Chapter 198
"What's so strange about it? It's just that the names are similar. Xiaoxiao definitely has nothing to do with the Gym Leader. She does more silly things than I do. How could she possibly be related to Grandpa Nian Hai?"
Qiao Ran: "..."
Goodness, now it seems that Nian Xiaoxiao wasn't deliberately hiding anything at all. On the contrary, he's starting to wonder if his cousin is missing a screw.
As noon drew to a close, Qiao Ran decided to end the meeting and go back to prepare for the afternoon's Competition.
So, Qiao Ran took out the autographed card of Sabrina that he had prepared beforehand and handed it to Xia Fei.
"What's this?"
"Signature."
"Signature..." Xia Fei took the piece of paper and carefully examined it several times. Finally, she excitedly hugged Qiao Ran's arm.
Thank you, Qiao Ran!
Ah...
Godmother Qiao Ran!
Only then did Qiao Ran finally remember that when he handed it to her, he forgot to make her call him "Older Brother" first.
However, there's nothing that can be done; once something is given away, it can't be taken back. But Qiao Ran has one more thing he can give her.
"If I have other things to do this afternoon, could I please ask for leave?"
"Ask for leave?"
Xia Fei wasn't quite sure what Qiao Ran was trying to say, so she could only nod, puzzled.
"It should be... possible, right? If it's something important."
"That makes things easier."
As one of the participants, it wouldn't be difficult for Qiao Ran to get tickets for the afternoon session. Besides, even if he couldn't get them, he could ask Sabrina or Nian Hongyu for them, or he could buy them himself without any problem.
"What do you want to do? You're not going to take me shopping again, are you?" Xia Fei looked at Qiao Ran with sparkling eyes. Although she didn't like this cousin who stood her up at first, she couldn't help it; he had given her so much.
However, Qiao Ran shook his head at Xia Fei's surprised expression.
"Eh..." Xia Fei's shoulders slumped down.
However— Qiao Ran's next words almost made Xia Fei jump up in shock.
This afternoon,
I'm going to participate in the Gym Challenge.
"If possible, could you come to the Gym to watch the Competition?"
Afternoon??
... Competition??
Isn't this afternoon's Competition Grandpa Nian Hai's farewell game?
Xia Fei stared at Qiao Ran's face, completely stunned.
No... that can't be, right?
"That's great, to be able to participate in such a grand Pokémon Competition."
In the lounge, Mei couldn't help but murmur with envy. Because the Gym Leader to Competition against Qiao Ran in the afternoon, her challenge with Lillie had to be postponed to tomorrow. This afternoon was destined to be just a performance by Qiao Ran alone.
"... Uh-huh."
Lillie could only nod in agreement, offering an awkward but polite smile. She was still a novice challenging Gym for the first time, and she certainly didn't want to fight in front of so many people!
Lillie felt no envy whatsoever; all she felt was admiration.
"Have you decided which Pokémon to use? You'll definitely be using Dianxi, right?"
Before the battle, Sabrina also came here and asked about Qiao Ran's situation. She was also very concerned about this Competition.
The old man, Gym Leader Nian Hai, is so powerful that even Sabrina has to admit his strength. Or rather, even though she is confident to the point of arrogance, she is slightly weaker than him in terms of pure strength.
Faced with such a formidable opponent, she wanted to see how Qiao Ran would perform.
At the same time, if he could Defeat a veteran Gym Leader was giving his all in this Competition, in front of so many spectators, he might be able to overcome the predicament he mentioned that day.
Just like Mei said, he will be the key to saving the Pokémon World.
Sabrina still hopes he can pull himself together.
"Well, Dianxi will definitely be on the field, as for the other two Pokémon..."
Qiao Ran had already made his choice, but he still needed to consider the specific person to choose from.
Yveltal and Zacian are incredibly powerful in the first tier, but below them, Pokémon like Silvally, Nihilego, and Suicune are also capable of competing at this level.
As for Vulpix, Altaria, Mimikyu, they probably still need more practice.
Of course, their role isn't necessarily reflected in Pokémon Competition. In many situations, Altaria is Qiao Ran's only option for flying, and Vulpix and Mimikyu's size is an irreplaceable advantage.
"Qiao Ran, the Competition is about to begin, the Battle Court is ready."
Staff rushed into the break room and gave the announcement.
"Well... let's adjust the specific personnel selection during the battle."
Qiao Ran stood up from the chair and stretched.
"Rotom, come here too."
"Okay, Rotom."
Rotom had taken many good photos in the room, followed Qiao Ran and flew out, circling around him.
This battle is not just an ordinary Gym Challenge.
