Farfetch'd Leek Restaurant
As one of Eterna City's most famous high-end restaurants, it wasn't battle-themed. Yet it had remained at the top of gourmet rankings for years thanks to its cuisine made from premium Farfetch'd leeks.
Rei Akagi jumped down from Garchomp's arms, set Gastly—who had nearly been blown away by the wind—on the ground, and fixed his messy hair while casting a resentful look at the elegantly dismounting Cynthia.
Stare—
Cynthia felt slightly uncomfortable under the intense gaze. She turned her face aside a bit stiffly, cleared her throat, and quickly walked into the restaurant.
After the meal
Cynthia lifted a porcelain cup and took a sip of coffee before casually bringing up a topic.
"Before I came, Professor Oak asked me to ask you something."
"The Sinnoh League is about to hold the Sparkling Tournament . Do you want him to help register you?"
"Sparkling Tournament ?"
Rei Akagi set down his teacup, curiosity showing on his face.
"What kind of competition is it exactly?"
"It's a traditional tournament organized by the Sinnoh League specifically for new trainers."
Cynthia emphasized the words new trainers with a subtle tone.
"I heard… the rewards are quite generous."
SystemNotification:
Sparkling Tournament ! Step onto the League stage filled with masters and climb toward the summit as a savior!
Reward: Determined by final ranking.
Ignoring the system prompt, Rei Akagi calmly poured himself another cup of tea.
He normally had little interest in League competitions.
But then he thought about Gastly.
Ever since it got that military strategy book, Gastly had been reading it constantly. It barely practiced the new moves it had learned.
Its understanding of battle tactics was still just theoretical knowledge.
That wouldn't work.
Rei Akagi had already been considering taking it to the League Battle Center to spar with other trainers and turn that knowledge into real combat power.
But now that Cynthia mentioned the Sparkling Tournament …
His interest grew.
Participating in an official League tournament meant:
Free access to top-tier professional battle arenas
Real matches against trainers from different regions and battle styles
Possibly winning free rewards if he placed well
What a wonderful opportunity.
Under Cynthia's slightly strange gaze, Rei Akagi placed down his teacup and said with utmost seriousness:
"I think this tournament is very meaningful!"
"It's the perfect chance for Gastly to experience the dangers of the real world and train its battle abilities!"
"…Alright."
Cynthia sighed softly and rubbed her forehead.
She realized she would never understand this man's thought process.
A trainer as strong as him being interested in a beginner tournament…
"I'll tell Professor Oak to register you."
"There's one more thing."
Rei Akagi continued, casually pulling a black scale from his pocket and handing it to Cynthia with a smile.
"This is my return gift."
"This is… a Dragon Scale?"
Cynthia accepted it instinctively.
Her slender fingers gently traced the dark jade-like scale. The unique patterns and gentle energy flowing from it made it strangely captivating.
But the longer she examined it, the more confused she became.
As the Sinnoh Champion, a mythology scholar, and the trainer of a powerful Garchomp, Cynthia's knowledge of Dragon Scales was extremely deep.
Yet the scale in her hand was completely beyond her understanding.
She was 100% certain it was a Dragon Scale.
But it didn't match any known Dragon-type Pokémon.
The energy contained within it…
Was vast enough to make her heart tremble.
This was not something an ordinary Dragon-type Pokémon could possess.
A nearly absurd thought appeared in her mind.
A Legendary Pokémon?
Impossible…
She was about to reject the idea—
But looking at Rei Akagi's lazy expression, she suddenly felt that nothing was impossible with this man.
"What Pokémon shed this scale?"
She looked up, trying to find any hint of deception on his face.
"It's from Rayquaza."
Rei Akagi answered immediately, his tone casual.
He had no intention of hiding it.
There was no need.
Cynthia's lips parted slightly before pressing together again. She glared at Rei Akagi as the feeling of being teased spread through her mind.
He did it on purpose.
He knew she had studied the legends of the Sky God Rayquaza as a mythology scholar.
Ancient murals and historical texts consistently described it as a majestic emerald-green dragon with golden markings.
Where would a black scale come from?
His lie was so careless he didn't even bother making it believable!
This man was absolutely infuriating.
Still…
Regardless of its origin, the overwhelming Dragon-type energy contained within the scale made it a priceless treasure for any Dragon-type trainer.
A stubborn expression appeared on Cynthia's beautiful face.
She carefully wrapped the scale in a simple handkerchief and pushed it back toward Rei Akagi.
"It's too precious. I can't—"
"This is also a gift for Garchomp."
Rei Akagi interrupted her calmly, smiling.
"You have no reason to refuse, Miss Cynthia."
The situation had completely reversed.
The roles had swapped.
"Gra?"
Garchomp, who had been sitting quietly beside Cynthia, turned its fierce gaze toward Rei Akagi.
It scratched its sharp head-blade with its arm, looking confused.
Do I even know you that well?
Cynthia hesitated briefly before finally accepting the wrapped scale.
But looking at Rei Akagi's smiling face made her feel strangely annoyed.
"Don't forget the investigation mission."
"Ah…"
Rei Akagi's smile froze instantly.
The smile shifted to Cynthia's face instead.
She stood up, gathered her things, and as she left she casually said:
"See you tomorrow."
Three Days Later
Professor Oak's efficiency was astonishing.
Just three days later, Rei Akagi received an official League notification on his phone.
Contestant #404 Rei Akagi of Eterna City:
Please arrive at the city's League Battle Center before 3:00 PM today to participate in the Sparkling Tournament qualifiers.
After turning off his phone, Rei Akagi got out of bed to find Gastly.
Eventually he spotted it in the living room.
Under Rayquaza's supervision, Gastly was doing sit-ups.
How did Rei Akagi know?
Just look at Gastly's constantly folding and twitching face.
You're literally a ball of gas—what core strength are you even training?!
Planning to learn Shadow Punch?
You're clearly a special attacker!
"Gastly, stop training! At this rate the bodybuilding world is about to receive terrible news."
"Rest for a bit. We're going to the Sparkling Tournament qualifiers this afternoon!"
"Gaas!"
Upon hearing this, Gastly's eyes widened.
Not only did it not stop exercising—
It worked even harder.
(･ㅂ･)
Hard work makes you stronger!
Seeing this, Rei Akagi immediately sensed something wrong.
Gastly was usually energetic, but today its energy felt excessive.
Gastly might not notice anything unusual.
But as its trainer, Rei Akagi always monitored its condition closely.
He stepped forward and stopped Gastly's spasming exercise.
Gastly tried to resist at first, but when it saw Rei Akagi's serious expression, it instantly softened into a obedient puff of gas.
Aura Power gathered.
A warm white glow flowed from Rei Akagi's palm and slowly seeped into Gastly's body.
Gastly couldn't help letting out a comfortable sound.
"Gaaas~"
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