You are not allowed to be a Pokémon Trainer!

Chapter 245 The Succubus from a Distant Region Strikes Again (4k)

"Please dock here."

Pulling himself out of his thoughts, Xia Chi said to the old boatman.

"Okay, guest."

The old boatman readily agreed and steadily rowed the small boat to the nearest shore.

After paying the fare, Xia Chi, along with Magic Masked Cat, Ponpon, and Victini who was still struggling with the sweet roll, disembarked.

Xia Chi walked up the stone steps to the arched bridge and came to the girl's easel.

As the girl saw them approaching, she gave them a bright and friendly smile, her eyes still sparkling as she looked them over, especially at the unusually tall Magic Masked Cat and the adorable Ponpo.

(Canon/Latias in human form)

"Hello you all."

Canon's voice is crisp and melodious, carrying the light and cheerful rhythm unique to the water city.

"I saw you all on the boat just now, and the scene was so beautiful that I couldn't resist drawing it. You don't mind, do you?"

She pointed somewhat shyly to the easel.

Xia Chi peered out and saw on the canvas the scene of them riding a gondola under the bridge.

The golden rays of the setting sun spilled onto the water and the small boat. Ponpo nestled beside him, peering curiously, while Miaoha gracefully perched on the bow.

Although it is only a rough draft, the composition is lively, and the brushstrokes already convey the vivid charm of the elves.

Xia Chi had been trying to get closer to Canon, so he turned to look at Canon and smiled, "Of course I don't mind."

"Thank you!"

Canon smiled happily, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Um... I haven't finished painting yet. The light is changing very quickly. Could you stay here for a little while? As payment, I can be your tour guide tomorrow."

She added somewhat belatedly, "By the way, my name is Kanon, and I'm a local from Odomare."

Xia Chi readily agreed: "It would be my honor."

"Also, my name is Xia Chi, and these are my partners, Magic Masked Cat and Evil Pon."

As for Bictini, she disappeared as soon as she disembarked, and she's probably somewhere enjoying a creamy shortbread roll right now.

"They are elves I've never seen before."

Canon agreed, picked up his paintbrush again, and focused intently on repainting the canvas.

Xia Chi's heart stirred slightly.

Canon doesn't know Ponpo?
Although it sounds arrogant, I've never heard of Ponpo. This is really a bit unreasonable in this information-rich world.

After all, how popular has this legendary Pokémon from Beishang Township been in the past six months?
To put it simply, in the past six months, Ponpo's popularity on social media has reached third place across all platforms, second only to Cynthia and Leon, who are always at the top of the charts.

I don't think Odomarea is without internet.
Xia Chi pondered for a while and came to a conclusion.

It's highly likely that this girl doesn't surf the internet much, or doesn't pay much attention to information that's irrelevant to her needs.

To possess such qualities at this age, in this era, is it as rare as a near-god-level character?
No, it's not that unusual.

It should be said that it is comparable to a legendary elf?
Just as Kanon was engrossed in his painting, Xia Chi's wave-guided power suddenly detected an extremely subtle and fleeting anomaly.

The feeling didn't come from Kanon, nor from any person or elf visible on the bridge.

Like a gentle breeze skimming across the water, carrying an indescribable, pure, warm, and vast life force, it softly brushed against his waveguide perception.

But when he tried to explore it again, the aura vanished like a gentle breeze.

This subtle, elusive feeling stirred a ripple in Xia Chi's heart.

Could it be Latias?
Hmm, maybe you're overthinking it.
Do you really think you're some kind of succubus from the Eastern Empire? You think you can make legendary elves flock to you wherever you go?

Xia Chi smiled self-deprecatingly to himself and lowered his expectations.

But the subconscious mind still wanders in a direction it dares not believe.

Canon noticed the sudden sense of loss on the face of the "model" in front of him.

The young painter's eyes lit up, and inspiration struck. Her previously vague ideas suddenly became clear.

------

"It's finished. Xia Chi, what do you think?"

About twenty minutes later, Canon put down his brush and said with a hint of excitement at completing the work.

Xia Chi, Magic Masked Cat, and Ponpo curiously approached the easel upon hearing the sound.

Under Canon's brush, a water city oil painting with a profound artistic conception has already emerged.

The style is not a realistic and detailed depiction, so it cannot be considered lifelike.

With Xia Chi's limited knowledge of art, this style is similar to the Impressionism he knew in his previous life, which focuses on capturing light and shadow, movement and color to create atmosphere.

