Pokémon Court

Chapter 906: Hoenn Wall

As the totem aura dissipated, Terrance’s short-term training plan shifted to helping his Pokémon adapt to their current state.

Although the drop in strength wasn’t very severe, it still affected their performance to some extent. Fortunately, as a Contest Master, Terrance had always been meticulous in training his Pokémon’s control over their power. With that foundation, before the battle arrived, all the Pokémon that had lost their totem aura had already readjusted.

Beautifly was the one whose strength had declined the most. It originally had a chance to appear in the final match of the Champion League, but due to this unexpected situation, after careful consideration, Terrance gave up on that plan and decided to postpone its appearance until the Elite Four matches.

Arcanine’s giant form had been nurtured through copying Totem Pokémon. Although it had lost the totem aura, it did not cause any inconvenience to the giant form. This was thanks to the Flame Armor training device, as well as the continuous real combat training over the past few months, which had brought its control over its body close to perfection.

"Alright, let’s go!"

On the day of the battle, Terrance set out for the Ever Grande Stadium.

"Mr. Terrance, please do your best." Assistant Sharan followed behind him nervously. Although Terrance had already secured qualification for the Elite Four matches, the outcome of this battle was still extremely important.

If Terrance won, his total battle points would be on par with the Elite Four. But if he lost, his points would fall below theirs, meaning that in the Elite Four matches, he would need to defeat at least two Elite Four members to have a chance of advancing, undoubtedly increasing the difficulty of the challenge.

"I will."

Terrance kept his eyes closed along the way, resting his mind, clearly placing great importance on this battle.

The "Hoenn Wall," Mr. Norman, was a figure who stood out even among Top Trainers.

He was so strong that he was regarded as a future Elite Four. Becoming one only requires a single decision from him. Such rumors made it impossible not to treat him with caution.

When Sidney and Phoebe challenged the Champion League in the past, they had both only managed narrow victories against him. Even when Steven challenged the Champion League, he lost five Pokémon and only managed to turn the tide with his Shiny Metagross in the end.

This was a powerhouse who had rarely suffered defeat outside of the current Elite Four. Moreover, his battles against Sidney and Phoebe revealed many suspicious details, leaving his true strength shrouded in mystery.

When facing Sidney and Phoebe, Norman used completely different lineups compared to when he fought Steven. His lineup even appeared weaker, as if it had been intentional.

Across those three battles, Norman had sent out three Slaking with entirely different styles. Each Slaking, based on the strength they displayed at the time, could have been considered his ace. Yet no one had ever seen him deploy all three Slaking in the same battle.

Some claimed that if Mr. Norman were willing to field all three Slaking in a single match, he would be an invincible existence.

Inside Ever Grande Stadium, the lineup of spectators this time was extraordinarily luxurious.

In the main seats sat Champion Steven, along with Elite Four members Sidney, Glacia, Phoebe, and Drake, all gathered together.

In addition, many corporate representatives, veteran Trainers, and Top Trainers had come to watch the battle.

None of those present were ordinary figures. If one had to point out a few exceptions, only Terrance’s group of friends and family barely counted.

"This Norman is really strange," Raoul Contesta said from the high platform.

Norman was from Johto and had never aligned himself with any faction. Alone, he settled down in Hoenn, and soon after, he displayed formidable strength in the Champion League. His performance immediately caught the attention of several elders from his hometown at the Indigo Plateau, who hoped he would return to Johto to take charge, but Norman seemed to have no such intention.

At the same time, he refused recruitment from all major factions.

It had to be said, his behavior was quite peculiar. Moreover, in the Champion League, he would choose lineups of varying strength depending on his opponent, almost as if... he were conducting Gym battles.

In the highest-level competition among Trainers, Norman actually carried himself like an examiner—mysterious beyond measure, as though he were deliberately eliminating those unqualified to become Elite Four.

"Some have already speculated that Norman is connected to the Hoenn League’s President. Whether it’s his performance in the Champion League or the fact that he never challenges the Elite Four, it might all be under that person’s direction."

"But hasn’t the President already been interfering less in council decisions and seems to be planning to step down?"

"Who knows."

Under the gaze of countless spectators, Norman and Terrance stepped onto the stage together. This middle-aged man with black hair and black eyes looked entirely ordinary—more so than any of Terrance’s previous opponents—yet he gave Terrance an indescribable sense of pressure.

"Norman is a born Trainer. Top Trainers who have battled him all describe him as ’someone who was born for Pokémon.’"

"Strangely enough, anyone who has defeated Mr. Norman has gone on to become an Elite Four. On the other hand, those who lost to him, even if they made it into the Elite Four matches, never managed to become Elite Four."

As the crowd discussed among themselves, Ever Grande Stadium erupted into thunderous cheers.

Amid the cheers, the announcer shouted excitedly, "Alright! Contestant Norman has sent out his first Pokémon, it’s Spinda!!"

"And Contestant Terrance’s first Pokémon is Tyranitar!!"

Everyone present was already familiar with Terrance’s Tyranitar—a powerful Pokémon that perfectly embodied the ferocity of a sandstorm beast. As for Norman’s Normal-type Spinda, many Trainers were just as familiar with it.

Small in stature, with a spotted panda-like appearance, spiral eyes as if it were perpetually dizzy, and a wobbly, unsteady stance. It looked like a harmless, adorable creature no matter how one looked at it.

Yet its appearance caused the Elite Four to show expressions of surprise.

"So it’s that troublesome Spinda. This is a good chance to see Terrance’s real skills. After all, it’s not an exaggeration to say Norman is on the same level as us Elite Four. Whether this Terrance is qualified to be our opponent, Mr. Norman is the best judge," Sidney said with a playful, slightly roguish smirk as he looked down at the field.

"Opening with Tyranitar... this might not be good," Steven said with concern upon seeing Terrance’s choice. He had personally experienced the strength of that Spinda. It was far from easy to deal with.

"Hello everyone! This is the final round of the Champion League! In this season, two contestants on winning streaks have finally met! Who will maintain their undefeated record and bring their battle points level with the Elite Four? Please watch this match closely!"

The venue was extremely noisy. Fireworks exploding, spectators chattering, all kinds of sounds mixing together. An ordinary Trainer would have been affected long ago, but the two competitors remained completely calm.

As the match began, Norman and Terrance briefly locked eyes. The moment Tyranitar’s Sand Stream Ability activated, Terrance launched the first attack!

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