Hacks? Just a Normal Play

A Pokémon had lost its ability to battle, and the remaining three Pokémon tacitly stopped moving, waiting for the switch.

Taking advantage of the interval, the spectators by the field began discussing the unfamiliar red-capped boy beside Xia Chen.

"Who's that? Donghuang has such a young and outstanding Trainer?"

"Are you stupid? Isn't Xia Chen one?"

"Fine... I always forget that freak's age."

"Forget his age—I just ignore the fact that he's human. There's no need to compare ourselves to an alien like that."

"So who exactly is Venusaur's Trainer?"

"I know. The runner-up of the Donghuang Young Trainers Tournament two years ago. He seemed to be from Kanto, called... something Red?"

"Oh, I remember now. Xia Chen was the champion that year! I remember this guy too, especially that Pikachu of his."

"Then losing wasn't unjustified. He must be the most valuable runner-up ever, right?"

"Shouldn't that be the most silver-valued runner-up?"

Quite a few people around the field were discussing Red.

That was only natural. Compared with Xia Chen, who had always remained in the public eye, Red had rarely shown himself since entering Donghuang's wilderness two years ago. He had only appeared at that tournament and taken second place.

Frankly, a runner-up finish of that weight normally wouldn't be enough for people to remember him for even half a year. The fact that several people still recalled him now was already quite impressive.

It was precisely because of this contrast that Red and Venusaur's performance had been so astonishing.

Even Xia Chen, his partner standing beside him, could not conceal Red's brilliance.

The discussion did not last long, because the defending Gym Leader couple had already withdrawn the Shuckle that had lost its ability to battle.

Replacing it was a Pokémon that stood in stark contrast to