NOVEL NEXT Chapter 121: Chapter 121: [Arceus's Normal-Type Plate (Fragment)]
Chapter 121: [Arceus's Normal-Type Plate (Fragment)]
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In the end, Sceptile still couldn't withstand even a single move from Charizard.
"Scept..."
It wasn't just Kei Hoshino who was left in disbelief.
Sceptile itself was dazed, its arm still burning with the residual white flames.
The searing pain felt like a relentless parasite burrowing into its flesh.
Yet, this pain was far less excruciating than what it had endured when the slate's power was forcibly infused into its body.
But Sceptile's loss wasn't just physical.
Its trainer had instilled in it a single goal—to defeat Charizard.
And now, despite all its efforts and trials, the result remained the same.
It had fallen before Charizard once more.
"Have you already lost the will to fight?"
Hikaru frowned.
Even now, the Pickup ability hadn't activated.
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"Impossible! Sceptile!"
Kei's eyes burned with desperation. Under normal circumstances, the league rules prohibited the use of items during battles.
But at this moment, defeating Charizard had become his obsession.
No matter the cost, Kei was determined to achieve victory—even if it meant forfeiting his qualification for the tournament.
A faint glow began to emanate from Sceptile's body. Under Hikaru's Aura vision, Sceptile's level started rising rapidly.
Level 44.
Level 45.
Level 46...
The increase didn't stop until it reached Level 49, just one step shy of the Master-tier threshold.
Sceptile trembled violently, gasping for air as if it had endured unimaginable agony.
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"What's happening?"
The commentator was at a loss for words. But seeing that the Elite Four watching above didn't intervene, he continued narrating the scene.
"We can see that Kei Hoshino's Sceptile has undergone some unknown transformation during this match, significantly boosting its power!"
"Let's see if this enhancement will be enough for it to defeat Charizard!"
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[Arceus's Normal-Type Plate (Fragment)]
Rank: SSS-tier artifact.
Description: A fragment of Arceus's original essence, containing extraordinary power. Even in its incomplete form, it can enhance a Pokémon's innate potential over prolonged exposure.
Note: Forcefully absorbing its energy can cause irreversible damage to the Pokémon's body.
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Hikaru's eyes narrowed.
Through Aura vision, he spotted a crescent-shaped fragment hanging from a necklace around Sceptile's neck.
It was this fragment that had allowed Sceptile's power to surge to such extraordinary levels.
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"So it really is Arceus's plate..." Hikaru muttered.
Even as a fragment, its power was astonishing.
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"What's going on? Aren't items banned in battles? What's this?"
"Well... I hate to admit it, but this suddenly makes the match a lot more interesting!"
The unexpected twist caused a stir among the spectators.
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Moments later, Takashi Hayashi, seated on his Dragonite, descended to the field. His gaze locked on Hikaru.
"Kei Hoshino has violated the rules by using a held item during the match. Hikaru, do you wish to continue?"
The Elite Four had chosen not to stop the match because they, too, were curious to see who would emerge victorious under these extraordinary circumstances.
The National High School League hadn't seen such dramatic twists in a long time.
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"Are you scared, Hikaru?" Kei taunted, his face twisted in rage.
"So we're allowed to use items now, right?"
Hikaru ignored the provocation and turned to Takashi for confirmation.
Takashi raised an eyebrow. This kid wouldn't have another ace up his sleeve, would he?
"Since Kei has used an item, you're allowed to use one as well."
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"Good."
Hikaru smirked and casually brushed his wrist.
"Let's see just how much your forced power-up is worth."
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"Sceptile, Leaf Storm plus Bullet Seed!"
"Scep...tile..."
The surge of energy within Sceptile caused its attacks to explode with ferocity.
This new Leaf Storm was nothing like its previous attempts—it engulfed the entire battlefield in a storm of leaves, each blade charged with piercing power.
This was no longer the strength of a typical Leader-tier Pokémon.
Sceptile was half a step into the Master-tier.
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"Now that's more like it," Hikaru said calmly.
Compared to the spectacles caused by Articuno, Tyranitar, Slaking, or Kyogre, this display wasn't particularly impressive.
Even so, the addition of parasitic seeds to the Leaf Storm was a notable complication.
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"Charizard, Fire Spin! Hold your ground!"
White flames erupted, forming a protective barrier around Charizard.
Despite the overwhelming Leaf Storm, the flames easily nullified the onslaught.
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"Sceptile, use Synthesis!"
Kei hadn't completely lost his rationality. With the grassy terrain below, Sceptile's arm began to regenerate rapidly.
"Frenzy Plant!"
Under the plate's influence, Sceptile seemed to have endless energy reserves.
Giant thorny vines burst from the ground, twisting like massive serpents toward Charizard.
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"Take to the sky!"
Hikaru ordered a tactical retreat rather than engaging the vines head-on.
But the vines pursued Charizard relentlessly.
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"Dragon Claw!"
Charizard's claws glowed with a sharp light as it slashed through the vines, cutting them down in swathes.
However, for every vine it destroyed, new ones sprouted to take their place.
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"Yes, that's it! That's more like it!"
Seeing Charizard on the defensive, Kei laughed maniacally.
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Hikaru furrowed his brow slightly.
He had to admit that after reaching Level 49, Kei's Sceptile had become a formidable opponent.
But did Kei really think this was the full extent of Charizard's power?
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Before the match, Hikaru had been training Charizard with a 1.1x gravity ball to enhance its physical capabilities.
With a simple mental command, Hikaru deactivated the gravity ball.
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"Roar!"
Freed from the added weight, Charizard felt its energy surge like a floodgate had opened.
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"Flare Blitz!"
White-hot flames engulfed Charizard, burning even more intensely than before.
The moment the vines approached, they disintegrated into ash.
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"Roar!"
The frustration Charizard had felt while being chased earlier exploded in a thunderous roar.
"Sceptile, dodge it!" Kei shouted desperately.
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"Sceptile?"
But this time, Sceptile didn't obey.
Its blades gleamed brightly as it prepared to face Charizard head-on.
Sceptile had grown tired of running. It refused to retreat anymore.
It had always lost when it clashed with Charizard.
This time, it would fight back.
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But could it really withstand Charizard's power?
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Boom!
The ground trembled as Charizard's devastating attack smashed into Sceptile, leaving a massive crater in its wake.
Dust and smoke filled the air.
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The audience held their breath, waiting for the dust to settle.
Only Hikaru smiled.
In his hand, he now held a small fragment of the slate.
As the smoke cleared, Sceptile lay unconscious, its body covered in scorch marks.
Charizard, though sporting a single slash wound, still stood strong, its fiery resolve undiminished.
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"Sceptile is unable to battle. Kei Hoshino, please send out your next Pokémon!"
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