Master Craftsman of the Elven World

Chapter 437 A formidable opponent?

"That's just how the CEO is, don't mind him!"

"By the way, congratulations on joining the company. Theoretically, we should have a welcome party or something. How about I treat you to a meal later?"

"Especially in the towns of Chin Hui and Bo Ping in western Parthia, the local specialties are quite famous!"

Xinli quickly stepped in to smooth things over, but Yeci still smiled and didn't seem to think that Guangtai would object to such a thing.

After all, they are artists. Isn't it common to invite artists to academies to serve as "art professors"?

"Students are going through a period of confusion in their lives, so positive guidance is very important for them."

"That can't be it, can it?" Xinli whispered to Yeci, "Isn't it because there have been some bad rumors circulating at school lately?"

He smiled kindly but said nothing.

This is something I considered when I was with Dr. Yew and King of Blueberries.

It was precisely because of those strange rumors and the possible corrupt atmosphere within the Padia Academy that I made this request.

Seeing Ye Ci's gaze, Xin Li immediately understood her thoughts, but couldn't help feeling even more embarrassed.

The other person just agreed to join!

I even said before that I would never work overtime!
It's so embarrassing that I had to start work right away!

"Huh? What's going on?" Xin Li touched her green ponytail, looking somewhat speechless.

Guangtai's witty remarks were so sharp that Xinli almost burst out laughing.

“That’s not how it works.” Guangtai said the same thing as Xinli first, and then questioned, “If they were young students, it would be understandable to say that they were in a period of confusion in their lives, but Padia Academy is an 800-year-old school.”

"I heard that there is no age limit for students, which means that there are even students who are sixty years old. Are these people also confused?"

This is real!

The Padiya Academy does not restrict the age of admission, but it does restrict the level of admission. People with exceptional strength, like Popi, are not allowed to enroll, but there are no other requirements.

Therefore, in the game, you can see some middle-aged men and old men everywhere, but they are still wearing school uniforms at their age, which gives a sense of absurdity.

Ye Ci smiled gently: "Hehe, people always get lost on the journey of life, what does that have to do with age?"

"But it's okay, getting lost isn't scary, as long as you find the right path again."

This made Guangtai ponder for a while.

I've said the same thing before.

"Taking detours is an inevitable part of life; apart from a few people, no one can have a smooth journey."

Yes, apart from those "young people" handpicked by the Grand Master Sinnoh who were at the center of the era's vortex when major events occurred.

Light Moss: "If I have time, I'll think about it."

Ye Ci: "That answer is enough. The benefits will continue to increase. The salaries of teachers at the Padiya Academy are very good. You must believe that the Padiya region has never been stingy in this regard."

"By the way, I am also the chairman of the academy's board of directors."

Lightmoss already knew this.

It was precisely because Ye Ci was also the chairperson that she made this request, since the academy was also her talent pool.

There's no problem with being a guest lecturer; they're not permanent teachers, and the pay is excellent. For Guangtai, it's like getting a high-paying job for free by being a nominal instructor.

So it seems that my current white-collar salary includes the salary from the Patrolmen's Alliance and the salary from the International Police UB Countermeasures Department. If we add the Padiya Alliance, then this should count as two salaries, right?
However, the first two white-collar workers have no risk, while for Ci, the amount of salary received today will determine the amount of work to be done tomorrow.

But the moss also has its own plans.

That is, "trainer's record".

Coincidentally, didn't the Grandmaster Sinnoh hint in a dream that he wanted to restart the Dream Sky Battle? If it's about setting up a "Battle Tower" or something similar in the dream world, instead of having the battle take place in the Temple of Beginning like in the original game...
A tall tower always needs someone to guard it, doesn't it?

"Wouldn't it be great to use the champion to defend the tower?"

"We'll probably meet again in our dreams, won't we?"

Guangtai muttered to herself, while Yeci couldn't glean anything from Guangtai's expression, only feeling slightly puzzled.

However, she quickly stopped caring about these things.

It's normal for newcomers to feel unfamiliar and confused about the Padiya League!
You'll get used to this place after working here for a while; there's always a learning curve!
As for salary and benefits, in addition to the benefits that the Four Heavenly Kings should have, Ye Ci also added some new perks.

