NOVEL NEXT Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Riolu's First Battle—Kaio-ken!
Chapter 63: Riolu's First Battle—Kaio-ken!
The Hunan Provincial High School League kicked off with great fanfare on the first day of the month.
As usual, Hikaru refreshed his weekly skill cards before the competition began.
A purple light flashed across the interface.
A purple-grade skill card had appeared!
[Purple Skill Card (Stacking Inner Strength)]: When equipped, Fighting-type moves deal additional stacking damage. Each successive hit increases damage by 50% of the original amount, capping at three times the base damage.
"Perfect timing!" Hikaru's excitement grew. This card seemed tailor-made for Riolu and arrived just in time for the competition.
Each battle would consist of two-on-two Pokémon matches. Hikaru planned to let Riolu take the lead in the first round.
Although Riolu was still young, its strong will and unyielding nature made it ideal for gaining experience through combat. It had grown stronger under Charmeleon's strict training, now standing at Level 14. With the Kaio-ken, Stacking Inner Strength, Delicious Feast, and Hikaru's Aura support, Riolu's potential could be fully unlocked.
The first battle was shaping up to be Riolu's big moment.
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The tournament began on a calm lake, with hundreds of wooden platforms floating on the water's surface.
Spectators gathered around the lake, standing shoulder to shoulder due to the lack of seating areas.
For those who couldn't get a good spot, flying-type Pokémon served as a means to view the competition from above. If that wasn't an option, they could only settle for watching the live broadcast at home.
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In this Pokémon-centric world, battles were always the main attraction.
Participants stood on platforms reminiscent of diving boards, ready to send their Pokémon into battle. Hikaru's first opponent was a girl with a Grass-type Snivy.
What initially seemed like an ordinary match quickly took an unexpected turn when the referee was revealed.
A massive, battle-scarred Dragonite descended from the sky, its imposing figure stretching over four meters. Its yellow skin gleamed under the sunlight, and its muscular frame exuded strength and ferocity.
Perched on Dragonite's back was none other than Takashi, the Dragon Master and National Gym Leader of Hunan Province.
A hush fell over the crowd.
Few could have expected a Champion-tier trainer like Takashi to referee a high school tournament match.
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For spectators and participants alike, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The crowd buzzed with excitement, while the trainers seemed energized, their competitive spirits ignited.
Some couldn't wait to show off their skills, hoping to impress the Dragon Master.
"Delicious Feast activated—attack power increased by 30% for 30 minutes."
Hikaru grinned as he felt Riolu's power growing. "This match might not be as one-sided as it seems."
Takashi, however, gave no motivational speech to the participants. His calm, authoritative voice simply declared, "Begin the match."
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"Go, Riolu!"
"Go, Snivy!"
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As the two Pokémon appeared, Takashi's keen eyes narrowed.
Riolu's youthful demeanor and unrefined movements immediately caught his attention.
"This Riolu hasn't even been alive for a month," he thought, his expression hardening. "Sending such a young Pokémon into a high school tournament... Is the trainer serious?"
But then Takashi noticed Riolu's determined gaze.
"This kid's got guts, but courage alone won't bridge the gap in strength..."
Or so he thought.
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Snivy began the battle with Leaf Tornado, targeting not Riolu but the surrounding wooden platforms.
The opponent's strategy was clear—eliminate Riolu's footholds and force it into the water, where it would be vulnerable.
"Smart move," Takashi thought approvingly. "This trainer knows how to control the battlefield."
Hikaru, however, wasn't worried.
"Riolu, use Quick Attack to dodge and follow up with Aura Sphere!"
The crowd gasped as Riolu launched an Aura Sphere—a move typically learned only by evolved Lucario.
"Impressive," Takashi muttered. "This Riolu already knows Aura Sphere? Must be thanks to that Aura bond with its trainer..."
Still, Snivy's trainer wasn't discouraged. She quickly commanded a follow-up move: Grass Knot, attempting to trip Riolu mid-air.
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"Looks like I have no choice," Hikaru thought.
[Kaio-ken activated].
A burst of red energy enveloped Riolu, its power surging dramatically.
Before the Grass Knot could reach it, Riolu unleashed a second Aura Sphere behind itself, propelling it toward Snivy at lightning speed.
"What the—?!" the girl exclaimed, unable to react in time.
"Bullet Punch, then Mega Punch!" Hikaru called out.
In a blur, Riolu closed the distance. With two powerful blows, Snivy was knocked out before it could retaliate.
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The crowd erupted in confusion.
"What just happened?!"
"How did that Riolu suddenly become so strong?"
Even Takashi was taken aback.
"Did the Aura bond amplify its strength that much?" he wondered. "To bridge such a significant gap... If this boost is consistent, the implications for the future are enormous."
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After the match, Riolu's fatigue from the Kaio-ken was evident, so Hikaru recalled it into its Poké Ball.
For the second round, he sent out Frogadier.
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On a watery battlefield, Frogadier was in its element. Its Water Affinity and Aquatic Vitality skill cards enhanced its already exceptional speed, making it nearly untouchable.
The opponent's Starmie, despite its reputation for speed, couldn't keep up. Two well-placed Water Shurikens ended the match swiftly.
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"The match is over. Hikaru wins," Takashi announced calmly.
But inwardly, the Dragon Master was impressed.
"This boy might just be worth keeping an eye on," he thought.
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