Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Intern Assessment
After the end of the match, Professor Sato granted Ryoma and Yuto a day of rest.
Naturally, the entire day was spent with Yuto engrossed in his frantic experiments.
The next morning, the two walked side by side toward Professor Sato's laboratory. Along the way, Yuto wore a frown, clearly having encountered some difficulties in his experiments.
"Alright, alright, you've been thinking about it all night. When you see Professor Sato, you can ask him for help," Ryoma said with a slight sigh. Yuto, during his experiments, seemed almost possessed, which might also explain why he managed to gain admission to Aloha City Pokémon Academy despite the odds.
"They're coming, they're coming, they're coming!"
"Here comes Ryoma! Everyone, make way!"
At that moment, the commotion in front of them pulled both their attention.
"Huh, what's going on?"
"Have we become famous? So many fans are here to crowd us so early!"
Yuto blinked as he looked at the throng of classmates packed together, feeling amused.
"You finally made it! Accept my challenge!"
At that moment, a senior pushed through the crowd, holding a Poké Ball and pointing it directly at Ryoma.
"A challenge?"
Ryoma was momentarily taken aback. What was going on?
Did they want to take advantage of his recent victory to gain recognition?
"That's right! If I can defeat you, I'll become an intern for Professor Sato!"
"I must defeat you!"
The senior's fists were tightly clenched, excitement evident on his face.
There's a saying that proximity to water allows for easy access to the moon. If one could become Professor Sato's intern, wouldn't the upcoming assistant position be within easy reach?
"Defeating me will make you an intern for Professor Sato?"
Ryoma felt a slight unease, and as he scanned his surroundings, he quickly noticed Professor Sato at the window of the laboratory on the second floor, watching the scene below with a teasing smile.
Seeing this, his face darkened. It was clear that this idea had come from Professor Sato, who was using him as an intern assessment!
Obviously, Professor Sato was still hung up on the fact that he hadn't used Sandstorm during the competition!
"Seriously, if he wants to see the practical effects of Sandstorm, he could have just found a Pokémon to assist in the battle!"
"Sigh, coming up with such a troublesome idea, it seems he won't be satisfied until he sees the practical effects of Sandstorm!"
Ryoma sighed slightly and took Sandshrew's Poké Ball into his hand, the implication clear: if it's a fight, then let's fight!
"Alright, you two, come on up," Sato Professor called down from the second floor, the light glinting off his glasses.
Just wait until you try to back out!
With Professor Sato's permission, Ryoma, Yuto, and the senior stepped into the laboratory building together.
"Is that you, Ryoma?"
"If you lose, you're in big trouble!"
At that moment, someone shouted from the crowd. Ryoma turned back and was surprised to find it was the beautiful senior who had helped them register for the competition. Her name seemed to be... Miki?
"It looks like she's also a competitor for the intern position."
"If I win against this senior, she might just be the next opponent for me!"
Ryoma sighed slightly; he certainly felt the pressure.
...
In the Battle Arena of the Laboratory Building.
The arena was already filled with various instruments.
"Alright, you can begin now."
"The winner stays, the loser leaves."
Professor Sato fiddled with the instruments in his hand without looking up.
"Yes, Professor Sato! I will definitely win!"
Hearing Professor Sato's words, the senior clenched his fists excitedly, turning his gaze toward Ryoma, which instantly became hostile.
"Go, Machoke!"
In the next moment, the senior threw the Poké Ball in his hand, and a muscular Machoke appeared in the arena.
"Let's battle, Sandshrew."
Ryoma also threw out Sandshrew, filled with determination.
"I will definitely win this time! Machoke, use Karate Chop!"
The senior didn't bother with decorum and commanded Machoke to strike first!
"Sandshrew, use Rapid Spin to block!"
From Machoke's actions, it was clear that it had been trained very well. The moment it began to attack, it moved with impressive speed, the hand glowing with a flash of white light as it came crashing down toward Sandshrew, who was spinning!
Boom!
With a loud crash, Sandshrew's figure shook violently, being pushed aside by Machoke's immense power as if it were a spinning top struck by a whip!
But Machoke wasn't without its troubles; its hand was knocked back, and it staggered a step back.
"Don't stop! Continue using Karate Chop!"
Machoke quickly lunged forward again, its Fighting-type energy swirling on its hand as it continued to slash at Sandshrew.
"Use Sand Attack with a spin!"
Taking advantage of the opening, Sandshrew managed to execute Sand Attack while being boosted by the winds created from its Rapid Spin, resulting in a sandstorm rising from the ground!
Boom!
In an instant, Machoke's attack arrived, slamming into the sandstorm. The hand, shimmering with a flash of white light, struggled to penetrate the storm but was met with a cacophony of sand and stone.
"Here we go! Use Sandstorm!"
Seeing the timing was right, Ryoma decisively commanded, and the fully gathered Sandstorm erupted explosively, sending a whirlwind that pushed Machoke away, with sand and stones swiftly following to engulf it!
"Machoke, brace yourself and endure!"
Upon witnessing the raging Sandstorm, the senior's expression turned extremely grim. He hadn't expected that a Sandshrew could learn such a weather move as Sandstorm!
Roar!
Facing the swirling Sandstorm, Machoke quickly adjusted its stance, bracing itself with a sturdy base to withstand the storm!
"Finally, it's being used!"
Professor Sato showed a pleased expression and quickly signaled Yuto to start recording the energy changes in the arena.
The storm lasted for about half a minute, and when it finally dispersed, it revealed that Machoke's lower body had been buried under the sand, covered in numerous wounds.
However, thanks to the defense provided by Bulk Up, it had managed to withstand the Sandstorm!
"Well done, Machoke! Now, counterattack!"
"Use Cross Chop!"
Seeing that Machoke had successfully endured the Sandstorm, a look of triumph appeared on the senior's face.
But before Machoke could react, it saw Sandshrew charging in with Rollout. While Machoke was preoccupied with the Sandstorm, Sandshrew had been using Rollout to gather energy, and now it was at its maximum!
Faced with the ferocious Rollout, Machoke could only adopt a defensive stance, crossing its hands in front to execute Cross Chop!
Boom!
With another loud bang, Machoke was unmistakably sent flying, crashing hard against the wall. When it fell, it had already lost its battle capability!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone