“Ms.
Hathaway!”
Nessa called out, half surprised and half delighted.
The person who had arrived was the current Water-type Gym Leader of Hulbury, a woman known as the Siren of Hulbury—Hathaway.
The tall, dark-skinned beauty smiled as she walked in.
Beside her, a Kingler far larger than average waved one of its massive pincers at Blake and Nessa.
“I guessed you’d be here with Blake, and it looks like I was right.”
“Why are you here, Ms.
Hathaway?
Did you need me for something?”
Nessa looked at her curiously.
“Nothing in particular.
The scenic area opens tomorrow, doesn’t it?
I came by early to take a look around.
Then I noticed this place was open, figured the two of you little troublemakers were probably inside, and sure enough, here you are.”
Hathaway stepped into the shop with a smile, casually pulled out a chair, and sat down.
“Welcome, Ms.
Hathaway.
Also, you were saying this year’s Gym Challenge is special?”
Blake greeted her politely.
He knew Hathaway as well.
After all, Gym Leaders did more than simply receive challengers.
A qualified Gym Leader had to pay attention to almost every problem that arose in their town.
In certain ways, a Gym Leader’s position was not all that different from a town mayor’s.
Naturally, Blake’s family, with its special standing in Hulbury, was acquainted with her.
“It is special,” Hathaway said.
“This time, both the Chairman and the Champion have given out endorsements, and the ones receiving them are all children who just turned ten this year.”
“Just turned ten?!”
The moment Hathaway finished speaking, Nessa cried out in surprise.
Blake was just as taken aback.
In the games and anime, ten-year-olds setting out on journeys seemed perfectly normal.
But this was reality
Although ten was indeed the legal age recognized by the League for someone to officially own Pokémon—the Pokémon of anyone younger had to be registered under a guardian’s name—and although children that age were technically allowed to travel, very few people actually did it.
The reason was simple.
They were too young!
Ten years old was not an age where most children could properly take care of themselves.
In reality, most people who set out on journeys did so after turning fifteen.
For a ten-year-old to begin traveling, and with endorsements from the Chairman and the Champion on top of that, calling this year special was not an exaggeration at all.
“That’s right.
They’ve all just turned ten.
And the boy endorsed by the Chairman seems to be Master Mustard’s student.”
Hathaway smiled and raised one finger as she spoke.
Gastly, meanwhile, diligently floated over and placed a cup of tea beside her.
“Master Mustard?
You mean the Mustard who won the Champion Cup eighteen times in a row and was known as the strongest Champion?”
Nessa cried out in amazement.
No one in Galar could underestimate the reputation of that former strongest Champion.
He had not even stepped down because he was defeated, but because he refused to participate in rigged matches and chose to leave on his own.
He was known as an undefeated Champion.
Like the one on Mt.
Silver in Kanto, he was absolutely a master-class figure.
And this boy was his student?
Blake unconsciously thought of a certain person who had been rather divisive in his previous life.
The avatar-like figure of players who became Champion in a single year, the man known as the strongest Champion, a hopeless disaster when it came to directions, but also the most responsible Champion anyone could ask for—Leon.
So this was his first year stepping onto the stage?
Now that Blake thought about it, he seemed to remember seeing posts saying that Leon was actually quite young.
It was mainly that face and beard of his that were far too misleading.
“That’s right.
A little boy named Leon!
He’s considered the most promising challenger this year.
Aside from him, there’s another boy the Champion has his eye on.
His name is Raihan, and the two of them seem to be rivals.”
Hathaway said it with a smile.
“Hmph.
Most promising or not, we’ll see whether they can get past me first!”
Nessa puffed up her cheeks and waved a fist.
As a Gym apprentice, she was allowed to test challengers before the Gym Trainers officially stepped in.
If a challenger could not even beat an apprentice, then there was no point in thinking about challenging the Gym Leader.
They would be better off training for a few more years.
Of course, someone like Wattson was a different matter.
That man might hand out a Badge as long as someone showed enough spirit.
After all, defeating a Gym Leader was not the only way to receive a Gym Badge.
Earning the Gym Leader’s recognition was also valid.
Or rather, for most Gym Leaders, the real requirement was gaining their approval by showing sufficient strength, tactics, and adaptability.
After all, a Gym Leader could not guarantee that their team would perfectly suit every challenger, even though most Gym Leaders did prepare more than one team to match challengers of different levels.
“Don’t get careless.
If they’re traveling at ten, then they definitely have something special about them.”
Blake accepted a soda from Gastly, while Kingler considerately helped him pop the cap off with its pincer.
He took several gulps before speaking.
“Exactly.
Blake has the right idea,” Hathaway said.
“Still, I can let you receive some challengers.
It’ll be good for you too.
Battling the same familiar faces all the time won’t do much for your training anymore.”
Then Hathaway looked at Blake and smiled.
“What do you think, Blake?
Want to give it a try too?”
“It doesn’t sound bad.
I might drop by when I have time, but I only have Gastly.
Is that all right?”
“That’s fine.
No one said a Water-type Gym can only use Water-type Pokémon.
Besides, if a challenger can’t adapt to unexpected situations, they won’t earn my approval anyway.”
Hathaway waved it off, clearly unconcerned.
The thing she disliked most was a Trainer who could only battle rigidly by the book.
Tactics were certainly important in Pokémon battles, but if tactics were all someone had, they might as well go play a game instead.
When Pokémon battled, a Trainer’s role was not as simple as standing there and giving a few commands.
“Exactly!
Come with us, Blake!
You’re way stronger than me, so you’ll definitely be fine!”
Nessa leaned in as she spoke, but her words made Hathaway a little curious.
“Is Blake that strong?
I don’t think I’ve ever seen you battle.”
“I’m all right.
I know a little, just a little.”
Blake scratched his head and gave an awkward laugh.
“What do you mean, ‘a little’?
I’ve never beaten you even once since we were kids!”
Nessa immediately got annoyed at his modest act.
If Blake only knew “a little,” then what did that make her, someone who had never beaten him?
Completely clueless?
“Oh?
Interesting.
Perfect timing, then!
You two don’t have much to do right now, do you?
There’s a brand-new Pokémon battle court in the scenic area.
Have a match and let me watch.
If you do well, there’ll be a reward.”
Hathaway’s interest was piqued, and she wagged a finger with a smile.
“A reward?
I’m in!”
The moment she heard there was a reward, Nessa perked up instantly.
She sprang from her seat, grabbed Blake by the arm, and started dragging him outside.
“Hey, hey, wait!
You forgot Chewtle!
And at least let me change first!”
Blake, who was being pulled so hard he nearly stumbled all over the place, shouted helplessly.
He was still holding his drink, still wearing a dustproof apron, and still had protective goggles on his face.
At the very least, she could let him put everything down first!
“You’re too impatient, Nessa.”
Hathaway shook her head helplessly as she watched Nessa rush off.
Unfortunately, Nessa clearly had no room in her head for advice right now and had already run quite far.
“Forget it.
I’ll bring you along.”
Hathaway picked up Chewtle, who had been left dumbfounded on the counter, and followed after them.
As for Gastly?
Please.
The moment Nessa dragged Blake out the door, Gastly had already followed on his own!