The wealthy heirs desperately wanted to rush over and shout at Marcus.
Champion Marcus, we object to this match!
But the moment they thought about the consequences, their legs wisely stayed where they were.
All they could do was glare at Aaron with fury in their eyes.
Were the goddesses of the Defense Academy really going to fall into this guy's hands?
The thought alone nearly made them cough blood.
Two famous twin beauties, and Marcus was practically handing Aaron an introduction on a silver platter. The rich heirs were so jealous they wanted to drag him into an alley and let a pack of Poochyena chew on what made him a man.
Aaron, meanwhile, did not react right away.
He stared at Marcus in confusion.
Wasn't this supposed to be about dragging me into Pokémon Elite Defense Academy?
How did it suddenly turn into twin granddaughters?
Wait.
Twin sisters?
Gulp.
For one dangerous second, a few very improper images flashed through Aaron's mind.
He quickly shook his head and threw those thoughts away.
"Hahaha... I'd be happy to meet them if there's a chance."
He had already refused once. Refusing again in public would make things awkward, so Aaron could only give a vague answer for now.
"Good. That's all I needed to hear."
Marcus was clearly pleased, and a rare smile appeared on his face.
Aaron's face twitched.
This was the first time he had ever seen someone look so happy while using his own granddaughters as a recruitment strategy.
Champion Marcus really was an old fox.
Going to his academy as a student was one thing.
Walking into his family as a future grandson-in-law? That was an entirely different level.
Could Marcus have known from the beginning that Aaron would refuse the academy offer? Had he deliberately pushed him into a corner first, just so Aaron would be too embarrassed to refuse the second offer?
Aaron glanced at Marcus, whose eyes were gleaming with a suspiciously satisfied light, and immediately understood.
Damn it.
These old men were all crafty as hell.
"All right, all right. Everyone, clear out."
Marcus was in an excellent mood now. He glanced around the square and called out to the crowd.
"Go do what you need to do. Stop blocking the area."
The people nearby still wanted to get closer to Aaron, but with Marcus standing there, they could only leave with regret.
The wealthy heirs also left, though not before throwing Aaron a few vicious glares.
Marcus had achieved his goal. Since there were still matters waiting for him at the academy, he left in a hurry as well.
Before long, only Aaron, Braveon, Blaze, Liora, Frost, and Frost's companions remained.
Aaron looked at Frost and the others curiously.
"Do you still need something?"
Frost looked back at him with a complicated expression.
Just an hour ago, Frost had barely bothered to take Aaron seriously. Now, that same person had become someone destined to be written into the history of Hualis.
Frost suppressed the strange feeling in his chest, then turned his gaze toward Liora.
"Didn't you say you wanted a Pokémon battle with me?"
His tone turned cold.
"I'll make you admit defeat today."
Liora immediately glared at him.
"If you lose, you have to apologize to me!"
A faint, cold smile appeared on Frost's face.
"And if you lose?"
Liora thought about it seriously.
"If I lose... I'll have my brother beat you up for me."
Frost stared at her.
Everyone else stared at her too.
The corner of Frost's mouth twitched.
Damn it.
So if I lose, I apologize.
And if I win, I still get beaten up?
Why would anyone agree to that?
His face darkened.
"If you lose, my demand is simple."
Frost turned to Aaron and fixed his gaze on him.
"I want a Pokémon battle with you."
His expression became solemn.
"Do you accept?"
He wanted to know just how strong Aaron really was.
After all, Aaron had cleared the ninth floor of the Hidden Dragon Tower. But had he truly done it through strength, or had luck played a part?
"A battle with me?"
Aaron was slightly stunned.
How did this get dragged onto him again?
Was this the price of getting famous?
Sure enough, once people knew your name, trouble came looking for you.
"I refu—"
Before Aaron could finish, the System's voice rang in his ear.
"Ding~ Congratulations. You have triggered a quest: Battle Frost."
"This person suspects your victory on the ninth floor involved luck. A true king does not waste time arguing. Teach him a lesson."
"Quest objective: Defeat Frost in a Pokémon battle."
"Quest rewards: Charizard Mega Stone x1, Key Stone x1."
Aaron swallowed the word refuse right back down.
A Charizard Mega Stone.
And a Key Stone.
His expression changed instantly.
"Fine. I accept your challenge."
Aaron raised his chin, righteousness written all over his face.
"As a proper League Trainer, I can't turn down a serious challenge."
"Then battle me later too," Blaze immediately said from the side.
"I refuse."
Aaron rejected him without even thinking.
Blaze froze.
Everyone else fell silent.
Blaze stared at Aaron in complete confusion.
Didn't you just say you couldn't turn down a serious challenge?
Why am I the exception?
In his head, Aaron was already getting cursed out in every language Blaze knew.
"Good."
When Frost heard Aaron agree, joy immediately rose in his heart.
Then he turned to Liora.
"Let's go. There's a battle arena right here in the square. We'll settle this quickly."
With that, Frost and his companions took the lead and walked away.
"Hmph. Fine, let's go!"
Liora clenched her small fists angrily and followed.
Seeing her storm ahead, Aaron could not help asking quietly, "What happened to Liora? How did Frost make her that angry?"
Braveon did not answer.
Blaze, however, grinned.
"Frost said she was so flat a plane could land on her."
An image instantly appeared in Aaron's mind.
Looking at Liora's furious little back, he almost laughed.
SLAP!
Aaron slapped himself across the face.
"I'm a terrible friend. She got insulted, and I almost laughed."
He put on a solemn expression.
Braveon said nothing.
Blaze said nothing either.
The corner of Blaze's mouth twitched.
Somehow, Aaron had apologized for laughing and still made Blaze feel accused.
...