The Damn System's Plant

Xu Mu froze.

Come to think of it, he had never lost since arriving in this world.

Now, facing a top-tier master like Kale, he had been crushed two Pokémon to none. He was still reeling.

Xu Mu could tell Greninja not to rush, that they were still young. But he couldn't lie to himself.

A loss was a loss, and it stung!

How could Xu Mu accept losing to someone more than twenty years older than him?

But there was nothing he could do. This man was Cynthia's father.

No matter how frustrated he felt, Xu Mu could only swallow it.

"Yeah. I lost."

He didn't ask for a few more years or make some grand speech about never underestimating the young.

He had lost. That was that!

Even if he hated it...

"Mm. You've got your father's bearing."

Kale saw the resentment flash through Xu Mu's eyes before he admitted defeat without making excuses. Kale smiled.

"You're probably cursing me in your head right now, aren't you? Picking on a newcomer when I'm so much older, going all out against you?"

"Hahaha! Don't deny it. I know what you're thinking. You're just like your dad!"

Xu Mu was startled. You know my dad?

Damn!

I knew it! You're an old monster picking on a newcomer. Have you no shame?

"Ha, so you're a friend of my father's. That makes us acquaintances too, right, Uncle Kale?"

When you couldn't win a fight, backing down was the smart move.

Smarter still was claiming a family connection.

If you can't beat them, join them!

"You little rascal. Smooth talker, aren't you?"

Kale looked at Xu Mu in exasperation. This kid was the spitting image of his father!

Just as crafty, too!

Then he looked at his daughter, Cynthia, and suddenly grew worried. What if...

Forget it. Let things take their course.

"Your father and I arranged your engagement to Cynthia long ago. That's why I haven't stopped you two from spending time together."

Kale dropped the news without warning!

Xu Mu's eyes widened. He looked at Kale first. The man didn't seem to be joking. Then he looked at Cynthia, who stood with her head lowered, saying nothing.

"You're that comrade-in-arms my father mentioned?"

Only then did Xu Mu remember his father saying he had already arranged an engagement for him!

So Cynthia is my fiancée!

"That's right."

Kale didn't deny it. He glanced at Xu Mu and continued:

"But I'm not convinced you're dependable, kid. So I'm setting you a test."

"The engagement stands until you turn twenty. If you still can't defeat me by then, I'm sorry."

"I won't agree to you being with Cynthia."

"And don't think about sneaking her away behind my back. If you dare, I'll beat your father first, then you!"

Kale shot him a fierce glare, seeing straight through Xu Mu's scheming.

Then, after a moment's thought, he softened his tone.

"If you can defeat me before you turn twenty, I won't stand in your way."

Xu Mu nodded. That sounded fine. He was only sixteen this year. Surely four years was enough to beat one old geezer?

He did have a system, after all...

Wait. Getting stronger?

Holy crap. Has that Damn System's scheme worked again?

Cursing the Damn System under his breath, Xu Mu asked Kale, "So, are you here to take Cynthia away?"

At that, Cynthia also looked up at Kale.

She hadn't known Xu Mu for long, but she had grown quite fond of him.

When she first learned that she was Xu Mu's fiancée, she had asked herself a question.

Could I accept being with Xu Mu?

I think... I could.

So Cynthia didn't want to part ways with him now.

Seeing his daughter gaze at him expectantly too, Kale felt his temper flare. Daughters really do forget their fathers once they find someone!

"No."

Kale delivered the word with a stiff face and obvious reluctance.

Then Xu Mu smiled, and so did Cynthia.

"But don't celebrate yet. I know you've taken a leave of absence from school, and I'm not letting the two of you wander around aimlessly."

"So I've arranged two things for you."

Kale raised his fingers, looking rather pleased with himself.

"First, Meteor Falls' Secret Realm, which opens once every ten years, is about to open. I want you and Cynthia to go inside and train."

"Second, within two months, you must collect sixteen city-level Gym Badges, put together a team of six Pokémon, and enter the Elite Four Challenge!"

"You need to place in the top three to become an Elite Four Trainer. After that, enter the World Elite Four Tournament and earn a title there!"

Well, damn. By the time Kale finished laying out his conditions, Xu Mu was so irritated he almost laughed.

Come on, tell me. Did the Damn System hire you to set me up?

Meteor Falls and the World Elite Four Tournament are both missions from that Damn System! How much is it paying you to do its dirty work?

I'll pay double if you stay away from Damn System, all right?

"What exactly is this title?"

He could curse all he liked in his head, but Xu Mu still needed the details.

Venerables had titles of their own. But some Elite Four-level powerhouses were local Gym Leaders or mayors and had no title.

"A title goes to the top sixteen in the World Elite Four Tournament. Every year, sixteen Elite Four-level trainers earn one and are officially recognized as Venerables."

"Local Elite Four-level trainers haven't qualified for a title, whether because they're not strong enough or for other reasons. That's why they remain in local positions. Not that there's anything wrong with that—it's simply a different path."

After explaining, Kale found Xu Mu looking remarkably relaxed.

And Xu Mu really was relaxed!

"So you mean I have to become an officially recognized Venerable within a year, Uncle?"

Kale nodded. That was exactly what he meant.

Xu Mu smiled. That's way too easy!

Venerable Dongfeng was the guy Xu Mu had beaten despite facing six Pokémon with just two!

If someone that weak can be called a Venerable, doesn't that mean I'm already at Venerable level?

"Got it, Uncle. Is there anything else you need?"

Seeing Xu Mu's beaming smile and the way he was clearly trying to dismiss him, Kale's temper flared.

This is my house, damn it!

You're standing on my property, and you're trying to send me away?

Does that seem right to you?

"No. But watch yourself. Keep your hands off Cynthia. I've got Lucario keeping an eye on you!"

"If I catch you doing anything, you'll regret it!"

In the end, Kale still couldn't trust the little bastard around his daughter. He left Xu Mu with one last threat before turning away.

Hearing Kale's words, Xu Mu smiled yet again!

Lucario?

Don't you know? He's already on my side!

If he dares report back to you, I'll make dog-meat hot pot!