Sea Siren—Haisewai

"Teacher!"

Lulina cried out, half delighted and half surprised. The newcomer was Haisewai, the current Water-type Gym Leader of Hulbury, known as the Sea Siren of Hulbury.

"I guessed you'd be here with this kid Blake. Looks like I was right."

The tall, attractive dark-skinned beauty, Gym Leader Haisewai, smiled as she spoke. Beside her, a Kingler far larger than normal waved one of its massive claws at Blake and Lulina.

"Teacher, why are you here? Did you need something from me?"

Lulina asked curiously.

"Nothing much. Isn't the scenic area opening tomorrow? I came over early to take a look. Then I noticed this place was open, so I figured you two little ones would be here. Sure enough, I was right."

Haisewai smiled as she walked into the shop, casually pulled over a chair, and sat down.

"Welcome, Ms. Haisewai. By the way, you said this year's Gym Challenge is especially unusual?"

Blake greeted Haisewai. He knew her as well. Gym Leaders did far more than simply receive challengers; a qualified Gym Leader had to concern themselves with nearly any issue that arose locally. In some respects, a Gym Leader was practically the mayor of their town. Naturally, the Blake family, with its particularly special standing in Hulbury, knew her.

"That's right, it's very unusual. Both the League Chairman and the Champion gave out letters of introduction this time, and the recipients are boys who only just turned ten this year."

"Just ten!"

The moment Haisewai finished speaking, Lulina cried out in surprise. Blake was equally startled. In games and anime, setting out on a journey at ten seemed perfectly normal, but this was reality. While ten was indeed the age set by the Pokémon League at which someone could legally own Pokémon—any Pokémon owned by someone younger had to be registered under a guardian—and they could indeed travel, very few people actually did so. The reason was simple: they were too young. Ten was not an age at which one could fully take care of oneself.

In fact, under normal circumstances, people only set out on journeys after turning fifteen. To travel at ten, and with letters of introduction from both the Chairman and the Champion... calling that unusual was no exaggeration.

"That's right, they both just turned ten. And the boy introduced by the Chairman apparently happens to be Master Mustard's disciple!"

Haisewai smiled and raised one finger, while Gastly eagerly delivered a cup of tea to her side.

"Master Mustard? The Mustard who won eighteen consecutive tournament championships and was known as the strongest Champion level trainer?"

Lulina cried out in shock. No one could underestimate the reputation of Galar's former strongest Champion level trainer. After all, he had not stepped down after being defeated; he had voluntarily withdrawn because he did not want to throw matches. He was known as the undefeated Champion level trainer, a true master-class figure just like the one at Silver Mountain in Kanto. And his disciple?

Blake involuntarily thought of that controversial figure from his previous life, the avatar of the player who had held the Champion title for a year. The man known as the strongest Champion level trainer, a top-tier directionless wanderer, yet also the most dutiful Champion level trainer of all—Leon. So this was his first year leaving his master's tutelage? Come to think of it, he had indeed seen posts saying that Leon was actually quite young. Mainly because that face and beard were so misleading.

"That's right. A little guy named Leon, who's considered the most promising one this year. Besides him, there's another kid favored by the Champion level trainer, called Raihan. The two of them apparently are rivals."

Haisewai said with a smile.

"Hmph! Most promising, my foot. We'll see whether they can get past me first!"

Lulina waved her fist indignantly. As a Gym apprentice, she could test challengers before the Gym Trainer appeared. If challengers could not even defeat an apprentice, there was no need for them to think about challenging the Gym Leader. They should train for a few more years first. Of course, Gym Leaders like Watson, who handed out badges as long as challengers had spirit, were another matter entirely. After all, defeating the Gym Leader was not the only prerequisite for receiving a badge; earning the Gym Leader's recognition was enough. Or rather, most Gym Leaders required challengers to earn their recognition—to show sufficient strength, as well as tactics and adaptability.

After all, Gym Leaders could not guarantee that their own teams would be suitable for every challenger, though Gym Leaders usually had more than one team to accommodate different challengers.

"Don't get careless. Anyone who can set out on a journey at ten must have something special about them."

Blake took the soda Gastly handed him. Kingler thoughtfully helped twist off the bottle cap, and he gulped down several mouthfuls before speaking.

"That's right, Blake is absolutely right. But I can indeed let you receive the challengers. It would be good for you too. Battling familiar people all the time doesn't do much for training anymore. What about you, Blake? Do you want to give it a try?"

As Haisewai spoke, she turned toward Blake and asked with a smile.

"That's not a bad option. If I have time, I might go take a look. But is it alright if I only have Gastly?"

"It's fine. No one says only Water-type Pokémon can appear in a Water-type Gym. Besides, if you can't adapt to changing circumstances, you won't earn my recognition anyway."

Haisewai said unconcernedly. What she disliked most were people who could only battle by the book. Tactics were certainly important in Pokémon battles, but if tactics were all there was, they might as well play a game. When Pokémon battled, Trainers did far more than just issue a few commands!

"Exactly! Come with me, Blake! You're much better than I am! You'll definitely be fine!"

Lulina also leaned in to speak, but her words made Haisewai a little curious.

"Is Blake really that strong? I don't think I've ever seen you battle."

"I'm alright, I suppose. I know a little, I know a little."

Blake scratched his head and said with an awkward laugh.

"What do you mean, know a little? I've never beaten you even once since we were kids!"

Seeing Blake act like that, Lulina became furious. If he merely knew a little, didn't that mean she, who had never won, knew absolutely nothing?

"Oh? Interesting. Perfect, you two don't have anything to do, right? There's a brand-new Pokémon battle arena in the scenic area. Have a battle so I can watch. If you do well, there'll be a reward!"

Haisewai was intrigued. She wagged a finger and smiled.

"A reward! I'm coming right now!"

The moment she heard there was a reward, Lulina immediately perked up. She sprang from her seat, grabbed Blake's arm, and dragged him outside.

"Hey, hey, hey, wait! You didn't bring Chewtle! And let me change clothes first!"

Dragged about by Lulina, Blake shouted helplessly. He was still holding his drink, wearing a dustproof apron, and had goggles on his face. At least let him put those things down!

"You're too impatient, Lulina!"

Haisewai watched Lulina's movements and shook her head helplessly. But Lulina clearly had no mind to listen at that moment and had already run far away.

"Forget it, I'll bring you along."

Haisewai picked up the dumbfounded Chewtle from the counter and followed after them. As for Gastly? Please. The instant Lulina dragged Blake out the door, Gastly had automatically followed them.