https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-306-Bear-Apprentice-Let-s-Give-Them-a-Little-Shock-/12935187/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-308-Jing-He-A-Step-by-Step-Guide-to-Speedrunning-the-Battle-Factory/12935193/
Chapter 307: Bear Apprentice: Watch Closely, I'll Only Teach Once!
Chapter 307: Bear Apprentice: Watch Closely, I'll Only Teach Once!
Bear Apprentice vs. Hercules Beetle!
Hercules Beetle is renowned for its immense strength among all Bug-type Pokemon, ranking among the top three in its category.
In the Battle Colosseum assessment, it's not solely about winning or losing; as long as the scores in the other two aspects are high enough, even a defeat can lead to passing the evaluation.
Nevertheless, the outcome of a battle has a more direct impact on people's perceptions.
Moreover, with so many spectators, if one were to lose and still pass the evaluation to obtain the emblem, it would undoubtedly raise suspicions of insider dealings.
Therefore, in this battle, both the result and the techniques employed are crucial.
As the two trainers and their Pokemon finished their preparations, the apprentice referee promptly declared:
"Battle, begin!"
With the referee's announcement, both trainers gave their commands simultaneously:
"Hercules Beetle, Sky Return!"
"Bear Apprentice, Sky Return!"
The two trainers' voices echoed almost in unison, followed by a brief moment of surprise as they exchanged glances and smiled.
In the Battle Colosseum assessment, the second aspect, "Technique," awards additional points for moves that hit critical areas and have outstanding effects. Even without a critical hit, landing a blow on the opponent earns a point.
For Bear Apprentice, a Fighting-type Pokemon with a double weakness to Flying-type moves, and Hercules Beetle, with a quadruple weakness to Flying-type moves, Sky Return, with its high accuracy, was the most suitable choice.
Hercules Beetle's back shell opened, revealing thin, delicate wings that flapped gently, while a faint aura surrounded its massive horn. It charged towards Bear Apprentice.
At the same time, Bear Apprentice tightened the hair on its head, resembling a headgear, and with the gust of wind, it lunged forward.
Bang! Bang!
Hercules Beetle's horn collided with Bear Apprentice's fist, and both Pokemon staggered backward.
"Sky Return? So, this is a battle between Flying-type Pokemon!"
"No, is there any Pokemon that doesn't know Sky Return?"
"Wow, Teacher Jing He and Miss Cucumber Scent seem to have great chemistry. Is this the bond between martial artists?"
For Hercules Beetle and Bear Apprentice, this initial clash was more of a mutual test, allowing them to gain an initial understanding of each other.
The real battle of heart and technique was about to begin!
"Hercules Beetle, close-range combat!"
Miss Cucumber Scent waved her hand and shouted.
Hercules Beetle's wings fluttered almost imperceptibly, and its eyes flashed with determination. It charged forward, its horn enveloped in red aura, aiming directly for Bear Apprentice's chest.
However, Bear Apprentice remained calm, sidestepping gracefully to evade most of Hercules Beetle's attack.
It then crouched and lunged towards Hercules Beetle's chest, aiming a punch at its arm joint.
But as Bear Apprentice made contact with Hercules Beetle's joint, it sensed the opponent's strength being released and immediately retracted, leaving it slightly surprised.
This Hercules Beetle's martial arts skills were not to be underestimated.
Hercules Beetle's eyes glowed with a fierce red light, and it slammed its head towards Bear Apprentice's head while its left arm swung upward like a hammer, targeting Bear Apprentice's shoulder.
Bear Apprentice narrowed its eyes, showing no sign of retreat. It shifted its stance, sidestepped, and embraced its arm, using its shoulder to block Hercules Beetle's right arm joint.
Hercules Beetle's astonishment was even greater than Bear Apprentice's.
The martial arts skills, the reaction speed, and the countermeasures... Undoubtedly, this little bear was a martial arts master!
Hercules Beetle immediately sidestepped and rolled to the left, avoiding Bear Apprentice's shoulder block while sweeping its leg.
