Retirement of a Champion

In a livestream with very few viewers in the Paldea Region, a sweet female voice rang out, cheerful and full of energy.

"Catch your eyes with an Electric Net! Who's gonna tell it? Iono's here!"

"Morning, noon, and night, 'ello!"

"Now, Iono will be watching the final moments of this Paldea Pokémon League Champion Assessment together with everyone!"

"Trainer Luo Mu versus Paldea League President and Top Champion—Geeta!"

As stirring background music played, the livestream camera gradually zoomed in. At the summit of the Pokémon League northwest of Mesagoza, the final curtain of the battle slowly rose.

Countless sparks scattered across the battlefield. Looking closer at the ground, faint purple Toxic Spikes could be seen scattered across it as well.

On the field, two battered Pokémon faced each other.

One had crystalline petals, looking mysterious and dangerous.

The other possessed a majestic black mane. Though badly poisoned, its golden eyes, shining like the sun, showed not the slightest confusion. They were filled with the resolve to stake everything on one final move.

As they faced off, the young man on the left, who looked about eighteen and wore clean, casual clothes, called out, "Wild Charge!"

A sharp gleam flashed in Luxray's eyes as countless currents instantly wrapped around its body, like a golden suit of armor. Not even the poison could stop its determination. In the next instant, Luxray turned into a streak of lightning and charged toward Glimmora, scorching the ground black in its wake.

On the right, the black-haired beauty in an impeccably tailored suit had no intention of sitting idly by. Her battling style was as imposing as that of a war goddess, and Geeta coldly ordered, "Sludge Wave!"

In an instant, a Sludge Wave saturated with deadly toxins swept over everything around it, leaving Luxray almost unable to move forward.

Yet Luxray's gaze remained as steadfast as ever. At this moment, it seemed to resonate with Luo Mu, while memories of the past continuously surfaced in its mind.

Luxray felt an inexplicable strength surge forth from inside its body. Its heart tightened as it gritted its teeth, charged forward with all its strength, and struck that small body.

A golden storm of lightning swept across the entire battlefield in an instant. The Entire Paldea League Headquarters shook violently, and an unpleasant, strange smell began to fill the air.

Mixed with the stench of the toxic fumes, the smell was absolutely disgusting.

Yet neither Luo Mu nor Luxray frowned because of it. Instead, they simply smiled from the bottom of their hearts.

From their perspective, Top Champion Geeta's Glimmora could no longer maintain its Levitate. It fell straight onto the ground, which looked as though it had been struck by a meteor and no longer resembled its originally flat surface, completely losing its ability to battle.

A new Champion-Level Trainer had been born.

"I'm planning to retire!"

After the Champion Assessment ended and Luo Mu obtained the title of Champion-Level Trainer, Geeta's offer for him to "take up a position in the Paldea League" received an answer beyond her expectations.

Geeta rubbed her throbbing temples and frowned. "Champion Luo Mu. Do you know what you're saying?"

Luo Mu answered without hesitation, "I do, but my plans won't change!"

Geeta let out a sigh, glancing at Luo Mu with regret as she asked, "I cannot forcibly interfere with your decision, but at least tell me why. You reached your current level in only a single year."

"You possess such exceptional potential. Why choose to give it up?"

Luo Mu's eyes wandered for a moment. He had a feeling that his next answer might provoke the anger of Geeta, the usually elegant and good-tempered League President.

But under Geeta's oppressive gaze, Luo Mu still caved, raising his hands in surrender. "You should know my background. Becoming a Trainer was merely a coincidence. In truth, my dream is to open a small shop or a farm and live a leisurely pastoral life!"

"Now that I've become a Champion-Level Trainer, I also have the absolute confidence and courage to make my dream come true!"

Geeta took a deep breath. It was not that she could not understand Luo Mu's thoughts, but seeing such an outstanding Trainer choose retirement still made her sigh heavily once more. Helplessly, she said, "I understand. Your reason has successfully convinced me. But I have one request that I hope you can accept."

Luo Mu's expression froze briefly before he assumed an attentive posture.

Geeta slowly said, "You are a powerful Trainer, and the only person in recent years to pass the Champion Assessment. If something happens in the Paldea Region in the future that I cannot handle personally, I hope I can ask for your help in the form of a private commission."

This time, Luo Mu did not refuse. He nodded and quietly replied, "No problem."

Southern Paldea Region, Los Platos.

Half a month had passed since that little-known battle at the Pokémon League.

Since then, the newly appointed Champion-Level Trainer had not taken on any work. Not many people knew that a new Champion-Level Trainer had appeared within the league. This small, peaceful town continued its ordinary day-to-day life.

At the center of Los Platos, a young man stepped out of a rather stylish building. He wore a casual T-shirt and cropped pants, along with sunglasses beneath the warm, blazing sun, as though he were heading to some beach for a vacation.

Looking at the stamped land transfer certificate and construction permit in his hands, Luo Mu nearly shed tears.

He had truly never expected that purchasing a large plot of land in the Pokémon world would be so troublesome. He had actually waited a full seven days before receiving the documents from the Mayor of Los Platos's residence behind him.

Had he known, he would have lowered himself and asked an acquaintance for help. Pride and dignity—were they really that important?

However...

When Luo Mu arrived at the plot of land he had bought at great expense, nearly emptying all his savings and leaving only enough for his Pokémon's living expenses, his eyes still shone brighter than ever before.

This was exactly the feeling!

The Pokémon world was not just about fighting and killing. There was also the option of living a happy life with one's best partners!

Basking in the warm sunlight while petting Luxray, occasionally teasing the Tsundere Snake, hugging the low-presence Mimikyu while riding Hug Dragon to admire the magnificent skies, and watching the masterful Ceruledge chef and Swampert engage in their usual battles.

However, a mood-killing line of text suddenly appeared before Luo Mu's eyes.

Ding! Special Prompt System successfully loaded!

System purpose: To cultivate every host into a powerhouse of the current era, the strongest of the strong! In this world's power system, that would be called—a Champion!

Luo Mu: "."

A stunned expression appeared on Luo Mu's face. Looking closely, one could even see the deeply hidden disdain in his eyes.

I already became a Champion-Level Trainer on my own. What use is this Golden Finger showing up now besides disturbing my leisurely retirement?

It really was inexplicably... unlucky!

Term explanation: "Champion-Level Trainer" was a newly introduced Trainer rank in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. In the Paldea Region, there was a challenge called the Champion Assessment. After defeating eight Gym Leaders, going to the Paldea League, challenging the Elite Four and Top Champion Geeta, and succeeding, one would be awarded the title of Champion-Level Trainer.

That was the same process as in the other generations.

Then came the difference: in other regions, after completing the challenge, the old League Champion stepped down and the new League Champion took office. But in the Paldea Region, one merely received the title of Champion-Level Trainer as proof of having that strength. One could not obtain the rights and responsibilities belonging to the League Champion, and Geeta remained the Top Champion.