However, just as the thought surfaced, Benedict immediately slapped Nathan's expectations away.
He pulled out a Pokéball, but instead of a Fire-type Pokémon, it released an Ice-type!
A level 48, carefully nurtured Froslass!
Before Nathan could react, Benedict explained:
"This Pokémon belonged to an old friend of mine and is the only one I can use for this assessment."
"To be honest, it's been a long time since I've trained any new Pokémon."
Hearing this, Nathan nodded in realization.
Not training new Pokémon for a long time implied one thing: even Benedict's weakest Pokémon must be at a very high level.
Using a Pokémon above level 55 to face Nathan's Volcarona before it had updated information would seem a bit unfair.
"But for now, your opponent will be this gym-level Froslass! Metagross, it's your turn!"
Smirking slightly, Nathan grabbed a Pokéball from his waist and called out loudly.
A Metagross, noticeably larger than normal, appeared opposite the Froslass!
Due to limited battle experience, Metagross was currently around level 45.
Although it was three levels lower than Froslass, Steel-types counter Ice-types.
Overall, the difference wasn't significant!
"Very good. You've raised this Metagross splendidly!"
With just a glance, Benedict was already certain.
At this moment, Benedict was genuinely impressed.
He had previously seen Nathan as a genius rookie trainer, someone who could create classics by commanding across wide level gaps.
But seeing Nathan's Pokémon in person, Benedict realized—
Nathan's true strength was not just in theory.
At least to Benedict's eyes, this giant golden monster is simply... incredibly perfect!
In fact, Benedict was overestimating Nathan a little.
Although Nathan had unique insights into Pokémon training, there are also some unknown factors similar to local assimilation.
This allowed him to develop moves beyond the traditional Pokémon system,
Metagross was different from his other Pokémon.
Because of the frequent mental link practice between Nathan and Metagross,
Metagross gave off a feeling of being completely in sync with Nathan just by standing there.
On top of that, Metagross's specially trained overdeveloped arms further strengthened this illusion.
Of course, Nathan didn't explain all this; he simply ordered:
"Metagross, use Agility! Get close to Froslass and, without hesitation, unleash our high-speed Meteor Mash!"
Metagross roared, its body surging forward under Agility.
Upon approaching its target, Metagross wasted no time executing Nathan's command fluidly—
like a blade and its master, slicing cleanly and seamlessly!
"Good kid!"
Seeing this, Benedict's eyes lit up, and he commanded:
"Froslass, use Icy Wind—no, dodge immediately!"
Initially, Benedict wanted to counterattack after Froslass absorbed the first hit,
but seeing Metagross's terrifying punch speed, his pupils shrank and he instinctively ordered Froslass to evade.
Benedict truly lived up to his title as an Elite Guardian member—
even with an instinctive command reversal, Froslass managed to dodge Metagross's Meteor Mash.
However, it didn't completely escape.
Thanks to Nathan's special training, while Metagross hadn't yet reached the level of a Heavenly Meteor Mash. (TN: Reference from Saint Seiya Comet Fist)
But its Meteor Mash was already much faster than average!
White smoke rose from Froslass's head; it had barely escaped serious injury!
At that moment, Benedict suddenly remembered—
Nathan wasn't just famous for his Volcarona.
There was also his Pangoro with its nearly legendary martial-arts.
"Looks like I'm really getting old. But before that, I'll pass on a few things to the younger generation,"
Benedict said with a wry smile.
Honestly, just from the opening exchange, he already felt there was no need for further assessment.
But feeling admiration for Nathan's talent, Benedict decided to teach him something valuable.
"Again, Metagross! Use Meteor Mash once more—faster, even faster!"
Nathan didn't notice Benedict's expression, his focus burning with excitement.
Instinctively, he even activated his mental link with Metagross!
[So... envious?]
An unnoticed pendant felt the bond between human and Pokémon, its immature consciousness quietly murmuring.
Of course, this was just a minor aside, unnoticed even by Nathan.
Meanwhile, under Metagross's relentless rapid Meteor Mash assaults, Froslass was in critical danger—
having to dodge Metagross's attacks while barely managing to survive.
