Chapter 304

--Anabel.

The way Outfit... it changes their overall aura so drastically!

He's a completely different person now!

"Um... isn't it quite nice? There's nothing strange about it, is there?"

"Really... really?"

Anabel, who was squatting on the ground, couldn't help but raise her head. Wearing this kind of clothing made her feel like she had lost her confidence. Perhaps it wasn't that she was afraid she wouldn't suit it.

I just felt lost and helpless when it came to things I didn't know.

But deep down, she still longed for recognition.

"Yes, I promise... although I don't know how to describe it... it's just really good-looking."

Qiao Ran didn't have a vocabulary to compliment other people's appearances, so in the end she could only express her feelings in simple language.

"I think it's nice to dress like this sometimes."

Anabel: "..."

From a young age, Anabel has had the ability to sense the feelings of other Pokémon. In fact, just like Pokémon, she can also subtly Frisk some human emotions. At this moment, what she feels from Qiao Ran's heart is exactly the same feeling.

"Thank you... thank you."

Although she couldn't remember anything from before, she felt that this was perhaps the first time... she had received direct compliments while wearing a dress.

No one would criticize these things as unsuitable for her.

"Hmm..."

Anabel suddenly covered her head, fragments of memories flashing through her mind.

From a young age, due to her strength, which far exceeded that of her peers, she was attacked as a tomboy. Whenever she showed any interest in cute things, she would be ridiculed. Over time, she got used to dressing as a man and even kept her hair short.

Her strong and powerful image is deeply ingrained in people's minds, but no one knows that this image is not what she aspires to be; on the contrary, it is shaped by her environment.

It wasn't until later that she made a slight change, and that's when she got this long ponytail.

"..."

Wait, when was that?

Are you alright?

Qiao Ran was startled by her appearance and quickly stepped forward to support her. Even Lillie and Mei, who had been hiding to watch the commotion, jumped out.

"No... it's nothing."

Anabel covered her forehead and forced a smile.

What was I like before?

Anabel's reaction caused a commotion, but everyone gradually calmed down after realizing she was alright.

"You... you don't need to support me like this all the time."

After recovering, Anabel noticed her surroundings. How did she end up lying in the arms of a boy younger than herself in this position?

However... considering that he was also doing it for her own good, Anabel didn't immediately do anything more.

"I'm so sorry."

Qiao Ran quickly let go of her hand. He hadn't thought too much about it in the emergency, but he knew that continuing like this probably wasn't a good idea.

Seeing this, Lillie and Mei over there were ready to bite someone.

The small commotion quickly subsided. Although Anabel had basically accepted the "Dress" Outfit, she eventually changed back into her previous clothes.

Overcoming inner obstacles is not an easy task, but even after changing back into her previous clothes, she still bought the Dress.

Her appearance... isn't actually that strange, is it?

"Alright, alright, you don't need to keep seeing me off. We'll have other chances to meet in the future."

After having lunch with Anabel, it was almost time for her to leave. Anabel stood up and said goodbye to everyone.

She was also holding the Shopping Bag containing the little dress in her arms.

"Well, I'll try that if I have the chance... um."

Although still a little shy, Anabel gained a bit of courage to make changes after being showered with praise from Lillie and the others. Moreover, Qiao Ran's words reassured her.

Try more things you like, and sometimes you don't need to care about what other people think, but—how wonderful it would be if someone were willing to acknowledge you.

Anabel didn't let Qiao Ran and the others see her off. After all, they might have another chance to meet after this farewell. Besides, she knew that Qiao Ran and the others had to challenge the Gym tomorrow, so they didn't need to spend too much time on her.

"Alright, it's time for us to get to training now."

Watching Anabel leave through the Restaurant's glass window, Qiao Ran couldn't help but stretch.

Even though she lost her memory, Anabel was able to integrate into this world and find her place. Like Sabrina, she was actually a very strong woman.

However... Qiao Ran was quite surprised to see another side of her.

After leaving the Restaurant, Qiao Ran and the others went straight to the Training Ground. Qiao Ran and Mei were the ones who Gym Challenge on the first day, while the other girls would do it on the second day. However, when Qiao Ran arrived at the Training Ground, his first task was to have a battle with Mei.

"Don't interfere, this is between him and me!"

Mei and Qiao Ran stood at opposite ends of the Training Ground, Mei in particular, her face already showing an eager expression.

However, her words still surprised the other onlookers.

Wait... aren't these just regular Pokémon battles? Why are we getting involved?

Both sides are preparing

Ready!

Standing at the edge of the Battle Court, Mei served as the Referee for this Competition.

"The Competition has officially begun!"

As she swiftly swung her hand down, Qiao Ran Mei simultaneously dispatched their Pokémon.

"Come out!! Decidueye!"

"Come on! Altaria!"

Both sides sent out Pokémon with flying abilities. Although Decidueye doesn't fly most of the time, the opponent's flying ability is not bad either.

Moreover, Mei's Decidueye has always been her most powerful Pokémon. Ever since she first received it from the Professor's Laboratory, it has accompanied her on her adventures, and the tacit understanding between them has reached a very deep level.

"Did Qiao Ran actually send out the Altaria?"

Lillie and the others watching were taken aback by Qiao Ran's choice. They had never seen Qiao Ran send out this Pokémon in Competition against other Trainer before. Although Altaria had played a significant role in wild battles, could it really gain an advantage against Mei's Decidueye?

