Champion Retirement

In the Paldea region, a sweet, lively female voice rang out from a livestream with very few viewers.

"Capture your eyeballs with Electroweb! Who's here to tell you about it? Kofu is here!"

"Good morning, afternoon, and evening—hello!"

"Now~ Kofu will be watching the final moment of this Champion Trial in the Paldea Pokémon League together with everyone!"

"Trainer Luo Mu VS the Paldea League Chairwoman and Chief Champion—Poppy!"

Accompanied by rousing background music, the livestream camera slowly zoomed in. At the top of the Pokémon League in northwestern Mesagoza City, the battle's finale gradually unfolded.

Countless sparks flew across the field. Looking carefully at the ground, one could also vaguely make out patches of purple Toxic Spikes scattered across it.

Two battered Pokémon faced each other on the field.

One Pokémon had crystal-like petals, looking mysterious and dangerous.

The other had a mighty, muscular body and a black mane. Even though it had been poisoned, its golden beastly eyes, shining like the sun, held not the slightest trace of confusion. They were filled with the resolve to stake everything on one final gamble.

As they faced off, the young man on the left, dressed in neat casual clothes and looking about eighteen years old, called out, "Wild Charge!"

A flash of light flickered in Luxray's eyes. Countless currents instantly coiled around its body, as though it wore golden armor. Not even the poison could halt its determination. In the next instant, Luxray transformed into a streak of lightning and charged toward Glimmora, scorching the ground black with electricity along the way.

On the right, the black-haired beauty in an immaculate suit had no intention of sitting back and waiting to die. Her battle style was imposing, like that of a martial goddess. Poppy issued a cold command: "Sludge Wave!"

In an instant, a Sludge Wave filled with highly toxic poison swept over everything nearby, and Luxray could barely move under its obstruction.

But Luxray's gaze remained just as resolute. At that moment, it seemed to resonate with Luo Mu, while memories of the past continuously surfaced in its mind.

Luxray felt a mysterious power surge through its body. Its heart tightened. Gritting its teeth, it charged forward with all its might, then struck that small body.

A golden lightning storm instantly swept across the entire battlefield. The headquarters of the Paldea League shook violently, and even the air began to fill with an unpleasant, strange smell.

Mixed with the poison's Stench, the odor was utterly foul.

Luo Mu and Luxray did not frown at the smell in the slightest. Instead, they simply revealed sincere smiles.

Because from their perspective, Chief Champion Poppy'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 was no longer recognizable as the smooth surface it had once been. It had completely lost the ability to battle.

A new Champion-level Trainer had been born.

"I'm going to retire!"

After the Champion Trial ended and he received the title of Champion-level Trainer, Luo Mu gave an answer that took Poppy by surprise when she offered him the opportunity to "take a position in the Paldea League."

Poppy rubbed her slightly aching temples and asked with a frown, "Champion Luo Mu. Do you know what you're saying?"

Luo Mu replied without hesitation, "I know, but my plans won't change!"

Poppy let out a sigh. Looking at Luo Mu regretfully, she asked, "I can't force you to change your decision, but at least tell me why. You reached your current level in just one short year."

"You have such outstanding potential. Why would you choose to give it up?"

Luo Mu's eyes drifted for a moment. He had a feeling that his next answer might rouse the anger of the elegant, even-tempered League Chairwoman Poppy.

But under Poppy's oppressive gaze, Luo Mu still caved. He raised his hands in surrender and said, "You should know where I came from. Becoming a Trainer was just a coincidence. Actually, my dream is to open a small shop or farm and live a leisurely life in the countryside!"

"Now that I've become a Champion-level Trainer, I have both the confidence and the courage to realize my dream!"

Poppy took a deep breath. It wasn't that she couldn't understand Luo Mu's thoughts, but seeing such an exceptional Trainer choose to retire still made her sigh heavily once more. Helplessly, she said, "I understand. Your reasons have successfully convinced me. But I have a request. I hope you can agree to it."

Luo Mu's expression froze slightly, after which he adopted an expression of rapt attention.

Poppy slowly said, "You're a powerful Trainer, and the only person in recent years to pass the Champion Trial. If anything happens in the Paldea region that leaves me unable to deal with it, I hope I can ask you for help through a personal commission."

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

Pingdie Town, southern Paldea.

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

The newly appointed Champion-level Trainer had not taken on any position since then. Not many people knew the inside story that the League had gained another Champion-level Trainer. This small, peaceful town continued its ordinary day-to-day life.

In the center of Pingdie Town, a young man emerged from a rather stylish building. He wore a casual T-shirt and cropped trousers, and, beneath the warm, blazing sun, he had on sunglasses as if he were heading to some beach for a vacation.

Luo Mu looked at the stamped Land Transfer Certificate and Construction Permit in his hands. He nearly shed a tear.

He truly had not expected purchasing a large plot of land in the Pokémon world to be so troublesome. He had been forced to wait seven whole days before finally obtaining the documents from the mayor's residence behind him in Pingdie Town.

If he had known, he would have swallowed his pride and asked an acquaintance for help. Did dignity and appearances really matter?

However, when Luo Mu arrived at the land he had bought at enormous expense—nearly emptying his savings and leaving only enough living expenses to feed his Pokémon—his eyes still shone with unprecedented brilliance.

This was exactly the feeling!

The Pokémon world wasn't just about fighting and killing. There was also the option of living a happy life with one's greatest companions!

Basking in the warm sunlight while petting Luxray, occasionally teasing Tsundere Snake, carrying the low-key Mimikyu while riding Hug Dragon and admiring the magnificent scenery in the sky, and watching the skilled Ceruledge chef engage in its daily battles with Swampert.

However, some utterly out-of-place text suddenly appeared before Luo Mu's eyes.

[ Ding! Special Hint System successfully loaded! ]

[System objective: Raise every host to become the strongest person of the current era, the supreme powerhouse! Using this world's power system to describe it, that means—a Champion!]

Luo Mu: "..."

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

I became a Champion-level Trainer through my own efforts, and your Golden Finger shows up now. Other than disturbing my leisurely retirement, what use are you?

It was truly an inexplicable stroke of bad luck.

Term explanation: "Champion-level Trainer" was a new Trainer rank introduced in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. In the Paldea region, there was a challenge event called the Champion Trial. After defeating the eight Gym Leaders, reaching the Paldea League, and successfully challenging the Elite Four and Chief Champion Poppy, one would be granted the title of Champion-level Trainer.

That was the same process followed in other generations.

Here was where things differed: after completing the challenge in other regions, the old League Champion retired and a new League Champion took over. In the Paldea region, however, one merely received a Champion-level title proving that one possessed the required strength. One could not obtain the rights and responsibilities exclusive to a League Champion, and Poppy remained the Chief Champion.