Pokémon: Starting with a Bound Entry System

Chapter 115: What Happened in the Icy Secret Realm

"Aren't you worried about breaking the rules?"

To be honest, when Sakura called out her Dragonair, even Hikaru was momentarily stunned.

It was clearly stated that summoning Pokémon above standard levels was prohibited in the spectator area.

The judges and Elite Four sitting above noticed the scene, but upon recognizing who was involved, they collectively turned a blind eye.

The expression "turning a blind eye" couldn't have been more apt.

"Hehe, they didn't notice~"

Seeing that Hikaru didn't question her about the boy from earlier, Sakura felt relieved.

"Hmm…"

Hikaru responded with a simple hum, though he couldn't help but feel amazed.

This girl's background was even more formidable than he had imagined.

"It's your turn, junior~"

The drawing of lots concluded, and it was Hikaru's name that came up next.

"Alright."

Hikaru glanced at the arena. As expected, the first match had ended, and the second match was his.

Boarding the designated Pidgeot, Hikaru flew to the battlefield.

This left only Yuki and Sakura seated together in the stands.

A heavy silence hung between them until Sakura finally spoke.

"Senpai, it seems like you've made great progress recently."

"When someone has a goal to chase, they tend to push themselves. But you, junior, have truly surprised me," Yuki replied calmly.

She had anticipated that Hikaru's childhood friend would have a strong background, but not this strong.

Still, she wasn't about to give up.

"Is it Hikaru you're chasing after?"

Sakura's pale blue eyes fixed on Yuki with a hint of tension.

A sudden sense of danger surged within her.

"Yes, I like him. In the icy secret realm, he saved me... and saw me..."

---

Meanwhile, Hikaru passed Kei Hoshino as he headed to the arena.

Kei shot him a provocative look, but Hikaru merely chuckled softly.

"Just wait, Hikaru. I'll defeat you!" Kei declared.

Hikaru replied calmly, "Oh, good luck with that."

When faced with taunts, maintaining composure was the best way to frustrate the opponent.

Besides, Hikaru genuinely didn't take Kei seriously.

"You just wait!"

Kei's anger flared, an inexplicable frustration rising within him.

It was always like this—Hikaru's indifferent demeanor, as though Kei were nothing more than a weed on the roadside, easily trampled.

---

"The second match is about to begin! It features the champion of Hunan Province's High School League, Hikaru, whose Pokémon are nothing short of extraordinary for those familiar with him!"

"Facing him is Cheng Feng, a standout competitor who emerged from the preliminary rounds!"

The battlefield chosen was grassland.

Hmm? That name sounds familiar, Hikaru thought.

Sure enough, a familiar figure appeared on the other side of the arena.

Cheng Feng's face was as bitter as if he had bitten into a lemon.

He had worked so hard to break through the preliminaries, ready to face his first match with enthusiasm, only to be matched against Hikaru.

This wasn't a match—it was a disaster.

"Looks like it's you again," Hikaru said with mild surprise. "I remember your Pokémon is Ampharos, right?"

"Go easy on me, Hikaru," Cheng Feng replied with a wry smile.

---

"Begin!"

With the referee's signal, both trainers sent out their Pokémon simultaneously.

"Lucario!"

"Hitmonchan!"

---

[Pokémon: Hitmonchan]

[Ability: Iron Fist]

[Gender: Male]

[Potential: Master]

[Level: 38]

[Moves: Comet Punch, Revenge, Agility, Bullet Punch, Vacuum Wave, Quick Guard, Fire Punch, Ice Punch, Thunder Punch, Mega Punch, Counter...]

[Pokémon: Lucario]

[Ability: Inner Focus]

[Gender: Male]

[Potential: Champion]

[Level: 34]

[Moves: Mega Punch, Extreme Speed, Swords Dance, Bone Rush, Close Combat, Ice Punch, Metal Sound, Aura Sphere, Force Palm, Vacuum Wave, Bullet Punch...]

[Equipped Perks: Fighting Mastery (fixed), Combat Drain, Kaioken (fixed), Dark Momentum Stacking.]

---

"Hitmonchan, Bullet Punch!"

Knowing he was at a disadvantage, Cheng Feng focused all his attention on the battle.

Hikaru didn't say a word, instead relaying his command through Aura.

"Respond with Bullet Punch!"

From the referee's platform, the Elite Four immediately noticed the use of Aura.

"Aura?!"

"Takashi, what's this kid's connection to your sister?"

"The last Aura user was that Elite Four from ten years ago, wasn't it? His Lucario was unforgettable. Could there be a connection?"

"Cough, cough..." Takashi cleared his throat. "For now, no connection. But I have high hopes for this kid."

His words drew sharp attention from the other Elite Four.

Everyone knew how much the Hayashi family treasured Sakura after her long absence.

And now, Takashi openly admitted to being impressed by Hikaru?

"Indeed, he's quite remarkable," Aqua Grace remarked. "They make a fine match."

The others grew even more curious about what Hikaru had done to earn such praise from the youngest Elite Four.

---

On the battlefield, Hikaru didn't issue any verbal commands, causing the commentator to pause in confusion before realizing what was happening.

"Aura! Hikaru is using an extraordinary ability! For those unfamiliar, Aura paired with Lucario creates a perfect synergy!"

The previously quiet audience erupted into excitement.

"What's Aura?"

"You don't know? Aura was used by the Aura Elite Four ten years ago! His Lucario was insanely powerful!"

"So... what is it, exactly?"

"It's... uh, it's just really amazing!"

---

On the battlefield, punches collided with punches.

The clash of physical power thrilled both Pokémon, but Hitmonchan began to feel uneasy.

At first, their techniques seemed evenly matched, but as time passed, Hitmonchan noticed that Lucario's blows were becoming increasingly painful.

[Dark Momentum Stacking] had activated.

"Lucario!"

Lucario was exhilarated, fully immersed in the fight.

"Not even in its 'enhanced state,' huh?" Cheng Feng muttered bitterly.

As a fellow competitor from Hunan Province, Cheng Feng was well aware that this wasn't Lucario's full strength.

In its enhanced state, Lucario could easily reach another level entirely.

Even now, it seemed Hitmonchan wasn't faring any better than Lucario.

Lucario twirled its Bone Rush before striking at Hitmonchan with incredible speed.

"Detect!"

Cheng Feng sighed in relief as Hitmonchan successfully blocked the attack.

Realizing he had no chance of victory, Cheng Feng called out, "Hikaru, let your Lucario go all out!"

"Alright."

---

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