How do you feel?

Xia Chi looked at himself in the painting, and touched his chin uncertainly. "The me in the painting seems to have a... faint melancholy?"

Canon smiled and nodded, her eyes clear, "Because Xia Chi, you were just looking a bit lost, wasn't that obvious?"

"Have it?"

Xia Chi thought for a moment, perhaps it was the speculation about whether the Aura Power had sensed Latias?

Artists certainly have keen observation and perception skills.

If he were to "abandon his pen for the sword," he would likely become an excellent trainer.

"But it's really well drawn!"

Xia Chi praised him sincerely.

Ponpo also tiptoed, trying to see herself nestled next to Xia Chi in the painting, her starry eyes sparkling with a mixture of amazement and joy.

“Boni.”

Wow, that's amazing!

Magical Masked Cat's gaze lingered more on Xia Chi's faint sorrow in the painting, its crimson eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

This feeling is so familiar.

Did you have a similar feeling before you "found" that little guy Egui Peng in Beishang Township?

Miaoha's accurate sixth sense made the "rival radar" in her mind beep again.

I have a feeling this opponent will be formidable.
Having finally finished his creamy shortbread roll, Victini belatedly drifted over to look at the painting.

After searching carefully on the canvas, it couldn't find its signature V-shaped ears, and somewhat reluctantly floated onto Xia Chi's head.

"Tini!"

[I'm not included! When will I get my chance to appear?!]

Feeling the sudden weight on his head and hearing the complaint in his ear, Xia Chi chuckled and whispered to comfort him, "You can appear anytime now, and look, there are no Bangiras or the like in this painting."

The reason for keeping the Victini hidden at the beginning was to prevent it from being targeted by malicious individuals.

Things are different now; Victini herself is almost level 30.

Mythical Pokémon at level 30 are much stronger than regular Pokémon of the same level, not to mention the Bond Pact bonus from the Pokémon.

Most importantly, Ponpo becomes terrifyingly powerful after being upgraded.

Xia Chi doesn't need to worry about safety at all.

Bictini seemed to think seriously for a while, but in the end, it just whimpered and still showed no intention of becoming visible, continuing to stay on Xia Chi's head as an invisible "hat".

Xia Chi sighed helplessly; this little guy's thoughts were sometimes really hard to guess.

Is she shy? Or does she simply enjoy the sense of privacy that "only Xia Chi knows I'm here"?
"Hey, what's wrong, Xia Chi? Are you talking to someone?"

Noticing Xia Chi's inexplicable interaction with the air, Canon suddenly asked.

Xia Chi snapped out of her reverie, smiled naturally, and pointed to the painting, saying, "No, it's just a bit of a pity that my other elves aren't here, so I couldn't paint them together."

He made no mention of Bictini's existence.

Since the little guy has chosen to remain invisible, we should respect his/her wishes.

Canon smiled innocently and said, "It's okay. If you're free tomorrow, I can paint another one for you."

Xia Chi laughed heartily, "That's great, it's a deal."

Canon looked at the painting, then at Xia Chi and asked, "By the way, are you taking this one with you?"

"No need, just stay here."

Xia Chi shook his head and joked, "Maybe in the future you'll become a world-renowned painter, and this painting will become a masterpiece like 'Gardedo with a Pearl Earring' or 'Arceus: The Last Supper'? Then I'll benefit from it."

(The Last Supper)

Canon chuckled, her eyes crinkling with delight: "Then I'll take your kind words!"

The two chatted casually for a few more minutes about the local customs and culture of Odomare.

As dusk deepened, the lights along the banks of the canal lit up one after another, casting shimmering shadows on the water.

Looking at the sky, Xia Chi said, "It's getting late, I should go. Can I add the Bogaman number so we can contact each other tomorrow?"

While Canon isn't particularly enthusiastic about trending topics, it still has basic communication tools.

"Okay!"

She readily agreed and took out her own phone; the two exchanged contact information.

See you tomorrow, Canon.

"Okay, see you tomorrow, Xia Chi!"

Watching Xia Chi lead the elves away, Kanon's smile faded, replaced by a helpless expression.

Turning her head to the empty space beside her, she whispered, "Alright, I've helped you get to know him. Are you satisfied now?"

The air around me seemed to ripple gently, as if a pebble had been thrown into the water.

Then, a clear, melodious sound, like a wind chime, filled with joy, rang out.

"Woooo ...

Clearly, Xia Chi's intuition was correct; Latias was nearby.

