You are not allowed to be a Pokémon Trainer!

Chapter 257 The Prelude to the Mikkuri Cup! Water Artist VS Super Evolution Nova (6k views, please vote!)

Subduing Latias was undoubtedly a milestone achievement for Xia Chi.

It wasn't because the team had gained another powerful legendary Pokémon; what's most precious to ordinary people is actually the least valuable to him.
The main point is that Xia Chi has finally gotten rid of the embarrassing title of "cannot fly" that was firmly associated with her.

From then on, the world was their oyster; wherever they wanted to go, Latias could simply carry them.

That's theoretically true.

However, Xia Chi glanced behind her at Latias, who had transformed into human form, sitting elegantly and curiously examining the interior of the flying car.

I also imagined myself flying long distances on her streamlined, but definitely not spacious or comfortable, dragon back.
Forget it.

Given his size, the riding experience is destined to be less than pleasant.
At least during the day.

This flying car, which combines comfort and privacy, is still the best choice.

The power of science is truly amazing!
At this moment, inside the cabin of a car flying smoothly between the azure sea and sky.

Latias, transformed into the perfect maid, sat in the back row, her fair fingers gently stroking the high-quality seat fabric, her azure eyes filled with wonder.

She remembered that when Xia Chi first arrived in Odomare, he descended from the sky riding on this strange "steel giant bird".

It was this unprecedented creation that piqued her curiosity, prompting her to approach this mysterious human trainer and thus begin this unexpected story of fate.

Now, she can sit inside this "giant bird" and personally experience its wonders.

The cycle of fate has ended.

In the passenger seat, the Magical Masked Cat lazily flicked its tail, its crimson eyes glancing at the new member in the back through the rearview mirror, a hint of smugness seemingly curling at the corner of its mouth.

Yes, the passenger seat is still mine.

It seems Xia Chi still knows her limits; the new dragon maid can't shake my position!

Xia Chi didn't have time to pay attention to Miao Ha's little thoughts. His gaze fell on the time and route displayed on the car navigation system, and he pondered for a moment.

The Mikkuri Cup Special Invitational Tournament starts on September 1st, which is exactly ten days away.

Ten days.

A time point that is neither too long nor too short, an extremely delicate one.

In theory, it seems like there's just enough time to detour and challenge a place like the Violet Gym.

However, Hoenn has been clearly in turmoil lately.

If unexpected situations arise along the way, such as the Lava Team or the Aqua Team making a big splash, or an ancient ruin suddenly erupting, ten days might not be enough.

In particular, Xia Chi also has a strange constitution similar to Conan, where trouble always seems to follow him.

So, to be on the safe side, let's fly directly to Liuli City.

Actually, if you think about it carefully, there's quite a lot to do in Liuli City.

The search for the meteorite closely related to the secrets of super evolution.
Explore the Temple of Awakening, which holds the secrets of the ancient elves.
This is a last-minute attempt to avoid being shrewdly defeated by the big shots at the Mikelley Cup.
And one last important thing.

A few days ago, Xia Chi finally received a phone call that she had been waiting for a long time.

It's a fire goose.

The Lava Team's three executives, who were temporarily swayed by Natsumi's words deep in the forests of Orange Blossom City, thus sowing the seeds of rebellion.

More than a month later, the seed finally sprouted after being catalyzed by the near-annihilation disaster in Odomare.

That's ironic.

The two fanatical leaders, Crimson Pine and Archie Tree, conveniently used the tragic state of Odomare as the most powerful "propaganda film" to exaggerate the terror of the legendary spirits' power within their organization.

This was an attempt to further incite the members' fanaticism and solidify their distorted beliefs.

However, Huo Yan, who was observing the situation with a detached eye under Xia Chi's influence, saw a layer of truth that had been deliberately ignored amidst the overwhelming images of disaster and the leader's fervent speeches.

This force is completely uncontrollable!

If Groudon were to truly awaken, it would be impossible for it to obediently submit to humans.

In the end, the only sacrifices will be the lives of countless humans and Pokémon!

