Chapter 314: Lycanroc
Basalt finally woke up, groggy, late the next afternoon.
When he opened his eyes, he saw a face that strongly resembled a certain celebrity, pouring him a glass of water.
"You're awake." Reya smiled. "You must be thirsty after drinking so much. Have some tea, it'll help."
"Thanks." After accepting the cup, Basalt asked curiously, "By the way, where is everyone?"
Logically, he had drunk the least last night. The others should have been much worse off than him.
"Oh, they all got up this morning." Reya gave him a sideways glance and said casually, "I didn't realize your alcohol tolerance was so low. You drank the least but were the most drunk. Tsk tsk."
Basalt's face instantly darkened.
He could accept being called a lightweight, but what was that "Tsk tsk" supposed to mean? Wasn't that a bit much?
"Big Brother Adil, may I challenge you to a battle?"
Just as the atmosphere in the room was getting awkward, Amuyar's sincere voice rang out from outside. "You're my idol, and the goal I've always been striving for. Even though I know I'm no match for you... I still want to challenge you!"
"Huh? Amuyar's old habit is acting up again?"
Basalt chugged a few glasses of water and quickly ran outside.
"Is Amuyar crazy? He's actually challenging Big Brother Adil?"
In the courtyard, Alim and the other youths were looking at Amuyar like he was an idiot.
As for Adil, he studied Amuyar for a moment before finally nodding seriously. "I accept. Your courage has moved me. But I won't go easy on you just because you're brave. I will face you with my strongest warrior."
"Thank you!" Amuyar bowed deeply, his face flushed with excitement.
Watching the two walk off, Basalt was intrigued and quickly followed. Adil's "strongest warrior"? He was very interested in seeing that.
Hippowdon? Rhyperior? Or maybe Flygon?
He guessed several Pokémon, but when they arrived at the training field, Basalt realized he was wrong.
Adil sent out a Pokémon with light brown fur and pale blue eyes. Four sharp, rocky spikes protruded from its neck mane, and it looked like an incredibly fierce wolf.
"It's a Lycanroc!"
Basalt was surprised. It was a Midday Form Lycanroc.
As far as he knew, Lycanroc wasn't native to the Alliance; it was only found in foreign regions. Clearly, Adil had traveled abroad.
And this Lycanroc's aura... it was incredibly powerful. Just being sized up by its gaze made Basalt's scalp tingle.
"As expected of a top student from Capital University," Basalt marveled.
Facing the Lycanroc, Amuyar unhesitatingly sent out his own ace—Camerupt.
The moment the battle began, Amuyar commanded, "Camerupt, Earthquake!"
Against a Rock-type Lycanroc, a super-effective Ground-type move was a good choice.
Of course, that was only good in theory, and only if it could hit.
Because the instant Camerupt reared up on its front legs, Adil's Lycanroc moved. It was so fast, it looked like a streak of light flashing across the sky.
Even though they were dozens of meters apart, before Camerupt's hooves could even hit the ground, Lycanroc was already at its side. It shot past, slashing it with its sharp mane in the same motion.
Rock-type move, Accelerock!
It was a priority move.
"Cam-erupt!"
With a pained cry, the massive Camerupt was sent flying.
Just as Adil had said before the match, he wasn't holding back. While Camerupt was still in mid-air, Lycanroc summoned several sharp rocks and fired them.
"Stone Edge!"
Adil stood with his arms crossed, his expression cold. He would never go easy on an opponent just because he was a fellow tribesman. That was his style.
BOOM!
The Stone Edge hit its mark.
By the time Camerupt landed, its eyes were already spinning. It had fainted.
"So strong!" Alim and the others gasped.
They knew Adil was strong, but Amuyar's Camerupt was at the Advanced-rank. To end the battle in under three seconds... that was just ridiculous.
"Looks like this Lycanroc, just like Excadrill, follows the path of extreme speed and physical attack. High attack, high speed." Basalt's eyes narrowed. "In that case... its ability must be Sand Rush."
