Eva's conferment was relatively simple. Aulus and the others only brought over an ID card.
The real big event would have to wait until she built her own laboratory. At that time, Aurient would, in the name of the League, send invitations to all Doctors around the world and broadcast it live across the entire League.
Their true purpose this time was still to meet Axel.
"Old Dawn, Old Dusk, long time no see!"
After quietly waiting for Great Bear and Axel to finish their pleasantries, and after congratulating Eva's parents and handing the ID card to Eva, Aulus burst into laughter and walked over to Dawn.
"When you guys went missing back then, I felt regret for a long time. Who would've thought you'd end up with such a good son."
"So young, and he actually broke through the Ultra Wormhole and brought you back."
Seeing his old friend, Dawn was clearly a bit excited, "Hahaha, it's all because my son worked hard enough."
"But you, I never expected you to become the Chairman of the Pokémon Center in Petalglen Province as a researcher. You've got some real skill."
"And Elite Four Great Bear is also young and accomplished."
"Come, come, sit down and have some tea."
Axel's mother and Eva's mother exchanged a smile, both quietly leaving space for their children and husbands.
After a few rounds of gongfu tea, with everyone intentionally getting to know each other, they quickly became familiar.
Especially Axel's father, Eva's father, and Aulus. When they got into the mood, they even brought out the leftovers from earlier and couldn't help but drink a few more cups.
Originally, Axel's mother and Eva's mother didn't agree with them eating leftovers, but no matter what they said, they couldn't stop the three of them. They insisted on drinking right then and there.
For a moment, Axel, Eva, Great Bear, and Shasha looked exactly like four outsiders.
———
After several rounds of drinks, Aulus slung an arm over Dawn's shoulder while Great Bear watched in stunned silence.
"Old Wood, the reason Elite Four Great Bear came this time is actually because he's on a mission."
"You know the old Champion is getting up there in years, right? The old man is still powerful and hasn't declined at all, but he's been wanting to travel the world like Champion Alder."
"As early as two or three years ago, he'd already been urging Elite Four Great Bear to take over his position."
"It's just that later Axel suddenly rose to prominence..."
"Hm?", At the mention of Axel, Dawn sobered up halfway. He couldn't tell what Aulus meant.
Was he asking Axel to support Great Bear in becoming Champion, for the stability of the Aurient League?
Or was he asking Axel to become Champion himself, to strengthen the Aurient League?
No matter which it was, he wouldn't make such a major decision on Axel's behalf.
Axel blinked as well. The watermelon in his mouth nearly got stuck in his throat, and he almost spat it out.
Garchomp reacted quickly, catching the watermelon in its hand and happily splitting it half-and-half with the little crystal turtle beneath it.
"Uh...", Axel had outstanding mental strength. Even without developing psychic abilities, he could still read a lot from people's thoughts.
Especially with Aulus's mental fluctuations being so obvious, Axel practically understood his intentions in an instant.
Let him become Champion?
'No way. Absolutely no way!'
He was doing just fine as a legendary Pokémon trainer, and he also had the Ultra Wormhole as his base. Why would he go be some Champion out of boredom?
Just look at Lance, Cynthia, and Alder. Not every Champion can be as relaxed as Steven.
That position might sound simple, but once you take it, it means responsibility.
If Aurient, or even other regions, were in danger, Axel would choose to act. But he would never let himself be completely tied down by a single role.
Thinking of this, Axel shot to his feet, not giving Aulus any chance to continue.
"Don't even consider me. I would never be jealous of Elite Four Great Bear."
"Elite Four Great Bear has devoted himself wholeheartedly to Aurient and given so much."
"If he becomes the new Champion, I'll be the first to support him!"
"Huh?", Great Bear froze on the spot. The topic hadn't even finished, and somehow it had shifted onto him?
He came here to persuade Axel to become Champion, okay?
"Axel, you misunderstood. Chairman Aulus and I didn't come here to talk about that. We mainly wanted to ask you—"
"Oh!", Axel put on a look of sudden realization and interrupted Great Bear again.
"Now I get it. You want Chairman Aulus to be the Champion, right?"
"That's not a bad idea either. Sure, Chairman Aulus is a bit older, but age has its advantages. Look how well he's chatting with my dad and my uncle."
"Middle-aged people are good at social relationships, and fifty is the prime time to make a breakthrough."
"Don't worry. If Chairman Aulus wants to be Champion, I support it. Whoever wants to be Champion can be Champion. Whoever likes it can take it."
Aulus: "???"
'Wait, when did I ever say I wanted to be Champion?'
'You're setting me up, aren't you!'
'If the Chairman of the Aurient League hears that I want to be Champion, I probably won't even be able to keep my current position.'
Aulus's face twisted in discomfort, "Axel, I'll just rely on my age and call myself your uncle for now..."
"Got it, Uncle. Since you're calling me your nephew, I'll definitely support you in becoming Champion."
Aulus: "..."
'Damn it, if anyone dares say military types aren't good with words, I'll argue with them on the spot.'
At the same time, Aulus and Great Bear were perfectly in sync, both starting to question life itself. Was the Champion position really that hot a potato?
Both of them were high-ranking figures. It was easy for them to see Axel's thoughts.
He wasn't clueless. He was just refusing.
Finally, Aulus let out a helpless sigh and gave up on persuading Axel to become Champion.
"Axel, I more or less understand your thoughts now. If you don't want to be Champion, that's fine."
"Our Aurient really does owe you. We didn't give you the best education, and I bear direct responsibility for that."
"But I want to say..."
"Uncle Aulus, you don't need to say that," Seeing Aulus soften his stance, Axel immediately stopped playing dumb and patted his chest.
"I don't know about other places, but the Pokémon Center in Petalglen definitely did everything right."
"Back then, when Gardevoir and I accidentally opened Rayquaza's secret realm, not only did you not try to take it for yourselves, Chairman Ishida from Emberpine City even personally provided me with financial support."
"If it weren't for that money, Rayquaza and I might have missed each other."
"Aurient has treated every citizen fairly."
"Now that I've grown, I definitely won't forget Aurient. It's just that you also know, I still have some unfinished matters in the Ultra Wormhole. It might involve a very big secret."
"Right now, I have to focus all my energy on improving my strength to deal with possible disasters."
"So..."
Halfway through speaking, Axel suddenly didn't know how to continue. His words stalled a bit.
At that moment, Great Bear suddenly stood up, visibly excited.
"No wonder! No wonder!"
"I've heard a bit about those things too. On Kai Island, an Urshifu once saw you fighting people who don't exist in this world."
"Now I finally understand. You're a hero silently protecting the world."
"Don't worry. I'll help you guard this Aurient. I'm willing to forever be your acting Champion, waiting for you to return after you're done."
Axel was stunned. This could be logically self-consistent too?
'This guy's a good man.'
At the same time, Gardevoir's telepathic voice echoed in Axel's mind.
["Is it really this serious? Then does that mean we can't go back to Emberpine City to relax anymore?"]
Axel paused, then replied through telepathy as well, ["I didn't say anything. He said it himself, you just have to go along with it."]
If you don't return home in glory, then what's the point of working so hard?
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