The Superior Arena of the wave breaker was vastly different from ordinary battlefields.
There were no noisy shouts of command; instead, a quiet and oppressive atmosphere prevailed.
In the center of the venue, energy barriers outlined the battle zone, surrounded by comfortable spectator seats made of refined materials and deep colors, exuding a certain class.
The air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood and high-grade incense, occasionally mixed with the scorched or icy lingering breath of Pokémon skills, reminding visitors that this place was extraordinary.
Ariel stepped inside with a composed pace.
Beside him, Marius appeared somewhat constrained.
His gaze swept over the well-dressed Trainers with steady temperaments before cautiously looking away, finally resting on Ariel's back.
The people here exuded an aura of long-held authority in every gesture, and their Pokémon partners were all powerful individuals meticulously raised.
"Match one: Ariel versus Da Hui!"
A mechanical and clear voice announced over the speakers.
Ariel said nothing, simply walking toward the battle zone.
His opponent, Da Hui, was a thin middle-aged man in a suit with meticulously styled hair, looking more like a shrewd businessman. With a hint of disdain, he threw a Poké Ball:
"Go, Linoone!"
A Linoone with snow-white fur and a V-shaped stripe on its chest appeared. Its eyes were sharp and its limbs strong, clearly not an ordinary wild individual.
Ariel raised his hand, and a Weavile appeared in the arena. It was pitch black all over, its sharp claws glinting with a cold light, and its gaze was icy and focused.
"A Weavile? Hmph, fast enough, but a pity..."
Da Hui snorted coldly, but before he could finish, Weavile had already vanished from its spot.
Linoone instinctively took a defensive stance, but Weavile's speed exceeded its anticipation.
With only a blurred afterimage flashing by, Weavile had already circled behind Linoone.
"Ice Punch!"
Ariel's voice was calm, without the slightest ripple.
Weavile's fist emanated a chilling frost, striking Linoone's nape directly from a tricky angle.
Linoone let out a wail, its body stiffening before it collapsed, unable to get up.
"Linoone is unable to battle!"
The referee's voice carried obvious surprise.
The entire battle process had lasted only a few short seconds.
Weavile hadn't even shown more skills; relying solely on extreme speed and a precise Ice Punch, it had completed an 'instant kill.'
At the edge of the arena, Marius's eyes were wide and his mouth slightly agape. He knew Ariel was strong, but he hadn't expected such overwhelming power.
This was no longer an ordinary victory, but a one-sided crushing.
The surrounding spectators, who had been chatting, lowered their voices.
Many turned their gazes toward Ariel with scrutiny and a hint of curiosity.
They had initially thought he was just a young hothead, but they hadn't expected the Weavile in his hands to possess such strength.
"This young man is quite interesting."
"Even though Da Hui isn't a full-time Trainer, being able to one-shot him like that is still very impressive."
Someone commented in a low voice.
"Fast, but it seems to be just a speed-type Pokémon, lacking breadth."
Another person shook their head, their tone carrying a hint of reserve.
Ariel was indifferent to this.
He slowly recalled Weavile, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings; those looks being cast his way were exactly what he needed.
He wanted all the influential people on the wave breaker to remember his name.
He walked to the edge of the battle zone and signaled to a uniformed staff member.
"Sir, how can I help you?"
The staff member asked politely.
"I am applying for a Challenge Match."
Ariel was concise.
The staff member's expression froze.
A Challenge Match?
This wasn't a daily battle, but the highest-specification contest in the Superior Arena.
He instinctively looked at a side wall, where the rules of the Challenge Match were clearly engraved:
One-on-one, Gauntlet Style, five Pokémon.
A successful challenger could obtain an X-Scissor HM.
This reward, for many wealthy Trainers, was indeed not considered generous.
What most people valued was the social value brought by the Challenge Match.
The first batch of passengers on the wave breaker were all either rich or noble.
Shining in such an occasion, even if the challenge failed, could lead to favor from certain VIPs, paving the way for future development.
Ariel naturally understood this. But he had deeper considerations.
First, he wanted Curator Stern to clearly recognize his value.
Although Curator Stern was not present at the moment, everything happening here would reach his ears with the fastest speed.
He wanted to use his strength to win himself a voice and status.
Second, it was to train his Gyarados.
Since obtaining Gyarados, he and it had not yet experienced a single true, well-coordinated actual combat.
The Challenge Match in the Superior Arena was undoubtedly the best touchstone.
The staff member quickly recovered. Although surprised, he followed the regulations and quickly initiated the application process for the Challenge Match.
The surrounding Superior-level Trainers' evaluation of Ariel's actions shifted from the initial 'quite interesting' to an obvious assessment of arrogance.
"A Challenge Match? Has this kid let one win go to his head?"
A burly Trainer had a playful smirk on his face.
"Arrogant, too arrogant. Where does he think this is? A street brawl?"
Another female Trainer snorted contemptuously.
Any one of them was a Superior-level Trainer with more than five badges, and they were all somewhat famous in their respective fields.
In their view, Ariel's Weavile had indeed performed well, but to dare challenge the gauntlet based on just one Pokémon victory was undoubtedly the act of a frog in a well.
Some Trainers began to talk in low voices, their gazes falling on Ariel from time to time, calculating how to 'teach a lesson' to this young man who didn't know the heights of the heavens.
They didn't lack X-Scissor HMs, but maintaining the dignity of the Superior Arena and giving a Newcomer a show of strength was a tacit consensus.
Marius walked to Ariel's side, worriedly tugged at his sleeve, and said softly:
"Brother Ariel, how about... waiting a bit? The Challenge Match is very difficult."
He could feel the unfriendly aura emanating from the surrounding Trainers; it was an invisible pressure that made him feel uneasy.
Ariel turned his head and looked at Marius.
He didn't speak, but just gave him a look.
That look was faint, yet it carried a kind of unquestionable calm and confidence, as if saying: Don't worry, everything is under control.
Marius's heart settled slightly, but that vague worry still lingered in his mind like a thin mist.
"The Challenge Match challenger has been confirmed. Trainers who are interested in accepting the challenge, please register with the staff!"
The broadcast sounded again, pushing the atmosphere of the Superior Arena to a new height.
Ariel stood at the edge of the battle zone, his gaze calm, waiting for the upcoming challenge.
He knew this was just the beginning.