"The Rock Solid Gym, huh... I heard its Gym Leader is a genius Trainer from the Eastern Hemisphere. I hope he won't disappoint me!"
The boy walked into the brightly lit hall. Taking in the imposing Low Mountain before him and the tiered spectator stands surrounding it, he gave a confident smile.
As a Trainer certified as an Earl by the Battle Chateau, he felt a certain arrogance as a local toward the Trainers who had traveled from the Eastern Hemisphere during this period, especially those from the four visiting Gyms.
In particular, the boy was himself a three-star Earl, equivalent to a Trainer at the peak of the elite class. At his age, that was something worth being proud of.
A computer terminal stood in the center of the hall. The boy approached and placed his Pokémon Pokédex beneath the scanner.
"Falgar from Coumarine City has reserved a challenge at the Rock Solid Gym. Authorization confirmed!"
Falgar retrieved his Pokédex and smiled faintly at the boy approaching from one side of the hall.
"Hello! I'm Falgar, and I'm here to challenge the Rock Solid Gym!"
"Welcome! I'm Qingcao, a Gym apprentice! You can begin your challenge at any time. Please follow me!"
Though Qingcao's face was youthful, he seemed remarkably composed, with a maturity beyond his years.
Qingcao smiled and nodded at Falgar, then gestured for him to follow and led the way toward a stone walkway. It was the entrance to Low Mountain, as well as the location of the beginner-level battlefield he was stationed at.
Inside the Lounge, Grant frowned as he watched Qingcao lead Falgar toward the first-floor battlefield.
"This kid doesn't act like a child at all. He's more like a little old man..."
Yong, however, thought highly of Qingcao. Resting his chin on his