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Chris followed Akari up to the third floor of the Galaxy Team headquarters.
There was only one room on this floor—the captain's office.
The captain of the Galaxy Team had been waiting for Chris for some time.
"Hello, I am the captain of the Galaxy Team. My name is Kamado," a middle-aged man announced. He wore traditional Japanese-style clothing and wooden sandals, and sported a thick black beard. He greeted Chris warmly and extended his hand.
"Hello, I'm Chris, a traveler from another continent," Chris replied, reaching out to shake hands.
"Please, have a seat."
The two then sat across from each other in the reception area of the captain's office.
"Thank you very much for your assistance earlier. Without your help, I might not have been able to see Akari return safely," Kamado said gratefully, gesturing to Akari to prepare some tea.
"It was just fortunate timing. Even if I hadn't been there, I'm sure she would have managed to turn things around eventually," Chris replied, though he wasn't being falsely modest.
As the protagonist of the game, Akari certainly wouldn't meet her end so easily.
Kamado didn't continue pursuing that topic.
"I'm curious, Mr. Chris—which continent do you hail from? And what brings you to our Hisui Region at this time?"
"The Hoenn continent," Chris answered, improvising slightly. He wasn't even sure if the name "Hoenn" had been established yet in this era. "I came to Hisui because I wanted to study the local Pokemon ecology while traveling and exploring.
"So originally, I had planned to learn more about the Galaxy Team, the Pearl Clan, and the Diamond Clan first, then find an organization to join.
"I never imagined I would meet Akari by chance, so I decided to come visit the Galaxy Team headquarters first."
Having already rescued Akari, Chris figured it made sense to join the Galaxy Team for now.
Although the Galaxy Team differed from the Diamond and Pearl Clans—who were devoted to worshipping the legendary dragons of time and space—the organization maintained cooperative relationships with both clans and could get involved in major events.
If he joined either the Diamond Clan or the Pearl Clan, dealing with the other clan would become unnecessarily complicated.
The opposition between time and space seemed to originate from the two great deities themselves: Palkia and Dialga.
The Hoenn Region?
Kamado carefully searched his memory for that place name but found no recognition. However, judging from Chris's confident tone, it didn't seem like a fabrication. Perhaps it was simply a distant land he hadn't heard of before.
The world was vast, after all. It was impossible for him to know every continent that existed.
"It would naturally be an honor for our Galaxy Team to have Mr. Chris join our ranks," Kamado said diplomatically.
"However, our Galaxy Team does have certain protocols. Anyone wishing to join must pass some tests first," Kamado explained thoughtfully.
He certainly welcomed the addition of someone strong, but he'd only heard Akari's description of the earlier incident and had no direct knowledge of Chris's actual capabilities.
If possible, Kamado would like to witness Chris's strength firsthand.
"Of course, I'll follow your rules. I'm willing to accept whatever test you have," Chris agreed readily.
Kamado nodded slightly and reached out to tap lightly on the table. Immediately, a capable-looking woman with blue hair and a stern expression entered through the door.
"Captain, did you need something from me?"
"Prepare the training grounds and conduct the assessment for Mr. Chris's admission to the team."
"Yes, I'll make the preparations right away," the woman acknowledged before turning to Chris. "Mr. Chris, please follow me."
"Well then, I'll see you shortly," Chris said, standing up from his seat.
Kamado also rose from his chair. "I'll come along as well. I want to see with my own eyes whether you're as impressive as Akari claimed."
At that moment, Akari was returning with the prepared tea. Seeing Chris and Captain Kamado heading out, she wasn't sure whether she should serve the tea or follow them.
In the end, she had no choice but to set the tea tray on the table in the reception room and quickly hurry after Chris and the others.
Led by the blue-haired woman, Chris, Kamado, and Akari soon arrived at the western side of Jubilife Village. There was an open area there that, while lacking the standard markings of modern battlefields, served as the village's designated "training grounds."
Chris and the blue-haired woman took positions on opposite sides of the field, while Akari and Kamado stood to the side to observe the battle.
"Hello, Mr. Chris. My name is Cyllene, and I am the captain of the Galaxy Team's Survey Corps. I'll be conducting your assessment today," the blue-haired woman introduced herself formally.
As she spoke, she retrieved something resembling an old-fashioned Poke Ball from her pocket and opened it.
A Pokemon emerged from within.
It was a Heracross.
"The assessment task isn't particularly difficult—you simply need to defeat one of my Pokemon."
Chris could see the level indicator above Heracross's head. It was just an ordinary Pokemon at Level 50.
"Are there any other restrictions?" Chris asked, already reaching for a Poke Ball.
"There are no restrictions. You may use multiple Pokemon if you wish, as long as you can defeat my Heracross."
So those were the rules?
"That works for me," Chris said, casually tossing his Poke Ball forward.
"Roar!"
Garchomp materialized on the battlefield, looking up at the sky and releasing a powerful roar. Its two sharp claws resembled steel blades, and with just a slight movement, its overwhelming and savage aura swept across the entire area like a fierce windstorm.
The battle hadn't even started yet, but everyone present could clearly feel an irresistible pressure bearing down on them!
Seeing the intimidating presence displayed by Chris's Garchomp, Cyllene's normally cold expression became more serious, and she frowned slightly.
Even without engaging in combat, she could tell that Chris was definitely a formidable opponent.
Akari volunteered to serve as the referee for this assessment battle.
"Are you both ready? The battle begins!" Akari raised her hand to signal, confirming that both trainers were in position, then brought her hand down decisively. "Begin!"
The moment Akari finished speaking, Cyllene's command rang out.
"Heracross, use Quick Attack!"
Heracross felt somewhat intimidated by Garchomp's overwhelming aura, but upon receiving its trainer's instruction, it charged forward without hesitation.
The wings on its back fluttered rapidly as it launched itself forward, creating a swift blur of motion through the air.
With deadly intent, it closed the distance to Garchomp in the blink of an eye.
"Megahorn!" Cyllene added another command, opening with one of her Pokemon's most powerful moves!
The sharp horn on Heracross's head became coated in brilliant white light, resembling a steel lance aimed directly at Garchomp.
However, facing Heracross's fierce assault, Chris didn't even raise an eyebrow, let alone issue an attack command.
He simply watched as Heracross flew closer. Then Garchomp casually raised one claw and tapped downward slightly.
"BOOM!"
A thunderous crash!
A crater with a radius of approximately three meters suddenly appeared in the ground directly in front of Garchomp, with cracks spreading wildly outward in all directions.