I have added this story to my Patreon. You can support me and read the 40 latest and advanced chapters there. It also fed and motivate me to write more chapters!
Link: Patreon.com/Heroicverse
—------------------—
The murmurs from the audience spread like a rising tide.
"This kid can't command this Pokémon at all."
A middle-aged Trainer sitting in the front row pushed up his glasses, his tone certain.
"Looking at that Gyarados, it's most likely a life-saving charm his elders forced on him, afraid he'd suffer losses while out on his own."
"There's no bond to speak of with a big guy like that, forced into submission."
Those around him nodded one after another. In the circle of Superior Trainers, this phenomenon was not uncommon.
Some scions of wealthy families would bring Pokémon far exceeding their own level to show off, but such Pokémon were just ticking time bombs on the battlefield.
A mad dog that doesn't listen to commands has its limits, no matter how strong its power is.
Another person snorted coldly.
"As long as you find the rhythm and exploit the disconnect between it and its Trainer, defeating it is only a matter of time."
Ariel listened to these sneers and jeers, which were deliberately lowered yet clearly reached his ears, and instead felt like laughing.
He indeed could not fully control this Gyarados, but that was not because he was some incompetent rich kid; rather, it was because the wildness in this beast's bones hadn't been smoothed out yet.
Letting it suffer a bit under the public eye was actually part of Ariel's plan.
To tame a beast, you must first let the beast know pain.
He scanned the audience, his gaze sweeping over the faces of those Trainers who considered themselves Superior.
These people's thoughts were written all over their faces: greed, wariness, and that mercenary desire to pick up a bargain.
Just as everyone was whispering, Ariel's voice drifted over.
"What's wrong?"
Ariel's voice wasn't loud, but it sounded particularly jarring in the quieted venue.
"Weren't you all quite lively just a moment ago? Now there isn't even anyone left to challenge me? Didn't you say I couldn't command it? The opportunity is right in front of you; who wants to try?"
"Huh? Strange? How is it that there isn't even a single challenger? Is it possible that you don't even dare to challenge a Trainer who can't command his Pokémon?"
These words were like a resounding slap to the face of those who were preparing to watch a joke.
The Trainers below looked at each other, the atmosphere becoming exceptionally strange.
No one here was a fool.
Although this Gyarados didn't listen to commands, the explosive power it had displayed just now was truly astonishing.
That size, that strength—even if it just thrashed its tail around, ordinary Pokémon wouldn't be able to take more than a few hits.
Going up now would most likely mean becoming a stepping stone for those who come after.
No one wanted to exhaust the Gyarados's stamina at this moment; everyone was thinking of waiting until it was more tired, until its wildness was further depleted, and then going up to reap the fame and fortune.
The Superior Arena fell into a deathly silence.
This silence was permeated with an air of calculating shrewdness.
Ariel looked at this group of cowardly Superiors, the curve of his mouth carrying a hint of genuine contempt.
Is this what they call Superior?
They don't even have the guts to challenge a Trainer who can't command his Pokémon?
This blunt Taunt made many people's expressions change, their fists clenched until they creaked.
But in the face of profit, this level of humiliation seemed tolerable.
Everyone was waiting, waiting for that impatient bird to stick its head out.
"Brother Ariel! Go! You're always the best!"
A hoarse shout, characteristic of the voice-changing period, broke the deadlock.
Marius jumped up in the stands, his face flushed red, waving his arms desperately.
"Even though you can't command the Gyarados, your momentum has already won! Don't pay attention to those cowards!"
Upon hearing this, Ariel stumbled, nearly losing his footing.
He turned his head and looked at Marius's bright, worshipful eyes, feeling as if tens of thousands of Arceus were galloping through his mind in a line.
Is this kid praising me, or is he twisting the knife? What does "even though you can't command it" mean?
Marius's mindset at this moment was completely different.
Since childhood, he had been criticized by his teachers for having mediocre command aptitude, and a sense of inferiority had always been hidden deep in his heart.
In his view, Ariel facing so many strong enemies right now, even while holding a fierce beast that wouldn't listen to him at all, and still being able to Taunt the entire arena without changing his expression, was simply the hero template he had dreamed of.
"Brother Ariel, you are my idol!"
Marius added another line, his voice even louder.
Ariel's eye twitched, and he forced himself to turn his head away, no longer looking at that overly hot-blooded youth.
He was afraid that if he looked again, he wouldn't be able to help but recall the Gyarados and give this kid a Hydro Pump to wake him up.
Just then, heavy footsteps came from the contestant tunnel.
Since everyone is waiting, I'll break the ice.
A man built like an iron tower walked out.
He was shirtless, his bronze skin covered in sweat, his bulging muscles rising and falling slightly with his breathing.
With every step he took, even the arena stairs seemed to groan in pain.
The opponent exuded a wild aura, the kind of temperament left only by long-term close-quarters combat with Pokémon in the wild.
"It's Fierce Thunder!"
Someone below recognized him.
"This guy is a madman; he specifically looks for opponents that counter him to fight."
Fierce Thunder walked to the other end of the arena, and without any nonsense, directly threw a Poké Ball.
"Come out, Ampharos!"
Golden electric light exploded in the air, and a very well-developed Ampharos appeared on the field.
The red orb on its tail flashed violently, and the surrounding air was instantly filled with the burnt smell of ozone.
Four-times effective!
As a Water and Flying-type, Gyarados was as fragile as paper in the face of Electric-type moves.
Fierce Thunder looked at Ariel, his eyes devoid of mockery, holding only pure fighting spirit.
"Your Gyarados is strong, but if it doesn't listen to commands, it won't be able to withstand my thunder."
Ariel looked at the Ampharos wreathed in electric arcs, and his previously tense face finally revealed a hint of satisfaction.
This was the opponent he wanted.
He glanced back at the Gyarados, which was still roaring and posturing at him, and sneered inwardly.
Beast, don't you think you're capable?
Next, let's see if you can still act tough in front of this generator.