I'll Never Beat You

Lucario struggled with all his might to break free, but he was hopelessly outnumbered!

Greninja had already spread thick Smokescreen around the perimeter. No one knew what a brutal scene was unfolding inside!

"Croak!"

Looks like you won't back down until I get rough with you!

Greninja looked down at Lucario, who was still talking tough despite the punishment his duplicates were dishing out.

Greninja's mood soured at once!

Lucario gritted his teeth and endured the pain without a word.

"Croak!"

What do you think would happen if I blew away the smoke and let Cynthia see you like this? Wouldn't her heart ache?

That was hitting him where it hurt!

Greninja had completely picked up Xu Mu's ways!

Lucario froze.

"Luca!"

You wouldn't dare!

Greninja nodded. Oh, I would!

Greninja formed a spiraling Water Shuriken and let it spin in one hand, slowly blowing the smoke from the field.

The smoke grew thinner and thinner. Cynthia was about to see Lucario in this sorry state.

Lucario finally panicked!

"Luca!"

Don't! Don't blow away the smoke!

"Croak!"

See? Youngsters these days never learn until it's too late.

Remember today's lesson. When you're not strong enough, keep your tail between your legs and lose the attitude!

And show my Little Master some respect when you speak to him!

Greninja lectured Lucario like a street boss putting a rookie in his place.

Lucario was miserable!

But he didn't dare say a word!

This is too much. The world outside is terrifying. I want to go home!

Burying his grievances, Lucario closed his eyes and pretended to faint.

The smoke cleared. Lucario had reverted from Mega Evolution and lay on the ground with his eyes shut.

Cynthia had lost without knowing how. She felt as though she'd barely taken part in the battle.

She was a Trainer, yet she hadn't been able to help her Pokémon at all. What a failure!

With a self-mocking smile, Cynthia prepared to concede.

Lucario was the only Pokémon she had that could fight right now. Gible was still too young to enter the field.

"I concede!"

Xu Mu calmly crossed the battlefield, raising a hand as he walked toward Cynthia.

"What? Despite winning the first round, contestant Xu Mu has chosen to concede?"

"Why? Was Xu Mu's Pokémon badly injured too?"

"No, wait! Look, everyone! Xu Mu is crossing the battlefield. He's gone up to Cynthia!"

The commentator chattered on like an excitable monkey, making a fuss over everything.

"Good heavens!"

"What am I seeing? Xu Mu just took the Poké Ball from Cynthia and recalled Lucario himself!"

"And now... now they're holding hands?"

With the commentator egging them on, the entire crowd erupted.

They had expected a thrilling battle, only to be served a public display of affection?

"What's going on? Isn't Miss Cynthia the Saintess of Western Europe?"

"Who is that kid? Find out who he is, now!"

"Damn it, what kind of background does this Xu Mu have?"

"He beat the Saintess and even dared to hold her hand? Does he have a death wish?"

Quite a few people there knew Cynthia's identity.

Now they stared at Xu Mu in shock, intensely curious about who he was.

Tatu, Cynthia's personal driver, remained perfectly calm.

So what if they were holding hands?

What was the big deal?

Honestly, look at them making a fuss. Couldn't the Saintess of Western Europe fall in love freely?

Why were they so desperate to know the young man's background? Couldn't an ordinary person be with their Saintess?

Well... no, actually.

Tatu didn't know much himself. He only knew that after the incident in the Viridian Wilds, Cynthia's father had called personally.

No one was to interfere in Xu Mu's affairs. Cynthia was to handle them herself.

If necessary, they could even help bring the two together!

Xu Mu was holding her hand in front of everyone. Even Cynthia, oblivious as she was, blushed.

"I conceded. The Little War God Cup champion is you."

Xu Mu smiled gently, his eyes full of affection.

He had conceded on purpose to give Cynthia the championship, but she wasn't very happy about it.

Pouting, she muttered gloomily.

"But you could have won!"

Seeing that she was still hung up on it, Xu Mu burst out laughing.

"I'll never beat you, because I couldn't bear to."

Without waiting to see what Cynthia thought, he took her hand and led her out.

The final was over. Cynthia skipped the award ceremony, so Xu Mu accepted the prize on her behalf.

She couldn't bring herself to go, still feeling that she hadn't truly earned the title.

Back at the villa, Xu Mu studied the Little War God Cup trophy and muttered,

"This fancy beginner village really is different from my old beginner village. My trophy wasn't this heavy!"

"Man, rich people really do have it different!"

Seeing that Xu Mu had nothing to do, Cynthia came over.

"Can I ask you something?"

Xu Mu nodded. "Of course. Go ahead."

Cynthia took a moment to find the words before asking, "You said you couldn't bear to beat me. Why?"

Xu Mu nearly choked on his own saliva.

That was ages ago! Why are you only asking now?

"Because you're cute."

Xu Mu blurted out the answer and hurried back to his room.

Only after he got there did Xu Mu realize something.

Wait, why did I run?

That was such a good chance! I should've made a move!

Why did I run?

Argh, am I an idiot?

Xu Mu regretted it the moment he got back to his room...

As if she had heard his anguished thoughts, Cynthia actually came and knocked on his door.

Knock, knock, knock!

"What is it?"

At the sound of Cynthia knocking, Xu Mu sprang up from the bed.

He opened the door and found her standing there, looking bashful!

Xu Mu's heart melted!

Has Cynthia finally come around? Is she about to make the first move?

She's not even eighteen yet, is she? Should I put up a little resistance, or just give in...?

"Um, Xu Mu..."

Cynthia lowered her head, plainly embarrassed.

"Go on. What is it?"

Xu Mu put on an air of composure.

But Cynthia's next words sent him straight into a panic!

"My father will be here soon. He said he wants to meet you, and if... it seems right, then... give me..."

Cynthia spoke haltingly, and Xu Mu didn't catch the rest.

But what he had heard was more than enough to terrify him!