Bear Apprentice, anticipating this move, executed a backflip, dodging the attack.
Miss Cucumber Scent, watching from the sidelines, was awe-struck.
The techniques...
Bear Apprentice had effortlessly deflected Hercules Beetle's entire close-range combat routine? Despite the continuous clashing sounds, the spectators understood that Hercules Beetle had failed to land a single hit on Bear Apprentice.
Is this Teacher Jing He's Pokemon? No wonder he's a martial arts master!
Not only Miss Cucumber Scent but also the apprentices in the dojo were amazed.
The exchange of moves between Hercules Beetle and Bear Apprentice left the martial artists in the audience exhilarated.
As the saying goes, experts observe the essence, while novices admire the spectacle.
"Is that... Blocking Hercules Beetle's close-range combat with bare hands?!"
"My mind can't keep up, but my eyes are witnessing something incredible!"
"A display of ultimate technique!"
If Gigaforg represents the pinnacle of violent aesthetics and Coalomass embodies the epitome of burning art, then Bear Apprentice is the zenith of technical prowess.
It disarmed Hercules Beetle's close-range combat with its bare hands.
This single feat earned the respect of Miss Cucumber Scent and Hercules Beetle.
"Kuu~ (▼▼)"
Bear Apprentice, however, maintained a calm expression, although Teacher Jing He could sense through Aura that the little bear was actually quite nervous.
If it had misjudged or reacted a fraction of a second slower, it would have faced the full brunt of Hercules Beetle's close-range combat.
Teacher Jing He's expression became slightly odd.
"Ahem, Bear Apprentice..."
"Watch closely, I'll only teach once!"
In the next moment, Bear Apprentice leaped forward, its body surrounded by a red aura, and charged towards Hercules Beetle.
Close-range combat!
Compared to Hercules Beetle's close-range combat, Bear Apprentice's move seemed similar, but it appeared lighter and more agile.
Bang!
Hercules Beetle attempted to block Bear Apprentice's attack but was immediately read by its opponent.
Bear Apprentice let out a light laugh and slid beneath Hercules Beetle, ending up behind it.
Then, with a swift kick, a punch, a crouch, an elbow strike, a shoulder bump, a knee strike, a forward roll, and a dragon screw, it unleashed a series of attacks, leaving Hercules Beetle overwhelmed.
At the beginning, Hercules Beetle relied on its martial arts skills and managed to barely withstand the attacks of Bear Apprentice, just like him.
But soon, it realized that every move and technique of Bear Apprentice was not only more cunning in its offensive angles but, more importantly, each strike was more powerful than the last!
In Hercules Beetle's view, Bear Apprentice's attacks were like a surging tide.
Unceasing, each wave surpassing the last!
Bang—
Hercules Beetle flew into the air and slammed heavily onto the ground.
With this combo, Bear Apprentice's "Heart Score" was maxed out!
"Is this... the Combo Style Ultimate Technique?!"
Cucumber Fragrance's eyes widened in surprise.
Teacher Jinghe, had he really received the true teachings of Master Mathis?
If he lost like this, he might not gain Teacher Jinghe's approval.
"Hercules Beetle, show our perseverance, get up!"
"Krooh!"
Hercules Beetle shook its head heavily and staggered to its feet.
Cucumber Fragrance's expression brightened, and she excitedly shouted,
"Super Horn Attack!"
"Krooh!"
Hercules Beetle roared and charged towards Bear Apprentice, using its massive horns as a weapon.
"Kukaa!"
Upon seeing this, Bear Apprentice also became excited, spreading his legs in a horse-riding stance and extending his arms.
Boom!!
A stream of energy surged from his body.
Jinghe's eyes narrowed in curiosity.
Aura Burst?
However, Jinghe also understood Bear Apprentice's intention.
If it's a head-on clash...
"Bear Apprentice, Burst Punch!"
In this direct confrontation, there was no need to worry about low accuracy.
Bear Apprentice spread his arms wide, and under the sun, a dazzling white light condensed in his fists.