The beautiful new world depicted by the Crimson Flame Pine had lost its luster in her eyes, revealing its grotesque and terrifying nature.

So, at the last moment, the scales in Huoyan's heart tipped completely.

She decided to accept the olive branch Xia Chi had extended and choose to "recruit" him.

This phone call was her pledge of allegiance and a warning—

Crimson Pine will take action in Crystal City during the Mikuri Cup!

Xia Chi was extremely surprised when he heard the news.

Because of Team Magma's actions in Sootopolis, he could only think of one thing: to awaken Groudon and Kyogre, who were sleeping in the underwater cave!

Did Crimson Pine obtain the Crimson Pearl?

Xia Chi was so shocked that he immediately called Daigo, but the latter assured him that there was absolutely no trace of the Lava Team's activities at Mount Kami during this period.

That would be very strange.

According to Fire Goose's intelligence, Team Lava's operation this time is unprecedented in scale.

The three top officials, including Chi Yansong himself, will all head to the sea area near Liuli City.

If it weren't for waking up Groudon, there would be no need for such a large-scale operation.

But if it's really to awaken Groudon, where did the Crimson Orb come from?

Completely baffled, Xia Chi could only maintain contact with Huo Yan.

He then went ahead to Liuli City to take charge and wait for the enemy to come to him.

------

The straight-line flight distance from Odomare to Liuli City is over 500 kilometers.

Even though the interior of a flying car is spacious and comfortable, flying the entire distance in one go can still leave one feeling somewhat tired from the long journey.

The midday sun scorched the sea, so Xia Chi chose to make a temporary landing on a deserted island along the route to rest.

The car door opened, and a salty sea breeze rushed in, instantly dispelling the stuffiness inside the car.

Speaking of which, since coming to Hoenn, Fa Jie has basically stopped cooking.

This stopover on a deserted island is a perfect opportunity to finally get to taste its culinary delights after a long absence.

Flying cars aren't omnipotent; they can't conjure up a complete set of kitchen utensils.

But this was no challenge for the skillful and clever Sister Fa.

The deserted island is poor in resources, with few elves to be seen, but it is rich in the freshest seafood.

With a flick of its wings, it easily pried open the oysters and shellfish on the reef, and then used its telekinesis to pierce several plump sea fish from the shallows.

A simple campfire and a few clean, flat stone slabs serve as a natural oven and griddle.

Without complicated seasonings, just a touch of sea salt brings out the ultimate sweetness of the seafood.

After an extremely simple desert island lunch, Sister Fa successfully captured another food lover, Latias.

Perhaps influenced by that maid outfit, Latias also developed the idea of ​​learning to cook.

Thus, Latias officially became Zhenyifa's number one fan and chief disciple.

Xia Chi was naturally pleased with the outcome of this matter.

As the number of Pokémon in the team increased, Zhenyifa was clearly too busy to cook.

This is also one of the reasons why Xia Chi tries not to let it cook during the trip.

However, with the addition of the enthusiastic Latias, Fa Jie's work will likely be much easier from now on.

After finishing their meal, the flying car took off again and continued its journey.

The intense afternoon sunlight gradually softened, and the horizon where the sea met the sky began to glow with a faint golden hue.

As dusk approached, the flying car finally traversed the long sea journey and arrived at its destination.

Crystal City is a dreamlike city situated atop a massive extinct volcano, renowned for its pure, crystal-like dome.

Sooto City has always been a popular summer retreat in the Hoenn region.

With the upcoming Mikkuri Cup Special Invitational Tournament, the area is now bustling with people, exuding a festive atmosphere of noise and energy.

Trainers with Pokémon and smart clothes can be seen everywhere on the streets, and the air is filled with excitement and anticipation.

Xia Chi originally planned to stay at the famous [Volcano Glass Hotel] located at the top of the crater.

It is said that on a clear night, the starry sky there seems to be within reach, and the night falls so low as if to kiss the earth, making it an excellent place for stargazing.

Unfortunately, this level of trendy hotel was fully booked two months ago.

The next-tier hotels were almost fully booked, with only a few rooms remaining, each small enough to accommodate just two or three small elves.

