let us battle again."

Luo Mu fell silent for a moment; did this mean Volcarona was still alive?

Hesitating for a moment, Luo Mu still asked: "Mr. Alder, may I ask, what is your Volcarona's current condition?"

Since no one could hear their casual chat, and holding respect for Luo Mu's strength, Alder smiled bitterly: "It does no harm to tell you; years ago, in order to protect the League and me, it overused its power, causing damage to its source."

"Because there is no channel to replenish the source it lost, although I have tried every method, it can now only lie in the hospital, growing weaker as time passes."

(End of Chapter)