The surging power flowed into his fists, and after a brief charge, the energy burst forth.
"Kukaa!"
Bear Apprentice's Burst Punch was like a raging wave.
Boom!!
The head-on collision between the fist and the horn created a terrifying blast of energy, knocking over several nearby apprentices who were closer.
Along with them, Hercules Beetle was also affected!
A critical hit!
Hercules Beetle fell heavily to the ground, unable to continue the battle!
"One-Hit Style Ultimate Technique?!" Cucumber Fragrance muttered, stumbling over her words.
Not only had Bear Apprentice mastered the Combo Style Ultimate Technique, but he had also learned the One-Hit Style Ultimate Technique?
Cucumber Fragrance glanced at Bear Apprentice, who stood straight with his fists clenched, looking solemn.
Could it be... that he could combine the Combo Style and One-Hit Style Ultimate Techniques?
That would truly be terrifying.
Every close-range attack would be a critical hit?
Even normal attacks would be critical?
Sssss—
"Hercules Beetle is unable to continue the battle. In terms of heart, skill, and body, Bear Apprentice is the clear winner!" The referee was stunned for a moment before finally announcing the result.
"That was amazing!"
Cucumber Fragrance retrieved the unconscious Hercules Beetle and jogged over to Jinghe and Bear Apprentice.
"It's okay," Jinghe said modestly.
"Teacher Jinghe, your Bear Apprentice, he can't possibly combine the One-Hit and Combo Style Ultimate Techniques, can he?" Cucumber Fragrance couldn't help but ask curiously.
Jinghe glanced at Bear Apprentice, whose face was tense, and smiled.
"Currently, it's unlikely."
When they had just left Armor Island, Bear Apprentice couldn't do it, but after being nurtured by Jinghe for this period, Bear Apprentice could do it in a short time after falling asleep.
Because when Bear Apprentice was asleep, he could display extreme calmness, unaffected by external influences.
However, Jinghe said "currently," implying that Bear Apprentice's awake state still fell short.
The little guy had become much stronger since the Quartz Conference, Jinghe thought.
"It's impossible?" Cucumber Fragrance secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, it was impossible.
Otherwise, Hercules Beetle might have been defeated in just one move.
"The teacher's Bear Apprentice isn't even asleep."
Da Wu and the others also approached, and Yasha spoke up.
It was common knowledge that Jinghe's Bear Apprentice was at his strongest when asleep.
It was then that Cucumber Fragrance realized.
Oh, even the strongest form of Jinghe's Bear Apprentice hadn't been forced out.
"Then..." Cucumber Fragrance said softly, "Did I not pass the test?"
Seeing her pitiful expression and the live stream comments urging her to "be sensible," Jinghe coughed again.
"Ahem, you passed!"
"Yay!"
Cucumber Fragrance jumped for joy.
Wait a minute.
Wasn't I the one who came to take the Battle Colosseum's assessment?
Why are you so excited?
"My emblem..." Jinghe said.
Upon hearing this, Cucumber Fragrance slapped her forehead and quickly took out the "Emblem of Perseverance."
In two days, this was Jinghe's fourth emblem.
To be honest, after battling through the four facilities in the Battle Frontier, Jinghe had gained some understanding of the leaders' strengths.
Among the leaders he had encountered, Lila was likely the strongest, surpassing the average Gym Leader.
Next was Ishin.
Xiao Ji and Cucumber Fragrance were similar, probably around the strength of a regular Gym Leader.
However, the Battle Frontier's unique assessment method made it more challenging for ordinary Trainers to defeat them compared to Gym Leaders.
It was more suitable for Trainers who had collected eight badges, participated in conferences, and gained sufficient battle experience.
Not only would their chances of passing be higher, but they would also learn more.
"Unknowingly, we've reached the strength to defeat regular Gym Leaders?" Jinghe muttered to himself with a hint of self-satisfaction.
If he could defeat Gym Leaders, how far was he from taking on the Four Saints?
No, wait, there was a leader in the Battle Frontier who was on par with the Four Saints.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