This is clearly unrealistic for Xia Chi's team.

Left with no other option, Xia Chi had to contact Mikoli, the true local bigwig in Liuli City.

A few days ago, Daigo gave Michael his personal contact information.

In the past few days, the water artist has sent several messages, enthusiastically inquiring when he will arrive.

It's just in time to get in touch.

Perhaps because the Mikkuri Cup is about to open in a few days, the Ryuga Dojo has closed for maintenance.

Mikoli told Xia Chi to go directly to his house.

The "People of Glass" family, with a history spanning thousands of years, naturally has an extraordinary residence.

The ancestral home of the Mikuri family, or the people of the Glass, is located on a gentle slope with a superb view inside the crater.

The location is even better than that popular hotel, offering panoramic views of most of Liuli City and the central inner sea.

When Xia Chi arrived, a well-dressed attendant led him inside.

The landscape is subtly man-made yet exquisitely designed, featuring extremely luxurious manor houses.

Everything silently explains to Xia Chi what the true "Old Money" essence of the Pokémon world is.

In a luxurious hall large enough to host a standard Pokémon battle, Wallace and his teacher, Adam, the former Gym Leader of Sootopolis City, were enjoying tea on a comfortable sofa.

Upon seeing Xia Chi enter, the two stood up simultaneously.

"Welcome to Liuli City, Teacher Xia Chi."

Michael stepped forward with an elegant smile that was as pleasant as a spring breeze, his tone gentle yet containing just the right amount of enthusiasm.

He extended his hand to shake Xia Chi's, saying, "You must have had a long journey."

"Young friend Xia Chi, how have you been?"

Mr. Adam smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

"Mikeli-senpai, Adam-senpai, it's been a long time."

Xia Chi sends his respects.

They had met briefly four months earlier at the global launch event for Paddy Asia Pacific Crystallization.

It was during that meeting that Daigo's invitation triggered the [Mega Mystery] battle turn that led to Natsuki being lured to Hoenn.

"And who is this beautiful young lady?" Mikuri looked at Latias, who had transformed into human form beside Xia Chi and possessed a serene demeanor, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

When did Xia Chi get such a beautiful female companion?
She's even wearing a maid outfit. Is that some kind of play?
Xia Chi coughed lightly and said with a slightly awkward laugh, "This is... Latias."

Latias bowed slightly but did not speak.

Although I have the ability to communicate with others through telepathy, the fact that I can does not mean that I want to do it.

Latias had no desire to communicate with humans outside of Xiachi.

A slight bow in greeting is already considered very polite.

Mikoli: "."

Adam: "."

Even Adam and his apprentice, with their vast knowledge, were still taken aback by the "mute dragon maid" before them.

You mean this guy who looks just like an ordinary person is actually the legendary Pokémon Latias?
So, is it possible for humans to undergo super-evolution?
What changes would occur in appearance after evolution? Would they become very significant?

"Xia Chi, you and Latias have a very good relationship."

Adam, the womanizer, raised an eyebrow at Xia Chi, his eyes conveying an ambiguous "I understand" meaning that left Xia Chi speechless.

really.

People with certain thoughts in their hearts will see everything as certain things!
------

After the greetings, everyone took their seats.

"It's so great that Teacher Xia Chi was able to arrive ahead of schedule!"

Mikuri elegantly picked up her teacup. "I watched the entire Odomaree live stream. Latias and Mega Evolution were truly captivating. Inviting you as a special guest is to give the Mikuri Cup audience the opportunity to witness this miraculous power and bond blossoming on a magnificent stage. Teacher Xia Chi, please don't be stingy!"

Xia Chi smiled wryly: "Of course I will use Super Evolution, but I am a complete novice when it comes to Grand Contests. I'm even afraid I won't be able to pass the Grand Performance stage."

The Grand Contest has been developing for many years, and its current competition system is quite sophisticated.

The preliminary rounds were spectacular performances, similar to the kind Serena participated in in the anime, where trainers and Pokémon would coordinate to perform on stage, using dazzling moves to grab attention.