Of course, most of these benefits are "tailor-made".

“Each of the Elite Four has different benefits and treatments, which are all customized, after all, you are among the top trainers in the Padia League.”

"Of course, this is also to prevent potential sources of dissatisfaction."

Ye Ci explained with a smile.

This is easy to understand.

Different regions have different operating models for their alliances. The Padiya Alliance is more like taking a civil service exam or working in a company. If the salaries and benefits of the four kings are different or there is a huge gap between them, it can easily cause dissatisfaction among long-term employees.

To prevent this from happening, the salaries and benefits of the Four Heavenly Kings are all tailored to their individual circumstances.

After all, the Four Heavenly Kings have only just been assembled!
Of course, the salaries of specially invited instructors are indeed calculated separately, because it is normal for Aoki to work three jobs and Hachisaku to work two.

"You can freely use all facilities established by the Padia League, have the highest level of operational authority, receive full reimbursement for work, travel, accommodation, and meals, receive a very high monthly amount of League payment points, can access resources within the League to better train Pokémon, have priority access to research results from the Zero District, and have access to the Padia Academy library and its materials."

"Something like that."

The advantage of the Rising Stars Alliance lies in this: good things are usually given to the Heavenly Kings first, but the Heavenly Kings themselves also act as testers of the research results.

Most of them are benefits related to Zone Zero, as well as some special equipment, but there isn't much content in this area.

After all, the researchers in the Parthian region were all focused on the study of crystallization, neglecting ecological surveys, let alone researching any magical machines. Of course, there were no learning devices like that.

Of course, the only thing worth mentioning is the alliance payment point.

This is the "special currency" that Peony once hacked into the Alliance system and sent to the protagonist. It is a special currency that can only be used in the Padia region, abbreviated as LP. In the Padia region, you can pay for items with normal money or with LP.

Of course, this special currency cannot be used for payment at the auction in Ziqin Town.

Guangmo pondered.

"This thing is actually imitating Galar's [Watt], isn't it? The Padia Alliance is really trying to learn from Galar."

After all, they are the ninth generation and the eighth generation, so it's normal for the junior to touch the senior!

However, even with the Alliance payment points, Aoki, one of the Four Heavenly Kings and a working-class individual, still spends all his time thinking about meal reimbursement, as some restaurants don't actually accept it. "Well then, I'm glad we reached an agreement. Although you think this is just a temporary appointment, the Padia Alliance still welcomes you to join us."

After paying a heavy price, Ye Ci finally got the result she wanted.

However, are these costs truly "costs" for the Padiya League?

In her initial conversations with Yaji, Hikari had come to realize that Yaji was capable of using any "cost" to his advantage; in short—

You might make a small profit, but I definitely won't lose money!

"Working under someone like that is really tough, but making a deal with her can easily be a win-win situation."

"Luckily, I only work part-time, otherwise I would be a disaster if I became like Aoki. Your infamous reputation for working overtime is known to everyone in the land of Padia."

Guangtai and Yeci shook hands, and Yeci also gave instructions:
"Oh, right, there are a few important things I need to remind you of."

Ye Ci said earnestly:
"As one of the Elite Four, when taking the Champion Test and participating in Academy activities, please be sure to use the type you are good at. The same applies to charging the Crystal Orb. Also, during the test, you need to select a Pokémon to use for Crystal Orb, and make sure that its Crystal Orb type is [Steel].

"But then again, no one has been able to pass the champion test recently. Although there have been many challengers who have fought Xinli, they have all failed."

“Right, right, what you’re good at is [steel], right?” Xin Li finally found an opportunity to join the discussion, and at the same time, she breathed a sigh of relief, noticing that Guang Tai’s expression had become somewhat strange.

This guy really dares to ask the CEO for an exorbitant amount.

However, since he is the master of the strongest challenge facility in other regions, it is normal for him to receive such treatment.

Xin Li thought this way and didn't see anything wrong with it.

She even considered that, from the perspective of testing and combat, Hikari might be stronger than Yasaku.
because
"You didn't use your trump card in our previous match, did you?"

Xinli smiled and said, "It's a bit of a shame. But since we've become companions, even though you might not have much time in Padia, let's get along well."

