Not Being a Trainer This Time

”Congratulations, Lord Wing, this is your prize money for the match, please keep it safe!”

In the Royal Dome, Vivian handed a check to Naoki.

Naoki glanced down, seeing a long string of zeros on it.

Vivian explained: ”Due to your excellent performance over the past few days, your prize pool has accumulated to 300,000, which means you can earn over 300,000 League Coins for each subsequent match you win.”

Naoki nodded, indicating he understood, then asked, ”When can I start the next match?”

”Eh?” Vivian was slightly taken aback: ”You want to start the next match right now?”

”Is there a problem?” Naoki asked.

”Here’s the thing,” Vivian explained, ”since you won in the qualifying round, you are now a Master Level competitor in our Royal Dome, and up until now, there are only thirteen in total.”

”Each battle at this level is highly anticipated, and since the news of your advancement hasn’t fully spread, waiting a bit might attract more fans and spectators.”

”Your popularity would significantly increase then, and your prize money would reach an even higher tier.”

Naoki understood, but the prize money was of no use to him at this point.

So he shook his head and said, ”No, I’d like to schedule the next match.”

Vivian was momentarily stunned, then nodded and said, ”Okay, in that case, I’ll arrange it for you.”

Naoki agreed, then checked his current ranking on his Rotom Phone.

[Competitor Code: Lord Wing

Rank: Master

Points: 0 (You are already at the highest level, unable to advance further.)

Rank: 13]

Overall, there wasn’t much change compared to earlier, but there was a new Master Rank position.

1. Royal Masked Man

2. King of Karate

3. Laiyang Nanako

4. Fairy Envoy

...

9. Aether Foundation

10. Flower Dancer

”Sure enough, the first rank is Royal Masked Man,” Naoki murmured in his mind.

This means, to get the Proof of the Pilgrimage to the Islands, he needs to win a few more matches and raise his points to the top.

At that time, he will achieve his objective.

*

Meanwhile, in the Royal Dome,

A passionate and thrilling Royal Battle was reaching its end.

On the stage, a masked man with an athletic build, along with his partner Incineroar, successfully defeated three opponents.

They stood there, fully enjoying the cheers from the fans.

”Royal Masked Man!”

”Royal Masked Man!”

”Royal Masked Man!”

The sound was like a tidal wave, sweeping across the entire arena.

On the stage, Professor Kukui, disguised as Royal Masked Man, customarily grinned and praised, ”Well done, Incineroar!”

”Roar!” Incineroar crossed its arms, staring coldly at the three Pokemon it had knocked down.

”What a spectacular show!” Roger on the commentary stage raised his microphone: ”The battle of Royal Masked Man and Incineroar was exciting as usual! They are undoubtedly the most popular and strongest celebrity competitors in the Royal Dome!”

Royal Masked Man grinned, responding to the fans’ shouts.

Just then, Roger drifted down, handing another microphone to Royal Masked Man, and asked:

”Congratulations on winning this match, Royal Masked Man, may I conduct an interview with you?”

Royal Masked Man cheerfully nodded and said: ”Of course.”

”Great!” Roger then asked: ”Recently, the Royal Dome has welcomed a new participant, who advanced to Master Rank in less than a week from the Normal Rank.”

”What’s more impressive is, they haven’t lost a single match since the beginning! What does Royal Masked Man think of this?”

The audience ceased their cheering with curiosity about this question.

Royal Masked Man accepted the microphone and slowly spoke:

”I’ve watched Lord Wing’s matches; his strength is formidable, and he might become a real rival for me!”

”Wow!” Roger became excited immediately: ”It seems like Royal Masked Man has high hopes for Lord Wing! Now that Lord Wing has advanced to the Master Rank, I bet you’ll meet soon.”

”Before that happens, do you have anything to say to him?” Roger asked.

Upon hearing this, Royal Masked Man nodded and said with a bright smile: ”I’m looking forward to that day.”

*

”Let’s congratulate Lord Wing, who has successfully defeated three opponents and earned three points!”

On another new day, Naoki signed up for another round of Royal Battles as usual.

Though he had already ascended to the Master Rank, the tournament’s structure hadn’t changed much.

Based on Naoki’s observation, these Master Level Trainers haven’t reached Champion Level yet, but hover around the Elite level.

After the battle ended, Naoki returned to the backstage area and checked his current ranking on his Rotom Phone.

[Competitor Code: Lord Wing

Rank: Master

Points: 9 (You are already at the highest level, unable to advance further.)

Rank: 4]

The three matches over the past few days earned him 9 points, bringing him to fourth place in the Master Rank.