Elf: I have a secret realm of emerald green.

Inside the cave, the old father was comforting his daughter, who was burdened with worries.

"Oh—(Are you worried that Xia Shen won't like you anymore after you evolve?)"

"Yo—(Maybe...and I also like the feeling of being held in Xia Shen's arms. But, if I don't evolve, I can't help Xia Shen achieve his dream of becoming the world's strongest trainer. So...I don't know what to choose.)"

Zoroark remained silent for a long time.

"Oh—(Child, you need to know that being loved isn't a skill; loving is. Don't you want to know what it feels like when Xia Shen holds you in his arms?)"

[Furthermore, wouldn't you like to have the ability to communicate directly with Xia Shen?]

"..."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Xia Shen couldn't help but take out his phone to check the time again. It had been almost two hours. Why hadn't he come out yet?

Xia Shen wasn't bored while waiting; there was a group of little foxes outside to pet, which was quite interesting.

However... if they don't come out soon, their time in the secret realm will be almost up.

Xia Shen has never left his elves overnight in Xicui, not even Zoroark.

Well, Zoroark and his crew are a powerful force in this area, so leaving Zoroark here shouldn't be a problem.

Xia Shen was just preparing himself to leave the elf in the secret realm for the first time when he heard the sound of fine snow falling from the cave.

After their heart-to-heart talk, the father and daughter finally came out.

Xia Shen breathed a sigh of relief, then turned to look, only to be stunned by the scene before him...

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Author's Remarks

I've been in training these past few days, and today is the last day because of the exam, so today's post is a bit short. I'm setting a goal to post at least two more updates this weekend!

2022-06-23 08:00

Chapter 142 She Will Become a Real Zoroark!

Before them emerged from the cave two purple-haired fox spirits, one large and one small!

Xia Shen didn't remember that there was a second Zoroark of different colors in the Zoroark group.

So... Zoroar evolved inside?

Xia Shen felt a mix of emotions at this unexpected event.

Don't you like my evolved form?

A telepathic message suddenly rang in Xia Shen's mind, the tone of which was dejected, yet had a touch of girlish naiveté.

This unfamiliar voice could not possibly have come from Chief Zoroark.

It's Zoroark... no, it's my own Zoroark?

She can read minds? She learned that in just two hours inside?

However, this is not the time to worry about that; the important thing is to appease the misunderstanding in Zoroark.

"How could that be? I just regret not recording your one and only evolution. I have the videos of Garchomp and Ursaring's three evolutions saved!"

Xia Shen looked at Zoroark with gentle eyes, "How could I not like you? No matter what you become, you're still the little fox I raised!"

He finished speaking, forcing himself to remain calm, without even daring to glance at Zoroark's leader.

To say something like that in front of someone's father...how exciting!

[Really...]

Xia Shen stepped forward and hugged Zoroark, who was now slightly taller than herself.

Perhaps it's a characteristic common to Ghost-type Pokémon, but Zoroark exudes a chilling aura.

When Xia Shen held Zoroark in his arms, the sensation wasn't very noticeable, but after evolving into Zoroark, it felt like holding a cold, plush toy.

Fortunately, Xia Shen's body in the Green Washing Secret Realm seemed to have been "blessed" by Arceus, making him no different from a super Green Washing person, so he didn't feel the chill.

"Hmm...it's much more comfortable to hug than Garchomp or Ursaring."

The Bebek nearby whimpered in grievance. Its trainer was really holding a grudge; all it had to do was accidentally break two ribs...

Garchomp chimed in, "That's right, a hug didn't even break a layer of skin."

…………

[So this is what it feels like when you hug me...]

Zoroark's sudden telepathic message left Xia Shen somewhat bewildered, but he didn't mind; the misunderstanding was cleared up.

Releasing his embrace, Xia Shen finally had time to examine the evolved Zoroark closely. Its light gray body was slender and long, and its hair, which gradually changed from white to purple, moved as if it were alive without wind.

Unlike its cute and innocent fox form, Zoroark's evolved form exudes a sharp and fierce aura, radiating a hint of resentment.

But seeing the still gentle look in her eyes as she gazed at him, Xia Shen knew that the sharp, resentful aura was only a force to protect him.

Xia Shen sighed with some emotion, "The little fox has really grown up. He's become as handsome as his father."

"Yo..." Zoroark's cool demeanor lasted only three seconds. He seemed a little shy after being praised, and his demeanor instantly collapsed, as if he had reverted to his previous simple-minded appearance.