Basalt felt an immense pressure from Adil.
Although they were both fourth-year students, to put it bluntly, Finn wasn't even qualified to polish Adil's shoes.
This Lycanroc alone could probably wipe out his entire team. And if it was in a sandstorm, its threat level would skyrocket.
"My brother's amazing, right? He's a member of the Capital University school team!" Reya said, her nose in the air, full of pride.
"A member of the Capital University school team? No wonder."
It all made sense to Basalt now. This guy was a real big shot. Generally speaking, members of the top university school teams had the highest probability of reaching the "Gym Leader-level," at over 80%. It was just a matter of time.
Recalling his Camerupt, Amuyar sent out his Cacturne and Hippopotas one after another, but unsurprisingly, neither of them lasted more than three seconds.
Lycanroc was just too fast. It would elegantly dodge their attacks and then counter-attack. By the time Amuyar's Pokémon even registered the pain, they had already fainted.
"Your skills are good. After the Tribal Gathering, you can come train with me for a while."
Adil was ruthless in battle, but afterward, his face was full of care for his junior. Of course, that was only if the junior was worth caring for.
Amuyar had a "Sand Stream" Hippopotas, a Cacturne that had been nourished by the "Fountain of Life," and a Camerupt with excellent flame temperature. With these three, he was an outstanding talent even among the Roba Tribe. With a little guidance from Adil, Amuyar would have no problem getting into a top-tier university.
"What? You can still train with Big Brother Adil even if you lose?"
Alim was shocked and immediately ran up to challenge him.
One minute later, he was defeated.
But unfortunately for him, Adil's evaluation was not the same as it had been for Amuyar.
"Your skills... still need a lot of work." Adil said, his arms crossed, his face serious.
Alim was in tears. "Why is this different from what I imagined? Am I that bad?"
"Basalt, how about a spar?"
Adil, ignoring Alim, turned his gaze to Basalt.
"I think I'll pass," Basalt said, quickly shaking his head.
This guy was ruthless. He knew he couldn't win, so why let his Pokémon suffer?
"That's a real shame."
Adil looked slightly disappointed. After recalling his Lycanroc, he gave Basalt a warning. "But Basalt, while our Roba Tribe isn't large, we have no shortage of geniuses. And they've been training longer than you. So, don't be careless."
Adil knew a little about Basalt, but his information was from three or four months ago. He had no idea that Basalt had since mastered "resonance" and the "Quicksand Domain," or that his strength had already taken a massive leap.
"Don't worry, I'll take it seriously," Basalt nodded.
With the challenge over, Adil took Basalt to visit the Roba Tribal Chief. He was a dignified old man, tall, with a full beard, but he was also incredibly straightforward and hospitable, and he welcomed Basalt warmly.
And so, Basalt... blacked out again.
...
That night. Somewhere in Roba City.
"Damn it! We could stay last night, so why not tonight?"
Alim and his two companions were grumbling in the darkness.
Why? Because Alim had tried to crash at Adil's place again but had been kicked out. The reason, of course, was that there was no room.
"Alim, we were drunk last night, we had no choice. But we're sober tonight. How can we just impose on Big Brother Adil like that?" one of his companions tried to reason with him, though his heart was filled with contempt.
How could they not see through Alim's petty schemes? He was trying to suck up to both Basalt and Adil, and also trying to get more face time with Reya.
A toad lusting after a swan.
But as much as they complained inwardly, they didn't dare say it out loud.
Grumbling, the three of them walked into a small alley. A large shadow suddenly appeared behind them.
It was a black Pokémon, with patterns on its body resembling Unown and glowing eyes.
In an instant, Alim and his two companions froze, completely motionless, like puppets.
At the same time, a figure completely shrouded in a black robe, its face hidden, stepped out of the darkness.
The black-robed figure observed the three for a moment, then finally came to a stop in front of Alim. A hoarse voice spoke:
"Tell me... everything you know about the Larvitar."
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