Under Houndoom's keen sense of smell, Piloswine's Snow Cloak Ability indeed could not achieve the effect of "invisibility", but Hail could still bring some damage to Houndoom, and more importantly, such a temperature was most suitable for Piloswine.
Within the Hail, Houndoom charged straight toward Piloswine.
"Icicle Crash."
Piloswine let out a low roar, and two rows of icicles fell from the sky, about to strike Houndoom.
"Houndoom, Quick Attack!"
Karen reacted quickly. Facing the sudden icicle assault, she showed no panic. Instead of retreating, Houndoom advanced, its speed suddenly doubling, already leaving the icicles behind. Flames swirled within its mouth as it leaped forward, biting down toward Piloswine.
Such execution made Kenny and Aya, who were also Elite Four students, sigh in admiration.
'Hmm, expected of someone who would successfully ascend to the Elite Four in the future.'
At this moment, Ryosuke slightly raised his head, feeling particularly proud, while Tōkichi and Maiko also cast approving gazes.
Pryce remained as cold as ever…
"Pryce, it seems your so-called student is in danger," Maiko said indifferently.
Pryce snorted coldly and did not respond to her. He still had a general understanding of Tetsuya's level. If he could not handle even this level of danger, he would not have brought him here, nor would he have transferred so much of his lifelong knowledge to him.
Tetsuya's eyes were already locked onto Houndoom.
"Icy Wind!"
Piloswine shook its body, and a biting cold wind roared out, mixed with Ice Shard, sweeping toward Houndoom.
Houndoom, leaping in midair, suddenly choked on a mouthful of cold wind, and was immediately flipped over, about to fall from the air.
"Houndoom, use Flamethrower on the ground!"
This could indeed reduce Houndoom's fall damage, but something even Tetsuya had not expected happened!
As Houndoom opened its mouth and prepared to use Flamethrower, it unexpectedly coughed twice and failed to release it.
Tetsuya immediately seized the opportunity. "Piloswine, Icicle Spear!"
Swoosh~
Three icicles shot out. In Houndoom's current condition, it was difficult to evade this attack.
Karen finally began to panic a little. She had always prided herself on her exceptional talent and rarely encountered opponents among her peers, yet today, facing Tetsuya, who even looked slightly younger than her, she was being completely suppressed…
"…Iron Tail!"
Karen gritted her teeth as she shouted. In this situation, Iron Tail could only knock away one icicle and reduce the damage she would take.
Even so, it was enough to be impressive. In midair, with nothing to leverage against, executing a move like Iron Tail out of thin air was not something an ordinary Houndoom could accomplish. Given time, it would undoubtedly become a powerful opponent.
Houndoom swung its tail twice, and the arrow-like tail emitted a metallic sheen, smashing one icicle apart. However, one still struck Houndoom's abdomen, sending it crashing to the ground in a deplorable state.
At this moment, Ryosuke's face turned gloomy, and he could not help but glance at Pryce. Although Pryce still maintained his cold expression, in Ryosuke's eyes, it felt like a silent display of superiority.
"Houndoom, use Ember. Quickly force the cold air out!"
Karen no longer cared about any strategy or what was most effective against Piloswine. The current situation had already completely suppressed her, and coupled with choking on cold air, she could not use Flamethrower. If this situation did not change, there would be only one outcome…
Defeat!
Houndoom kept choking on its throat, even Ember was somewhat difficult to use, and scattered sparks were sprayed out amid Houndoom's strained coughing sounds.
Tetsuya naturally would not let such an opportunity pass and shouted, "Piloswine, use Earthquake!"
The tremors of Earthquake came silently, but its power was immense. Houndoom immediately felt dizzy, every part of its body trembling.
Cold sweat was already streaming down Karen's face. Tetsuya's ability to seize opportunities and launch an unending wave of attacks left her overwhelmed. Just how many years had he trained under Pryce to achieve such competence?
"Jump uuuup, Flamethrower!"
Karen almost roared. At this point, she could not care about how the Hail would affect Flamethrower's power. If she had not been overly confident earlier and rashly engaged in close combat, she would not have fallen into such a passive situation. This shout carried more regret toward herself, and even Ryosuke had never seen Karen "produce" such a "forceful voice".
Houndoom also seemed to sense Karen's emotions.
Gritting its teeth, it leaped into the air, letting out a long Howl as Flamethrower surged forth like a spreading wildfire, devouring toward Piloswine.
Tetsuya could not help but swallow. If not for the obstruction of the Hail weather, this Flamethrower would have been extremely difficult to withstand.
"Icicle Crash to block!"
This time, the icicles were directly planted in front of Piloswine, and Piloswine took the opportunity to shift its position.
The scorching flames quickly consumed the icicles. In less than a minute, Piloswine's Icicle Crash had never been destroyed so quickly since it was first used.
The nearly frenzied Houndoom did not even notice that Piloswine had moved away and instead further increased the power of Flamethrower.
"Icicle Spear!"
A slight smile appeared at the corner of Tetsuya's mouth.
Karen sensed something was wrong. She had just been overwhelmed by impatience and had even lost her most basic judgment.
A continuous stream of icicles shot in from Houndoom's left side. At this moment, Houndoom was fully focused on using Flamethrower, and even if it canceled Flamethrower now, it was already too late.
The icicles were as sharp as Honedge…
After this barrage, Houndoom would absolutely no longer have the ability to continue battling.
"Houndoom, do not withdraw the flames. Charge straight into the fire and use Flame Charge!"
Karen had no choice but to bring out her "ultimate move" ahead of time.
Houndoom's Flash Fire Ability activated. At the moment it charged into the flames, all the fire energy gathered onto its body. Its entire body was enveloped in flames, teeth clenched as it rushed straight toward Piloswine.
Watching the rapidly advancing "Houncano," Tetsuya steadied himself. Without forcing a last stand, there was no way to defeat Karen's Houndoom.
"Icicle Crash, block in front."
Tetsuya's breathing remained steady. This Icicle Crash was no longer meant to assist offense, but simply to reduce the force of Flame Charge. This would be the final conclusion here.
Houndoom had already triggered its Flash Fire Ability, greatly boosting its Fire-type moves, and Flame Charge would increase Speed over time. With Houndoom already fast enough, gaining such a Speed boost meant Piloswine would no longer have any chance of victory.
"Go, Houndoom!"
At the moment Karen shouted, Houndoom also leaped up, charging straight toward the icicles in front of Piloswine. With its fire energy greatly enhanced, Houndoom was fully confident in breaking through those icicles.