Alex quickly ran to Scizor and healed it with a Hyper Potion.

Norman walked over to Slaking and said with a smile, "Good job. You performed exceptionally well today."

Slaking grinned and immediately lay down, drifting off to sleep.

Although years of specialized training had allowed Slaking to suppress and shorten its Truant ability, the downside was that it couldn't maintain that suppression for long and was hit even harder by it afterward.

After healing Scizor and recalling him to his Poké Ball, Alex walked over to Norman.

He raised his hand slightly. "That was a good fight. You really taught me a lot today."

Norman shook his hand. "Yes, it was a good match. For a moment, I even thought you might still pull off a win. You're quite strong for such a young trainer."

Alex's expression turned more serious. "I know it's a bit of an odd question, but… can you tell me what happened with Aerial Ace? I've used that move many times, but I've never seen anything like that."

Norman smiled faintly. "The fact that you're asking that shows you're still young."

He continued, "Moves like Aerial Ace, Swift, and Magical Leaf can be mentally controlled by the user once they reach Master Rank—if the Pokémon is capable of it and trains a specific trick. It's more like a passive option than a technique, but it still requires certain conditions to be met."

The explanation wasn't very detailed, but it was enough.

Alex nodded slightly, then smiled. "Thanks. I guess there are still quite a few things I don't know. Today, you showed me some possibilities I hadn't even considered. You're a truly special trainer."

Even though he had lost, Alex didn't feel particularly bad about it. Losing to someone like Norman didn't feel frustrating—if he also learned something from it.

Changing a Pokémon's innate ability through years of training wasn't something that could be explained by time alone.

Norman had to be exceptional to achieve something like that. More importantly, this battle had opened a new door for Alex.

Pokémon moves—and even innate Pokemon abilities—weren't as fixed as he had once believed. With enough time, effort, and creativity, they could be shaped… evolved in their own way.

As a trainer, that realization was invaluable. There was still so much more he could do to strengthen his team beyond simply raising levels or mastering moves.

Combo techniques. Ability manipulation. Or perhaps… something no one else had ever achieved before.

He also began to wonder whether the other Gym Leaders had their own unique techniques—things he simply hadn't seen in A-Badge matches—or if Norman was an exception.

For the first time, Alex felt he might have underestimated Gym Leaders after defeating so many of them.

Especially those who had been trainers for decades… they should have far more to offer than what was usually shown.

'It's a shame you can only challenge a specific Gym Leader for an S-Rank Badge once a year,' Alex thought. 'I can't fight Norman again anytime soon.'

After a brief pause, his expression relaxed slightly. 'Then again… maybe the others will show me something just as interesting. Maybe it's not so bad that I have to face someone different next time.'

Alex didn't leave the arena immediately.

Most of the camera crew had already begun packing up their equipment, and the loud energy of the broadcast slowly faded into a quieter, more private atmosphere. Norman remained near the battlefield, arms crossed, as if replaying parts of the fight in his head.

Alex walked over. "For an 'average trainer, you're hiding quite a few tricks."

Norman let out a short breath that almost resembled a chuckle. "And for a 'genius,' you came in more unprepared than I expected."

Alex didn't deny it. "Fair."

There was a brief silence between them.

Then Alex asked, "How long did it take you to get Slaking to that point?"

Norman glanced toward his Pokémon, who was still dozing peacefully. "Years. And not the kind of years you can shortcut with talent or money."

Alex nodded slowly. That answer alone told him more than any detailed explanation could have.

Norman then looked back at him. "You've got good instincts. If you stop relying only on what you already know, you'll grow much faster."

Alex smiled faintly. "Sounds like advice from experience."

"It is."

After a short pause, Norman reached into his pocket and pulled out a small device. "Give me your contact information. If you're serious about improving, I don't mind answering a few questions now and then."

Alex raised an eyebrow slightly but didn't hesitate. He took out his own device and exchanged contact details with him. Although Norman sounded a bit arrogant, Alex had no problem with it.

"I'll take you up on that," Alex said. "Next time we fight, I won't be this unprepared."

Norman gave a small, approving nod. "I'll be looking forward to it."

…

As Alex was about to leave, one of the TV crew members hurried toward him.

He looked younger than the others—probably in his early twenties—and was carrying a camera that was clearly still recording.

"Alex! Wait—uh, sorry—Mr. Alex!"

Alex stopped and turned, slightly amused. "Just Alex is fine."

He was in a good mood today and wasn't as easily annoyed by things as he normally is.

The young man adjusted his grip on the camera, clearly a bit nervous but also excited. "That fight was incredible. I've watched a lot of matches, but that… that was something else."

Alex glanced briefly at the camera. "You recorded everything?"

"Yeah, but... I know all your matches by heart, so I was really shocked that you lost today. I—I might be a bit of a fan."

Alex smirked faintly. "Only 'a bit'?"

The cameraman laughed awkwardly. "Okay, maybe more than a bit."

He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Your strategies, the way you adapt mid-battle… it's different from most trainers. Even today, when things didn't go your way, it was still amazing to watch."

Alex studied him for a second, then shrugged lightly. "I lost."

"Yeah," the young man admitted, "but it didn't feel like a loss. It felt like… like you just found something new."

That made Alex pause for a moment.

"…That's not wrong. You have to be a great trainer yourself to see that much in a match," he said after a moment.

The cameraman smiled, visibly more relaxed. "My father was a Champion-level trainer. He taught me a lot, so I probably notice things others don't. …Do you mind if I keep this recording? I mean, it'll be broadcast anyway, but I'd like a personal copy."

Alex raised an eyebrow slightly at that.

he thought. What a waste,with a father like that, he could've become a strong trainer himself if he wanted to.

He waved it off. "Do what you want. Just don't edit it to make me look worse than I already did."

The guy laughed. "No chance. If anything, I'd make you look better."

They talked for a few more minutes—about the fight, future matches, and even briefly about the upcoming tournament. Alex even gave him his contact information.

Before leaving, the cameraman hesitated again. "Um… would it be okay if I contacted you sometime? Maybe for an interview or something?"

Alex thought for a moment, then nodded. "Sure. Send me a message first."

The young man's face lit up. "Thanks! Really!"

Alex then suddenly said, "Oh, now that you mention it, you haven't even told me your name yet."

The young man looked a little nervous. "Oh—sorry. My name is Griffith."

Alex paused for a brief moment, then glanced at him. "Not Griffin… but Griffith?"

Griffith looked slightly puzzled. "Yeah… what's the problem?"

Alex smiled faintly. "Ah, nothing. Sorry. It's just a pretty unusual name."

When Alex finally stepped out of the gym, he was in a good mood even though he didn't achieve his goal today.

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