Palkia slashed through the air with a Dragon Claw.
The razor-sharp claw glowed brilliantly.
It descended with the momentum of a collapsing mountain and the speed of a howling gale, crashing straight down onto Rhyhorn’s head.
Boom!
A deafening explosion erupted from the center of the arena, kicking up a violent shockwave.
When the dust finally settled…
Palkia stood calmly with one foot planted firmly on Rhyhorn’s head.
Rhyhorn no longer had the slightest will to resist.
The battle was decided in an instant.
Palkia defeated Rhyhorn.
Gained 120 EXP.
Palkia Level 6 (340/600).
Many spectators hadn’t even managed to react.
From the moment the Pokémon were released until the battle ended…
Only about three breaths had passed.
The Breeder’s prepared speech was still stuck in his throat before he could even boast about Rhyhorn, nearly making him choke.
Emily stared at Lucas with shining eyes.
Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her delicate hands unconsciously clenched together as though she were deep in thought.
Michael’s expression, meanwhile, turned unbelievably ugly.
Grinding his teeth, he glanced at the unconscious Rhyhorn lying on the battlefield before silently turning around, intending to leave without another word.
“Aren’t you leaving a little too quickly?” Lucas smiled as he looked at him.
“We agreed on ten slaps.” “You haven’t paid them yet.” “Why the rush?” “You think you can stop me from leaving?” Michael’s face darkened.
“Who’s trying to stop you?” “I’m just asking you to honor the wager.” “As a rich young master who bullies others all day, surely you shouldn’t abandon even that tiny bit of integrity.” Lucas spoke with complete seriousness, as though he were an expert on wealthy heirs.
“Hmph.” “And what if I refuse?” “Then…” “I’ll have to be a little forceful.” The moment those words fell…
Palkia disappeared from the battlefield and instantly appeared before Michael.
Slap!
Slap!
Without the slightest hesitation, it delivered two crisp slaps across his face.
Michael had never imagined Lucas would attack the moment he said he would.
After only two slaps, his fairly handsome face swelled visibly before everyone’s eyes.
The bodyguards standing behind him actually belonged to Emily .
However, because of the close relationship between Michael’s father and Emily ‘s family, the two youngsters often interacted.
Unsure whether they should intervene, the bodyguards looked toward Emily .
She remained completely expressionless.
Simply watching.
Unable to judge her intentions, none of the guards dared move.
As for the Breeder…
The moment he saw Rhyhorn lose, he realized disaster was coming.
Michael would definitely blame him afterward.
So he had already slipped away without anyone noticing.
At only fifteen years old and fresh out of middle school, Michael was still just a teenager.
No matter how arrogant he acted, he was no match for Lucas .
After another round of merciless slaps, his face quickly swelled into something resembling a pig’s head.
At first, he had still tried to utter a few threats.
Unfortunately, every sentence was interrupted by another slap.
With no one stepping forward to save him…
After two rounds, all of his pride, arrogance, and backbone disappeared completely.
He burst into tears and dropped to his knees.
“P-Please…
stop…” “I admit defeat!” “I admit defeat!” A Pokémon’s strength far exceeded that of an ordinary human.
A pampered young master like Michael had absolutely no ability to resist.
If the beating continued, he might genuinely pass out—or even die.
That was why he begged so desperately.
“Hm?” “Young Master Michael.” Lucas looked at him innocently.
“Why are you kneeling?” “And why are you crying?” “This is a perfectly legitimate wager.” “No crying to your parents or trying to back out.” “I…
I lost…” “Lucas …” “P-Please spare me.” “If this keeps going, I’ll really die.” “I…
I can compensate you with money!” “You can have however much you want!” “Who wants your money?” Lucas smiled as innocently as ever.
“Isn’t slapping you much more entertaining?” “I…” Suddenly, Michael’s eyes lit up.
“Right!” “Do you want my Pokémon?” “I’ll give you my Rhyhorn!” Hearing that, Lucas ‘s heart skipped a beat.
