That same day, Owen attended the Young Ho-Oh Cup awards ceremony. He walked away with four items:
100,000 Yuan Prize Money: To Owen, this was the most practical reward. With this cash, he wouldn't have to worry about Eevee's high-quality nutritional supplements for a long time.
The Soothe Bell: This was their primary goal. A delicate bell with a beautiful chime, it is a held item that comforts a Pokémon, keeping them calm and focused. While the internet joked that it was just a high-end sleep aid for Pokémon, its true effect was deepening the bond between a Pokémon and its trainer. Though the concept of "bond" was somewhat abstract, Owen was determined to try it out—otherwise, he wouldn't have fought so hard for it.
Aurora Group Membership Card: The Aurora Group was one of the top corporations in the country, specializing in Pokémon products, food manufacturing, and tournament sponsorships. This one-year membership would indirectly save Owen a fortune on future supplies.
A Trophy: A symbol of honor. It looked nice on a shelf but didn't have much practical use.
After finishing the interviews and giving his victory speech, Owen's trip to Metropolis finally came to an end. That evening, back in his hotel room, he and Eevee collapsed onto the bed simultaneously.
This past week... no, these past two months had been utterly exhausting.
On the bed, Eevee rolled over a few times before looking at Owen with wide, expectant eyes.
"Vee?"
Owen remained calm. "I'll buy it for you as soon as we get back to Fairview."
The moment she made a sound, Owen knew exactly what she was thinking. Was this what they called "heart-to-heart" telepathy?
"Vee..." Eevee nodded listlessly. She had survived two months of hellish training; she could wait one more day.
After resting for a while and regaining some energy, Owen opened his social media apps for the first time in a long while.
He first sent the good news to his parents, but didn't get an immediate reply. They're probably still at work, he figured, not thinking much of it.
As for the mountain of unread messages from classmates, they were mostly the same. Owen didn't feel like replying to them individually, so he spent a minute drafting a universal response and copy-pasted it to everyone.
The Psychology Club group chat was still a chaotic mess. Owen glanced through the chat history and sent a "cool" emoji. Who was the one saying I wouldn't even make the Top 16? Countless stories throughout history proved that underestimating a "transmigrator" never ended well. He was, after all, half a "chosen one"—how could a mere Young Ho-Oh Cup stop him?
Owen then opened a chat with Leo. There was a reason he chose to reply to the chubby student over the many messages from female classmates: business interests.
"In just a few days, her public account followers surpassed 10,000... she didn't buy bot followers, did she?" Owen asked.
"Every single one is real!" Leo replied instantly. "Boss, your championship was so sudden! We're all riding your coattails.
Once people found out your outfit was designed by a high school girl, her follower count skyrocketed. Of course, my marketing expertise helped too..."
Owen smelled a business opportunity. He sent a row of ellipses, and Leo, being quick on the uptake, made a promise: from now on, any time Owen or Eevee visited his family's restaurants, the meal would be on the house.
This wasn't just Leo's idea; it was a suggestion from Leo's father. As a successful businessman, he understood the value of social networking. Owen was clearly a talent worth investing in, and a few free meals were a small price to pay for a strong connection.
Owen briefly considered starting his own public account to cash in on the Young Ho-Oh Cup hype through ad revenue. However, he ultimately decided against it. He didn't like that kind of "influencer" lifestyle, and more importantly, he had a better plan for making money.
Turning his "information advantage" into resources was something he had been brainstorming for two months. He had a clear path forward now.
"Alright, let's take a look at this!"
After handling the messages, Owen took out the prize. He peeled back the layers of packaging to reveal a silver bell. He called Eevee over and handed it to her.
When Eevee touched it, the Soothe Bell emitted a melodious chime. The sound was faint—hard to hear if you weren't listening closely—but it felt like nature whispering in your ear. It was incredibly soothing.
"Vee!" Eevee's face lit up with joy. She loved it!
The Soothe Bell, the Silk Scarf, and a smartphone. With this "trinity," Eevee felt like she was in heaven.
Owen was also pleased with the effect. "Not bad at all. When we get back to Fairview, I'll find a proper collar for you to see if we can attach the bell to it.
Also, regarding the Silk Scarf—you've grown quite a bit lately. In another month or two, you'll be able to wear it normally without it being too big."
"Vee! Vee!"
The room was filled with the happy sounds of a trainer and his Pokémon planning their future.
The next morning, Owen and Eevee prepared to head back to Fairview. As agreed, he would travel back with Lynnea.
However, Owen was surprised to learn that their mode of transport wasn't the maglev train.
"What? Your dad is picking you up? And I'm hitching a ride?"
Owen felt a sudden wave of social anxiety. But then he realized he hadn't done anything wrong—what was there to be afraid of?
"Alright, I'll wait for you guys."
Owen hung up and waited quietly. He had already packed his bags and checked out of the hotel; he was ready to go. Ten minutes later, Lynnea called again.
Owen walked out of the hotel and soon spotted them. After Owen gave a polite greeting, Officer Loren laughed.
"When Lynnea told me her classmate was also competing in the Young Ho-Oh Cup, I didn't think much of it," Officer Loren said. "But now, I have to admit, you're far more impressive than my daughter."
"Owen, have you considered going to the Police Academy for university? If you move back to Fairview after graduation, it's not impossible for you to eventually take over my position."
"Dad!" Lynnea's eyes widened. "You told me the exact same thing! Now you're trying to bluff my classmate, too?"
"Uh..." Owen gave a sheepish smile. "Thank you, Officer Loren. I'll definitely keep it in mind."
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