The others also became secretly wary. Thanks to Raider, everyone now knew just how terrifying Eichi's strength was.
From now on, no one would probably dare to take the initiative to Taunt him.
The three Pokémon returned to Eichi's side.
Surrounded by them, Eichi stepped forward and looked at Raider. "Senior student Raider, you lost. All six of your Pokémon have lost their ability to battle."
"So hand over your Star Beads yourself. Don't make me do it."
Raider recalled his Pokémon into their Poké Balls. His expression was somewhat vacant, and only after hearing Eichi's words did he come back to his senses.
He did not answer immediately. Instead, an intense struggle raged within him.
Although only ten seconds had passed, it felt like an entire century to Raider.
The air was unusually quiet as everyone waited for his response.
Sweat streamed down his forehead, drop by drop, as his inner struggle continued.
There were more than fifty Star Beads in his pocket. He had worked painstakingly for two whole days to gather them.
He was truly unwilling to hand them all over at once, but he really had lost—lost completely and utterly.
He knew that many people in the forest were watching him.
If he refused to give them up today, it would not be long before the entire Inspector Academy knew that he had disregarded the rules.
By then, he would lose all face.
In the end, he could only unfasten the three Star Beads on his shoulder, place them in his pocket, and hand the whole thing to Eichi.
Then he said, "junior student Eichi, you won. I admit my defeat wholeheartedly. These Star Beads are all yours now."
Eichi poured all the Star Beads inside into his own pocket and said, "I believe that with