Just as Ursaring emerged from its Pokeball, the system issued a notification in Kenji's mind. However, something had changed—the data was now more adapted to this world. The system now categorized Pokémon within the ranks of beasts:
📚 Name: Ursaring
📊 Level: 10
🔥 Rank: E+
🦴 Type: Wild Beast – (NORMAL)
🔹 Abilities:
Guts: When Ursaring is injured or affected by a status condition, its strength increases drastically.
Quick Feet: If suffering from a status condition, its movement speed increases.
Slash: A claw attack with a high chance of causing deep cuts.
Fury Swipes: A series of consecutive attacks that increase its aggression with each strike.
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—Shadow Venom, attack with Shadow Lash! —shouted Renjiro.
The beast moved with terrifying speed. Its tail extended in the air, wrapped in dark energy, and whipped Ursaring with brutal force.
CRACK!
A dry sound echoed as the tail struck the bear's side, leaving a red mark on its thick fur. Ursaring growled in fury but stood firm.
—Counter with Slash! —Kenji ordered.
Ursaring roared and lunged forward, raising its right claw, which gleamed with a silver light before slashing down violently.
SWISH!
The claw cut through the air and struck Shadow Venom's side, tearing through its scales. A spray of greenish blood splattered onto the arena floor, hissing slightly due to its toxicity.
The crowd held their breath. They were not used to such a savage battle.
Shadow Venom hissed, its eyes gleaming with rage. Within seconds, its wound began to close slowly.
—Tch... so it can regenerate too... —Kenji murmured.
Renjiro smirked arrogantly.
—Surprised? That's nothing. Shadow Venom, use Acid Cloud!
The reptilian beast opened its mouth and exhaled a dense, purple mist. The gas spread quickly, covering the battlefield and making visibility difficult. Ursaring growled as it inhaled the contaminated air, feeling a burning sensation in its throat and lungs.
Kenji gritted his teeth. If this continued, Ursaring would start to weaken.
—Fall back and use Fury Swipes!
Despite the burning in its body, Ursaring roared and charged forward, slashing repeatedly through the mist. The sounds of tearing flesh and Shadow Venom's hissing indicated that some hits had landed.
But then...
CHOMP!
A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the arena. The crowd watched in horror as Shadow Venom had sunk its toxic fangs into Ursaring's arm. The dark venom spread through the wound, turning the bear's brown fur black around the bite.
Kenji felt a shiver run down his spine. This wasn't going to be easy.
Ursaring staggered, its right arm numb from the poison. Renjiro smiled in satisfaction.
—No matter how strong it is, the poison will weaken it until it can't move.
Kenji closed his eyes for a moment and then smiled.
—That's what you think... Ursaring, activate Guts!
The bear's body began to tremble, but not from weakness—from something far more terrifying. Its muscles tensed, and its breathing became heavier. A burning energy emanated from its body, making its eyes glow a deep red.
The poison no longer weakened it... it made it stronger!
—Now, Slash again!
With surprising speed, Ursaring raised its claw and plunged it into Shadow Venom's body.
SCHLUK!
The claw pierced through the reptile's scales, stabbing deep into its side. A jet of dark blood gushed from the wound, soaking the ground. Shadow Venom screeched in pain and struggled to free itself, but Ursaring wouldn't let go.
The bear lifted it with brute strength and slammed it against the ground with a thunderous crash. A crater formed at the point of impact.
The crowd was in shock. They had never seen a low-level beast fight with such ferocity.
Renjiro frowned.
—I won't let this end like this! Use Poison Fangs again!
Shadow Venom, bleeding and panting, lunged again with its mouth wide open, ready to inject another lethal dose of venom.
But Kenji had already anticipated it.
—Quick Feet, dodge and use Fury Swipes!
Ursaring's speed increased instantly. In a blink, it avoided the attack and responded with a flurry of brutal slashes.
RAAGH!
One, two, three... four deep cuts tore open Shadow Venom's flesh. One of them ripped part of its jaw, leaving a piece of flesh dangling.
The reptile collapsed to the ground, convulsing, its dark blood staining the arena floor.
Renjiro clenched his teeth in frustration. He couldn't believe what was happening.
Shadow Venom tried to get up, but its body wouldn't respond. Its wounds were too severe.
The professor watched the scene and raised his hand.
—Shadow Venom can no longer continue!
A second of silence...
And then the arena erupted in cheers.
—Kenji won again! —Who the hell is this guy?! —That beast is a monster!
Hiroki and Akari cheered in excitement. But while everyone celebrated, Renjiro lowered his head, trembling with rage.
Then, without warning, he began to laugh.
Kenji felt a chill run down his spine.
The crowd gasped as Renjiro raised another glowing sphere and tossed it onto the battlefield.
Ursaring's roar still echoed in the arena as the professor raised his hand, declaring the match over.
—Shadow Venom can no longer continue! Kenji is the winner!
A moment of silence...
And then, the arena exploded in cheers.
—That rookie defeated Renjiro?! —How is that possible?! —That bear is a monster!
The students looked at Kenji in astonishment and even a hint of fear. Before, they had seen him as a nobody... but now, no one could ignore him.
Meanwhile, from the stands where the professors observed the future students, several figures exchanged glances, whispering.
—That boy... —His control over that bear was impressive. —If he joins the academy, I want him as my exclusive apprentice.
From above the arena, Renjiro watched with clenched fists. He couldn't believe it.
But instead of exploding in anger, he simply closed his eyes and smiled.
—This... isn't over.
As Kenji received congratulations from his friends and the attention of the professors, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something much greater.
And he was right.
The path to the academy and the battle for power were only just beginning.