Ariel followed the waiter through a corridor covered in thick carpet, finally stopping in front of a door.
"Sir, this is the place."
Ariel nodded and then pushed open the door.
Behind the door was a spacious private room.
The decor wasn't extravagant, but it exuded a steady sense of pressure everywhere.
Dark wood walls and heavy curtains blocked out the bustle of Mauville City outside, leaving only a simple, ancient-style ceiling lamp emitting a soft glow.
In the center of the room sat a rectangular solid wood table surrounded by several high-backed chairs, making the space feel empty and solemn.
Ariana sat at the head of the table. She wasn't wearing the flamboyant red dress from last time; instead, she wore a well-tailored Team Rockets uniform.
On the dark gray fabric, several subtle dark red stains looked startling under the light.
Those were bloodstains!
Ariel's gaze lingered briefly on her uniform, a chill sweeping through his heart.
Given Ariana's strength, an opponent capable of getting blood on her was certainly no ordinary person.
This thought flashed through his mind and was immediately suppressed.
With Ariana's strength, she belonged to the top tier of powerhouses in the Hoenn region; very few people could splash blood on her.
Could it be that she had personally dealt with someone?
For someone to be worth Ariana's personal attention, their status surely wouldn't be minor.
Team Rockets' style of doing things had always been like this; he was already well aware of it.
Too much speculation would only distract him.
"Lady Ariana." Ariel stepped forward, greeting her respectfully, and then sat in the seat Ariana indicated.
Ariana looked up, her gaze scanning Ariel with scrutiny, yet also mixed with a trace of hard-to-detect satisfaction.
Ariel naturally saw the meaning in Ariana's gaze; this was a good sign.
In Team Rockets, ability is the only passport.
"Ariel, I have a mission for you."
Ariana got straight to the point, her voice calm yet carrying an unquestionable authority. "Two years from now, participate in the Ever Grande Conference. The goal: the Top 8!"
Ariel's heart skipped a beat.
The Ever Grande Conference!
This name was not unfamiliar to him.
It was a grand event held only once every three years in the Hoenn region, gathering the top young Trainers from all over Hoenn and even other regions.
To participate, one first had to collect eight Gym Badges, which was itself a rigorous test of strength.
And those who could ultimately reach the Top 8 were all exceptionally gifted and possessed extraordinary strength.
"The Ever Grande Conference..." Ariel repeated in a low voice, quickly outlining the mission in his mind.
He understood Ariana's purpose; Team Rockets needed a pawn on the surface who could influence the internal forces of the League.
A Trainer who achieved brilliant results in the League tournament was undoubtedly the most suitable choice.
This would not only attract attention for Team Rockets but also provide convenience for them to infiltrate the League.
This was a huge challenge, but also a superb opportunity.
Ariel took a deep breath, feeling his blood boiling. This wasn't just a mission from Ariana; it was a proof of his own strength.
Two years' time, the goal of the Top 8—he had the confidence to achieve it.
He thought of the bustle and prosperity of the Mauville City Food Festival outside, forming a sharp contrast with the cold mission inside this private room.
He was the blade walking between light and darkness, and Ariana was the one sharpening him.
"I accept."
Ariel's answer was brief and forceful.
He knew that in Team Rockets, even without confidence, one must show it.
The weak would be eliminated, and those without potential would receive no resources.
This was the law of survival.
And he would never be the one to be eliminated.
He would use Team Rockets' resources and this mission to push himself to the peak.
Ariana nodded slightly, expressing approval of Ariel's decisiveness.
"Very good, Ariel. I think highly of you."
Her tone took on a hint of profound meaning.
"However, as a reminder, in this Ever Grande Conference, many geniuses from League families will participate. Their backgrounds and resources are beyond your imagination."
Ariel didn't speak, silently committing the words to heart.
He had long known that this world was far more complex than it appeared on the surface.
Those so-called "geniuses" often had massive families and factions standing behind them.
For example, the Lucario by Steven's side.
Just as a bodyguard, its strength had already reached the Quasi-Elite Four Level!
But he wasn't afraid; he was even somewhat expectant.
Only in duels with true experts could his strength be improved to the maximum.
He wanted to show those arrogant family scions that the power from the shadows could also tear everything apart.
Ariana's gaze turned to the Poké Balls at Ariel's waist, accurately stopping on one of them. "Also, your Sneasel is about to evolve, isn't it?"
Hearing this, Ariel immediately released Sneasel.
A cold aura instantly spread; this Dark-type and Ice-type Pokémon had smooth fur and sharp eyes, clearly having been well-nurtured.
It rubbed against Ariel's leg and then looked at Ariana warily.
"Yes, Lady Ariana."
Ariel replied, a trace of hard-to-detect pride in his voice.
"I have been carefully training this Sneasel you rewarded me with; its level has now reached Level 23. I plan to wait until its level reaches around 30 before letting it evolve into Weavile."
He specifically emphasized "you rewarded me with," expressing both gratitude and loyalty to the organization.
Ariana looked at Sneasel, a flash of approval in her eyes.
Ariel's training method was clearly well-thought-out, rather than seeking quick success.
This showed he not only had potential but also foresight.
An excellent Trainer doesn't just value immediate level increases but understands how to build a solid foundation for a Pokémon's future.
"Not bad."
Ariana nodded, her tone a bit more satisfied.
"When you have collected two Gym Badges, I will request the headquarters to apply for a high-quality sharp claw for you."
A high-quality sharp claw!
Ariel's breath hitched.
The sharp claw is the key item for Sneasel to evolve into Weavile, and the words "high-quality" meant it could maximize Weavile's potential, giving it even stronger combat power after evolution.
This was not just an evolution item; it was a leap in strength. It meant Ariana's trust and investment in him, and it meant he would have a more powerful trump card in the future.
He had seen many sharp claws in Team Rockets' exchange list with sky-high prices; some only differed slightly in quality, yet the price difference was hundreds of points!
And the sharp claw Ariana promised him would surely be of even better quality!
This was undoubtedly Ariana's further recognition of his ability and a tangible reward given to a core member.
The blood in Ariel's heart surged once more; he knew he was one step closer to that goal.
"Thank you, Lady Ariana!"
Ariel thanked her solemnly, a firm light shining in his eyes.
The Ever Grande Conference, Gym Badges, high-quality items... every step would be a cornerstone on his path to becoming stronger.
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