Chapter 199
Furthermore, this was the first time he had ever heard of someone being interested in a junior, even to the point of issuing a warning to the Pokémon League —this was unprecedented.
"Let's welcome this challenger!"
"Qiao Ran, Pokémon Trainer from Longjiang City! The owner of four Badge!"
The boy emerged from the Venue's passageway, surrounded by a Rotom flying around him.
He wore a refreshing smile, and his handsome face paired with black hair made him someone you wouldn't find offensive at first glance. Moreover, there was a certain contradictory quality about him; although there was still a hint of naivety between his brows, his every move exuded an excessive maturity.
However, no one was paying attention to Qiao Ran at the moment. Most of the audience had already become restless when they heard the host announce the program, and they were making incredulous noises.
"Four Badge?"
"Trainer with four Badge... actually became Gym Leader Nian Hai's opponent in his final battle?"
"... Could there be some mistake?"
"Could it be that you made a mistake? Or did the challenger you agreed to meet not show up, so you had to find someone else at the last minute?"
Trainer's strength is generally proportional to the number of Badge Gym have. Although obtaining eight Badge is enough to qualify for the Pokémon League, there are differences in strength between Gym. Moreover, some powerful Trainer will try to obtain more than ten or twenty Badge to prove themselves.
What are these four Badge for? Are they here to cause trouble??
Could it be that they were actually tricked into coming to watch the Competition?
Did even Old Man Nian Hai fall for it?
"..." Despite the pressure and gazes of thousands of spectators in the Gym, Qiao Ran remained silent.
He didn't want to explain anything; if anything needed explaining, he'd let strength explain it—that was the only thing he could do right now.
However, to Qiao Ran's surprise, when he was unwilling to explain further, the Old Man Nian Hai on the other side took the initiative to step forward.
In order to ensure the smooth running of the Competition, the contestants all wore microphones, making it easy for their voices to be heard throughout the venue.
"Please be quiet, everyone," Old Man Nian Hai began, his voice steady yet with the characteristic hoarseness of an old man.
"This is the Trainer who fought Sabrina. Although she only has four Badge now, but..." Old Man Nian Hai said, turning his gaze to Qiao Ran, "Your strength is not that simple, is it?"
Although he uttered a question, his tone left no room for argument.
This is someone who has been acknowledged as a junior by that person.
"..."
Qiao Ran looked into Old Man Nian Hai's eyes and slowly nodded.
"Certainly."
He laughed.
In front of so many people, in such a grand setting, it seemed as if something within Qiao Ran's heart had been unlocked.
In this situation, composure, Bide, and everything else were thrown to the back of his mind. What he wanted now was perhaps just to enjoy the battle and the feeling of fighting against a powerful enemy.
"... If you don't go all out against me, you might get Shutout."
"Hahaha."
Upon hearing Qiao Ran's words, Old Man Nian Hai laughed instead. Although this junior's reaction was somewhat different from what he had imagined, Defeat him would not be so easy.
Old Man Nian Hai narrowed his eyes slightly.
"If you could, would you try to let this old man taste this flavor?"
"Before retiring, experiencing being Shutout for the first time might be a unique and memorable experience."
A surge of fighting spirit was already brewing between the two, and upon hearing this conversation, the tens of thousands of spectators around them were already stunned in their seats.
That... is the Trainer who fought with Miss Sabrina?
Moreover, judging from this, Gym Leader Nian Hai also seems to want to fight.
"... It's... true."
Xia Fei stared blankly at the man standing in the arena, a man who seemed both strange and familiar. She clenched her fists and her breathing became rapid.
For some reason, she suddenly felt like cheering for that man, even though... she should like Grandpa Nian Hai more.
But...
We must... win.
We absolutely have to win!
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Glaceon
The players on both sides had entered the arena and taken their positions, and the emotions of the audience had reached their peak. In the huge Stadium, countless spectators shouted Nian Hai's name.
"Please send out your respective Pokémon!"
The Referee announced the start of the Competition. As the Gym Leader, Old Man Nian Hai would be the first to send out his Pokémon, a rule specific to each Gym.
Has the battle begun?
Holding the Poké Ball in his hand, the Old Man Nian Hai suddenly began to mutter to himself, and his voice carried throughout the entire venue through the loudspeaker.
It's like telling a story.
"... This old man, over the past few decades, has given up the opportunity to become Elite Four in order to become the Gym Leader of this Gym."
His words caused a small commotion; this gentle old man had never previously mentioned his strength.
He has never admitted that he could reach the standard of Elite Four, but perhaps because he is about to retire, he no longer has such concerns.
"During my time guarding the Gym, I haven't encountered anyone who could match my strength for a very long time."
