At sunset, the sky outside Silver Arena was washed in gold.
The evening sun hung low like an aging elder, scattering warm light across the plaza like broken pieces of gilded glass.
Chen Shi walked out holding his ear, looking utterly wronged.
Cynthia strode ahead with a face like permafrost—silent, cold, and radiating enough pressure to freeze a dozen Gyarados solid.
Behind them, Steven and Phoebe followed at a leisurely pace, both desperately suppressing laughter.
After Cynthia regained consciousness, Nurse Joy had checked her over and confirmed she was fine—just exhausted.
Their Pokémon were also healed and only required rest.
So the group packed up and left the temporary Pokémon Center inside Silver Arena.
Soon, they returned to the villa.
Steven asked the housekeeper to bring dinner, and the four of them sat down at the table.
Phoebe glanced around. The air felt heavy.
Wanting to liven the mood, she cleared her throat.
"Chen Shi-ge, do you know what changes Gengar gets after Mega Evolution?"
A vein popped instantly on Chen Shi's forehead.
Of all the topics... you pick this one right now?
Little troublemaker!
"No. I don't know."
Hearing his gritted teeth, Phoebe shrank her neck and muttered,
"你肯定知道的…你就是不想告诉我…"
"Can you not talk for one minute while eating?"
Chen Shi snapped and shot a nervous glance toward Cynthia.
Her expression was growing visibly colder.
He felt like crying.
Great. Just pour gasoline on the fire, why don't you.
My ears STILL hurt!
Phoebe felt wronged.
I just wanted to lighten the mood! Why am I getting scolded!?
Thankfully, Steven spoke up.
"Old Chen, are you confident about tomorrow's match?"
Chen Shi picked up a piece of food and answered calmly.
"That's hard to say. We'll only know once we fight."
Originally, he'd believed that with Mega Evolution in hand, the championship should be smooth sailing.
Then Lance happened.
Even though he hadn't watched Steven's match, he'd heard the details:
Most of Lance's Pokémon were mid-Elite. His ace Dragonite was near Elite-peak.
That was… problematic.
Under such overwhelming level pressure, Chen Shi effectively had only five usable Pokémon—even with Mega Evolution.
And Lance must have studied today's match.
He would definitely be prepared for Togekiss's flinch-spam and Swampert's monstrous rain speed.
Which meant Togekiss and Leafeon were basically unusable.
Gym-peak vs. mid-Elite was simply too much of a gap.
If he wanted to win, it had to be with the remaining five.
Steven wiped his mouth with a napkin.
"Lance is really strong. Be careful tomorrow.
We're all counting on you now—our village's last hope."
Chen Shi rolled his eyes at him.
Then Phoebe suddenly perked up again.
"Chen Shi-ge~ those two moves Togekiss used today—what are they? I've never seen them before!"
"Huh? Which moves?" Chen Shi blinked.
"You know, the really bright one—and the round glowing ball! Like a moon!"
Phoebe waved her hands in vague circles.
Chen Shi finally understood.
He smiled mysteriously.
"You want to know?"
"Yes yes yes!"
Steven also leaned forward. He had been curious all morning.
Chen Shi dragged it out—
"You want to know…?"
Both nodded.
"...Well, I'm not telling you."
The room fell silent.
Cynthia's eye twitched hard.
This man… again.
Dangling answers but refusing to explain anything.
It reminded her of earlier—when he clearly knew Mega Garchomp's flaws but refused to tell her.
The cold expression on her face deepened.
She stood up abruptly.
"I'm done. Enjoy your meal."
Then she left.
Three people sat at the table, staring at each other.
Later that night, Chen Shi prepared food for his team and sat on the bed, watching them eat contentedly.
He couldn't help smiling.
"Tomorrow is the finals. Are you all ready?"
Every Pokémon nodded seriously.
Dragapult floated over.
"Baruya~"
Chen Shi blinked.
Then his eyes widened.
"You… advanced? You broke through to mid-Elite?"
"Baruya~!"
Dragapult nodded happily.
Chen Shi scanned him immediately—
Level 64. Mid-Elite confirmed.
"Nicely done, Dragapult!"
"As a reward—here."
He pulled out a jar of top-grade Combee Honey and poured a cup.
Dragapult's eyes sparkled; he hugged the cup joyfully.
The two little Dreepy popped out from atop his head and started fighting for a taste.
The aroma spread across the room—
Togekiss, Florges, Charizard, and Leafeon all rushed over, eyes sparkling.
Only Metagross stayed in its corner, unmoved, dutifully gnawing on a chunk of ore.
It had no interest in sweets whatsoever.
Chen Shi laughed helplessly.
"There's enough for everyone!"
"Tonight, eat all you want. It's a celebration—
For reaching the finals, and for Dragapult's breakthrough."
He poured cups for each Pokémon.
Togekiss cheered loudly, and the others eagerly joined in.
By the time he finished, the honey jar was completely empty.
All the honey he'd prepared before coming to Kanto—
Gone in one night.
Chen Shi reached out and gently rubbed Dragapult's head.
"We're going to win tomorrow. Right?"
Dragapult paused for a moment—
Then nodded firmly.
"Baruya!"
(We will.)
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