To be honest…
He had indeed taken a liking to this Rhyhorn.
Pokémon of the same species possessed different levels of Aptitude.
Others couldn’t tell the difference.
But Lucas could.
This Rare-Aptitude Rhyhorn was exceptionally talented even among its own species.
Outwardly, however, he merely looked disdainful.
“What would I want with a Pokémon I already defeated?” “I’ll throw in a Pokémon Bag too.” “Would that work?” Michael hurriedly produced a small cloth pouch no larger than the palm of his hand.
Seeing it, Lucas was slightly surprised.
Like the Space Stones used to create storage accessories, Pokémon Bags were another remarkable invention.
They had been developed as this world’s substitute for Poké Balls.
Unlike ordinary storage items, Pokémon Bags could contain living Pokémon, allowing Trainers to conveniently carry large Pokémon they captured later.
The one Michael possessed had obviously been purchased specifically for today.
The interior space was fairly spacious.
It had undoubtedly cost quite a few contribution points.
Rubbing his chin, Lucas didn’t bother pretending to refuse.
He accepted the Pokémon Bag without hesitation.
“Since Young Master Michael is being so sincere…” “I’ll accept the Pokémon Bag.” “As for the Rhyhorn…” “It’s a little weak.” “But I suppose it’ll do as a mount.” “So…” “You’ll let me go now?” Michael clutched his swollen face and asked cautiously.
“Of course…” Lucas deliberately dragged out the words before smiling brightly.
“…not.” “Young Master Michael.” “This is a proper wager, remember?” “Those things only count as the interest.” “Huh?” Michael stared blankly.
“Exactly.” “It’s just like owing someone money.” “Since you’re unable to pay the remaining sixteen slaps today…” “We’ll continue next time.” “As for when…” “I’ll decide based on my mood.” Lucas spoke with complete seriousness.
Terror instantly filled Michael’s eyes.
Looking at Lucas now…
He felt as though he were staring at a devil.
“What?” Lucas examined the newly acquired Pokémon Bag in his hand before smiling again.
“You’re still not leaving?” “Or perhaps…” “Young Master Michael prefers to settle all his debts at once?” “Would you like to finish paying the remaining slaps right here?” The moment Michael heard those words…
He scrambled to his feet and fled the Pokémon Center as fast as he could, crawling and stumbling all the way.
Watching Lucas calmly walk toward Rhyhorn, Emily couldn’t help feeling puzzled.
Compared to Michael…
Lucas actually seemed like the more dangerous person.
The kind who smiled while hiding a knife behind his back.
Yet…
Her curiosity about him only grew stronger.
They had both summoned their Pokémon at the same ceremony.
So why was his Pokémon so incredibly powerful?
Could it really be because it was an unknown Pokémon?
…
At that moment, Lucas was quietly examining Rhyhorn’s injuries.
The wounds inflicted by Palkia weren’t actually serious.
More than anything…
Rhyhorn had simply lost the will to fight.
Especially after realizing that its “master,” Michael, had abandoned it.
Its expression became even gloomier.
No Pokémon wished to be abandoned by its Trainer.
Not even one it had only recently met.
Soon, however…
Rhyhorn sighed inwardly.
This wasn’t the first time it had experienced such a thing.
Originally, Rhyhorn had been someone’s Bond Pokémon.
However, its original summoner had apparently lacked the financial means to raise it.
So immediately after summoning Rhyhorn…
He sold it to that unscrupulous Breeder.
Cases like this were uncommon…
But they weren’t unheard of.
Although Pokémon increased their summoner’s physique and lifespan, raising one required enormous financial resources.
When people couldn’t afford the costs…
Some simply chose to sell their Pokémon instead.
Using illegal drugs and black-market technology, it was possible to sever the spiritual bond between a Trainer and their Bond Pokémon.
Although such practices were illegal…
The profits were simply too great.
As a result…
There were always people willing to take the risk.