"Wow, wow, wow! That was incredible! Is that really Blaziken?"
"The speed… damn, not even some Flying-type Pokémon can keep up with that!"
"I can't even decide which Pokémon to raise for my kid at home, but now it's decided. I have to raise a Blaziken that's this cool, even if it costs me everything!"
"By the way, does anyone know where this Blaziken's trainer is from? Is he a traveling trainer or a breeder? If he's a breeder, I want to ask him some questions!"
"I know! Lin Feng, right? He's from that small breeder's shop in Wutong City, the 'Neighbor's Breeding House.' Everyone should go check it out!"
"Yes, that's the one!"
The arena erupted as the final bell rang. Spectators had initially assumed that Lin Feng had placed himself at a disadvantage by agreeing to the race against Li An's Rapidash. Yet now, it was clear that Lin Feng and Blaziken were on a completely different level.
"This match goes to Blaziken! Lin Feng's Pokémon has proven that it's unmatched, not just in raw power, but in sheer speed as well," Li Bing announced.
With that, the race concluded, but the aftermath left the crowd buzzing. The excitement of the unconventional race far overshadowed the official matches that followed. Some spectators were still replaying the moment in their minds, even taking out their devices to search for clips of Blaziken and Rapidash racing.
With live streaming and countless content creators, the incredible footage spread rapidly. Some particularly dedicated bloggers traced it back to the Neighbor's Breeding House, boosting the shop's quiet reputation throughout Changsha City.
Back at the trainers' seats, Lin Feng watched Blaziken, who now looked a little sheepish. He laughed, pointing at it. "Why the long face? Afraid I'll scold you?"
"Blaziken…" the Pokémon responded with a hesitant smile.
Not that it was worried. Lin Feng had only issued one command: Quick Attack. But Blaziken, curious and excited, had layered several moves on top of that. What worried it wasn't the scolding it had survived much worse but the possibility that Lin Feng might cut back its meals. That was a true disaster for Blaziken.
Lin Feng patted its shoulder. "It's okay. This kind of race isn't an official battle, so having fun is fine. But in formal matches, especially against strong opponents, you need to follow orders. Understand?"
Blaziken nodded enthusiastically. "Blaziken!"
With Blaziken back at his side, Lin Feng made his way to the other trainers' area. The looks from fellow competitors were sharp, even intimidating, like rookies facing a final boss. Quiet whispers ran through the crowd.
"Could this trainer be a future League Champion?"
"Did you see that Blaziken's speed? I've watched elite trainers' Pokémon, and my eyes can barely keep up!"
"Seriously… he's not even much older than us, maybe eighteen or nineteen, and yet he's operating at this level?"
Hearing the whispers, Lin Feng calmly approached Qin Shu and his own Pokémon. The young girl's eyes were sparkling as she admired Blaziken alongside Jirachi and Glaceon. "Blaziken, your speed is amazing!"
Blaziken scratched its head shyly, but the praise felt good. It was a long-awaited reward for all its hard work and growth.
Meanwhile, Lin Feng's thoughts were elsewhere. He was considering how to lose this match gracefully. It was obvious that as long as he didn't deliberately throw it, no competitor could beat him. Yet Shiro, the Glaceon, had no desire to claim the championship.
The rewards weren't compelling either. The prize was reportedly a B-rank Fire Stone and one million credits. Lin Feng already possessed sacred items in his system inventory, including a Divine Feather and several A-rank Fire Stones. Fame, too, was irrelevant now; the audience was already absorbed in Blaziken's performance.
Perhaps voluntarily yielding would earn him the reputation of a graceful and strategic retreat. But how to lose convincingly?
Bring out the Eevee team, he decided. That was the only alternative besides surrendering outright. Or he could choose to win decisively. Either way, he wanted their input.
Lin Feng released Arlo, Finn, and Sage, instantly increasing the number of Pokémon around him.
"Eevee? Eevee?"
"Eevee!"
The three fluffy companions gathered quickly at his feet. Seeing them, Shiro padded over.
"Eep eep eep!" it chirped. "I forgot to let you guys out! Did you see how fast Blaziken was just now? Like a streak of blazing fire!"
Arlo looked curiously at Blaziken. Blaziken puffed its chest proudly, affirming Shiro's description.
Sage, however, wasn't interested and leapt onto Lin Feng directly. Finn, intrigued, observed Blaziken with fascination. Arlo, uninterested, quietly approached Serpentis and nudged the majestic Pokémon's scales with his head.
"Showshow?" Serpentis glanced down, puzzled.
"Eevee…" Arlo whispered a small greeting before running back to Lin Feng.
Only now did Lin Feng have the chance to explain the situation to the three Eevees and Shiro. He smiled as he watched them process the story of Blaziken's astounding speed, the exhilaration of the race, and the lessons to be learned.
In the midst of applause, online chatter, and his own Pokémon's curiosity, Lin Feng calmly plotted his next moves. Whether to compete, to yield, or to simply savor this moment of achievement, he understood the true value wasn't in the prize but in the growth, strategy, and bond he shared with his Pokémon.
Blaziken, proud and gleaming, had already shown the crowd why it was not just a Pokémon of speed, but a symbol of dedication and trust. And in Lin Feng's calm, considered hands, it had a trainer who understood both its strength and its heart.