Outside Rustboro Academy…
A stretched black luxury sedan slowly rolled to a stop in front of the academy gates.
Waiting at the entrance, Director Yu immediately hurried forward.
He personally opened the car door and carefully held his hand above the frame, making sure the passenger wouldn’t bump his head.
“Director Yu, you’re too kind.”
“Not at all, Mr.
Stone.
Welcome to Rustboro Academy.
Thank you for taking the time to visit us personally.”
The balding director, who had treated Roy coldly only moments earlier, now wore such a wide smile that the wrinkles on his face deepened.
The indifference he’d shown Roy was nowhere to be found.
The visitor was Joseph Stone, the current president of the Devon Corporation and one of Rustboro Academy’s largest sponsors.
He was, without question, one of the academy’s biggest benefactors.
Many students from ordinary families who couldn’t afford their first Pokémon had received one through Devon’s sponsorship program.
Most of those Pokémon were species like Geodude, Sandshrew, or Diglett.
Even so, countless students remained deeply grateful.
After all, trying to capture one of those Pokémon in the mines themselves could easily cost them half their lives.
Because of that, Devon Corporation enjoyed an outstanding reputation throughout Rustboro City.
Whether it was genuine charity…
Or simply a brilliant way to win people’s loyalty…
Only the company itself knew.
The important part was that every student remembered one thing.
Their very first Pokémon had been donated by Devon Corporation.
Stepping out of the limousine behind Joseph was a young man wearing a custom-tailored suit.
He had handsome features and carried himself with effortless nobility.
Unfortunately…
He looked completely uninterested in Rustboro Academy.
“This is my son, Steven Stone.”
“He inherited my love of stones.”
“So this is the famous young master of Devon Corporation!”
“I’ve long heard that Young Master Steven possesses extraordinary talent as a Trainer.
Your future is surely limitless!”
Joseph smiled proudly upon hearing his son praised.
Steven merely nodded politely.
The compliment had landed entirely on the wrong person.
Led by Director Yu, the group entered the campus.
The first thing they saw was the academy’s centerpiece.
Its enormous outdoor battle stadium.
“This battle arena was completed two years ago.”
“It’s used daily for student battles and training.”
“We owe its construction entirely to your generous investment.”
Standing beside his father, Steven looked thoroughly bored.
Compared to listening to the balding director flatter his father…
He would much rather be examining interesting rocks somewhere.
Just then…
A massive crowd suddenly began rushing toward the battle stadium.
Joseph had specifically requested a low-profile visit.
The academy hadn’t announced his arrival.
Director Yu frowned.
What’s going on?
Did the students organize something themselves?
To his surprise…
Not a single student even glanced in his direction.
They all charged straight into the arena.
Several could even be heard muttering the words…
“Ghost-type…”
Curious, Director Yu stopped one passing student.
After asking a few questions…
He finally learned what had happened.
Earlier that morning…
Roy’s upcoming battle with Roxanne had spread throughout the academy thanks to one particularly enthusiastic, chubby student.
Most people had never seen a Ghost-type Pokémon in person. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
After hearing there would actually be a Ghost-type battle today…
Students poured toward the arena out of pure curiosity.
The number of spectators had exploded.
Director Yu sucked in a sharp breath.
So that’s why my nephew came looking for me this morning…
I should’ve kept my mouth shut.
Meanwhile…
Roxanne entered the arena surrounded by a crowd of cheering supporters.
“That girl,” Director Yu explained awkwardly, “is the most talented student in our lower division.”
“Her name is Roxanne.”
“Then let’s have a look.”
Steven finally showed a hint of interest.
A Pokémon battle wasn’t nearly as fascinating as rocks…
But it certainly beat chatting with a flattering administrator.
The four of them entered the arena.
Director Yu immediately tried to arrange premium seats.
Joseph politely declined.
Instead, he and Steven quietly took seats in one of the least noticeable corners of the spectator stands.
Director Yu could only sit beside them.
…
Inside the arena…
Roy stood calmly in his trainer’s box.
Watching more and more students flood into the stands…
He couldn’t have been happier.
The larger the audience…
The faster his Popularity Points would grow.
A sharp whistle echoed across the battlefield.
“The battle begins!”
Roxanne made the first move.
“Go!”
“Onix!”
A burst of red light flashed.
A massive Onix over three meters long materialized on the battlefield.
Its enormous body consisted of giant gray boulders connected together like a living mountain serpent.
A massive rocky horn jutted from its forehead.
Its dark eyes glared fiercely across the field.
“ROOOAAARRRR!!”
The moment it appeared…
Onix let out a thunderous roar that shook the entire arena.
“Boss Roxanne!”
“Crush him!”
Her followers erupted into cheers.
Watching from the stands…
Steven’s expression remained calm.
Inside…
He was genuinely excited.
Rock-types and Steel-types had always been his favorites.
System Scan
Pokémon: Onix
Level: 27
Gender: Male
Ability: Sturdy
Cannot be knocked out in one hit.
One-hit KO moves also fail.
Moves:
Bind
Tackle
Harden
Rock Throw
Rock Tomb
Rage
Smack Down
Slam
Gyro Ball
Held Item: None
Egg Moves:
Rock Climb
Rollout
Individual Value: 18
TM Moves:
Endure
A Level 27 Onix…
Roy barely reacted.
He couldn’t care less about the crowd’s excitement.
What era are these people living in?
Still believing that bigger automatically means stronger?
“Litwick.”
“Let’s play with him.”
“Use Haze.”
“Then follow it with Minimize.”
Receiving Roy’s command…
Litwick hopped down from his shoulder.
Bounce.
Bounce.
Bounce.
The tiny candle Pokémon cheerfully bounced into the battlefield.
The entire arena fell silent.
…
Wait…
Wasn’t Ghost-type Pokémon supposed to be terrifying?
Why is this little candle so adorable?
Is that really a Ghost-type Pokémon?
The audience stared at the tiny Litwick in disbelief.
Many students who had been too frightened to look finally opened their eyes.
“Aww!”
“It’s so cute!”
“What’s its name?”
“I want to hug it!”
“You’re right!”
“Ghost Pokémon aren’t scary at all!”
The moment Litwick appeared…
It instantly captured the hearts of nearly every girl in the audience.
To them…
Cute was everything.
The chubby student immediately snorted.
“Cute?”
“So what?”
“Can it beat Boss Roxanne’s Onix?”
“My Geodude could flatten that little candle with one punch.”
Seeing several girls who had been cheering for Roxanne suddenly switch sides because of a tiny candle…
He looked thoroughly annoyed.
Let’s see if they still think it’s cute after Onix smacks it across the arena with one swing of its tail.
Even Roxanne herself froze for a couple of seconds.
The tiny Litwick was simply too adorable.
Only Roy…
Standing calmly in the trainer’s box…
Curled the corners of his mouth into a knowing smile.
Just thinking about what was about to happen…
Made him want to laugh.
Cute?
No…
Not even close.
Once you’ve actually fought Litwick…
You’ll realize “cute” is the last word you’d use to describe it.