Wavebreaker

Zeno had boarded the ship bound for Slateport City with Kam in a daze. The ship was called the Wavebreaker, and it traveled between Lilycove City and Slateport City year-round.

The Wavebreaker was enormous, capable of carrying 2,500 passengers on a single voyage. The first deck was bustling, with all kinds of shops and plenty of battle arenas for passengers. Below the first deck were the crew's work and rest areas, which were not open to the public. Zeno and Kam were staying on the second deck. They had set off in the afternoon and would not reach Slateport City until the following morning.

Zeno leaned over the deck railing and quietly watched the distance. Every now and then, several Pokémon leaped from the water. A few Wingull soared freely through the sky. The gentle sea breeze brushed against Zeno's face and tousled his hair.

Zeno loved this feeling. He had dreamed of scenes like this before, and now he was truly standing aboard a ship sailing across the sea. Though this ship was not his, it only made his resolve firmer.

"It's your first time on such a big ship, right? Feeling uncomfortable at all?" Kam leaned against the railing beside him and asked with concern.

"No, I feel great!"

"That's good. I suddenly decided to take you to Rustboro City. Does it feel hard to adjust?"

"I'm a little lost, but I'm still looking forward to it. Uncle Kam, have you ever been somewhere this far away before?"

"When I was young, I wanted to become a trainer too." Kam looked into the distance, recalling the past.

"What happened after that?"

"After I got Mantine, I took him traveling. I remember he hadn't evolved yet back then. We went to many places together. Those experiences made me realize that my talent was actually quite ordinary."

As if remembering his past experiences, Kam fell silent for a moment before continuing, "But I didn't lose heart. I took Mantine with me and wanted to see the world properly. Later, I encountered many Octillery, Cloyster, and then your aunt."

Hearing that, Zeno did not ask any further questions.

"When she was investigating the Shoal Cave in Mossdeep City, she fell into a crack in the Ice Rock." Kam's tone did not change as he spoke, though he paused slightly. "That crack was very deep. Her Marill jumped down after her, and neither of them ever came back up. After she left, I returned to Big Shell Village. Later, the villagers thought highly of me and made me village chief. And after that, I met you."

Kam spoke calmly of the first half of his life. He had already let go of many things.

"Zeno, you're still young, and you're smart. You have talent in this area too. Uncle doesn't want you to stay tucked away in a place like Big Shell Village forever. Even though I'll miss you, you should go out and see this world."

"Uncle Kam..."

"All right, let's not think about that. I just heard they're holding a rookie trainer competition over there. Zeno, do you want to take a look?"

"Yeah! Of course!"

Other than Xiao Hai, Zeno had never battled anyone else, so he was very interested in this rookie trainer competition.

Zeno asked one of the staff members and learned that the competition was being held by the Wavebreaker's captain. First place would receive six months' worth of customized premium Pokémon food, second place would receive three months' worth, and third place would receive one month's worth.

This kind of customized premium food was extremely expensive. Zeno also wanted to learn about food made by others and Carvanha's taste preferences, so he signed up without hesitation.

Including Zeno, there were twenty contestants in total. The rules allowed only one Pokémon per contestant. Zeno was scheduled third in the first round.

In the first match, the two sides sent out Mightyena and Makuhita. As expected, Makuhita won.

The second match featured Treecko and Wingull. Zeno was startled when he saw Treecko. As an officially recognized beginner Pokémon, Treecko was quite rare and had tremendous potential. At first, Treecko could not gain any advantage against Wingull, but its trainer had more experience than the opponent, and Treecko ultimately claimed victory.

"Next match, contestant Zeno versus contestant Lier."

Only after hearing the referee's voice did Zeno notice that his opponent was a girl.

Considering the variety of Pokémon among the contestants, half the battlefield was land and the other half was a pond.

"Go, Lotad!"

"I'm counting on you, Carvanha!"

Zeno knew a little about battling. The moment he saw Lotad, he knew this battle put him at a disadvantage. If Carvanha was hit by one of its Grass-type moves, he could very well be badly injured. The female trainer named Lier clearly understood this as well.

"Lotad, use Mega Drain right away."

When Lier saw Carvanha, she smiled confidently. Against a Pokémon like that, victory was guaranteed, and Lotad would not even take much damage.

"Carvanha, use Aqua Jet to pick up speed and dodge its attack."

Carvanha dodged Lotad's attack and rammed into it in the process. However, the move did not have much effect on Lotad, which was hardly hurt at all.

"It actually dodged it? Lotad, Astonish."

Though Carvanha had avoided the previous move, as long as this one landed, that Carvanha would be unable to move. Then she could finish him in one move.

"Not good. Carvanha, avoid it if you can."

Because of Aqua Jet's recoil, Carvanha failed to react in time. He was not yet particularly skilled with this move. Astonish hit him directly, and Carvanha froze for a moment.

"Now, Mega Drain."

"Carvanha, Dive and dodge its attack."

Zeno and Carvanha were in sync. He knew Carvanha had merely been startled and had not fallen into a flinching state.

"How is that possible? Wasn't he unable to move?" Lier was utterly confused. As a rookie trainer, she had very little battle experience.

"Carvanha, Poison Fang."

From his battle with Xiao Hai, Zeno knew that Carvanha would become faster and faster. Though he did not know why, Zeno knew that this time, Lotad would have no way to evade.

"Lotad, dodge it quickly."

Lier began to panic. This opponent was unlike any she had faced before.

Lotad tried to dodge, but it simply was not fast enough. Carvanha's sharp teeth sank straight into its body. The attack not only badly injured it, but also inflicted poison.

"Lotad, are you all right?!"

"Lo... tad..."

"Good, hang in there. Use Mega Drain, and your strength will recover."

"Carvanha, Dive, then use Focus Energy."

Seeing that the opponent wanted to flee again, Lier hurriedly ordered Lotad to follow.

"Lotad, don't let him get away. Dive after him."

Affected by the poison, Lotad's movements were slightly sluggish. Zeno seized this opportunity.

"Carvanha, Poison Fang. Finish it in one move."

"Don't be afraid, Lotad. Mega Drain, fight him head-on."

The two Pokémon clashed head-on. Carvanha charged directly into the green wave of light Lotad released and bit down. Before Lotad could drain Carvanha's strength, Carvanha had already sunk his teeth into it.

"Lotad has lost the ability to battle. Carvanha wins!"