As Klein stepped into the second-tier mountain region, the surroundings changed dramatically from the previous area.
Instead of rugged terrain, he found himself enveloped in a vast, star-filled darkness, as if drifting through the boundless cosmos.
The breathtaking scenery was deceptive.
This was a battlefield woven with psychic energy traps—a vast chessboard where every move he made was already anticipated and countered.
Klein's presence was instantly locked onto by an overwhelming telekinetic force.
Even the slightest movement could trigger a hidden assault.
His Delphox sensed the hostility first.
The fire at the tip of its mystic wand flared violently as it unleashed a surge of spectral flames, burning away the invisible threads of psychic energy attempting to ensnare Klein.
The battlefield shifted.
The "starry sky" flickered, revealing floating constellations—and with them came the first wave of attacks.
A cascade of radiant energy rained down from above, resembling divine judgment.
But Delphox was faster.
With a flick of its wand, it conjured a massive vortex of ghostly flames, forming a barrier of blazing lotus flowers to counter the falling starlight.
A devastating clash of energies erupted.
Then—a counterattack.
Delphox twirled its wand, unleashing a searing fire beam toward the hidden enemy.
A sudden torrent of water surged forth, extinguishing the flames midair.
And from the darkness, a figure finally emerged.
A lone woman stood in the shadows.
Her psychic aura radiated outward, merging seamlessly with the cosmic battlefield she had created.
Her mere presence commanded absolute authority.
Gym Leader Olympia of Anistar City.
Her deep blue eyes glowed faintly as she surveyed Klein and his Delphox.
"Impressive counter, Delphox."
Unlike Riley, Olympia did not speak recklessly.
Against a foe like Klein, revealing even the slightest hesitation could be fatal.
Her brief remark was more than just praise—it was an acknowledgment of Delphox's skill.
Klein narrowed his eyes.
She had woven her psychic energy into the battlefield itself.
Even in an environment that favored her, Delphox had managed to turn the tide in its favor.
A flicker of realization crossed Olympia's face.
Had Klein already mastered Aura?
The battle intensified.
Delphox's ghostly firestorm clashed against Olympia's celestial light, illuminating the dark battlefield.
And in that moment—Klein activated his Aura.
Golden energy surged in his irises, linking him and Delphox into a perfect synchronization.
Flames erupted even brighter around Delphox, its Blaze ability fully igniting.
And then—the true battle began.
A Slowking materialized from the darkness.
Unlike ordinary Slowking, its pupils were pitch black—a sign that it had already used Nasty Plot to amplify its psychic abilities.
A single thought pulse from Slowking sent out a crushing psychic shockwave.
Delphox retaliated with an elegant sweep of its wand, summoning a phantasmic fire blade—an offensive technique rarely seen from special attackers.
Both combatants moved without hesitation.
Olympia's battlefield analysis activated immediately.
Most Delphox users preferred ranged combat.
Yet Klein's Delphox wielded its fire like a duelist wielding a rapier, dashing forward in unpredictable, lightning-fast strikes.
A mage-like assassin?
No—it was still a spellcaster.
But it had altered the nature of its attacks, seamlessly shifting between ranged and melee combat.
Slowking's hydro vortex rose like a tidal wave, seeking to crush Delphox in one devastating strike.
But instead of dodging—
Delphox leaped forward, slashing its flaming sword straight through the water.
The battlefield erupted in steam and smoke.
Amidst the swirling mist, Delphox suddenly vanished—only to reappear behind Slowking in an instant.
Its fire blade pulsed with electric energy.
Thunder Punch?!
The unexpected electric surge paralyzed Slowking's movements.
At the same moment—Klein charged directly at Olympia.
Her eyes widened.
Klein had entered close combat range.
A gleaming combat knife flashed in his hand as he lunged for Olympia's throat.
A direct attack on the trainer?!
Even with her heightened psychic reflexes, she had barely anticipated his blitz-speed movement.
Her mind surged with power, activating a telekinetic burst aimed straight at Klein's heart.
But—
Klein's Aura flared, allowing him to predict the trajectory before it was even unleashed.
With perfect timing, he sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the lethal attack.
This wasn't a standard one-on-one battle.
It was a survival challenge.
Everything was permitted.
Slowking attempted a retreat maneuver, using its psychic powers to teleport away.
But Delphox had already read the move.
The second Slowking tried to disengage—
A storm of enchanted leaves rained down, wrapping around its body like burning vines.
Olympia froze.
A cold metal blade was now resting against her throat.
"It's over, Olympia."
Klein's voice was calm, but merciless.
Unlike the committee members watching from afar, he knew the truth—Olympia and Riley had conspired against him.
His patience for their "trials" had limits.
For the first time, Olympia felt a strange chill.
Looking into Klein's piercing golden eyes, she suddenly realized—
Even if she didn't surrender… he might actually kill her.