Terrance’s test wasn’t all that harsh. So long as the opponent has fully grasped the Basic Coordination-Oriented Training Method he had given them, that would be enough. However, as the two Pokémon became more and more engrossed in the battle, Terrance had a sudden inspiration. The opponent’s talent wasn’t bad, so why not put in a bit more effort himself and see if it could achieve a breakthrough during the battle?

After giving a signal, Terrance’s Beautifly began mixing powdery scales into the wind, using them to disrupt the opponent’s rhythm.

However, things didn’t go the way Terrance had imagined. Fumiko’s Beautifly was clearly still unable to control powdery scales, and its learning speed couldn’t keep up with the pace of this battle. Terrance felt the urge to slap his forehead. He had once again unconsciously treated every challenger as if they were some kind of genius who could make a breakthrough on the spot.

This was the most fatal flaw for a Gym Leader, and it had to be fixed!!

Because of his misjudgment, Terrance could only keep a straight face and continue the Gym battle at this same pace. But since the battle tempo had already exceeded what the opponent’s strength could handle, Fumiko’s Beautifly soon couldn’t hold on any longer. Amid the chaotic air currents and the slicing effect of the powdery scales, it lost the ability to fight.

“Why…” Watching her Beautifly fall, Fumiko let out a faint sigh.

Why was it that even though she had trained her Beautifly diligently according to the key points in the training manual, she still couldn’t pass the Gym battle?

When Kotoko announced the result of the match, Terrance recalled Beautifly and, bracing himself, said, “Beautifly’s powdery scales are its best weapon. They can not only boost its own stats but also disrupt the flow of the air. Once your Beautifly learns to control its powdery scales, come challenge again. Here’s a tip, start by learning from the Silver Wind move.”

These techniques were all key points from the Advanced Coordination-Oriented Training Method. Since his own mistake had caused her to fail the test, Terrance reluctantly gave her some guidance so she’d at least have a direction to work toward before challenging the Gym again.

Hearing Terrance’s advice, Fumiko, who was still immersed in the defeat, was obviously taken aback. As she carefully replayed his words in her mind, she suddenly had a flash of insight. It felt like she had just grasped something important.

“Thank you,” she said gratefully, before recalling her Beautifly.

Just then, Paul stood up and said, “Um, excuse me, would you be willing to battle me?”

“You’re also a Gym Leader of Fallarbor Gym, right? In that case, it shouldn’t matter whether I battle you or the other one.”

The strength Terrance and Beautifly had just displayed had stirred Paul’s fighting spirit.

He could tell that Terrance and his Beautifly had a very unique battling style, but that was exactly why he wanted to challenge him.

“Huh?” Terrance scratched his head and glanced at Kotoko, as if to say, isn’t this obviously supposed to be your challenger?

Kotoko innocently looked below. She was also rather surprised as she glanced at Paul. “Well, you’re already on the stage, why not just get it over with? You’ll be stuck acting as referee anyway.”

Kotoko’s words left Terrance unable to argue. True enough! Ayan and Scarlet weren’t here, so when Kotoko came down to battle, wouldn’t he be the one stuck refereeing?

Compared to being the referee, it would be better to just fight one more match and wrap up the Gym battle early.

“Alright then.” Terrance shrugged helplessly and said to Paul, “But are you sure you want to challenge me? I’m pretty strong.”

“I’m sure.” Paul nodded.

Terrance stayed where he was, while Paul took Fumiko’s place on the stage.

Fumiko, after a brief pause, once again sent out her Beautifly. She decided to use a Potion to restore its stamina, then stayed to watch the battle.

“Beautifly, watch closely,” Fumiko said seriously to her Beautifly, her eyes fixed on Terrance’s side.

Paul calmly studied the features of the battlefield, then recalled Terrance’s battle style from earlier before throwing out his own Poké Ball.

What appeared was a Swellow. Seeing the Pokémon Paul had sent out, Terrance smiled. Interesting guy! He actually sent out Beautifly’s natural enemy?

Ignoring the obvious counterpick, Terrance still chose to send out his Beautifly.

When enemies meet, emotions run high. Even after being captured by Trainers, if they belong to different Trainers, that natural hostility doesn’t just disappear.

The battle began.

“Swellow, Quick Attack!” Paul called.

“Beautifly, blow it away,” Terrance commanded.

This Swellow was extremely fast. Its body turned into a white streak under Quick Attack as it shot forward. But Beautifly’s response was even faster; Gust appeared almost instantly, a reverse air current forcing the charging Swellow to halt, struggling to withstand the fierce wind.

“Useless!” Paul snorted when Swellow was blocked.

A bird Pokémon getting stopped by a gust from a bug. It’s too useless!

Paul’s words reached the ears of Terrance, Fumiko, and Kotoko, making all three of them pause in surprise, their brows furrowing.

“Ride the wind and use Aerial Ace to look for another opening to attack,” Paul ordered. Hearing this, Swellow stopped resisting and let the wind carry it backward, then flew higher to stabilize itself.

“Your Pokémon seems afraid of you…” Terrance said to Paul, noticing Swellow’s expression.

“That’s because it’s too weak,” Paul shook his head.

Ah… so he’s a problem child.

Terrance instantly lost any desire to test him. “Beautifly, end the battle.”

As he finished speaking, Terrance yawned, and in that moment Beautifly instantly created Wind Domain and Source of Stamina. Wrapped in the totem aura, its body became a blur, passing straight through Swellow in the air. Its flying speed was more than ten times faster than Swellow’s earlier attack, completely impossible to track with the naked eye!

Bang…

As Swellow hit the ground, Terrance signaled for Kotoko to announce the result.

Fumiko was utterly shaken by what she saw. None of her previous moments of shock could compare to the display Terrance’s Beautifly had just shown.

“What… was that?” she muttered blankly.

As for Paul, while his face also showed obvious shock, he quickly hid it.

“Come back, Swellow.” This time, he didn’t criticize or insult it, because now he knew, it wasn’t that Swellow was weak, it was that the opponent was far too strong.

After giving a slight nod, Paul left the Gym without another word.

“Was that really okay?” Kotoko asked as she stepped down from the referee’s platform.

“It’s the only way he’ll truly understand his own Pokémon,” Terrance replied.

Their conversation clearly ignored Fumiko, but with a sudden exclamation, Terrance felt his arm grabbed, a sweet scent reaching his nose.

“Mr. Terrance, please let me stay at Fallarbor Gym as an apprentice! I want my Beautifly to become as strong as yours!”

Jerking his arm free, the corner of Terrance’s mouth twitched. “I refuse.”

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