Pokémon: I have no choice but to do this old thing?

Although the arena behind Dr. Yamanashi's research institute is not as spacious as a regular arena, the ground is flat and it is surrounded by the institute's walls, giving it a solemn feel.

After communicating with the three little ones, he and Cynthia determined the order: Gastly, who strongly requested to fight alongside Turtwig, would lead the charge to challenge Cynthia's Togekiss and Venusaur.

They tacitly reserved the seemingly most imposing Garchomp for Kirlia.

Looking at the composed champion opposite him, Zhang Jianying felt a mix of emotions: "Help! We haven't even left the starting area and we're already challenging the final boss? This is a terrible gaming experience!"

Professor Yamanashi stood personally at the sidelines, adjusted his glasses, and calmly raised his hand: "Now we will have a practice battle between Cynthia and Zhang Jianying. The rules are a combination of doubles and singles. First, we will have a doubles battle, with Zhang Jianying's Turtwig and Gastly facing Cynthia's Togekiss and Spiritora. The battle begins!"

"Gastly, use Curse Lock on Togekiss! Turtwig, use Leech Seed on Venusaur!"

Zhang Jianying launched the first offensive.

His tactics were clear: first restrict the high-speed Togekiss, then focus fire on the targeted Rockruff.

Gastly's forehead sprouted black nails that pierced its brain, and as its energy waned, the same nails appeared on Togekiss's head. Meanwhile, Turtwig's emerald seed accurately struck Rockruff.

"Great! Plan works!" Zhang Jianying had barely breathed a sigh of relief when he immediately became alert. "Wait, she released the sea!"

"A very clear line of thinking."

Cynthia nodded slightly, her eyes filled with approval. "Togekiss, use Magic Dazzling Light to cover the entire field! Gastly, aim Dark Pulse at Gastly!"

A dazzling fairy light rained down, and Dark-type energy was precisely aimed at Gastly!

"Gastly, use Shadow Ball to help Turtwig hold on! Turtwig, hatch and take the gamble!"

Gastly trotted over to Turtle and barely managed to block Magic Dazzle with its still-immature Shadow Ball.

The grass turtle's eyes burned with fighting spirit. It broke out of its shell twice in quick succession at an astonishing speed. The shell on its back made a "creaking" sound as it could not bear the weight, and its breathing was heavy like a bellows.

The Dark Pulse of the Flower Rock... missed.

Zhang Jianying looked at it gratefully: "I never expected that this seemingly most unapproachable fellow would be the gentlest."

Flower Rock Monster: "......" (I was just hungry and a little distracted...)

"A good response."

Cynthia's voice was steady, "But that's not enough. Togekiss, Extreme Speed ​​Dash! Floridon, Trick Room!"

Space is warped, and the rules of speed are reversed!

"Now!" Cynthia's voice carried an undeniable authority. "Rockpie, unleash Dark Pulse! Togekiss, use Air Blade!"

In the Trick Room, the Rockruff's attack struck first, Dark-type energy surging like a black tide! Togekiss hovered in the air, its wind blades forming a net, blocking its movement.

Gastly and Torterra were struggling to hold on amidst the relentless bombardment, already at their last gasp, but their eyes grew ever brighter.

Seeing his teammates, covered in wounds yet still turning back to give him reassuring looks, a surge of warmth rushed through Zhang Jianying's heart. He recalled the scene in the rookie tournament where the girl shouted, "Mavira, stand up!"

"To hell with tactics! What kind of trainer doesn't even trust their own teammates?!"

He cast aside all calculations, followed his instincts, and shouted out:

"Hang in there! I believe in you! Didn't we promise to walk towards the future together?!"

The shouts, like thunder, cleaved the battlefield!

"Waaah—"

The grass turtle let out a deep, resonant roar, and its carapace burst forth with an emerald-like radiance! A pillar of light shot into the sky, and its body rapidly expanded within the light, its limbs rising from the ground like stone pillars.

As the light faded, the steadfast forest tortoise stood tall with its head held high.

It didn't even have time to savor the power of its new life; it immediately turned its head and gave Gastly a smug look.

