Chapter 320:
December 9th.
The weather was getting increasingly colder.
Although it hadn't snowed yet, now, when getting up in the morning, the outside was covered in layers of white frost, reflecting a vast, crystalline white world.
This frost would disappear after the sun came out at noon, and the temperature would rise slightly.
But after sunset, the temperature would drop again.
…
Challenge Site.
A Pidgeot soared in the air, its eyes fixed on the Floragato below.
A few little Eevees and an Alolan Ninetales stood nearby, watching Floragato in the challenge area with serious expressions.
As Pidgeot flapped its wings, they emitted a bright white light, and then its form shot towards Floragato like lightning.
This was Wing Attack!
Beside Floragato, the moment Hayashi Kaede saw Pidgeot move, he gave the command.
"Floragato, use Quick Attack to dodge!"
"Floragato!"
After flapping its wings for Wing Attack, the landing point was very clear. After these past few days of training, Floragato wasn't exactly proficient, but it knew this point well.
Remembering the first time it was hit by Pidgeot's Wing Attack, and seeing the flashing white light before it, Floragato channeled energy within its body, a faint glow shimmering over it.
Discerning Pidgeot's landing point, Floragato also moved at high speed, dodging without any pressure.
But it didn't relax; its mind raced, and its gaze swiftly shifted backwards.
Because it had dodged this Quick Attack sequence many times. What needed attention was Pidgeot's next move after using Wing Attack.
Aerial Ace!
This was the most difficult part to handle in the Sky Challenge (Evasion) that Hayashi Kaede had set up.
It was also the nightmare of the vast majority of challengers!
After missing with Wing Attack, Pidgeot would swiftly turn around, spin 360° in mid-air, and then unleash an Aerial Ace attack with its sharp claws.
Most Pokémon, on their first challenge, couldn't anticipate Pidgeot attacking at this moment.
Even challengers who attempted multiple times and knew Pidgeot's pattern would struggle, either because their Pokémon's reactions weren't fast enough or because the Trainer couldn't pinpoint the exact timing, leading to a stalemate at this difficult point.
Watching Pidgeot turn, Hayashi Kaede's expression turned serious.
In his eyes, Floragato, facing Pidgeot's Aerial Ace, wasn't retreating but instead charging straight towards Pidgeot!
And Hayashi Kaede didn't stop it at all, watching as Floragato rushed at Pidgeot.
Just as its entire body was about to be exposed to Pidgeot's claws, he finally spoke, "Now, Floragato, use Grassy Glide!"
"Floragato!"
Floragato's eyes narrowed on the field, its body lowering at that moment. As the Quick Attack's glow faded, a layer of turquoise energy seemed to form around its side.
Wrapped in this energy, its body became as smooth as a slide, directly lowering itself and narrowly dodging under Pidgeot's sharp claws.
At the moment they were closest, Floragato could almost see the sharp glint in Pidgeot's eyes.
But after they passed each other, a bell successfully rang.
Hayashi Kaede looked at the timer in his hand and smiled.
Thirty seconds were up!
In less than three days, Floragato had passed the first level that most ordinary Trainers couldn't clear!
This wasn't simple!
You have to understand, the Pokémon that usually come to challenge mostly have some battle experience.
But Floragato had no battle experience whatsoever after hatching.
Moreover, Floragato wasn't just training Quick Attack and Grassy Glide.
This meant that passing the challenge relied entirely on its efforts these past few days!
"Floragato!"
Floragato panted lightly, looking excitedly at the Pidgeot that had flown back to the tree.
These past few days had been really tough for it.
It had seen this Pidgeot dozens of times.
It failed the Sky Challenge over ten times every day.
After each failure, it would summarize the reasons and prepare for the next challenge.
"Floragato~"
Floragato excitedly came to Hayashi Kaede's side.
"You did great~"
Hayashi Kaede timely took out a new Rare Candy.
After Floragato ate it, its level immediately became 24-26.
"Eevee, Eevee!" (So amazing...)
Little Nine, who had followed along, also exclaimed in admiration.
Seeing Floragato finally dodge Pidgeot's Aerial Ace left the nearby Eevees stunned.
Floragato's desire to get stronger and evolve quickly by taking on the Sky Challenge couldn't be hidden from everyone.
So, from the beginning of the challenge, the fun-loving Alolan Ninetales and Little Nine would occasionally bring Little Three and Little Five to watch.
They witnessed all of Floragato's changes, from repeated failures to finally dodging that Aerial Ace.
"What, do you guys want to give it a try too?"
Hayashi Kaede lifted Little Nine by its front legs, stroking its thick mane, and couldn't help but ask.
"Eevee, Eevee..." (Getting hit would hurt, right...)
"Eevee!" (I want to try, I want to try!)
"Eevee, Eevee.." (I'd like to try...)
"Ninetales..." (Watch me...)
The Pokémon each had their own thoughts.
Alolan Ninetales nodded, Little Nine nodded, Little Five nodded, Little Three shook its head.
It seemed quite a few of them wanted to try.
Perhaps they also intended to train for a future challenge against Rayquaza?
Anyway, now that they were already out of the warm room, Hayashi Kaede didn't mind.
He smiled and nodded, "Alright, you three can try."
He also used his Aura to communicate with the Pidgeot resting coolly in the trees, calling over a few more.
Then he looked at the eager Little Nine in his hands and rubbed its nose. "Then you'll go first~"