Not Being a Trainer This Time

At 3 PM, Naoki arrived at the Royal Dome on time for his first match upon advancing to the Super Rank.

Perhaps it was because the Royal Dome had pre-released the news.

When Naoki walked out from the competitor’s passage, he was surprised to find that the audience for this match far exceeded all his previous matches.

Hmm?

In a daze, Naoki noticed that the audience in the front row was holding large signs with Alcremie’s image.

”...” Understood.

It seems Alcremie’s match earlier in the morning attracted a lot of fans!

”Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon everyone!”

”Welcome to the Royal Dome. What’s about to begin is the Royal Battle for the Super Rank!”

”Haha, I believe everyone has already heard in advance. The player known as the Wing King, who used an Alcremie to defeat three strong opponents singlehandedly this morning, is also among us.”

”I see some spectators calling him ’[a rising new star in the Royal Battle]’, indeed, that dazzling style and unique battle approach is as attention-grabbing as the stars in the sky!”

”It’s truly exciting! I wonder if the Wing King will continue to use that magical Alcremie in this match!”

”However, I believe the other three competitors won’t let that happen again.”

”Next, let me, Roger, introduce the three competitors aside from the Wing King!”

A spotlight shone down from above the arena, illuminating a cool youth wearing a black dragon-shaped mask.

”First, we have our competitor, the Black Dragon! One year ago, Black Dragon came to the Royal Dome, and over the course of a year, he has continuously honed his skills through battles alongside his Charmander. Now he’s just one step away from advancing to the Advanced Rank!”

”Come out, my partner!” The youth tossed his Poke Ball.

A flash of white light accompanied the appearance of a mysterious Pokemon on the dimly lit arena.

The spotlight continued to illuminate, lighting up the Pokemon in front of the youth.

It was a Dragon-type Pokemon, jet black all over with a tail blazing with intense flames.

It turned out to be a Shiny Charizard!

”Oh dear, it seems the Wing King’s luck isn’t so great! Just as he advances to his first Super Rank match, he’s up against such a formidable opponent!”

Roger showed a troubled expression.

The live broadcast cameras focused on Naoki, seemingly wanting to capture his reaction.

Naoki: ”...”

”It appears that the Wing King is very calm!” Roger continued, ”So next, let’s introduce the next competitor!”

”From the Flower Kingdom, the Queen of Flowers!” And her partner Pokemon, Roserade!

The spotlight illuminated that graceful figure.

It was a mature woman, wearing a mask, dressed in a figure-hugging red uniform, black stockings on her legs, and holding a spiked whip in her hand.

And in front of her stood a Pokemon wearing a mask and cape, holding one red and one blue flower.

Roserade!

”Wow, as expected of the Queen of Flowers, still retaining that seductive style. She’s so full of charm!” Roger praised.

The Queen of Flowers brandished her spiked whip, and it hit the arena floor with a crisp sound.

”And the third contestant, from the Kalos Region, the Fire King, and his Pokemon, Pyroar!”

The spotlight continued to shine, lighting up the youth standing by the Tyranitar Passage, wearing a fiery red hoodie and sporting fiery red short hair.

And in front of the youth stood a majestic Pokemon, with flame-like mane and piercing blue eyes.

Pyroar!

”So what kind of Pokemon will the Wing King send out?” After introducing the other three, Roger redirected everyone’s attention.

Then, the final spotlight turned on, illuminating Naoki’s surroundings.

”Alcremie! Alcremie! Alcremie!”

The audience seats immediately erupted with cheers echoing through the stadium.

Some who hadn’t witnessed Alcremie using Metronome to turn the tables against three opponents excitedly shouted Alcremie’s name.

They wanted to see with their own eyes whether the magical Alcremie could create new miracles with Metronome!

Amidst the cheers, the corners of Naoki’s mouth twitched beneath his mask.

Unfortunately, he had already agreed with Farfetch’d that it would take the stage for this match to test stronger opponents.

With that in mind, Naoki took out his Poke Ball.

The audience witnessing this scene instantly went wild.

However, in the next second, as a flash of white light passed, what appeared on the battlefield wasn’t the Alcremie they wanted to see, but a Pokemon with V-shaped eyebrows, carrying an oversized leek.

Is that... a Farfetch’d?

The leek it holds is huge! Several times bigger than a normal Farfetch’d’s!

”Here it is! The Wing King’s Farfetch’d!” Roger immediately recognized the Pokemon: ”During the Normal Rank, the Wing King used it to single-handedly defeat many opponents. This Farfetch’d is unusually strong!”

However, some of the audience didn’t quite agree.

Although its leek is bigger, it’s still just a Farfetch’d, how strong could it possibly be?

In some places in the past, Farfetch’d has been enjoyed as a delicacy on human tables, even being hunted to near extinction...

”Ding, ding, ding!”

With the urgent ringing of bells, this match officially began!