June 11.
After coming to Li Wei to vent his frustrations, Lance got down to the real reason for his visit: helping treat Zeraora.
As he followed Li Wei out of the cafeteria, Lance couldn't help remarking, "This place really has changed!"
Lance's last visit had been just over a month ago, yet the place already had a whole new look.
Li Wei said confidently, "It's not even officially finished yet. Come back in late July, and it'll knock your socks off."
Lance laughed heartily. "It's already impressive enough."
Since Li Wei had forbidden excessive training,
Zeraora was leaning against a tree, watching Lucario and the others train.
Zeraora wasn't actually a training fanatic. Its strength had been honed through countless battles.
Over its hundred years on Windswept City's Back Mountain, it had crushed poaching gangs, driven off people trying to enter the mountain, and settled disputes between Pokémon...
Zeraora's strength had grown bit by bit through combat, not through training.
Watching Lucario and the others train, Lance remarked, "They really do work hard. No wonder they're improving so quickly."
Even by Lance's standards, Li Wei's team was strong enough to belong to a fully qualified member of the Elite Four.
Lance teased, "Are you getting ready to take over from Cynthia? Interested in coming to Kanto to become Champion?"
Li Wei quickly shook his head. "No, thanks. I haven't even considered becoming Sinnoh's Champion, let alone going to Kanto."
"Besides, if Kanto really wants a Champion, how hard could it be? You, Blue, or Red-any of you could do it."
This time, Lance shook his head. "They're no longer interested, and I can't bring myself to force them."
His expression turned serious. "As for me, I won't accept that position until I truly have the strength to deserve it."