Even this seemingly accidental encounter on the bridge was orchestrated behind the scenes.

Looking back in the direction where Xia Chi had disappeared, Kanon suddenly smiled and whispered, "But... he and his elves are indeed very interesting."

"Woooo ...

A light and cheerful response immediately filled the air.

Canon shook his head helplessly and began to carefully pack up the easel and paints.

"Alright, we should head back now. If we don't, your brother, who's obsessed with his sister, will be searching for you all over town again. He might even think I've kidnapped you."

she quipped.

The air around me was completely silent, and there was no response as I had expected.

Canon paused, looked up at the air beside him, and exclaimed in disbelief, "Wait...you're not thinking of following me, are you?!"

"Ooh-ee."

A drawn-out chirp, carrying obvious hesitation and struggle, echoed through the air.

An invisible force seemed to be at war with the heavens.

Finally, the cry turned into a low, melancholy sound, like a sigh that dissipated in the evening breeze.

Latias ultimately restrained his urge to be curious.

"That's good."

Canon breathed a sigh of relief, packed up the last canvas, and said, "Let's go home."

Shouldering their easels and toolboxes, the two turned and walked along the stone path illuminated by lamplight, heading in the opposite direction from Xia Chi.

------

Meanwhile, in a corner of a dimly lit open-air café on the canal bank.

Two sisters, who were "tourists" wearing wide-brimmed sun hats, quietly took off the oddly shaped sunglasses on their noses.

The moment the lens was removed, a complex grid-like thermal image flashed across the inside of the lens, then returned to normal.

"How to do?"

Lian lowered her voice, her tone tinged with anxiety: "That Xia Chi... why did he have to appear in Odomare at this time?"

Unlike Canon, who was detached from worldly affairs, they naturally knew about Xia Chi, who had been making waves for the past six months.

They knew all too well what Xia Chi's name meant over the past six months.

He is a rising star in the battle world, a direct disciple of Ma Shide, and most importantly, the legendary spirit Egui Peng beside him has repeatedly demonstrated terrifying strength.

Even though they are the "Cynthia of the Pokémon world" and their main Pokémon have gym-level strength, they still have no chance of directly confronting that kind of being.

Sanna, the older sister, frowned deeply.

Should we wait for Xia Chi to leave?
But what if this guy stays in Odomare for a long time?
Moreover, it's unknown when those two legendary spirits left.
After a moment's thought, a resolute glint flashed in Sanna's eyes.

"The plan continues. As long as we can get the Heart Drop, there's no need to worry about Xia Chi."

They have been lying in wait here for two whole months in order to seize the relics of Aldor Mare and the legendary pair of infinite Pokémon.

Prior to this, they had spent six months conducting meticulous intelligence gathering and preparation.

Now, they have successfully broken through the Odomareanian's elaborate illusion and located the true hiding place of the [Heart Drop].

With the arrow already on the bowstring, how can we give up just because of an unexpected trainer?
Sanna instinctively pressed her hand against her handbag.

Even through the leather, you can feel the outline of a hard, cold metal device inside.

Now, all they can do is hope that the [energy booster] they acquired through special channels in the Kanto region will work.
------

Meanwhile, when Xia Chi returned to the hotel, Zhen Yifa had already finished playing and returned sometime earlier.

It was sprawled out like a grayish-purple ghost blanket, its narrow, scarlet eyes half-closed, comfortably covering the most comfortable single sofa in the room.

When Xia Chi and her friends returned, Fa Jie simply let out a lazy "woo-yo," indicating that she had had a great time.

Once everyone was present, Xia Chi led the elves to have dinner at a family-style restaurant downstairs, where the aroma of food filled the air.

The cuisine of Odomare, like the city itself, is not overly stimulating in its seasonings. The ingredients are fresh and retain their natural flavors, and the cooking methods are gentle, resulting in a perfectly balanced sense of comfort and satisfaction.

Back in the room, Xia Chi held Pengpeng and sat on the small balcony, admiring the deep and tranquil night view of Odomare, so different from the modern city.

He suddenly understood why Canon didn't care about trending topics in the outside world.

This is indeed a special city with a strange magic that allows people to return to their peaceful and authentic selves.

Odomare has no bustling nightlife.

Perhaps influenced by this tranquility, Xia Chi also washed up and went to bed early.

The murmur of the water was the best lullaby, and he slept exceptionally soundly and peacefully that night.

(End of this chapter)