Lucas looked at Michael as if he were an idiot.
A Level 10, One-Star Pokémon with Rare Aptitude was indeed impressive to most Trainers who had only recently obtained their first Pokémon.
But Palkia was obviously an exception.
“Scared now, aren’t you?” Seeing Lucas remain silent, Michael assumed he was intimidated by Rhyhorn.
He chuckled smugly and proudly patted the Pokémon beside him.
Rhyhorn merely glanced at him blankly and didn’t resist.
“Michael, don’t take this too far.” Emily frowned and scolded him.
Seeing that she was actually speaking up for Lucas only made Michael even angrier.
He didn’t dare vent his frustration at Emily , so he redirected all of it toward Lucas .
“Kid, don’t think you’ll be fine just becauseEmily is defending you.
Unless you disappear from my sight forever, sooner or later I’ll make you pay!” At first, Lucas had wondered why Michael harbored such hostility toward him.
Now that Emily had appeared…
The reason was obvious.
It all revolved around her.
Rubbing his chin, Lucas rolled his eyes before looking at Michael.
“So you really want to fight me?” Michael sneered.
“What do you think?” “Fine.” Lucas shrugged casually.
“Let’s do it.” With that, he turned and walked toward the Pokémon Center’s battle arena.
A gentle breeze swept past, causing his clothes to flutter.
His straight-backed figure exuded confidence, and there wasn’t the slightest trace of fear in his eyes.
Michael had expected Lucas to beg for mercy.
Instead, the other party had accepted the challenge without hesitation.
The unexpected response caught him off guard for a moment.
Soon, however, he snorted coldly and followed after him.
The Breeder who had provided the Rhyhorn also tagged along.
He planned to cheer Michael on while Rhyhorn thoroughly beat Lucas ‘s Pokémon, then persuade the young master to purchase a few more Pokémon from his breeding shop afterward.
Walking at the very back, Emily wore a conflicted expression.
She didn’t want someone to be dragged into trouble because of her.
At the same time, she was genuinely curious about Lucas ‘s strength.
Since she couldn’t stop the duel, she had no choice but to follow.
No matter the era or world, Pokémon battles had always been one of the greatest joys of being a Trainer.
Azure Star was no exception.
Nearly every Pokémon Center within every base featured several spacious battle arenas.
“So you actually dared to accept my challenge.” Michael burst into laughter.
“Looks like getting your Pokémon has really gone to your head.” “No problem.” “I’ll teach you how to behave in just a moment.” “If we’re battling…” Lucas looked absentmindedly at his smooth palm.
“Let’s make things interesting.” “The loser gets slapped by the winner.” “Five slaps.” “What do you think?” Michael stared at him with a strange expression.
Then he laughed.
He laughed harder than ever.
In his eyes, this battle was already won.
Was this fool really volunteering to let him enjoy slapping him a few times?
“Kid…” “You really don’t know your place.” “Fine.” “Since you’re offering yourself up so sincerely, I’d be rude to refuse.” “You really think you can beat me?” Lucas narrowed his eyes.
“Kid, I thought I was already good at talking big.” “But it turns out you’re even better.” “No wonder there are barely any Tauros left around this base.” “They’ve all been blown into the sky by your hot air.” “Don’t you even know basic common sense?” “Level 10 is the peak of One-Star Pokémon!” “Meanwhile, your Pokémon was just obtained a couple of days ago.
At best it’s only Level 1 or 2.” “You don’t even understand something that basic.” “You deserve every slap you’re about to get.” “So what if it’s only Level 10?” Lucas remained perfectly calm.
“You’re awfully proud of yourself.” “If it were a Two-Star or Three-Star Pokémon, maybe you’d actually have something worth bragging about.” “But a mere Level 10 One-Star Pokémon?” “Who gave you the confidence to act so arrogant?” …
The entire arena fell silent.
Most of the spectators thought Lucas was simply talking nonsense.
To them, he sounded completely ignorant.
He made a Level 10 Pokémon—the peak of One-Star rank—sound like some insignificant beginner.
As if only Two-Star or Three-Star Pokémon were worth mentioning.
Only Emily ‘s eyes brightened.
She had already been curious about Lucas .
Now, his words immediately reminded her of the receptionist mentioning Two-Star ferocious beast meat earlier.
Could it be…
Did he really possess the strength to fight Two-Star opponents?
“Heh.” “Just wait.” “I’ll slap you awake soon enough.” As he spoke, Michael ordered his Rhyhorn onto the battlefield.
“Roar…” Rhyhorn let out a listless cry as it lumbered awkwardly toward the center of the arena.
Once it arrived, it simply stood there, waiting for Michael’s next command.
“Hm.” “It seems you really like this wager.” Lucas smiled faintly.
“Then how about we double it?” “Ten slaps.” “If you can actually beat me, ten slaps are fine.” “But if you lose…” Michael sneered.
“My slaps won’t come from me.” “I’ll have Rhyhorn do them instead!” He hadn’t forgotten how physically strong Lucas was.
If he slapped Lucas himself, he wasn’t even sure it would hurt.
It would be embarrassing if his own hand ended up hurting instead.
So, very wisely, he shifted the punishment onto Rhyhorn.
Just imagining the heavy hoof smashing across Lucas ‘s face filled him with satisfaction.
“Oh?” “So that’s your plan.” Lucas nodded thoughtfully.
“Fair enough.” “I’ll let my Pokémon do the slapping too.” With the wager settled, Lucas finally released his Pokémon.
Without a sound…
Palkia appeared on the battlefield.
A cruel grin spread across Michael’s face.
“Rhyhorn!” “Use Horn Attack!” “Cripple that worthless Pokémon!” Rhyhorn slowly lowered its head and charged toward Palkia.
Standing calmly in the arena, Palkia wore a look of complete disdain.
Forget the fact that Rhyhorn was in terrible condition.
Even a fully healthy Level 10 Rhyhorn wouldn’t have been its opponent.
Lucas sighed.
“So eager to deliver those slaps to me?” “Very well.” “Grant his wish.” “Palkia.” “Finish this in one move.” Upon hearing the command, Palkia lightly tapped the empty air with one claw.
Ripples spread silently through space itself.
As the God of Space, Palkia’s mastery over spatial power grew stronger with every level.
Now, even at only Level 6, it had already begun incorporating the power of space into its attacks.