Right now, he probably just wants to fight like an ordinary Trainer.
After losing his position as Gym Leader, will he be able to challenge other Gym like an ordinary Trainer?
"As for you, young man, what level are you capable of?"
The Old Man Nian Hai stretched out his hand, and the Poké Ball in his hand Levitate directly in the air, slowly moving forward.
He called out the name of his first Pokémon.
"Come out!"
"... Rapidash!"
The Poké Ball Levitate in the air opened automatically, and a unicorn with a white body and colorful mane appeared before all the spectators, proudly raising its head.
Its body shimmered with a faint light, and its fluffy fur revealed just how much surging energy it contained.
--Galar Rapidash
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Although it shares the same name as Rapidash regular Rapidash, Galar Rapidash has long lost its "fire" attribute. Instead, it possesses powerful Psychic, the energy to unleash these Psychic hidden within its long mane.
"This Pokémon be one of Gym Leader Nian Hai's ace Pokémon, right?"
"... Sending out Pokémon of this caliber as the very first one?"
"This really is the final match..."
The audience's discussion never stopped, while on the other side, Qiao Ran, with Rotom's help, saw the opponent's level.
"Level 53"
Undoubtedly, he possesses Elite Four-level strength.
Old Man Nian Hai wasn't boasting at all. Moreover, judging from the condition of this Rapidash, and considering Old Man Nian Hai's own age, Qiao Ran couldn't rule out the possibility that the Rapidash's strength had declined. In other words, the Rapidash's previous strength might have been even greater than it appeared.
After all, Pokémon like Rapidash don't have long lifespans like Phoebe's Ghost Pokémon. One day, these ordinary Pokémon will also pass away, and it's understandable that their strength will decline.
"So, how will you deal with it?"
Old Man Nian Hai had already played his first card, watching Qiao Ran's movements and observing this young junior.
"..."
Qiao Ran paused for a moment. Nian Hai's Pokémon had indeed caught him off guard. Originally, his plan was to send out Yveltal as his first Pokémon to secure a winning start. After all, this was a highly publicized Competition, and if he could make a name for himself here and use some special Pokémon, he might attract the attention of certain people in the Pokémon World...
Moreover, he himself wanted to score the first point beautifully and prove himself.
But now, Nian Hai has sent out Galar Rapidash with both Fairy type and Psychic type attributes, and Yveltal is unfortunately doubly weak to Fairy Type. If Yveltal is sent out here and then "accidentally" Defeat by the opponent... Qiao Ran doesn't know how long he'll have to kneel on a washboard to beg for the forgiveness of that Grim Reaper.
"So... we should let her play."
Yveltal doesn't perform well, then there's only one Pokémon can truly secure a winning start.
On such a grand stage, all Qiao Ran wanted was victory, victory, and more victory.
"Come out, Zacian!"
Qiao Ran Fling the Poké Ball in his hand, and with a burst of light, a huge wolf-shaped Pokémon appeared on the Battle Court.
Her body was covered in thick blue fur, one ear looked like it was missing half, and her body was covered with scars left from battle.
However, the moment she stepped onto the stage, she let out a loud, Howl, and an incredibly sharp aura rose from her body, piercing the surrounding air like a drawn sword.
The entire audience seemed to hear a continuous drumbeat, and a Long Sword emitted the sound of being drawn from its sheath.
--The Ability "Intrepid Sword" is activated.
Zacian's attack power increased by 50% from the moment she appeared on the field. This level of increase is absolutely terrifying for Pokémon of Zacian's caliber.
"Such a strong fighting spirit... What kind of Pokémon is this...?"
Even someone as knowledgeable as Nian Hai had never seen Pokémon like this before. It was like the embodiment of pure "battle," and the moment it appeared, even his Rapidash began to stir.
Fight, fight, fight.
It was as if a voice within its soul was constantly Captivate it, enticing its heart to beat and roar like a war drum.
"Both sides are ready!"
The Referee also seemed to
Having been infected, he raised his hand and then suddenly swung it down.
"... The Competition has officially begun!!!"
"Roar roar roar roar roar roar roar roar roar roar!!!"
The audience erupted in a thunderous cheer, expressing their excitement and anticipation for the Competition.
Amidst this overwhelming clamor, Nian Hai issued his first command.
"Rapidash!"
"Hiss!!!"
Sensing the message conveyed by Old Man Nian Hai, the white unicorn's fur fluttered in the wind, emitting a dazzling light. As the light intensified, the sharp horn on its head pointed straight at the sky like a Long Sword.
This sword is neither a steel sword forged from iron nor an ordinary wooden sword, but a lightsaber created by Psychic. No one would doubt just how sharp this sword is.