"I really want to battle your ace, that Pokémon that looks like a giant sword. That Pokémon exudes an aura that makes me quite wary. How should I put it, is it [tremor]?"

“There’s no such Pokémon in the Padia region, which is quite concerning to me. Ah, and of course, I haven’t seen many of the Pokémon around you either.”

Lightmoss looked out the window at the plaza: "You mean... the Aegislash, right?"

"That guy is definitely a Pokémon that you can't find here."

The Shielded Swordsman doesn't have a visa in Padia, so it's normal that you haven't seen it in this region.

If that legendary merchant hadn't sold it off in other regions because it was cheap, the Padia region might be teeming with Shield and Sword Monsters now.

"And his body shape is also quite wrong."

Xinli shook her head: "Although I've never seen this kind of Pokémon before, my intuition tells me that its size is definitely abnormal!"

“That is the King.”

Lightmoss didn't hide anything: "In a long time ago, Pokémon blessed by the gods possessed power that no other Pokémon of their kind could match."

"Furthermore, my Aegislash passed the legendary trials of the Unova region and is a Pokémon that exists as a [Legendary Swordsman]."

Xin Li's expression also turned serious, but the excitement within it was undeniable.

The King and the legendary Holy Swordsman were names never heard of, but that didn't stop Xinli from making a judgment about them.

"Oh?" Miss Tianwang's tone was meaningful: "So, does that mean it's on the same level as the legendary Pokémon?"

"How interesting! It's not the only one emanating a terrifying aura. I want to witness more of the power of [Steel]!"

At this moment, Guangtai suddenly remembered that Xinli seemed to have something to say earlier.

So Guangtai asked, "By the way, what about that thing you said you'd discuss after the Chief and I meet?"

"Ah, that!" Xin Li twirled her hair with her fingers, her expression thoughtful, as if she was considering how to say it.

After much deliberation, she seemed to have made up her mind.

"Ah, it's a little embarrassing to say it now."

"However, after fighting you and then looking at that painting, I did recall some things from a long time ago."

A gentle smile appeared on Xin Li's face, and many faded memories surfaced in her mind.

"Perhaps because I'm so far from my hometown, my childhood in the Johto region feels like a distant dream, like it happened a long time ago."

When you were little, did you have any friends who lived in the same small town?

"It may be a boy or a girl, who played with you, battled with you, and grew up with you during your childhood. He is your friend, your playmate, and your worthy opponent."

"I used to live in a place with people like that. I really miss it."

"Although the academy in Padia has many energetic students, I have always felt that something is missing. Ah, only today do I understand what it is that is missing."

"They're a formidable rival."

The laughter and joy of childhood, the friend who appeared in our limited world and accompanied us as we grew up—how ​​is he doing now?
They are playmates, close friends, perhaps even first loves and rivals.
He would always appear by my side from time to time, speaking with a familiar or unfamiliar accent, accompanied by laughter, picking up a Poké Ball, and engaging in fierce battles with the partners he had caught in the forest or meadow.

The world is finite, but the new world brought by formidable rivals seems endless to be explored!

"As we get older, our social circles expand. In addition to childhood friends, we also have classmates, colleagues, friends, and other social relationships."

"I still remember what my companions looked like."

"When I went back last time, he was no longer in the capital."

Xinli said this, but Guangtai's words suddenly made her see the light:
True friendship does not disappear because of time and distance.

This sentence wasn't something Guangtai came up with.

This is what Professor Oak said to Ash.

It was only because Ash had just experienced "The Encounter Across Time" that Momiji thought of this.

Professor Oak traveled through time and met Ash, and they went on an adventure together.

So, after decades, how did Professor Oak feel when he saw Ash again and handed Pikachu back to him?
In the deleted scene at the end of the movie, Professor Oak tells Ash that his friendship with Yuki is something that can stand the test of time.

"Do you have any regrets about your life now?" Guangtai asked rhetorically.

"No, nothing like that happened. I really like the atmosphere right now!" Xin Li shook her head, her gaze hardening as she made a firm decision.
"Although it was somewhat sudden."

"Would you like to be my formidable rival?"

Guang Moss: "?"

What are you trying to do?
I'm here to collect my salary! How did you end up taking up Nemo's niche?!
(End of this chapter)