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In the audience, spectators’ faces showed surprise as they watched the Grovyle successfully dodge the Brave Bird attack.

When a Talonflame with Gale Wings used Brave Bird, its speed was unmatched among Pokémon of its tier. The Grovyle’s successful evasion astonished even Isaac.

This Grovyle possessed exceptional potential and battle instinct. With proper training, it would certainly reach the Champion level.

“In that case, Talonflame, use Flame Charge!” Isaac’s surprise was momentary before he quickly adjusted tactics, commanding his Talonflame to use Flame Charge.

Flame Charge was a Fire-type move. Though its power fell short of premier Flying-type moves like Brave Bird, it allowed the user to build energy and increase speed with each use.

“Your Grovyle boosted its speed with two Quick Attacks? Well, I’ll boost my Talonflame’s speed too. Let’s see if your Grovyle can dodge this time!”

The Talonflame’s body became engulfed in fiery energy, the blazing flames forming what looked like flaming battle armor. The crimson patterns across its back danced like living flames while it continuously gathered power. With a piercing cry, it launched toward Grovyle trailing blazing fire.

“Grovyle, it’s our turn to counterattack—use Thunder Punch!” Simply evading would never lead to victory; the best defense was a strong offense. When Talonflame initiated Flame Charge, Jacob knew it was time for Grovyle to strike back.

Watching the Talonflame dive from above, Grovyle stood its ground, eyes locked on its opponent with fierce determination. Crackling electricity enveloped its wrist—Thunder Punch ready to strike.

“Gro-vyle!”

The Grass-type swung with all its might, meeting the attack head-on without backing down. The collision of fire and electricity created a massive explosion, sending dust billowing across the battlefield!

“BOOM!”

A thunderous crash echoed as Grovyle was forced backward. The tremendous impact from the collision sent it sliding several meters before finally stopping.

Meanwhile, Talonflame beat its wings and ascended back into the air. Though injured, it was clearly in much better condition than Grovyle.

In this raw exchange of power, Grovyle found itself at a disadvantage—something that hadn’t happened in quite some time.

Indeed, there remained a gap in raw power. Grovyle had only recently reached Lord level, equivalent to roughly level 30 or 31, while Talonflame was at peak Lord level, approximately level 38 or 39.

Additionally, Grovyle hadn’t yet evolved into Sceptile, which widened the gap further. Factor in the type disadvantage, and these combined reasons explained Grovyle’s predicament.

“Grovyle, are you okay?” Jacob looked at his Pokémon with concern.

“Gro…vyle.” Grovyle responded with difficulty, clearly severely injured. Had it not recovered some strength through Synthesis earlier, it would likely be in critical condition now.

“Synthesis, Grovyle.”

Once again, Grovyle used Synthesis to restore its energy.

Isaac, from across the field, naturally wouldn’t allow Grovyle time to recover. “Talonflame, once more—Flame Charge!”

The fire bird flapped its wings, its body rekindling with flames as it sped toward Grovyle.

Jacob observed the Talonflame overhead but couldn’t devise a winning strategy. Grass Whistle? Leech Seed?

These moves couldn’t possibly hit Talonflame unless the two Pokémon were in close proximity. However, closing that distance meant Grovyle would have to endure a direct hit from either Flame Charge or Brave Bird. With Grovyle’s current health, taking such an attack would be devastating, leaving victory nearly impossible.

“Grovyle, Thunder Punch!”

Under these circumstances, Jacob’s only option was to have Grovyle continue battling Talonflame head-on—a straightforward exchange of blows, a pure test of strength without complex tactics.

…

“Gro-vyle!”

Grovyle cried out as electricity once again wrapped around its wrist. It fought valiantly against Talonflame, their attacks colliding instantly.

“BOOM!”

With another loud crash, this time Grovyle was knocked away completely and fell to the ground.

“Grovyle!”

Hearing Jacob’s call, Grovyle struggled to its feet. Its body was now covered in injuries, and its stamina was nearly depleted. Talonflame wasn’t faring well either—after being struck by two Thunder Punches, its energy was rapidly diminishing. Still, compared to Grovyle, it remained in much better shape.

As Grovyle stood, its entire body began radiating green energy. Its dwindling strength had triggered the Overgrow ability. Luminous green energy enveloped Grovyle like starlight. Using Grass-type moves now would yield significantly increased power, though even this boost seemed insufficient to reverse the battle’s course.

The wounded Grovyle gasped for breath while facing the opposing Talonflame. Countless memories of rigorous training flashed through its mind.

From leaving secret realm with Jacob, to weight training, practicing Dragon Pulse, confronting the Aegislash and Zoroark together…

These scenes flickered past like a movie, finally focusing on the Talonflame before it. Grovyle wanted victory—it needed to win this battle!

“GRO-VYLE!”

The Grass-type released a defiant roar, and with this cry, its entire body became enveloped in brilliant white light. Its form began changing, twisting, and elongating.

Evolution!

Jacob’s expression turned solemn. The sudden evolution of Grovyle brought no joy to his face—instead, his brow furrowed with concern.

If Grovyle were evolving naturally through steady progression, Jacob would welcome it wholeheartedly. But clearly, this wasn’t the case.

Grovyle had only broken through to Lord level that week, equivalent to approximately level 30 in game terms. Grovyle normally evolves at level 36. Gaining six levels within a single week was impossible.

Therefore, Grovyle was undoubtedly forcing itself to evolve, and the consequence would be depleting its future potential. The most obvious example from the anime was Ash’s Charizard. His Charizard had forced two consecutive evolutions, resulting in it being noticeably smaller than other Charizard.

Though Ash was a strong trainer, if he had trained Charizard, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur with the same care he showed Greninja, first-generation Ash might have won the championship.

Jacob certainly desired the reward from maintaining his winning streak, but he clearly recognized the difference in importance between temporary victory and Grovyle’s long-term potential.

Without hesitation, he chose Grovyle’s future. Jacob had given Grovyle the only potential enhancement reward from the system and wouldn’t let it waste that boost on a forced evolution.

Grovyle needed to develop alongside Noibat to reach their full potential. After all, Noibat was the Pokémon with the lowest inherent potential on the team. For this very reason, forced evolution was unacceptable.

Just as his brother had entrusted him with the Charmander egg, Jacob was determined to raise Charmander into the strongest Charizard, honoring his brother’s trust and family legacy!

It was just a tournament match—what did losing matter?

“We forfeit this battle. Grovyle, stop evolving!” Jacob approached Grovyle, stroking its body, deliberately halting its evolution.

Grovyle, mid-evolution, gradually calmed after hearing Jacob’s words. The white light surrounding its body slowly dissipated, and its physical transformation ceased. When the light completely faded, Grovyle’s emerald green form appeared once more.

Isaac observed Jacob’s actions with respect, admiring his rationality. Few trainers would have stopped their Pokémon from evolving in such circumstances. “After your Grovyle evolves naturally, I’ll battle you again. Just come find me at the Flying-type Secret Realm—I’m always available. Today’s match was unfair to you.”

“No need,” Jacob replied, patting Grovyle’s head before looking up at Isaac. “If you want a rematch, we’ll have it at the National Finals. I’ll definitely lead Grovyle to the National Finals, right, Grovyle?”

“Gro-vyle!”

Jacob silently vowed in his heart: From now on, we’ll be undefeated and lead all my Pokémon to the National Finals!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep