Why is my Pokémon girl a bit strange?

What kind of development would it take to become like this!

"No... that's not right, what I should be considering now is why she appeared in this world, not her figure."

At night, Qiao Ran lay on the bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

It wasn't just because there was an unwelcome guest in the room, but also because of that photo—as someone from the Pokémon world, why would she appear here?

What exactly happened?

Moreover, since people from the Pokémon world can come here, then... is the Pokémon world really real? And what are the differences between it and this world?

Although Qiao Ran had already had such a premonition when he heard the legend of the Pokémon Nurse, and he had thought that person might be Nurse Joy, Qiao Ran had no evidence to support his guess, so he could only give up in the end.

However, this time was different; he actually saw Mei's image in the photo—she was real!

Furthermore, when he connected this to the mysterious ruins he found on the mountain earlier, and the time when Pokémon appeared in this world, Qiao Ran always felt that there was a thread connecting all these things.

"I must see her when I get to Jinling... what exactly is going on?"

Qiao Ran glanced at Eve, who was lying on the floor. Her sleeping posture was a bit terrible; not only were her golden hair scattered all over the floor, but her smooth feet were also sticking out from under the covers.

That spot was originally for Suicune to sleep on the floor, but after this guy came in, Suicune had to rest obediently in the open land.

"This guy's identity is also very suspicious..."

Eve didn't tell Qiao Ran much information, but combined with her execution in sneaking onto the ship and the few words she spoke, she was probably not as simple as Qiao Ran had imagined. She was definitely not an ordinary runaway child.

Are ordinary children this capable?

"Master... you're not asleep yet?"

Vulpix on the side turned over and quietly moved closer to Qiao Ran. She seemed to have been observing Qiao Ran's situation. As a Pokémon that had been with Qiao Ran since birth, her familiarity with Qiao Ran was etched into her bones.

"Not yet, I was just thinking about some things."

Qiao Ran glanced at Dianxi, who had already fallen asleep on the other side. As expected of a princess, she maintained her composure even in her sleep.

Because there were other guests staying overnight, they all slept very properly.

"It's about time we slept too."

Qiao Ran yawned. Thinking about these things was indeed mentally taxing, and his strength and the current clues did not support any of his ideas. Their first task now should be to become stronger.

"Yeah, let's get some rest early." Vulpix leaned onto Qiao Ran's arm very skillfully and curled up.

She did not reject physical contact with Qiao Ran; on the contrary, she was very enthusiastic about such things.

"Good night."

Qiao Ran shook his head helplessly and closed his eyes as well.

Soon, time turned to the next day.

Qiao Ran got out of bed tiredly, only to find that the girls, except for him, seemed to have woken up.

"Finally... finally awake!"

Eve looked at the waking Qiao Ran with excitement, tears still shimmering in her eyes, giving Qiao Ran the illusion that he had been sent to the hospital and had just been resuscitated.

"What happened?"

"Nothing, I was just a little hungry. I wanted to wake you up to get some food. But these two..."

Eve glanced resentfully at her sides. On either side of her, Vulpix and Dianxi were sitting, one on the left and one on the right.

"They wouldn't let me disturb you, saying that they wanted brother to rest well. As soon as I spoke, they covered my mouth... What's going on with you siblings!"

"This..."

Qiao Ran scratched his face awkwardly. How long had this guy been sitting there staring at him sleep?

After getting up and washing up, Qiao Ran took the group out to solve their food problem. Of course, he didn't forget about Eve in the room and specifically brought her some food back.

However, when he returned to the room again, he found that Eve had changed her face again.

—She had transformed back into that black-haired woman in her twenties, but this time her makeup was even uglier than the last time.

"How is it? My makeup skills, you can't tell at all, right? It's different from last time too."

Eve stood proudly in front of Qiao Ran, but Qiao Ran couldn't help but take a step back.

"Mhm... Mhm, I can't tell at all."

Qiao Ran glanced at her and then looked away. Most people put on makeup to look prettier, but this guy took a unique approach and developed towards making herself look uglier.

And this time, she was distinctively ugly; just one glance was enough, and Qiao Ran didn't even have the thought of looking a second time.

"Hehe, that's great, I'm relieved." Eve laughed happily and even spun around on the spot.

"Why are you suddenly putting on makeup?" Qiao Ran handed her the food and asked curiously.

"Huh?"

Eve looked up and blinked.

"Didn't I tell you? There will be competitions held on this ship. Not only trainer competitions, but also performer competitions. I heard the prize is a mysterious Evolution Stone, and I must go and participate!"

"By the way, do you want to participate?"

Fufu asked Qiao Ran.

"Me? Hmm... If I get the chance, I'd like to try participating too."

Qiao Ran rubbed his chin. He felt this was a good opportunity to level up. After all, there wasn't much else for him to do on this ship besides catching Flying-type and Water-type Pokémon.

It would be nice to participate in such an event during these few days of sailing.

"Mmm... You're participating too? Then the exhibition match will definitely be spectacular!"

Eve's eyes sparkled with an inexplicable light as she looked at Qiao Ran with a face full of excitement. However, Qiao Ran's next sentence caused her excited expression to freeze.

"Wait, who said I was participating in the exhibition match?"