"Decidueye, Spirit Shackle!"

Adhering to the principle that the first move always wins, Mei launched the first attack. The Decidueye stretched out its long wings and pulled the hidden bowstring like an arrow.

"Whoosh!"

A long feathered arrow flew out from the wing at an extremely fast speed.

Spirit Shackle – One of the special skills that Decidueye can master. The most unique thing about this skill is that it does not attack the target Pokémon itself, but rather the Pokémon.

Most importantly, once the shadow is hit by these arrows, the Pokémon will be "fixed" on the field, and it will be impossible to recall the Pokémon with Poké Ball.

However, since Qiao Ran Mei are currently engaged in a 1v1 battle, Spirit Shackle's "cannot escape" effect is directly ineffective.

"Altaria! Dazzling Gleam!"

Faced with Mei's menacing Shadow Arrows, Qiao Ran did not have the Altaria dodge. Dodging the main body is sometimes not very effective against arrows that attack shadows. Most importantly, he also had a way to neutralize this attack.

Dazzling Gleam!

As Qiao Ran spoke, a burst of intense light erupted from the Altaria, its originally Golden body radiating an even more dazzling color.

"...!"

Under the light, the shadow of the Altaria vanished beneath it, and the Shadow Arrows, having lost its target, was stuck to the ground. On the other side, the Decidueye, illuminated by the light, simply concealed its eyes with its cloak-like feathers.

Even so, it was still attacked by the Dazzling Gleam. The energy fluctuations of the Fairy type were still transmitted to it. Although the distance between the two reduced most of the power, Qiao Ran's two-birds-with-one-stone technique still made Mei's expression change.

Not only did they neutralize her initial move, but they also regained control of the situation.

"As expected of you."

Mei couldn't help but sigh.

Qiao Ran's strength remained as formidable as before; her immediate reaction alone was enough to ignite her fighting spirit.

However, he wasn't the only one who could adapt to changing circumstances.

"Decidueye! Solar Blade!"

She can also utilize this intense light.

Solar Blade – as the name suggests, is a powerful skill that absorbs Sun and converts it into energy.

It is an extremely powerful Grass-type move.

Generally speaking, to unleash a "Solar Blade," one needs to Stockpile for a period of time, absorbing Sun to obtain the necessary energy.

Although the Dazzling Gleam radiance cannot replace Sun, such intense light can still significantly reduce the Stockpile time of the Solar Blade. And this extremely short time is enough to turn the tide of battle in high-level combat.

"Whoosh!"

A massive energy blade rose from the wings of the Decidueye and then slashed straight at the location of the Altaria.

"Click..."

Fine cracks appeared on the Battlefield floor, and even in this dedicated Battle Court, visible damage was still caused. However, under the attack of the long blades formed by the sunlight, the Altaria seemed to be unharmed. It merely shook its body and raised its head again.

"You didn't know that Grass-type attacks only deal a quarter of the damage to Altaria?"

From the very beginning, Qiao Ran had no intention of letting the Altaria dodge. Although the power of the Solar Blade was immense, it was like Tickle in the face of four times the resistance.

"How could I not know?"

Mei wiped her nose and gave a soft hum.

"I just wanted to retaliate."

Since Qiao Ran neutralized her skill, she naturally had to return the favor. What did it matter if her attribute was countered? Qiao Ran should be the one feeling fortunate. If it weren't for the attribute of the Altaria, his Altaria would have fallen down immediately after that Solar Blade!

Both sides' Pokémon exchanged blows, and then...

They each took a step back, returning to a tug-of-war state. This time, it was Qiao Ran's side that launched the first attack.

"The Altaria!"

Qiao Ran gripped the Key Stone on his chest and called out the name of the Altaria.

Strictly speaking, today's battle wasn't a very serious competition. Qiao Ran Mei already knew each other well enough, and their reason for Competition was only one thing.

Give it your all, sweat it out.

To achieve this goal, Qiao Ran directly brought the Altaria to its strongest state.

In the brilliant light, the Altaria's body gradually grew larger, and its originally short tail feathers extended like ribbons. However, the most obvious feature was its cloud-like body, which seemed to become denser and more prominent on its back, looking like it was carrying a Limber ball of cotton.

"Mega Evolution..."

After Mega Evolution, Pokémon's stats are greatly enhanced, and even Pokémon Ability and types change. From then on, Altaria, in addition to its steady and composed aura, also exudes a sharp sense of being ready to attack at any moment. Originally, Altaria only had outstanding dual defenses, but after Mega Evolution, its dual attack also reached a considerable level.

While Mega Altaria's 110 Attack and Special Attack isn't particularly high compared to Mega Diancie's 150, it's still a very respectable number for most Pokémon.

Furthermore, after Mega Evolution, Altaria's original Dragon/ Flying type will officially change to Dragon/ Fairy type. Two extremely counteracting types appear simultaneously in the same Pokémon. Most importantly, after Mega Evolution, Altaria's Ability becomes "Pixilate," which increases the attack power of Fairy Type moves, completely confirming its identity as a traitor to the Dragon race.

"As expected, this is exactly what makes it interesting."

Watching the Altaria flap its cloud-like wings in the air, attracting everyone's attention, Mei's fighting spirit soared even higher.

"However, didn't you know that once you Mega Evolution, your resistance to Grass-type moves changes from four times to double?"

"Of course I know."

Qiao Ran waved her finger noncommittally and responded to her in a similar tone to Mei's before.