Chapter 303

Qiao Ran didn't know how to describe this feeling... Although Mei still looked like that lively girl, she seemed much gentler than before.

Perhaps it's just my imagination.

"After dropping her off this morning, we'll go to the Training Ground together. We have the Gym Challenge tomorrow and the day after; we have to win them all."

Qiao Ran then mentioned the Gym Battle tomorrow.

With their team's strength, winning the Gym Badge shouldn't be too difficult. Most importantly, if all of them win the Badge, their monthly allowance will increase significantly.

Although Qiao Ran doesn't intentionally seek to make money, he'll accept anything he can get his hands on.

However... just thinking about the battles tomorrow and the day after, Qiao Ran couldn't help but silently mourn for the Gym Leader of Rongcheng whom he had never met before.

Mei goes without saying, Mei, who seems poised for a breakthrough, is also a formidable opponent. Add to that Lillie, who has been quietly building her strength, and the newly joined force, Acerola, the future Elite Four of Alola...

Hopefully... the other party can really hold on a little longer.

"Even though it's only been a day, you all look much more energetic."

At the agreed-upon location, the group encountered Anabel again after a day apart. She looked around at Qiao Ran and the others, seemingly sensing something different from before.

"Because we trained all day yesterday, we must look stronger than before, right?" Mei gave her reason, as for other reasons—she didn't want the conversation to go in that direction.

"Hmm...? Is that so?" Anabel smiled noncommittally, not dwelling on the question for too long. She had only wandered around the area this morning, and after lunch, she would have to return to Magic City.

"Oh, right, the Director also told me that, in short, thank you for accepting the advertisement for our show, and the price is even cheaper than other Uploader..."

"What? They're actually giving you a discount?"

Qiao Ran was deeply shocked upon hearing this.

Because his followers were growing so fast, he didn't discuss this issue with other Uploader; he just accepted the job because the Director's offer seemed good.

But in fact... he received too little?

"Puff."

Seeing Qiao Ran's reaction, Anabel roughly guessed the cause of the matter. It turned out that Qiao Ran hadn't actually given her a "friendship price"; he simply hadn't considered this aspect at all.

The Director had previously boasted on set that he and Qiao Ran had become good friends.

"Your account's followers are growing very fast, and each video gets a lot of views, so it should be higher than others."

"Sigh." After hearing this, Qiao Ran could only sigh inwardly. In the end, she had underestimated herself. It seemed she would need to learn more about the market in the future.

"But this time it's a win-win situation. We also want to increase the show's popularity, and if the show is good, it will be very beneficial for you, right?"

"My performance isn't based on my TV show results."

Anabel didn't seem to care much about that; she just smiled and shook her head.

"I just found a job, all I need is for them to find a strong Trainer to battle me."

Although her dedication to her part-time job remains unchanged, deep down she is still a true Trainer, unable to let go of battles and competition.

"Battle Train is a very interesting way to fight. I've only developed a portion of the combat techniques so far. There are many special Rules in this world, and I'd like to try them out more if I have the chance."

"So, ordinary battles are no longer enough for you?" Qiao Ran couldn't help but tease.

"Hmm... well, you can't say that. If it were Trainer like you, I'd be very willing to have a full-scale six-on-six battle."

Anabel had a very high opinion of the group of teenagers in front of her, which was one of the reasons she was willing to befriend them. She wondered how such a group of people had come together.

Based on what she knew before, Trainer of their age who could reach this level were already extremely rare.

Normally, such stories would only appear in the memoirs of Champion.

I wonder how many of these people will become Champion?

Where are you planning to go this morning? Not shopping again, are you?

Anabel asked about their plans for the day. Although she had a great time shopping last time, to be honest... she didn't like wearing skirts, and felt a bit out of place among these girls.

"Yes! Of course, we'll go shopping!"

Upon hearing Anabel's question, Lillie gave a lightning-fast answer.

She and Mei exchanged a glance, and then each of them grabbed Anabel's arms from either side.

"Last time, Miss Anabel refused to try on the dress, but today we must make Anabel try it on."

"Lillie is right."

Mei nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, even Mei and Acerola joined the battle.

That makes sense.

"Anabel is very pretty; if she chooses the right outfit, she'll definitely look great."

Having gotten used to seeing Anabel always dressed in men's clothing, it would be quite interesting to imagine her in a dress...

"Really... really?"

Listening to Lillie and the others' words, Anabel seemed to be somewhat tempted.

She didn't actually dislike these cute things; she just hadn't tried them before and wasn't afraid to.

"But... I don't think I've ever been suited for this kind of thing since I was little... Eh? Since I was little...? What was I like before...?"

As she spoke, Anabel seemed to become confused again. She felt that she remembered some things, but as soon as she thought about them carefully, she felt that something was not quite right.

After frowning and thinking for a while, Anabel ultimately decided not to continue. She was already Frisk her amnesia, but she couldn't remember anything more.

Dragged into the mall by Lillie and Mei, and standing in front of a shop window displaying beautiful dresses, Anabel's face actually flushed slightly.

"Is... is this really how it has to be?"