He will prove to everyone just how powerful he truly is now.
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"Wow, so many people!"
With the ticket given to her by Qiao Ran, Xia Fei entered the spectator stands of the Competition without any hindrance. Although she initially thought it was a joke from her cousin when she first heard Qiao Ran say such a thing, she was able to get inside thanks to the ticket he gave her.
--This can't possibly be fake anymore.
Xia Fei stood on solid ground, yet it felt like she was walking on cotton candy; even now, she still feels a strong sense of unreality.
"Ah... because it's Grandpa Nian Hai's last battle, did many people take leave to come?"
Aside from some elderly people, Xia Fei also saw many office workers in suits and ties, as well as students still wearing their school uniforms. They were all paying close attention to this battle. In many people's hearts, Nian Hai represented not just a Trainer, but the end of an era. Perhaps the Baton Pass Gym Trainer would bring about a better next era.
However, this battle is ultimately irreplaceable.
"Feifei."
While Xia Fei was lost in thought, someone suddenly patted her on the shoulder. Xia Fei was startled and quickly turned around to look, only to find that Nian Xiaoxiao was already standing behind her, staring at her with a smile on her face.
"Xiaoxiao? What happened to you...?"
"Of course I'll be there, and so will my sister. We absolutely have to watch this Competition!"
"Elder sister...?"
Xia Fei's gaze naturally fell to Nian Xiaoxiao's side, where, without a doubt, stood a familiar figure.
This familiarity didn't come from everyday contact, but rather from television programs or various reports.
It's like she knows Sabrina, but Sabrina doesn't know her.
This slender girl with black hair is undoubtedly Nian Hai's granddaughter, and also the most dazzling rising star of the Magic City Gym who has won countless honors at a young age— Nian Hongyu.
Of course, this was before Sabrina appeared.
"This... this is your sister... that... that means..."
Xia Fei suddenly realized what was happening and looked at Nian Xiaoxiao with a panicked expression, but Nian Xiaoxiao still had that smiling expression.
"The current Gym Leader is actually our grandfather, so there's not much to say about that, right?"
"No, no, no, no, there's nothing to say about this?"
The sheer volume of information left Xia Fei somewhat bewildered. If her grandfather were the Gym Leader... no, if her grandfather were the Gym Leader, she would have been bragging about it everywhere by now!
Furthermore, since they share the same surname, are they actually related?
"So... who is the challenger on the other side this time...?"
"That's your cousin."
Faced with such a direct question, Nian Xiaoxiao gave a direct answer and added some friendly supplementary information.
"The one who fought Sabrina last time was actually your cousin."
"...???"
??
Xia Fei's mouth dropped open on the spot. "..."
Just a few days ago, she was an ordinary girl who went to and from school every day, but in the last few days, all sorts of strange things have been happening.
It's bad enough that my friend has suddenly become the Gym Leader's granddaughter, but now even my cousin is planning to have some weird and wonderful persona?
"Could it be that I'm also a main character?"
Xia Fei was startled and quickly hugged Ralts tightly.
This world is so abnormal!
"Let's welcome—our Magic City Gym Leader — Nian Hai!!"
Amidst thunderous applause, Nian Hai walked Tangled Feet out from one side of the Venue. He smiled and waved to the audience around him. Although his body no longer possessed the Hustle of a young man, no one would underestimate this old man.
He was surrounded by a powerful aura of Psychic, and his long beard swayed gently. If he wanted, it wouldn't have been difficult for him to Levitate in the air, but he didn't choose to do so. Instead, he walked with Tangled Feet, like an old man, to prepare for his final battle.
Even without uttering a word, his will was conveyed to all the audience members present. Gazing at the legend of the setting sun, the audience remained silent, watching without uttering a sound—even the originally intense cheers stopped, and the Battle Court became eerily quiet.
Old Man Nian Hai stopped at one side of the Battlefield, gazing ahead. At the end of his vision, another figure approached.
'Is that... the person you also think highly of?'
Sabrina and Nian Hongyu are both very strong juniors, but this time, Nian Hai has developed a fighting spirit towards a young Trainer she has only met recently.
It wasn't just because of the opponent's formidable strength, but also because Frisk that person's "gaze."
Nian Hai still remembered that when he was a child, he had already noticed "her" figure. He had also had a period of constantly chasing after her, wanting to get closer to her. However, he and she were ultimately from two different worlds. Not only was the gap in strength insurmountable, but even after so many years, when he had become an old man on the verge of death, she still looked the same as she had back then.
What kind of existence was she? Nian Hai didn't know, and there was no need for him to know anymore. He only knew one thing—that figure would forever remain a dream he could never reach in his youth.