The same type of Stand

Riolu, the Emanation Pokémon.

It resembled both a puppy and a young child, with terrifying potential hidden within its frail body.

According to this world's historical records, humans had first discovered the powerful force known as "Aura" through its evolved form, Lucario.

Simply put, Riolu could sense Aura and read that of other creatures to perceive their emotions.

That was why they had such high standards for Trainers.

"Rio..."

The moment Riolu appeared on the field, he immediately assumed a wary defensive stance, instinctively examining the Aura of everything around him.

Aside from the two familiar, powerful Auras behind him, there were quite a few unfamiliar presences.

After closing his eyes and silently observing for a moment, Riolu abruptly raised his head, looking straight at Qingyu, who was studying him curiously.

This must be the Trainer who wants to catch me this time, right?

His Aura was far purer than that of many humans Riolu had met before, with almost no malice to be sensed.

He seemed like he would be a friendly Trainer.

But for a Trainer, strength mattered most.

Especially for a Trainer who wanted to catch him. Without enough strength, they still could not earn his approval.

At that thought, Riolu lifted his head high and let out an impatient growl.

It really is Riolu...

Originally, Qingyu had intended to refuse Cynthia's offer to give him a Pokémon outright.

How is this any different from living off a rich woman?

I, Qingyu, became a Gym Leader through my own hard work! When have I ever relied on anyone else's help?

But the moment he saw Riolu, Qingyu found it a little difficult to look away.

After all, who could turn down a cool yet adorable Riolu?

As his gaze settled on him, Riolu's Pokédex information soon appeared before his eyes.

[Riolu (male)]

[Type: Fighting type]

[Ability: prankster]

[Moves: Quick Attack, Endure, Feint, Metal Claw, Counter, Detect, Bullet Punch]

[An extremely cautious nature.]

He inherited Bullet Punch? Judging by the moves he knows, he should be pretty strong...

Wait a second?

He even has the Hidden Ability prankster???

Qingyu froze for a moment, then quickly caught on, wild delight surging through him.

This Riolu is a real treasure!

Although his Eevee was so gifted it bordered on illegal, it really did not have much fighting power before it had time to grow.

If he could catch this Riolu, not only would the Gym's immediate shortage of fighting power be solved, he could even develop new strategies around his Ability.

And he was a Pokémon Qingyu had loved ever since his previous life!

Okay, I take it all back!

But his own wishful thinking was one thing; whether Riolu would accept him was another matter entirely.

Noticing Qingyu's very easy-to-read expression, Cynthia spoke slowly.

"This little one is excellent, isn't he? But catching him won't be that easy~"

"If you can't earn his approval, he won't follow your commands."

This Riolu's immense potential was plain to see, and at least a dozen Trainers had tried to catch him.

Yet not a single Trainer had earned his approval.

Perhaps because she was the Trainer he had been exposed to since childhood, this little one's standards were frighteningly high.

But if it was Qingyu, it should be fine, right?

"Good luck, Miss Cynthia!"

"And you too, Mr. Qingyu!"

Outside the battlefield's boundary lines, Nemona, acting as the temporary referee, enthusiastically cheered for both sides.

Yet when Qingyu heard that, something felt off.

He was the Gym Leader here, so how had he become the afterthought in her cheering?

And besides...

Me, fight a Champion? Seriously?

If Eevee against Riolu is a fifty-fifty matchup, then once you add the Trainers on both sides...

I'm definitely the one getting wrecked!

Seemingly noticing Qingyu's conflicted, slightly resentful look, Cynthia smiled.

"I won't give this little one any commands. If you want to earn his approval, show him command skills that surpass Riolu's battle instincts as best you can~"

Qingyu breathed a sigh of relief.

Making a relative novice who had only practiced with Nemona face a Champion's command skills right off the bat would be throwing him straight into the fire.

Even so, he still had to approach this carefully.

Sending a Normal-type Eevee against a Fighting-type Riolu put him at an obvious natural disadvantage.

How well he could overcome that type disadvantage depended on his performance as a Trainer.

Qingyu and Eevee both looked at Riolu across from them.

Honestly, Eevee actually thought it was the only Pokémon Qingyu needed.

But this guy was strong. Visibly strong.

Even just coming face-to-face with him had already made its heartbeat sound an involuntary alarm.

If he could become their companion, he would definitely be a tremendous help to Qingyu.

Eevee knew perfectly well that whether Qingyu was a Gym Leader or merely a Trainer, he needed more powerful companions.

So it could not be too selfish.

I'm the only one my idiot Trainer can count on right now!

Thump, thump-thump-

The heavy heartbeat reached Riolu's ears as he meditated with his eyes closed, almost as though the air pressure around him had risen considerably.

Riolu slowly opened his eyes, his expression solemn.

He could feel Eevee's burning emotions, which were enough to prove that his earlier observations had been correct.

For such a sensitive Eevee to trust him this deeply, this human was undoubtedly excellent when judged purely as a Trainer.

But precisely because of that, his standards would only be higher!

Riolu assumed his opening stance.

"Rio!"

Let's have a good match!

Generally speaking, Fighting-type Pokémon tended to be hot-tempered and more adept at aggressive tactics.

But this Riolu behaved in exactly the opposite way.

Despite knowing Bullet Punch and Quick Attack, he planted himself in a horse stance without moving, voluntarily yielding the first move and preparing to defend.

Qingyu silently observed his actions.

Just as his nature suggested, he really was an extremely cautious little fellow.

If Riolu refused to attack and his side did the same, who knew how long they would end up standing there staring at each other?

"Eevee, Covet!"

Qingyu decided to make the first move and test him.

Probably because of Eevee's personality, it had not even learned Quick Attack or Tackle. This was already the only move it could use to attack...

Eevee crouched low, watching Riolu's reactions warily as it crept closer with feline stealth.

Only after entering attack range did it abruptly swipe forward.

The instant it launched its attack, a faint white glow suddenly appeared around Riolu's body, and he dodged in the opposite direction as if by instinct.

He easily avoided Eevee's attack.

At the same time, his right fist was already poised to strike, launching a counterattack at tremendous speed!

Was that Detect just now?

And this punch shouldn't be Bullet Punch either, but...

Counter???

Did Eevee even hit you? Why are you using Counter?

Qingyu was dumbfounded.

The punch was so fast that even if he immediately ordered a dodge, it would already be too late!

His right fist sliced through the air, and Riolu smiled as his plan succeeded.

However...

His smile lasted only an instant before his pupils abruptly widened.

As his right fist swung out, Eevee, who had initiated the attack, seemed to instinctively sense the approaching danger and abruptly lowered its center of gravity.

It shot forward in a bizarre sliding-tackle posture, narrowly avoiding his counterattack.

At the same time, its heartbeat grew even more intense.

Having witnessed the whole exchange, Qingyu's mouth twitched.

The two Pokémon had packed eight hundred tricks into a single round of combat, yet after that exchange, nothing had happened.

So it's the same type of Stand.

Things were getting interesting now.

Diary of a flop, April 30.

More and more readers are keeping up with the story. So happy~

What effect would growing up in the same research institute as Cynthia's Champion team have on a naturally cautious Riolu?

Riolu: I've spent my whole life walking on thin ice. Can I still make it to the other shore?