"Heh heh!?" (What are you looking at!)

"Ugh~" (What are you doing! You can't do this well either, little bro~)

Provoked by the Torterra's gaze, Gastly immediately swelled up to twice its size in anger.

An unprecedented impulse surged within it; it was about to, right now, immediately, give this show-off a punch! Not with its magical little fist, but with its own real fist!

Driven by this indomitable will, the mist around it churned violently, and its body rapidly elongated and sharpened its outline in the burst of evolutionary light, extending two claws. Gastly made its grand entrance!

Zhang Jianying, standing to the side, stared in disbelief: "No way? Evolution can involve involution too? A single glance can trigger evolution?"

Two beams of evolutionary light shine together, illuminating the night sky!

"They evolved simultaneously during battle..."

Dr. Yamanashi's pen fell to the ground with a thud.

A flicker of genuine surprise crossed Cynthia's golden eyes, which quickly transformed into a gentle smile: "Amazing!"

The light of evolution has burned out, and the will to fight has materialized!

The Grovyle stomped its giant foot on the ground, causing it to tremble. A Seed Bomb, several times larger than before, hurtled towards the Rockruff like a green meteor! Gastly grinned and swung its claws, tearing through the air with a Shadow Ball as solid as ink, aiming straight for Togekiss!

Cynthia's blonde hair fluttered in the wind: "It's over."

Togekiss used Shadow Ball to collide with Gastly, creating a surge of air, and its body transformed into a blue lightning bird, fiercely attacking Gastly! A dark light flashed on Rockruff's body as it withstood the Seed Bomb, and Dark Pulse blasted towards Torterra!

Finally, the Grovyle and Gastly collapsed from exhaustion.

In the doubles match, they lost.

"You've worked hard, little ones."

Zhang Jianying, together with Qirulian, slowly carried them back to the sidelines.

He was filled with excitement as he looked at his last remaining companion, "Kirullian, it's our turn."

Kirlia emerged gracefully, her white dress swaying in the moonlight, her gaze fixed firmly on the prehistoric behemoth Garchomp.

"Garuda, let them see what true power is."

Cynthia's voice was calm, yet carried a chilling authority.

Zhang Jianying: "???"

"I'm just a newbie who's only been a trainer for a little over three months! Is this really necessary, you pro?"

"Kirlian, prepare Teleportation, Flash!"

Kirlia's eyes flashed with blue light as she unleashed a dazzling fairy light from her hands.

However, Garchomp did not dodge or evade at all. It roared loudly, unleashed its Dragon-type energy, and withstood the powerful light barrier. Its dragon claws tore through the air and slashed down fiercely!

"???"

"No, I can tolerate that stupid Pikachu's Thunderbolt being able to beat Onix, after all, it's the chosen one."

"But you want to fight a fairy-type with your dragon claw? What, isn't your earth dragon illegal too?"

Although he secretly grumbled to himself, he ultimately chose to follow his heart at the last moment.

"Teleport to dodge!"

Kirlia narrowly dodged, its spot ripped open by the dragon's claws. Splashed dirt pierced the psychic barrier, leaving a shallow wound on its face.

Looking at the bottomless cracks in the ground, Zhang Jianying felt a chill run down his spine: "No wonder he dared to be so reckless. With that kind of force, even someone with elemental immunity would have suffered internal injuries!"

"Use your mind to control it!"

A powerful psychic force bound Garchomp, but its muscles bulged, and its roar shattered the restraints! Its twin scythes slammed into the ground, unleashing a sandstorm that engulfed the arena!

"Magic Space!"

Zhang Jianying tried to replicate Cynthia's previous tactics to create an opportunity for Kirlia.

Kiruri unleashed her full power, and space began to distort.

Garchomp's eyes blazed red, and it swung its claws out again, its scythe-like forelimbs tearing through the air. The newly formed Trick Space shattered instantly, like glass struck by a heavy blow!

The scattered energy turbulence made it almost impossible for Zhang Jianying to open his eyes.

He stared in disbelief: "Holy crap, dragon claws can be used like this! Does this even make sense?"

