After recalling Steelix, Yong headed for the lounge.
The halftime break lasted nearly twenty minutes. He had no intention of standing blankly in the middle of the arena for everyone to stare at.
As for Carmilla, she recalled Salamence and ran toward the passage on the other side. After all, there was more than one lounge, and plenty of medical equipment...
The lounge was quiet and deserted, with only A Kun sitting in a chair, resting with his eyes closed.
The other competitors who had failed to advance but still qualified for rewards had all been directed to another room.
Hearing someone enter, A Kun opened his eyes. When he saw Yong, he said with a complicated expression,
"Your Steelix has gotten stronger again!"
Yong shrugged, placed Steelix's Pokémon Ball on the medical equipment, and handed it over to Nurse Joy. He casually settled into a chair and watched several Diglett and Sandslash emerge on the big screen to repair the battlefield, saying softly,
"Steelix isn't especially gifted, and its species limits it too. But there's one thing about it: it works hard, and it's very patient!"
A Kun understood what he meant. After a moment of silence, he continued,
"If I don't advance, I hope I'll have another chance to battle you someday!"
Had he lost confidence in himself?
Yong turned to look at him.
"That's not the A Kun I know. You're giving up before you've even fought? Anything can happen in a Pokémon battle!"
"Yeah..."
A Kun gazed at the big screen, deep in thought.
Without saying anything more, Yong waited quietly.
Time passed quickly. When the host's voice came through the big screen, Yong stood and headed outside. This time, it would be a rock field...
As he reached the entrance to the passage, A Kun's