Not Being a Trainer This Time

March 24, 199 in the League calendar, the day before the horse racing event, Keri’s construction concluded.

The pasture had expanded several times over, surrounded by a neat and brand new wooden fence, officially marking this piece of land as part of the ranch.

A river cut through the ranch, splitting the pasture into two.

An sturdy stone bridge stood over the river, connecting these two distinct zones.

That group of Psyduck, usually living on the opposite side of the river, were attracted to the stone bridge, and bounced their way over, holding their heads with their hands, wearing a dazed expression.

One Psyduck stepped onto the bridge and walked across.

To its surprise, it discovered that it could get to the other side of the river this way!

”Quack Quack!”

This Psyduck let out an excited cry, dashed across the bridge, jumped into the river, and made its way back across the water, then continued to dash back onto the bridge.

The other Psyducks saw this and started imitating their companion, as if they’d found a new toy.

Naoki, who was overseeing the area with Alder, couldn’t help but twitch his mouth at this sight.

”Hahaha!” Alder laughed heartily, ”These Psyducks are truly adorable!”

Naoki sighed helplessly and rubbed his forehead.

The two continued surveying the area, arriving at a slope, where Alder gazed around and felt how beautiful the pastoral landscape was.

Above them stretched an endless sky of blue and white clouds, beneath them was vibrant greenery, with the wind casting the huge pasture into a rhythm, like a wave of green.

Naoki observed the surroundings, deciding to reserve the slope for grazing Wooloo.

Wooloo, a type of Pokemon, loves to roll, and having such a spot means they can roll down from this slope for fun.

The ranch in Porto Marinada Town had Wooloo for sale, and Naoki planned to purchase a batch.

However, Tropius, another type of Pokemon, was no longer for sale in Porto Marinada Town.

Because raising Tropius yields less profit than it costs, it’s a loss trade for the rancher.

After all, Tropius’s neck-grown bananas yield twice a year, but the growth cycle is too slow.

This meant, if he wanted to keep Tropius, he would have to go into the wild and capture them himself.

However, all this needed to wait until after the horse racing event, once he returned from the Unova Region.

In the afternoon, in preparation for tomorrow’s horse racing event, Naoki began special horse training.

Upon hearing his plan, Calyrex willingly lent out his beloved horse.

Taking someone’s hand means taking it with grace, so both Glastrier and Spectrier understandingly snorted before Naoki, allowing him to choose.

Neither showed any resistance, not only because Naoki provided them carrots every day, but also because his strength had gained their respect.

After all, even Calyrex recognized this human; not to mention the constantly wandering Koraidon—what more was there to say?

Faced with the obedient horse Pokémon, Naoki reached out and patted their heads, asking:

”Which one of you wants to join me in the horse racing event? Compete against other horse Pokémon, become the strongest horse Pokémon in the world?”

Spectrier remained eerily silent, expressing little reaction.

Whereas Glastrier bulged its eyes, snorting aggressively.

The strongest horse Pokémon? Isn’t that already it? Does this even need competition?

Moreover, when they galloped through the Crown Tundra, those fellows were probably not even born yet!

”Ice—Hiss!” Glastrier let out a long whistle.

Naoki: ”I know you’re amazing, but others don’t know yet! If you participate in the horse racing event, many will witness your prowess; if you defeat the other horse Pokémon and become the top, people will see you as the strongest horse Pokémon in the world!”

Glastrier imagined that scenario.

—It stood on the podium, surrounded by humans with adoring eyes, excitedly shouting: ”The most formidable Glastrier King in the world! You’re incredible! We’ll build a shrine for you!

Upon hearing this, Glastrier couldn’t stand it any longer.

It proclaimed loudly: ”Ice—Hiss!”

It was going to participate!

Naoki chuckled: ”Then we’ll count on you, Glastrier?”

Glastrier nodded vigorously.

But just then, Spectrier beside it wasn’t happy.

It discontentedly glared at Glastrier: ”Dark Howl—Hiss!”

Glastrier gave Spectrier a sharp look, what’s up?

Spectrier glowed dimly all over, its aura suddenly escalating—this opportunity should belong to it!

Glastrier, quick to ignite, equally released its power with defiance.

Icy air spread, Glastrier’s side of the stable was swiftly coated in frost visibly.

Alder, witnessing this scene, raised his brow and murmured: ”Your two horse Pokémon are about to fight!”

Naoki was immediately struck with a headache.

Seeing the two horses about to clash, he urgently intervened: ”Stop it now!”

Glastrier and Spectrier ignored him, maintaining their intimidating standoff.

Naoki: ”If this continues, we’ll have no carrots for the next week!”

Upon hearing this, the two horses instantly shifted their gazes, though the matter had not ended, as their eyes settled on Naoki.