The battle came to a close.
A match that should have been a foregone conclusion ended with Excadrill turning the tables on Mega Tyranitar.
No one had anticipated such an outcome.
In most people’s minds, Mega Evolution itself was the ultimate symbol of strength, capable of overpowering non-Mega Evolved Pokémon through pure numerical superiority.
*Clap, clap—*
Applause sounded from an unknown corner, breaking the silence frozen by shock.
Mashiro followed the sound and saw two people standing at the top of the spectator stands.
One was a middle-aged man in a sharp suit with flamboyant hair styled like a Pyroar, calmly clapping his hands.
Beside him stood a woman of extraordinary demeanor.
Although she was heavily disguised, Mashiro recognized her at a single glance—it was Diantha, the Champion of the Kalos League.
“!!!”
The moment he recognized her, the joy that had just risen in Mashiro’s heart instantly froze.
That was undoubtedly one of the people he least wanted to run into right now: his current boss, the leader of Team Flare.
And to make matters worse, he was packaged together with Diantha.
Why were they here?
Just as Mashiro’s heart was trembling, the applause from the stands spread like ripples across a pond.
Even if the students of Étoile Academy still disapproved of this guy who won by “cheating,” being able to defeat Mega Tyranitar was proof of strength in itself, deserving of respect.
“He…
actually won?”
The students from Blueberry Academy were also stunned.
Although they didn’t know Mashiro, he had fought on their behalf after all.
Regardless, he had managed to salvage a bit of dignity for Blueberry Academy.
Lacey furrowed her brows, staring deeply at the triumphant Excadrill in the arena.
No matter how much she pondered, she couldn’t understand what that final move was.
It looked like Earth Power, yet its potency and special effects were completely different.
“I really want to figure it out…”
She unconsciously tugged at her hair before realizing her loss of composure.
With her cheeks flushing slightly, she let out a soft cough and quickly restored her dignified stance.
Fortunately, no one was paying attention to her at the moment.
[Ding—Quest Completed]
The familiar system notification sounded in Mashiro’s mind.
Snapping back to reality, lines of text surfaced before his eyes.
[Legend Archive: “Five-Minute Champion”]
[Archive Quest: Defeat Battle Legend Blue in a Pokémon battle within 5 minutes, recreating the Gen 1 classic (Completed)]
[Side Quest: Wear a red jacket and classic red Poké Ball cap during the archive quest (Completed)]
[Rewards Obtained: Blastoisinite, Pidgeotite (Side Quest), Legend Points × 300, Legend Points × 100 (Side Quest)]
Just as the rewards were being settled, Squishy in Mashiro’s pocket suddenly sensed something unusual and looked down.
“Zy-gu?!”
Two colorful glass-like orbs emitting peculiar energy had appeared beneath it out of nowhere.
Squishy was startled.
Its mind, which didn’t possess much memory capacity, spun rapidly: theoretically, it had no gender, so it couldn’t lay eggs, right?
a Spirit Pearl and a Demon Pill?
Curiously, it wrapped its body around the two Mega Stones.
The energy waves emanating from them felt special to it, though in its current state, it couldn’t quite tell what they were…
*Heh heh heh—*
Looking at the newly arrived Legend Points, Mashiro felt like a gambler who had just struck gold picking up trash, letting out a satisfied, sinister chuckle in his heart.
*400 points!
That’s enough for four trips to the Path of Training to level up!
This is a massive profit!*
Compared to the Mega Stones that he couldn’t use at his current stage, the value of Legend Points was clearly far higher.
As demonstrated by the gains from [Earthly Might], being able to learn signature moves that originally belonged exclusively to Legendary Pokémon offered insane cost-efficiency.
“Exca!”
Excadrill ran over to his side, proudly showing off its performance.
Even a powerful monster like that was nothing more than a single strike before it.
“You really fought well, but it’s still not enough.
In the end, we relied on a trick,” Mashiro said, not wanting it to get overly arrogant.
“Right now, you aren’t truly strong enough to take on a Mega Tyranitar head-on—unless…
you can Mega Evolve too!”
“Exca?!”
Excadrill froze.
It…
could evolve like that too?
Did such a thing really exist?
“Don’t worry, I’m here.
Just wait and hold onto hope!”
Mashiro laughed and patted its shoulder, painting a grand vision for the future.
Just then, Blue walked over while scratching his head.
Mashiro took the initiative to reach out a hand, lowering his voice with a smile.
“Mr.
Blue, I really didn’t expect to meet you at Étoile Academy.”
“So you really did recognize me…”
Blue paused, feeling a bit pleased.
But on second thought, if the kid recognized him, why was he wearing Red’s signature outfit to battle?
Good grief, this guy was definitely a fan of Red!
In his heart, Blue quietly noted another mark against Red.
Either way, whenever anything bad happened to him, blaming Red was never wrong.
“???”
Mashiro raised an eyebrow.
For a moment just now, he felt like the other party didn’t seem to mind that he had won by “cheating”?
Was Blue actually such an understanding person?
That actually made him feel a bit guilty…
With their own thoughts spinning, the atmosphere between them became subtly complex.
“Um, Mr.
Blue, could I trouble you for a moment later?
I have a few questions…”
“No problem!”
Blue waved his hand generously.
Although he had lost, the long-overdue battle had been thoroughly enjoyable.
Besides, he also had a few things he wanted to ask Mashiro.
Having secured his agreement, Mashiro let out a breath of relief.
Sensing the gazes focused on him, he turned toward the spectator stands and announced loudly, “I am Mashiro, the new Gym Leader of the White Gym in the Jaune District.
In a short while, my Gym will reopen for business.
Everyone is welcome to come and challenge me in the evening.”
“A Gym Leader?”
The spectators looked at one another.
After all, there were over twenty second-tier Gyms in Lumiose City, not to mention the adjacent Jaune District.
It was completely normal never to have heard of it.
But why challenges in the evening?
“Because my Gym is only open at night.
Just like Lumiose City releasing its true nature after nightfall, gathered beneath Prism Tower will be our ‘Summit Challenge’!” Mashiro opened his arms, explaining enthusiastically.
“Oh?
A Gym Summit Challenge?” Blue was surprised.
A Gym style like this was truly unheard of.
“How interesting.
I didn’t expect Kalos to have a Gym with such a unique style.” Diantha lightly cupped her chin, equally surprised.
Lysandre, standing beside her, narrowed his eyes slightly.
White Gym…
Wasn’t that the matter Malva had reported this morning?
She said a very promising young man had joined Team Flare.
It seemed to be the person right in front of him.
“Not bad,” he murmured softly to himself.
“It seems you’re quite interested in him.” Noticing the appreciative look in Lysandre’s eyes, Diantha couldn’t help but tease.
The two didn’t linger in the arena for long.
Their true purpose for this trip was to visit the abandoned North Campus to discuss reconstruction plans, aiming to repurpose the area that had been derelict for two years.
Soon, the spectating students dispersed amidst murmurs of discussion.
Mashiro left together with Blue, while the group from Blueberry Academy began to reflect on today’s defeat.
Amarys pulled along the still-dazed Drayton, following at the rear of the group.
Only Lacey remained standing where she was, her head slightly tilted and her delicate brows furrowed.
Her fingers rested against her chin, her fair face filled with focus and contemplation as her soft hair fluttered gently in the wind.
“A Gym open only at night…”
She murmured softly, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.