The family might have let the loss of Moltres's Pokémon Egg slide, but if he lost the Moon Flute too, he would truly have no way to explain himself.
Once he returned to the family, he would certainly face an investigation and questioning. They might even expel him from the British House altogether. Forget throwing the British House's name around as he did now—he might struggle just to survive.
These useless idiots! Bruce was already cursing up a storm inwardly. These newcomers had been a complete disappointment. Even after he gave them Elite Class Pokémon, they still couldn't win. They were utterly useless.
And they want to become Pokémon Trainers? Gym Leaders? Members of the Elite Four? In their dreams! Bruce cursed inwardly, but he could only rely on them now, hoping one or two would step up and take Xiao Ran down.
Bruce gave a signal. The lackey beside him nodded and motioned for a young man with slicked-back hair, dress pants, and a white shirt to take the field.
He was also a member of the British House and a younger cousin of Bruce's, though his bloodline was thin, belonging to an even more distant branch than Bruce's.
Fortunately, he had considerable talent. He had already raised an early-stage Elite Class Pokémon of his own. Combined with the Elite Class Pokémon Bruce had given him, that made him one of Bruce's trump cards.
Bruce had originally intended to save him until the end to finish things off, but given the situation, he had no choice but to send him out first.
Fortunately, he still had a top student from England Pokémon University waiting behind him, a classmate of his cousin's. This was a genuine genius, even stronger than Kalami.
Bessie stepped onto the platform and looked at Xiao