At this moment, his worldview shattered along with the magic space.

This was a complete crushing defeat in terms of strength.

Garchomp's every charge is earth-shattering, and its every roar is soul-stirring.

Even if Kirlia used her future vision to its fullest potential, teleporting and leaving afterimages as she counterattacked with dazzling magic, she couldn't turn the tide; she had already reached her limit!

Under the onslaught of the raging sea, that slender white figure was like the last small boat in a storm, seemingly about to be completely swallowed up in the next second.

Looking at Kirlia's stubborn eyes and its figure, covered in wounds yet never giving up, Zhang Jianying clenched his fists tightly, then smiled with relief.

Finally, after narrowly avoiding the dragon's dive once again, Kirlia was exhausted. It took one last deep look at its trainer before collapsing limply.

Zhang Jianying immediately rushed onto the field and carefully picked it up.

"You did a great job." Cynthia walked over gracefully.

Garchomp followed behind her, its aura completely suppressed, and its gaze toward Kirlia filled with admiration.

"It's really good."

She repeated the sentence earnestly.

Zhang Jianying simply replied with satisfaction, "Yes, I am proud of them."

……

The tension of battle and the excitement of the two little ones evolving together mingled in the air.

Beside her, Cynthia knelt on the ground, gently examining the evolved shell of the Grovyle. Moonlight fell on her profile, making her appear soft and elegant.

A few strands of golden hair fell as she bent over, swaying beside her elegant neck. A faint, delicate fragrance, like that of a rare orchid in a secluded valley, lingered between them.

"Evolution is a leap in the level of life."

As she applied the shell care agent with professional technique, she explained to Zhang Jianying in a gentle and clear voice, "At this stage, the shell is hard but fragile and needs careful care. Don't worry, as it evolves, the shell will become harder and harder."

As her cool fingers guided Zhang Jianying's hand, leading him to personally experience the subtle patterns on the carapace, the two inevitably came into contact.

Zhang Jianying's heart skipped a beat.

It didn't stem from youthful infatuation, but from a deeper level of reason and astonishment belonging to an adult soul.

He was astonished by the young body he possessed in this life, and felt an almost instinctive admiration for the beautiful woman before him. But the reason of his adult soul told him that behind this admiration lay a vast chasm of experience, status, and power.

He remained expressionless, only his fingertips paused slightly before regaining their steady strength.

"This is getting a bit troublesome..."

He smiled bitterly to himself, "This level of existence is a bit like a dimensional reduction attack."

Cynthia seemed to notice his momentary pause. She looked up, her grey eyes appearing exceptionally clear in the moonlight.

The moment she looked up, Zhang Jianying's gaze inadvertently swept over her slightly open neckline, catching a glimpse of breathtakingly white skin in the interplay of moonlight and lamplight. He immediately looked away, but his movements were inevitably a little stiff.

The expected anger or embarrassment did not occur.

Cynthia's gaze remained steady, as if the scenery that had been unintentionally revealed was no different from the stones by the roadside, all naturally existing parts of this vast world.

Her strong inner strength and composure from being at the top for so long made her seem completely unaffected by this "trivial" accident.

But Cynthia's sensitivity was evident in her subsequent actions.

She didn't immediately distance herself to create a sense of estrangement, as that would seem deliberate and hurtful. Nor did she speak out to point it out, as that would only magnify a small matter into a genuine embarrassment.

Cynthia simply and naturally straightened her posture, which was originally bent forward, to be more upright.

The movements were minimal, seemingly just to find a more comfortable position to continue teaching, yet they subtly concealed the fleeting glimpse of the breathtaking scenery.

At this very moment, our purple idea king finally proved its worth for the first time.

Gastly keenly sensed the trainer's embarrassment. It had already noticed it even before Kirlia, the leader, had sensed it.

So it waved its newly grown claws exaggeratedly, as if to remind the trainer: "Look at me, look at me! Are you a Psyduck? You're acting like a fool."

Sure enough, Cynthia's gaze passed over Zhang Jianying and landed on Gastly behind him, which was struggling with its claws. A knowing yet gentle smile appeared on her lips.