The top-scoring players advance to the semi-finals for a spectacular battle.

As for how many will advance, that depends on the scale of the competition.

The spectacular battles are similar to those in the anime.

Both Pokémon start with 100 "Glamour Points," and the goal is to deduct the opponent's Glamour Points through attacks.

If the opponent retaliates with a perfect performance, the attacker loses points.

The game continues until one side's brilliance level reaches zero.

Of course, if you defeat your opponent before they are completely wiped out, you will also be considered to have won.

The format of the Mikkelsen Cup naturally follows tradition.

That's why Xia Chi was worried about not even passing the preliminary rounds.

After all, what kind of monsters are participating?
Melissa, Ami, Fenglu, Maxiu, and even Mikoli and Adam himself.

Each of them is a top-notch coordination trainer in their respective region.

Indeed, perhaps due to the difference in timelines, both Fenglu and Maxiu, the gym leaders who have little to do with the Contests in the games and anime, are highly skilled Coordinators.

So, with this all-star lineup, Xia Chi really looked out of place.

Mikoli laughed heartily and said, "There's no need to worry about that. This special invitational tournament only has eight participants. The dazzling performances in the preliminary rounds are just that—performances. The real winner will be decided in the spectacular battles."

Xia Chi breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

That's good. It would be embarrassing if they couldn't even make it to the knockout stage.

If it's a spectacular battle, Xia Chi's confidence has increased considerably.

Even a spectacular battle is still a battle!
After their equipment was upgraded, the Magic Masked Meow and its companions, whose combat power was already at the Dojo level, became even stronger.

Among the participants, apart from Michael, who was nominally the gym leader but was actually the champion, there were others.

The rest of the people weren't particularly outstanding.

With the strength of their own Pokémon, they should be able to survive quite a few rounds?
After concluding the discussion about the Mikkuri Cup, Daigo asked, "Speaking of which, I heard from Daigo that Professor Xia Chi's visit to Ryukyu City is related to exploring the mysteries of Mega Evolution? I wonder if there's anything I can do to help?"

Getting down to business, Xia Chi's expression turned serious. "Indeed, according to the information I currently have, the secret of super evolution is closely related to the meteorite that fell in Liuli City a thousand years ago. The most important purpose of coming to Liuli City this time is to find that meteorite."

A look of understanding flashed in Mikoli's eyes, and he nodded solemnly, saying, "Understood. If there's anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to tell me!"

Xia Chi's thoughts shifted, and he said, "There is indeed something you can help with. The Awakening Temple in Liuli City may be hiding some crucial information."

"Temple of Awakening."

Mikoli's expression turned slightly serious. "I think you know that's a place that we 'Citizens of the Glass' have guarded for generations. Getting in isn't so simple."

He abruptly changed the subject and laughed, "Before that, you need to beat me first!"

You could tell from the smile on Mikoli's face that it was obviously a joke.

It's just a pretext to force a fight against Xia Chi.

Xia Chi smiled wryly and said, "Alright, then I'll accept without hesitation."

"readily."

Having achieved his goal, Mikoli laughed and said, "But let's fight again tomorrow. After all, you've traveled a long way, and it would be unfair for you to win."

Xia Chi really wanted to say that neither the elves nor he himself, who trained diligently, would have any problems.

But since Mikoli insisted, Xia Chi naturally went along with it.

------

After enjoying a meal at the Hoenn noble family's house, Xia Chi prepared to return to her room to rest.

During their time in Liuli City, they naturally spent it in Mikoli's manor.

Adam asked meaningfully, "Xia Chi, how many guest rooms do you need?"

Before Xia Chi could react, she replied, "One room? I'll just stay with the elves."

Feeling Adam's ambiguous gaze, Xia Chi glanced at Latias and Magic Masked Cat beside her.

He was silent.

That old man is setting me up again!

Even so, Latias is indeed having a bit of a headache about how to sleep on his first night with the team.

It is known that Ponpo and Meowha have two large wings, one on each side, when they usually fall asleep.