Not just because of Metagross's rapid assault, but also because Nathan was unconsciously sealing off all of Froslass's escape routes!
As a Trainer, Nathan naturally had a "God's-eye view" of the battlefield,
an innate strategic advantage.
Seeing Froslass getting forced into a corner, Benedict couldn't help but say:
"Nathan, do you know why there are so few Elite Guadians and Champions in the world?"
"Huh?"
Startled by the sudden question, Nathan snapped out of his focused state, tilting his head in confusion.
Since arriving in this world, he had noticed that the Trainer profession hadn't progressed much.
Ninety-nine percent of people still had a shallow understanding of Pokémon.
Hearing Benedict's words, Nathan instinctively sensed something unusual.
But before he could react, Benedict suddenly said in a low voice:
"Froslass, use your combination move! Icy Wind, Frost Breath, and finally... Blizzard!"
"Let's turn this battlefield into a frozen paradise!"
Although Benedict's theatrics made Nathan want to laugh,
the next moment, the sudden burst of power from Froslass left Nathan wide-eyed.
Froslass unleashed three Ice-type moves almost simultaneously!
Not only that, it seamlessly blended the move properties together—
Icy Wind, making attacks hard to dodge and lowering the target's speed;
followed by Blizzard, completely freezing the enemy;
finally, Frost Breath, whose damage skyrocketed against frozen targets!
This synergistic combo produced an almost absurd scene:
Metagross, despite its Clear Body ability and type advantage,
was actually frozen solid just before striking Froslass!
Although Froslass was panting heavily afterward, barely able to continue fighting,
Benedict's so-called "combination move" truly refreshed Nathan's understanding of the Elite Guardians and Champions.
It made sense—
In a world that had long possessed Pokémon, even Nathan could create things like the Six Powers of the Navy (from One Piece) or Chidori (from Naruto).
Why wouldn't the strongest Trainers have their own unique techniques too?
This "Combination Move" was likely the real secret separating regular high-level Trainers from true Elite and Champion-tier Trainers!
"Nathan, surprised?" Benedict laughed.
"I was shocked too when I first saw it. I never thought Pokémon moves could be used this way."
"But with your talent, I'm sure you'll become an Elite Guardian member before you turn thirty."
Seeing the battle decided, Benedict relaxed and encouraged Nathan warmly.
He genuinely admired Nathan's talent and hard work.
Even Nathan's battlefield sealing had left Benedict temporarily without a counter-strategy—
a feat that required immense combat experience.
But becoming an Elite Guardian member was still a major hurdle.
In this world, it wasn't that the League couldn't discover or research things like Mega Evolution or Z-Moves—
it was simply that Combination Moves had already filled that role!
"Elite Guardian Li, you really taught me a lot today,"
Nathan said with a bright smile.
"But I also have something I'd like to show you."
Combination moves had been a huge surprise to Nathan.
And as a token of gratitude, he wanted to give Benedict a surprise in return.
"I was originally planning to unveil this at the National Tournament,"
"But since you've shown me so much today, you deserve an early look!"
"Metagross, let's show him our bond—Mega Evolution!!"
Raising the bracelet embedded with a Key Stone,
Nathan shouted, brimming with even more dramatic flair than Benedict earlier.
But unlike chuunibyou's, Benedict's and Nathan's was real.
As Nathan roared, a phantom-like Mega Evolution symbol appeared between him and Metagross!
At that moment, bathed in blinding light,
Metagross—previously unable to break free from Froslass's combination move—suddenly transformed!
"Th-this is... evolution?!!"
Benedict, who had seen countless things in his life, couldn't help but stare in shock.
A new evolution stage beyond final evolutions?!
If someone else had told him this, Benedict would've probably smacked them with his Charizard without hesitation.
But the truth was right before his eyes—undeniable!
As the hardened ice shattered under immense force,
Benedict gave a bitter smile.
The new generation had truly come to replace the old!
Nathan had no time to savor Benedict's reaction—
all his attention was on Metagross.
Although he was confident in himself,
this was his first real Mega Evolution!
The Mega Evolution made even Nathan's heart race with excitement.