Indeed, while evolution is a qualitative change in life, a spirit's personality cannot suddenly change drastically as a result.

Just like the previous cub bear, it took a long time to adapt after evolving and gradually mastering its own power before the Moon Bear became the irritable and domineering Sister Bear it is today.

Zoroark, too, needs the baptism of battle.

[Let her stay here for a while; I'll train her to become a true Zoroark.]

As if hearing Xia Shen's thoughts, or perhaps as a fellow "guardian" of Zoroark, the leader of Zoroark transmitted these words.

He would certainly not refuse anything that could help Zoroark grow.

Xia Shen nodded, bid farewell to the reluctant Zoroark, recalled his Umbreon and Garchomp, and left the Emerald Realm.

I was originally planning to visit Yukshi on the way, but I don't have enough time left today, so it looks like I'll have to wait until tomorrow.

------

Soroark's temporary departure did not change Xia Shen's daily training plan; he was still preparing for the upcoming National High School Games.

It's not just training the Pokémon, but also training my own doubles command skills.

Xia Shen originally thought that with his strong mental strength and bug-like telepathy, it wouldn't be too difficult for him to complete the task of directing a doubles match that others couldn't do.

However, Xia Shen discovered during actual combat training that multitasking was not an easy task without professional training.

Until the day of the doubles match agreed upon with the principal arrived, Xia Shen was still unable to transmit two commands to Moon Bear and Tibrim simultaneously through telepathy.

However, this extreme command style is actually just icing on the cake.

At least... it shouldn't be needed against opponents of this level.

……

April 1st, one week before the start of the National High School Pokémon Battle Tournament.

Inside the arena of Zhijiang Middle School, a special selection competition is underway.

Xia Shen alone challenges the school team's starting doubles pair, Long-haired Troll and Fiery Red Fox.

This selection competition was not as grand as the last one; the only spectators on the sidelines were the other members of the school team and the principal and coach.

At this moment, they are quietly waiting for the game to begin.

Although most people are not optimistic about Xia Shen's ability to command two elves.

But... he is, after all, Xia Shen, who has created countless miracles, so in any case, it is still worth looking forward to.

On the field, referee Teacher Ye blew his whistle.

Four white lights flashed, and the elves appeared simultaneously, officially beginning the battle.

……

"Long-haired troll, use Taunt on Tibbrim!"

"Fire Fox, use Magic Fire on Tibrimon!"

As soon as the two elves appeared, Chen Chuan and Pan Yujie issued commands simultaneously, clearly indicating that they had come prepared.

The opponent consists of two Pokémon with extremely slow movement speeds and the ability to create Trick Room. Therefore, the optimal solution is to use a Trick Room setter to block them.

Taunt prevents Teebrim from using transformation moves like Trick Room, while Magical Flame not only lowers its HP but also reduces the Special Attack stat of the attacked target by one stage.

It can be said that as long as these two moves succeed, Tibrim will be rendered useless for a short period of time.

The tactic of blocking the enemy support is something that Long-haired Troll and Fiery Fox are very familiar with.

Almost as soon as it heard its trainer's command, the prankster, with its Dark-type ability, condensed its Dark-type energy at an astonishing speed and skillfully threw this move, which it had used thousands of times, at Teebrim.

Beside her, the fiery red fox also gathered fire energy. Without even charging up, it unleashed a magical flame, its color slightly different from ordinary flames, towards Tibrim, who was braiding her feet on the ground.

It's obvious that this magic flame, which wasn't charged up much, won't deal much damage; the Fiery Fox is only aiming to lower the Special Attack stat.

Just then, the Dark-type Provoke energy wave and the magenta magical flame were about to strike Tibris, who had just emerged from its Poké Ball, one after the other.

The little witch, however, seemed oblivious, standing motionless as if she were a novice in her first battle.

…………

Off the field, everyone frowned.

Everyone knows that once the Trick Room team's Trick Room setter is locked down, even if Urshifu, as the Trick Room attacker, has high damage output, it will only be able to be kited by the opponent.

Moreover, even if the Moon Bear gets close, the Long-haired Troll's Reflective Wall is no pushover.

Here, we can completely ignore Tebriem, who has been taunted and has had her special attack reduced.

Over there, although electromagnetic waves are ineffective against ground-type Moonbears, bluffing is still a great way to annoy the enemy.

In the foreseeable future, Xia Shen's situation is almost beyond saving.

Is Xia Shen finally going to have a major mishap?

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