Latias's eyes seemed to indicate that he was also looking forward to sleeping with him.
How to do?
First, we can rule out the possibility of replacing either Ponpo or Meowha.

That would be a huge disaster!

What's with the whole "overturn the signboard" thing?
No, no, that wouldn't look right!
So Xia Chi made a decision that went against his conscience.

I kicked them all off the bed and slept alone!
Don’t worry about scarcity but inequality.

If nobody has it, then everyone has it!
Seeing Xia Chi's firm resolve, the three elves, having failed to persuade her, had no choice but to give up.

but
When Xia Chi woke up, he was devastated to find the three elves that had been chased off the bed now clinging to him in all sorts of crooked ways. But then he felt relieved.

Oh well, let them be from now on.
Good morning, Senior Ya Dong.

Xia Chi greeted them and pulled out a chair to sit down.

Adam was elegantly enjoying his coffee when his gaze swept over the three elves behind Xia Chi, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

"Looks like you had quite a 'lively' rest last night, Xia Chi. Is the room comfortable?"

He deliberately emphasized the word "lively".

Xia Chi: "."

Old Deng definitely did this on purpose!

Breakfast was served in a subtle atmosphere.

Mikoli joined soon after.

The group then began to chat about the morning scenery of Liuli City.

As breakfast drew to a close, Michael put down his knife and fork and gently wiped his mouth with a napkin.

His gentle gaze sharpened and filled with anticipation. "How about a match to help digest your meal?"

Xia Chi had anticipated this, and naturally smiled and said, "I couldn't be happier, Senior Mikoli, please!"

Such a luxurious estate naturally possesses professional facilities befitting its status.

Guided by the butler, the group arrived at a meticulously designed open-air battleground at the back of the manor.

The core of the venue is not ordinary land, but a vast pool of water similar in size to a standard battleground.

Several large, flat rocks, resembling small islands, are scattered throughout the pool, providing footholds or tactical footholds.

Xia Chi and Mikoli stand at opposite ends of the pool area.

"You've probably never played in this kind of battlefield before, right?"

Mikoli smiled and asked, "Is everything alright?"

Xia Chi's gaze swept across the water stage before her, the cool air of the pool washing over her, with rocky islands scattered everywhere.

A water-themed arena? This seems to be my first time playing on one.
It should be a novel experience, right?
He nodded readily and said, "Of course, no problem. It's a good opportunity to experience it."

Mikkuri smiled slightly and called over a Rotom cell phone beside him.

"So, to let more people experience the charm of the battle, is it okay to stream the whole thing live?"

He certainly had ulterior motives in requesting a live stream—

As the founder of the Mikkuri Cup and a staunch promoter of the Grand Prix.

He constantly strives to spread this "art of combat," which differs from traditional battles, to a wider audience.

This is also why he invited Xia Chi, an "outsider" who had never ventured into the glamorous world but possessed a super-evolutionary influence, to participate in the competition.

Now that he has the opportunity to capitalize on the hype and "advertise" for the Mikkelsen Cup, he certainly won't let it pass.

The live stream was titled "A Prelude to the Mikkuri Cup? Water Artist VS Super Evolutionary Rising Star!"

It's unknown whether Xia Chi will use Mega Evolution in this match.

But the audience doesn't know either!

If you want to know, you have to stay and watch, right?
If we stay and watch, we'll find out that Xia Chi is also going to participate in the Mikeli Cup, right?
Perfect closed loop, plan in place!
Xia Chi didn't care about Mikoli's little scheme, and nodded nonchalantly, "Please make yourself at home."

The Rotom phone immediately went into action, its camera pointed at the field, and its signal connected to the official channel of the Mikkelsen Cup.

Adam, acting as the referee, read out the battle rules: "So, the rules are standard 3v3, with each side having one use of Crystallization and Mega Evolution, is that alright?"

Xia Chi and Mikoli nodded in unison, "No problem!"

Meanwhile, viewers drawn into the live stream by its catchy title also began to appear.

(Daily 10,000 words completed, 1/9 chapters owed, please vote for me at the end of the month, thank you!)

(End of this chapter)