"How did you find the Kanto Champion, Siebold?"
A young woman remained seated in her place instead of leaving. She paid no attention to the people passing by her—nor to the flashes of astonishment that crossed their faces when they noticed her. She merely smiled softly as she asked the man beside her.
If Logan were here, he would immediately recognize her.
She was the very same girl he had encountered earlier at Celadon University—the one accompanied by a Sylveon.
"He's very strong," Siebold replied solemnly. "I watched his match at the Indigo Plateau Conference a year and a half ago. His command style back then was elegant—almost like art. But today, he proved that simplicity and brutality can also be a kind of mesmerizing art."
Siebold closed his eyes slightly, as though replaying the battle in his mind.
Logan's fight against Alder had looked simple on the surface—victory decided after only a few exchanges. But beneath that simplicity lay layers of calculation from two Champions.
Alder had intended to force Logan into revealing his Dragonair, then secure victory using a pre-planned counterstrategy.
But Logan had seen even further ahead—luring Alder into deploying a second Pokémon other than Volcarona. Without a Bug-type to resist Psychic-type attacks, Logan unleashed Mewtwo and ended the battle decisively.
Both Champions had exploited the rules and their opponent's expectations to the absolute limit.
"Oh?" the girl asked with amused surprise. "I didn't expect such a high evaluation from you, Siebold. Then tell me—if you were to face the Kanto Champion yourself, what do you think your odds would be?"
She asked lightly, clearly teasing.
"Don't joke like that, Valerie," Siebold said with a wry smile, waving his hands hurriedly. "Odds? Even if I sent out all my Pokémon at once, I doubt I'd stand a chance against that Pokémon called Mewtwo. And the Kanto Champion doesn't even rely on just that one Pokémon…"
He lowered his voice instinctively and glanced around.
"The power of Mewtwo… only Legendary Pokémon, or the Pokémon wielded by true masters, could possibly rival it."
This was Kanto, after all.
People here were fiercely proud of their Champion. If someone overheard him speaking carelessly and reported it, and if that Champion happened to be the petty sort—
Siebold shuddered internally.
He really did not want to be targeted by a Pokémon capable of punching a hole through the sky.
"I was just joking~"
Valerie laughed softly, covering her lips with the long, kimono-like sleeve of her outfit.
"Besides, I'm from Johto. The Kanto Champion is our pride too, you know~"
Siebold sighed helplessly and changed the topic.
"Then what about you, Valerie? What do you think of the Kanto Champion?"
"I think he's very handsome," Valerie replied without hesitation. "Not just his looks—but the way he stood there after defeating the Unova Champion with a single move… I was completely captivated~"
"That's it?" Siebold blinked in disbelief. "That's your evaluation?"
"Well… what else should there be?" Valerie continued cheerfully.
"Oh, right! Even though all of the Kanto Champion's Pokémon are incredibly cool, the Eevee on his shoulder is super adorable and beautiful. Don't you agree, Sylveon?"
She bent down to speak to the Sylveon beside her.
The Fairy-type Pokémon let out a soft cry and wrapped its ribbon-like feelers gently around Valerie's arm.
Listening to her, Siebold couldn't help but sigh internally.
Of course—expecting a serious tactical analysis from Valerie had been wishful thinking.
Though she was a capable Trainer, she was also a devoted admirer of beautiful and cute things. If something was pretty, adorable, or handsome, she could easily become absorbed in it.
That didn't mean she looked down on others—she wasn't shallow—but if you wanted her special attention, you had better look good.
"Oh! And also—Cynthia and Erika are so beautiful too! If I ever get the chance to meet them, that would be wonderful~"
Valerie clasped her hands together beneath her chin, smiling brightly.
Meanwhile, inside the competitors' viewing room—
Logan examined Cynthia and Erika with concern.
"…Are you two alright? The injuries—nothing serious, I hope?"
"Don't worry, Logan," Erika said gently, shaking her head. "It's nothing major. A little medicine, a few days' rest, and I'll be perfectly fine."
She turned to Cynthia with an apologetic expression.
"I'm truly sorry, Cynthia. I lost control of my emotions, and the battle turned far more violent than it should have."
"No, no," Cynthia immediately replied, taking the blame upon herself.
"I struck first. I'm just as responsible. Once I enter battle, I sometimes lose control… I forget it's only an exhibition match. Perhaps my desire to win is simply too strong."
The two women began apologizing back and forth, each insisting the fault lay with herself.
Logan rolled his eyes.
During the fight, neither of you looked even remotely this polite.
Now that it's over, you're both suddenly models of courtesy.
Women really do change faces faster than turning pages.
"Cynthia really surprised me," Erika said, placing a hand to her chest dramatically. "I never expected you to be so cold during battle."
Her gaze drifted—unconsciously—toward Logan.
That confused him.
You're talking about Cynthia. Why are you looking at me?
Catching his puzzled look, Erika secretly pouted.
Because Logan was exactly the same.
Ruthless and merciless in battle, yet gentle and approachable in daily life.
Still… the fact that Logan and Cynthia shared this "similarity" did not make Erika happy at all.
At that moment, Logan noticed movement near the door.
Turning around, he saw Iris standing there awkwardly, completely unsure of what to do.
"What are you doing just standing there, little black—" Logan stopped himself slightly. "I mean, Iris?"
"Huh? Ah—oh! Nothing, nothing. I just… didn't have anywhere to go, so I came over."
She scratched her head awkwardly, clearly making excuses.
"What about your Pokémon? They were badly injured—are they being treated properly?"
For some reason, whenever Iris was around, Logan couldn't help adopting the tone of a strict senior.
"They're… they're in the medical room now," Iris replied quietly.
"Then why are you here?" Logan frowned.
"Your Pokémon were seriously hurt. A Trainer should be with them—especially that Excadrill. Did you see its eyes after being defeated? That Pokémon is clearly traumatized."
"…Failing to notice your Pokémon's psychological state is a serious flaw for a Trainer."
Iris shrank under his scolding, nodding obediently. All traces of her earlier bravado were gone.
She didn't know whether to leave or stay—her mind was in complete disarray.
Only now did she realize how worried she truly was about Excadrill.
"I really didn't notice…" she thought bitterly.
"Logan, don't be so hard on her," Cynthia said gently, standing up.
"Erika's Pokémon and mine should be finished with treatment by now. Iris, let's go check on them together."
She took Iris's hand kindly.
"Okay… thank you, Cynthia," Iris said gratefully, her eyes shining with admiration.
To her, Cynthia's presence radiated an almost overwhelming grace.
One stern voice, one gentle voice—
Logan and Cynthia played the roles of strict mentor and kind guide perfectly, leaving Iris completely overwhelmed.
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