In Theo's mind, the information panel of the Magnemite before him instantly surfaced:
[Pokémon: Magnemite]
Type: Electric / Steel
Category: Magnet Pokémon
Ability: Analytic (By observing the opponent and finding flaws before using a move, the power of its moves is increased.)
Moves: Tackle, Thundershock, Thunder Wave, Electro Ball, Gyro Ball, Swift, Charge
If it weren't already announced in advance that this was Beldum's debut battle—and if the attention of the livestream audience weren't completely focused on this trial—then under normal circumstances, Theo would have sent out Tyrantrum to handle the challenge.
With its dual Dragon and Rock-type attributes, and having learned Earthquake, Tyrantrum completely countered Wattson's Electric-type Pokémon.
But at this very moment, the spotlight of the battlefield belonged solely to Beldum.
Theo lowered his head and looked at the Beldum beside him. The little Pokémon hovered in midair, its red crystal eye tightly locked onto Magnemite, its body drawn straight and taut.
Over the past month and a half, Beldum's growth had far exceeded expectations.
Its training in the desert had not been as grueling or harsh as Tyrantrum's, but its talent was simply too outstanding to be ignored.
Through playful sparring with Feebas and Tyrantrum, and Theo's stone-throwing training games, all of Beldum's moves, aside from Take Down—had already reached the Proficient stage.
One had to know that even Tyrantrum's most frequently used Ice Fang was still stuck at the Proficient stage, just one step away from perfection.
Such a rate of progress made even Theo sigh in amazement—Beldum's talent was truly astonishing.
Even among geniuses, there were still differences.
Moreover, during Theo's remaining ten-thousand-point gacha draws, with the nurturing of Basic Energy Orbs, Beldum's energy reserves had already reached the brink of evolution.
Now, as long as it consumed a fixed amount of minerals each day to strengthen its body and prepare for split evolution, it would soon be able to evolve into Metang.
"Don't be nervous. Just do it the way we practiced," Theo encouraged softly.
Beldum responded with a crisp ding, a trace of determination flashing through its red eye.
It still remembered the sense of loss it felt when it had lost to the Roserade of Victoria from the Winstrate Family. That unwilling, frustrating feeling—it never wanted to experience it again.
On the opposite side of the field, Magnemite floated around in a small circle, faint electric light flickering across its body, clearly ready for battle as well.
"Both sides are ready!"
Watt raised the green flag high. "Mauville Gym Challenge, first round—begin!"
"Magnemite, start with Charge!"
Wattson's command was crisp and decisive, anticipation gleaming in his eyes.
Theo's pupils shrank slightly. He had already learned from the information panel that this Magnemite's hidden ability was Analytic.
When it moved second, Analytic would further increase the power of its attacks.
And Charge was a move that boosted its Special Defense while also enhancing the power of its next Electric-type attack.
Wattson was clearly planning to strengthen first, then attack steadily, fully bringing out Magnemite's hidden ability.
Although Wattson had said this Magnemite hadn't been caught long ago, the fact that he chose it as the vanguard for a Gym battle meant it was anything but weak.
Still, Theo had absolute confidence in his Beldum. Even among geniuses, there were ranks and tiers.
Without a doubt, his shiny Beldum was a genius among geniuses.
At this moment, in the battle arena, Magnemite hovered on the opposite side, its spherical body slowly rotating.
Dense arcs of electricity flickered over its surface, the crackling zzzt of current spreading through the air.
Like Beldum, it relied on magnetic force to float above the ground.
But the difference was that Beldum could also use psychic power to precisely control its direction and acceleration. When it moved, it was as if it were being guided by invisible threads—so agile it was almost unbelievable.
Magnemite simply couldn't compare.
What's more, Beldum's body had been strengthened by special ores and rare metals personally sent by the Devon Corporation's chairman.
Those ores and rare metals, infused with magnetic and metallic energy, not only reinforced Beldum's steel body but also allowed it to gain increasingly refined control over magnetic forces.
Now, with the combined assistance of psychic power and magnetism, Beldum's movement speed was so fast it could practically leave afterimages behind.
"Since you want to charge up, I won't give you the chance to finish!"
Theo's eyes sharpened as he issued a low command. "Beldum, use Iron Head!"
"Dum!"
Beldum responded instantly. Its silver body tensed in an instant, compressing like a silver cannonball wound tight to its limit.
Its red crystal eye locked onto Magnemite as psychic power and magnetic force erupted simultaneously, propelling it forward at lightning speed!
Bang—!
A heavy, dull impact exploded at the center of the arena.
At the very moment when Magnemite's Charge was about to complete and its electric glow was at its brightest, Beldum's Iron Head slammed fiercely into its body.
The electric light around Magnemite abruptly faltered, its Charge forcibly interrupted.
Magnemite's body flew like a struck ball, bouncing several times across the arena floor before it finally stabilized itself.
Despite both being Steel-type Pokémon, Beldum seemed completely unfazed. It merely adjusted its posture slightly in midair, its red eye fixed firmly on its opponent, its fighting spirit undiminished.
Magnemite's single eye, however, clearly showed signs of pain. Its body trembled faintly—evidently, the force of that strike had far exceeded its expectations.
"So fast!"
Watt, serving as both referee and commentator, couldn't help but exclaim. "Beldum's charge perfectly predicted the timing of Magnemite's Charge and interrupted the power-up flawlessly!"
Wattson's brow slowly furrowed as he immediately gave another order. "Magnemite, Thunder Wave, lock down its speed!"
Magnemite endured the discomfort as net-like electromagnetic waves burst outward from its body.
Crackling currents carrying a paralyzing effect spread like an invisible web, sweeping toward Beldum.
Once hit, Beldum's speed would drop drastically. Wattson was clearly trying to use Thunder Wave to restrain Beldum's overwhelming mobility.
But just as the electromagnetic waves were about to touch its body, Beldum suddenly executed an unbelievable turn in midair.
The psychic fluctuations around it surged sharply, and like a graceful waltz dancer, its body slid half a meter to the left with minimal movement, perfectly dodging every strand of electromagnetic energy.
The crackling currents brushed past its edge and struck the empty ground behind it, scorching small burn marks into the surface.
"A beautiful dodge!"
Watt's voice was filled with astonishment. "Beldum's movement speed is incredible—it even managed to evade our Gym Leader's Thunder Wave!"
The livestream chat instantly exploded:
"That dodge was insane! It was like watching slow motion!"
"Isn't Beldum a Steel-type? How is it more agile than a Flying-type?!"
"I had to replay that turn three times to see it clearly!"
Wattson's frown deepened further. Psychic control combined with magnetic acceleration—this was troublesome to the extreme.
Despite both possessing magnetic force, Magnemite simply couldn't achieve such flexible movement.
"Now's the time!"
Theo seized the opening and gave another command. "Beldum, Iron Head again!"
Beldum shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, its silver form dragging a streaking afterimage beneath the arena lights.
"Magnemite, use Spark to counter!"
Wattson decisively changed tactics.
Since long-range control wasn't working, then it was time for a head-on collision!
(End of Chapter)