She looked left and right, and couldn't help but glance at Qiao Ran again.

There are many other people here, especially Qiao Ran... As a guy, how would he feel seeing himself wearing this?

In Anabel's mind, she has always been a strong person, and this extends to her clothing as well. Wearing a dress or something like that is something she has never even considered.

"You'll know once you try."

Lillie and Mei pulled Anabel inside, and even Acerola cheered them on from behind.

Although Acerola's previous attempts at other styles failed—but what if Anabel actually suits her perfectly?

"Um... aren't you planning to come along and take a look?"

Qiao Ran looked at Mei beside her. In this incident of commotion, she was actually the calmest one.

"I... I'll just go with whatever."

Mei didn't have such a strong urge to help others change their clothes, but... just standing next to Qiao Ran, she couldn't help but feel nervous.

And she couldn't help but think about what happened last night.

What exactly happened when Mei went to his room yesterday?

And what happened to Lillie?

If it were anyone else, Mei wouldn't have such wild thoughts, but—when these people are people she knows, and who are also her best friends—everything seems strange.

Especially when I see them, I can't help but think about so many things...

Mei even felt that she was acting a little strange.

"Mei, you..."

Qiao Ran glanced at Mei beside him and thought of something as well, but in the end, he didn't ask the question. At least, asking such things in this noisy shopping mall would indeed be a bit hasty.

Perhaps, she truly hasn't found the answer yet.

"Shall we have a Competition this afternoon?"

"Maybe you'll find your rhythm then and break through to the Elite Four level?"

Suddenly, Qiao Ran had an idea and, almost without thinking, extended an invitation to Mei.

"Shall we battle?"

Mei turned her head and looked at Qiao Ran.

The moment Pokémon battles were mentioned, her demeanor and expression seemed to change. Unlike her previous hesitant and timid manner, she now looked directly at Qiao Ran with a smile on her face, seemingly eager to try.

"Yes." Qiao Ran couldn't help but laugh as well.

--That's the look in her eyes, that's the look she should be in.

When feeling lost and conflicted, others might do other things to distract themselves, but for Pokémon Trainer, perhaps only battling can achieve the same effect.

You can find your answer in the midst of battle.

"Although my Decidueye hasn't reached the level of Elite Four, it's still very strong."

Mei boasted a bit about her Pokémon, but as she spoke, she couldn't help but mutter something under her breath.

"You didn't specifically send Reshiram or Yveltal out, did you?"

Despite her confidence in her own abilities, she didn't think she would gain any advantage against Qiao Ran's Pokémon. Qiao Ran's current level was already beyond the Mold Breaker.

Those Legendary Pokémon that defy convention are all masters of challenging opponents of higher levels. When other Pokémon encounter them, they only have the chance to be challenged by opponents of higher levels. Trying to challenge them in return is basically impossible.

"I'm going to bring out the Altaria."

"The Altaria?"

Mei blinked in surprise. In Qiao Ran's team, the Altaria was not actually considered a top-tier fighter. In fact, Qiao Ran rarely used the Altaria in battles. More often than not, it served as a "vehicle".

Although most of the time, Qiao Ran would choose Yveltal as his first choice, he would only choose other Pokémon when Yveltal was being temperamental.

"She's actually quite strong too. And, we both have our own trump cards."

As Qiao Ran spoke, he patted his chest.

"The trump card... ah."

Seeing something on Qiao Ran's chest, Mei immediately realized what it was.

"Mega Evolution... Can Altaria do that too?"

Having spent so much time with Qiao Ran, she knew his behavior inside and out. Wasn't that thing hanging on his chest the Key Stone for Mega Evolution?

"Of course she can, and Latias can too."

Although Qiao Ran usually chooses Dianxi Mega Evolve with Dianxi, many other Pokémon have similar abilities. As Qiao Ran becomes more familiar with the rhythm of Mega Evolution, he might be able to control multiple Pokémon simultaneously and Mega Pokémon together in the future.

"Hmph... I'll look forward to it then."

Mei gave a soft hum, a faint smile appearing on her face.

It would be good to let off some steam in the afternoon.

"Qiao Ran, Qiao Ran, come here for a second."

"What's wrong?"

Qiao Ran, who was waiting at the entrance of the clothing store, was suddenly dragged inside by Acerola, who ran out. Qiao Ran didn't want to go in, since he wasn't personally interested in women's clothing. However, in many situations, he was used as a tool to clean up messes.

For example, asking if this looks good.

You'll see when you come over here.

Acerola had a mysterious expression on her face until Qiao Ran entered the store and saw the scene inside. Only then did he suddenly understand why Acerola was acting that way.

"Huh?"

The person who appeared before him was neither Lillie nor Mei, but a mature woman with long purple hair and wearing a white and blue Dress.

The moment she saw Qiao Ran, a hint of surprise flashed across her face. The instant she saw Qiao Ran, she instinctively crouched down and clutched her chest.

"No... no, that's not it!"

Hearing her voice, Qiao Ran finally realized that this seemingly pretty and gentle older sister was actually the woman dressed as a man with a neat ponytail from before.