"It seems that the little guy can't wait to start practicing getting used to his new body."

Cynthia very naturally drew Zhang Jianying's attention to the little guy who needed "help" more.

Her voice remained gentle, carrying a sense of acceptance and calm. She defused any potential awkwardness with the most natural attitude.

This wasn't out of affection, but rather stemmed from Cynthia's own cultivation—a gentle, superior quality. It silently told her: Don't worry about it, I know this wasn't your intention.

Zhang Jianying appreciated this thoughtfulness.

The subtle restlessness in his heart vanished before her clear and natural demeanor, replaced by a sense of admiration.

"Yeah," he chimed in, his tone a mix of helplessness and indulgence, as he looked at Gastly, "Looks like this guy's new claws will keep him busy for a while."

They tacitly dispelled the subtle tension from just moments before.

There was no awkwardness, no explicit explanation, it just naturally returned to normal.

But some things are different now.

That fleeting glimpse of her fair skin, that lingering, delicate fragrance, and the captivating gentleness and thoughtfulness she displayed in handling the matter—all these elements combine to form an indelible memory.

A tiny, almost unnoticed seed quietly fell into my heart.

As night deepened, the excitement of the battle and the subtle atmosphere of the night eventually melted away in the warm lights of the research institute and the aroma of food.

The table was laden with a sumptuous dinner prepared by Dr. Yamanashi's research institute.

Cynthia sat gracefully opposite Zhang Jianying, skillfully using her knife and fork to cut the food in front of her, occasionally sharing the berries from her plate with Togekiss, who was begging for food around her.

Zhang Jianying, on the other hand, seemed rather busy.

The forest turtle, now larger after its evolution, has a hearty appetite and is busy devouring a large plate of specially made nutritious salad, making satisfied humming sounds.

Gastly was still struggling with its new claws, trying to scoop up soup with a spoon, resulting in a table full of drifting purple mist, which Kirlia helplessly restrained with her psychic powers.

Watching this somewhat chaotic yet vibrant scene, Cynthia maintained a faint smile on her lips, her eyes appearing exceptionally gentle under the light.

She didn't offer any advice, but would occasionally gently push the plate of pre-cut Energy Cubes that were easier to access towards Gastly.

Zhang Jianying noticed this subtle gesture. The unease he felt due to the previous accident completely dissipated in the face of this silent thoughtfulness and the warm scene before him.

He picked up a piece of bread, carefully spread it with the tree berry jam that the forest tortoise liked, and held it to its mouth, which earned him a satisfied whimper.

During the meal, the conversation revolved around Pokémon.

Cynthia will share her experiences with Pokémon in different regions of Sinnoh, while Professor Yamanashi will supplement with some related ecological knowledge.

Although Zhang Jianying didn't talk much, whenever he spoke, he could always make a precise summary from his unique perspective, which drew admiring glances from the two men.

Dr. Yamanashi, who ate in silence except for the occasional refreshment, suddenly pushed up his glasses and pushed the plate of perfectly roasted berry slices in front of him to Zhang Jianying's side.

"Eat more," the old man's voice remained steady, filled with unquestionable concern. "Young people are growing and need strength."

This sudden, somewhat awkward gesture of concern startled Zhang Jianying for a moment, then warmed her heart. "Thank you, Doctor."

Dr. Yamanashi simply nodded slightly and continued eating, his usually serious expression softening slightly.

This quiet scholar was not good at expressing himself, but his appreciation and care for younger generations were reflected in his practical actions.

There was no deliberate teaching, nor any awkward silence.

The fire crackled in the fireplace, steam rose from the food, and the Pokémon made various satisfied noises.

A tranquil and warm atmosphere enveloped everyone present, as if they were meant to have dinner together like this.

After dinner, Zhang Jianying took his Pokémon to the backyard of the research institute. The starry sky hung low, seemingly within reach.

"Today, we have witnessed the true peak."

He stroked the rough shell of the Wood Torterra, watched Gastly hiding in the plants behind the Wood Torterra with a funny expression, and finally his gaze fell on Kirlia nestled beside him.

