The elderly Nurse Joy standing on the platform showed a trace of surprise.
However, years of composure kept her expression unchanged. She merely narrowed her eyes slightly, watching the two figures as they left.
"Find out that boy's background," she instructed calmly. "And his relationship with Lia."
The departure of Joy and Silas didn't affect the banquet.
Although most people present harbored thoughts of marrying into the Joy family, none truly believed they could stand out among all the talented individuals here.
At best, they were just here for the excitement.
....
On the deck.
Under the moonlight, Silas looked at Joy and asked in a low voice,
"Joy, what have you been doing lately..."
Before he could finish, she stepped closer, clearly flustered, and hurriedly explained:
"It's not what you think. I only found out after boarding this ship."
"I'm not ready for what my grandmother is planning… I don't want to get married yet."
Seeing how worried she was about being misunderstood, Silas let out a soft chuckle.
"You mean that matchmaking event?"
Joy couldn't help but laugh.
"So that's what you call this banquet in private?"
Silas smirked slightly.
"I didn't even say anything, and you rushed to explain." There was a teasing glint in his eyes as he looked at her.
Joy shot him a light glare, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.
"So now you've learned to tease me?".
She raised her hand and lightly tapped his chest.
The two walked slowly along the deck. Moonlight draped over them like a thin veil.
When Silas returned to the banquet hall, he was alone.
Joy had gone back to explain things to her family.
Only then did Silas realize ,Her grandmother was actually an elder of the Joy family.
"No wonder she could work at a Pokémon Center in a major city like Rustboro…"
Her own ability played a part, but her background clearly mattered as well.
Even so, despite her status, she was still undergoing evaluation as a Pokémon Breeder.
That alone made her stand out even more.
Silas picked up a bottle of mineral water from a nearby table, opened it, and took a few sips to ease his dry throat.
Just then A young man in his early twenties approached.
He was neatly dressed, with a distinctive emblem pinned to his chest.
"Hello," he said with a polite smile, extending his hand.
"My name is Eric Kane. I'm a trainer.".
"Would you be interested in a Pokémon battle?"
Silas glanced at him.
Refined clothing, Family emblem.
Clearly not a civilian trainer.
At the very least,a member of a small family.
'Is this just a casual battle…Or because of Joy?'
Silas had already expected something like this. After all, someone like her naturally drew attention.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed two other young men behind Eric.
They were dressed similarly, whispering among themselves while occasionally pointing at him.
The same emblem. Clearly from the same family.
"Sorry. Not interested."
Silas replied flatly and turned to leave.
He had no interest in dealing with spoiled rich kids. From his perspective, this guy probably didn't even have a Pokémon above level 30.
Eric froze.
As a member of a family, being rejected like this,especially by someone he assumed was an ordinary trainer ,It completely caught him off guard.
"Wait!"
He quickly stepped forward, blocking Silas's path.
"What will it take for you to battle me?!"
His polite demeanor vanished instantly. His raised voice attracted attention from the surrounding crowd.
Silas looked at him calmly.
"A battle is fine… but without stakes, I'm not interested."
Eric's eyes lit up.
"No problem!"
He immediately took out a card.
"There's 100,000 Pokédollars on this."
Silas glanced at it with clear disdain.
"That's it?"
Eric frowned slightly.
"Then what do you want?"
Silas replied calmly,
"If I win… I want a Protect TM."
The moment he said it ,The surrounding crowd reacted.
Even Eric was visibly shocked. A TM like that was worth several hundred thousand Pokédollars.
Although Eric came from a family, it was only a rising second-tier one.
The family had just one near–Elite-level trainer holding things together. Even as a direct descendant, the resources he received each month were limited.
Worse ,He wasn't serious about training. Most of his money was wasted on indulgence and showing off.
'Damn it… getting humiliated like this is worse…' Just as he hesitated ,Silas spoke again.
"If you win, I'll give you a Grass Knot TM of equal value."
This immediately reignited Eric's confidence. His eyes flickered as he began calculating rapidly.
Originally, he only wanted to show off the Pokémon he had just bought.
Pick a random civilian trainer.
Win easily.
Then show off in front of his cousins And Silas wore Plain clothes. No extra visible gear.
Looked exactly like the perfect target But now… He wasn't so sure anymore.
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(End of chapter)