The food reserves here are truly astonishing.
Drake sat cross-legged on the floor without any regard for his image. He broke off a large piece of the garlic-shaped bulb from a Bulbasaur's back, didn't mind the spiciness, and stuffed it into his mouth along with a piece of sizzling, greasy roasted meat, chewing vigorously.
With a "crunch," the crispness of the bulb combined with the richness of the meat, and he let out a satisfied breath.
His boldness made Ariel's eyelids twitch.
"Ariel,"
He said indistinctly,
"Do you know? This year's Ever Grande Conference might be the most significant one in history."
Ariel was currently separating Pupitar and Deino, who were fighting. Hearing this, he just smiled and didn't respond.
Some things are better left understood in one's heart; there's no need to wear them on one's face.
Drake took a large gulp of juice, his Adam's apple bobbing. Watching Ariel's indifferent demeanor, he continued on his own.
"Look at Lance. That kid spans both Kanto and Johto and is the most eye-catching in the younger generation everywhere he goes. Then there's Steven, the young master of the Devon Corporation. Whenever he makes a move, he uses a Shiny Metagross. If that guy were in previous years, he could win the championship with his eyes closed."
He tapped the table with his finger, making a "knock-knock" sound.
"Not to mention that girl from Sinnoh, Cynthia. We old folks watched her grow up. A genius from an archaeological Family, her background in Sinnoh is... tsk tsk, incredible. She's had a Gible by her side since she was little. You tell me, who can reason with that kind of talent?"
Drake's tone carried a mix of emotion and the excitement of someone watching a spectacle unfold.
"And now? All these monsters have gathered in one tournament. Tell me, how's the quality of this competition?"
Ariel added a spoonful of special food to each of the two little ones' bowls before looking up and calmly meeting Drake's gaze.
Drake's gaze paused on him, and he changed the subject:
"Besides, you haven't gathered six Gym Leader Level Pokémon yet, have you?"
"Yeah, five."
Ariel admitted frankly,
"Deino and Pupitar are still lacking a bit."
"But my Pokémon are much stronger than others'."
He added, his voice not loud but filled with an indisputable confidence.
This wasn't arrogance.
It was the confidence accumulated from day after day of training and growing together with his Pokémon.
His Pokémon might not be the absolute top in terms of level data, but when it came to combat power, he didn't believe he lost to anyone.
Drake grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.
He nodded, evidently recalling Ariel's unbelievable maneuvers on the field and the astonishing resilience his Pokémon had displayed.
This kid is truly a monster.
"Well said!"
Drake slapped his thigh,
"So if you take down Lance this time, that will really bring honor to our Hoenn region!"
"Honor?"
Ariel's brows twitched slightly, catching the unusual implication in that word.
Every year, people from other regions participate in the Ever Grande Conference, and of course, many championships have been taken by people from other regions.
Since the range of contestants is the entire League, and the Ever Grande Conference is a tournament for all young Trainers, why would defeating Lance bring honor to Hoenn?
Ariel couldn't help but wonder.
The smile on Drake's face faded, his expression becoming unprecedentedly grave.
He lowered his voice, and the atmosphere in the room turned heavy.
"Do you really think that kid Lance, with his Quasi-Elite strength, lowered himself to participate in this Ever Grande Conference, which is only at the Gym Leader Level at its highest, just for a League tournament championship title?"
"That kid made a bold statement in Kanto a while ago."
Drake's gaze became sharp,
"He said he wants to take the dual championships of Kanto and Johto!"
Ariel's heart stirred; he vaguely understood something.
"A little brat who hasn't even firmly stepped over the threshold of the Elite dares to say such things. Would you say the Dragon Tamer Family behind him is arrogant? Is he arrogant himself?"
Drake's voice carried a suppressed anger.
"Do I even need to say what his plan is for coming to the Ever Grande Conference? It's just to come to our Hoenn territory, step on our young geniuses, and solidify his title as the number one of the younger generation!"
"If he really wins the Ever Grande Conference, believe me, he'll dare to announce tomorrow that he wants to take the championships of three regions!"
After he finished speaking, the room fell into a brief silence.
Only Deino and Pupitar were still "wooing" obliviously, fighting over the last piece of jerky.
Ariel finally understood completely.
This battle had long since exceeded the scope of personal honor and disgrace.
If he wins, it would be him, as a Hoenn Trainer, directly defeating the arrogance of the Dragon Tamer Family and defending the dignity of the entire region.
If he loses, what Lance would be stepping on isn't just Ariel, but the face of the entire younger generation of Trainers in the Hoenn region.
Drake watched the changing expressions on Ariel's face and knew he had figured out the crux of the matter.
"So,"
Drake's tone softened, carrying a hint of persuasion,
"If you win against Lance, the benefits you'll get will be far more than just a championship trophy. Of course,"
He changed his tone, revealing a sly smile,
"As my, Drake's, disciple, you cannot lose. Otherwise, wouldn't that mean my ability to teach disciples is not as good as that shitty Dragon Tamer Family of theirs?"
This old man, he even used reverse psychology.
Ariel chuckled inwardly, but a hot current surged in his chest.
There was pressure.
But accompanying it was an equally unprecedented fighting spirit.
The afternoon passed quietly in such a conversation that was both serious and humorous.
The setting sun sank below the horizon, and night slowly descended.
The final day of the Ever Grande Conference had finally arrived.
The massive main arena of the Ever Grande Conference was like a dormant steel beast, seemingly declaring to the whole world the impending peak showdown.
Arriving at the preparation area, Ariel adjusted his state alone. In his pokédex, many people had sent him words of encouragement.
Roxanne from the Rock Gym, Winoia from the Flying Gym, and Curator Stern, who had bet heavily on him...
If he won, that would be a 22-fold return, but if he lost, he would become the laughingstock of the industry.
A successful entrepreneur actually gambling his fortune on a Trainer's battle...
He probably wanted to win this match even more than Ariel himself.
Ariel's heart, at this moment, was completely clear and calm.
Honestly, Ariel wasn't as nervous as he had imagined; after all, this battle was just the beginning of him proving his existence to the world.
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