"But we won't stop there. One day, we will stand on the Champions League stage with our own strength and honor, and challenge her again!"

The three Pokémon responded firmly at the same time, and starlight fell as if they were witnessing the vow together.

Filled with determination and warmth, Zhang Jianying turned and returned to her room at the research institute.

Unbeknownst to him, a figure quietly disappeared into the shadows of the curtains by the second-floor window.

Cynthia quietly watched the boy's back as he walked downstairs, the moonlight illuminating her still calm and elegant profile.

However, once Cynthia was certain that his figure had completely disappeared into the porch, she lowered her eyes slightly, raised her hand, and gently pulled the collar of her shirt up a little tighter with her fingertips.

It was just a tiny movement, as if the night breeze had brought her a slight chill.

Cynthia's expression remained unchanged; her grey eyes remained wise and calm.

She knew what the little incident after the battle had been—an unintentional accident, a moment she should have forgotten immediately. But she also knew clearly that she was not a cold, mythical statue.

That fleeting glance, the momentary pause in the other person's young eyes, and the extremely faint, almost imperceptible ripple in the depths of her own heart—all of these truly happened.

She wouldn't let these ripples disturb her mind, nor would they affect her judgment and guidance of a new trainer. Instead, she chose to use reason to attribute it all to an "accident" and gently let it go, like closing a book that no longer needed to be read.

She turned and left the window, her steps still unhurried. Only the faint, delicate fragrance seemed to linger a little longer in the air as she passed.

Before returning to his room, Cynthia called out to him in the hallway.

"Today's match was very exciting."

Her voice was especially gentle in the night, "Don't lose your way because of Garchomp's power. The feelings and bonds between you and your Pokémon are your most precious treasure, and what I admire most about you."

She quickly corrected herself, swallowing back a word that might have caused a misunderstanding.

These words soothed the slight confusion in Zhang Jianying's heart caused by the absolute disparity in power. He nodded solemnly: "Thank you, Miss Cynthia, I understand."

The next morning, as dawn broke, the moist air carried the fresh scent of grass and earth.

Zhang Jianying pushed open the door of the research institute and took a deep breath of the cool air. Three Pokémon stood beside him, full of energy.

Dr. Yamanashi and Cynthia were already waiting at the door.

"Here you go, this is the latest limited edition illustration."

Professor Yamanashi handed him the Pokédex, saying, "It contains the latest Pokémon habitat distribution map and trade evolution function. I hope it will be helpful on your journey."

His voice carried his usual sternness, as well as the earnest instructions of an elder to a younger person embarking on a long journey.

"Thank you so much, Doctor!"

Zhang Jianying accepted the gift solemnly; it was both practical and substantial.

Cynthia stepped forward, crouched down in the morning light, and looked Kirlia in the eye.

She reached out and gently ran her fingertips through Kirullian's hair, then put a black hair clip that matched her own on it.

"You must protect your trainers well." Her voice was soft, like morning dew.

"Chiru!"

Kirlia nodded vigorously, receiving a firm and warm response through telepathy.

Cynthia stood up and turned her gaze to Zhang Jianying. The rising sun cast a golden outline behind her, and her smile was clear and bright.

"The road ahead is long, so keep going at your own pace."

Gone is the subtle allure of last night's moonlight; now she is more like a true guide, her eyes filled with pure encouragement and expectation.

Zhang Jianying met her gaze, then looked at Dr. Yamanashi, whose face was serious but whose eyes were gentle, and felt a surge of strength in his heart.

He nodded without saying anything more, for all his resolve had been made the night before.

He turned and strode towards the road leading to Black Gold City. His shadow stretched long in the morning light, brimming with youthful vigor.

Cynthia and Professor Yamanashi stood side by side, watching the receding figure, still revealing a hint of youthfulness.

"He's a promising talent."

Dr. Yamanashi spoke in a low voice, his tone certain. He paused, then continued, "Similar to what happened to you back then, is there any hope?"

"Yes," Cynthia responded softly, the morning breeze ruffling her golden hair. Her gaze remained fixed on the end of the road, as if she could see into the distant future. "It will happen."