"Eh?"

"I'm participating in the trainer battle. After all, I started traveling to challenge Gyms. As for the exhibition match, that was my first time experiencing it, so I'll go next time if there's a chance."

As Qiao Ran spoke, he took out the badge case from his pocket. The Longjiang Badge lay quietly inside.

"Eh???????????????"

Looking at the badge Qiao Ran displayed, Eve was so shocked that the lunchbox in her hand dropped to the ground.

This guy... he clearly has such strong performance skills, but he's not a performer?!

And it was his first time on stage?!?!?!

What in the world is going on?!

Section 37 037 [Battles on the Ship]

"What's wrong? Is what I said strange?"

Qiao Ran scratched his head in confusion.

"It really was my first time?"

"N-no, don't say anything else first." Eve said, her face pale as she clutched her forehead.

"I can't quite accept this reality."

What kind of monster could perform to that extent on their first stage appearance?

"Right! You must have some special training method, right? Or perhaps, you learned some performance techniques during battles?"

Eve thought for a moment, then excitedly leaned closer to Qiao Ran.

"Teach me, okay?"

"I don't have anything to teach you... I just did this and that, and it worked out."

Qiao Ran shrugged helplessly. He really had nothing to teach. Moreover, instead of asking him, it would be better to ask Dianxi herself.

—That guy is the master of stage performance.

"You're lying! You must be hiding something! Hmph... I know, all famous performers are like this. They act like everything is easy, but they secretly practice late at night! I know, all the top students in my class are like this too!"

Facing Qiao Ran's explanation, Eve still firmly believed her own idea. She absolutely refused to believe Qiao Ran's seemingly magical explanation.

What do you mean, you could capture everyone's attention on your first stage appearance? To achieve success, it's normal to put in the corresponding effort!

Eve cupped her cheeks, her eyes shining.

"Like last night, you must have sneaked out while I was sleeping! Practicing on the deck under the moonlight! I know, you saw the sun at 4 AM!"

Qiao Ran rolled his eyes speechlessly: "..."

This girl's imagination is just too powerful.

Qiao Ran had no choice but to change the subject.

"Alright, alright, let's not talk about this here. Didn't you say you wanted to participate in the competition? Where do we register? I'll go find a crew member to ask..."

"Hall One, I know, it's in Hall One."

Eve raised her hand to answer quickly.

"How do you know?" Qiao Ran was a little surprised.

"Of course, I know. Yesterday, I was hiding in the warehouse, and when I sent Jynx to find you, I found out about these things. My partner is also very capable."

Eve chuckled. It was unclear where she learned these little tricks.

"Then let's go together."

Qiao Ran shrugged. However, he exchanged a look with Vulpix beside him. Vulpix nodded and quietly walked into the restroom.

If there were any battles later, he would probably let Vulpix participate. After all, no matter what, Qiao Ran's other two Pokémon were too special.

If he brought them out casually, it would likely cause quite a bit of trouble.

Suicune, due to its unique appearance and majestic demeanor, was obviously extraordinary. Using it too often might attract covetous glances from some people.

As for Dianxi, she only looked cute, and most people wouldn't think she was strong. However, due to the previous competition, videos of her were now circulating online. Almost all netizens commented that they also wanted a Pokémon like her, and some even offered high rewards for information on Qiao Ran, just to find out the location where Dianxi was caught.

Looking at the tempting prices, even Qiao Ran himself felt like revealing his information.

—No matter how they asked, he would say that he caught his Dianxi in the grass on the back mountain of Longjiang Third Middle School.

Cruise Ship Hall One.

The Pokémon battle competition was in full swing here.

Generally speaking, those who could afford to choose a cruise were mostly travelers who weren't in a hurry. Therefore, during their time on the ship, besides enjoying the beautiful scenery of the water, they would also hold competitions like this to increase entertainment.

"Now, let the Pokémon battle begin! The finals!"

"The contestants are Li Ying Shang Ying Xue Yu Han Ling Xi Meng Yue Yue Lan Lan Ying Zi Die Li Xin Feng Yan Yuan from Greece, and contestant Qiao Ran from Longjiang City! Welcome them! Who will win the final prize, this mysterious Evolution Stone?!"

"Go, Vulpix!!"

Qiao Ran sent out his Vulpix. He had been using Vulpix for battles all morning, and she had now reached an astonishing level 29, just one step away from breaking through the level 30 mark.

However, after battling continuously all morning, Vulpix was quite fatigued. Her stamina was already running a bit low.

"Vulpix, be careful. Everything will be over after this match, and then we can go back and rest together."

"Nnngh nngh nngh."

Vulpix let out a cry full of fighting spirit. After a morning of victories, her morale was higher than ever. She wanted to continue winning with her trainer.

Qiao Ran and Vulpix were waiting for their opponent. However, when the opponent actually walked onto the battle stage, Qiao Ran was a little surprised.

"You...?? Didn't you go to participate..."

That black wig and her face, which was a mess due to makeup, Qiao Ran undoubtedly recognized her.

—Eve.

"Surprised, huh? Actually, I'm quite strong too—at least stronger than many people here."

"Also, I easily won all the way through the other half of the competition~"