You are not allowed to be a Pokémon Trainer!

Chapter 286 Reflections on Truth: Reshiram's Response! (4.4k words, 3240 bonus words)
Yui is very thoughtful.

This lakeside cottage is fully furnished with all kinds of furniture and living facilities.

From comfortable bedding to a full range of kitchen utensils, to smart devices connected to the internet, even the refrigerator is stocked with fresh ingredients and fruits in advance.

It's so perfect that Xia Chi can move in right away tonight.

Since that's the case, Xia Chi was too lazy to bother going back to her rented apartment in Shanghai.

Tonight, we'll set up camp in our new home.

Latias was sent to the west coast to deliver the news. Before dinner time, Ponpo and Fa Jie came running over from the main residential area.

Clearly, the elves also loved this lakeside cottage full of natural charm, and they played wildly in the room until dinner time.

As dusk settled and the stars began to appear, the sky began to brighten.

Xia Chi, You Yi, and their respective spirits sat around on the lakeside terrace, having a lively first outdoor barbecue party in their new home.

Wisps of smoke, mingled with the aroma of roasted meat and the sweet scent of tree fruits, filled the cool evening breeze.

Although Zhenyi was still the head chef, she was unusually not so busy today that she was surrounded by ghosts.

Latias, who had made good progress in learning from the master, skillfully assisted from the side.

Yui's Flaming Chicken is a master at grilling, precisely controlling the heat to produce skewers that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, making the elves drool.

Dinner lasted from sunset until nightfall, with the elves' laughter and chatter carried on the night breeze by the tranquil lakeside.

There were a few minor hiccups in the middle.

Perhaps the commotion here was a bit too loud, for ripples quietly appeared on the surface of the lake not far away.

Hakron's elegant figure reappeared, perhaps a little shy this time because of the large crowd.

Instead of getting close to the bright light of the campfire, they tossed a large, fat, still lively fish to Xia Chi's feet from a distance.

Then she let out a soft "fuee~" sound, as if expressing her gratitude.

He immediately dived into the water and disappeared from sight.

Xia Chi looked at the large fish struggling at his feet, then at the surface of the water where Hakron had disappeared, and shook his head with a smile.

All I did was promise it unlimited energy cubes, and it sent me a fish in return.

Is this ridiculous?

To be honest, these wild creatures have quite the temperament.
Xia Chi originally wanted to invite Hakron to join, but seeing how shyly it left, she decided not to force it.

The first night on the island was very pleasant.

A gentle sea breeze blows, and the stars twinkle in the sky.

Xia Chi and the elves slept peacefully in this lakeside cottage.

------

Miaoha's prediction was inaccurate.

Xia Chi took down the Hakkarosaurus in less than three days.

In fact, Xia Chi didn't see Haklong much in the next two days.

He could roughly guess the reason; given Hakron's rather honest nature, perhaps he was too embarrassed to get any closer.

He was afraid Xia Chi would misunderstand and think he was after the energy cubes.

Xia Chi didn't care.

Anyway, I've already settled on the island, so there will be plenty of opportunities to get to know each other later.

Island living away from the hustle and bustle of the city may not be as romantic as one might imagine, but it has its own unique charm.

Enjoy tea and scenery on the lakeside terrace in the early morning, go out to sea to fish in the afternoon, and occasionally be dragged by Uniqlo to the orchard to work as free labor.

Every few days, I would return to the breeding base in Shanghai and carefully select a few promising Pokémon eggs to bring back for hatching.

Pokémon with strong functionalities, such as the Giant Pot, the Little Sheep, and the Shuttle.

Fortunately, Yui has a Chandelure with the [Flame Body] trait, which is expected to hatch before winter arrives.

Perhaps it was Groudon's blessing that made the soil on the island exceptionally fertile.

The fruit trees that Yui planted when she first arrived are now lush and thriving.

If we can get through this winter, we can harvest a wide variety of high-quality tree fruits next year.

Meanwhile, she also managed the vegetable and fruit garden and the flower garden on the other side very well.

However, seeing her leave early and return late every day, Xia Chi still felt a little sorry for her.

When I last contacted Master Ma, I casually asked about Clara's recent situation on the Isle of Armor.

I heard he has truly turned over a new leaf.

After the New Year, we can bring this second employee, who was already booked, to the island to share the burden of Uniqlo.

A week passed in this peaceful and fulfilling way.

Three days before his flight to Niangguang City was scheduled to take off, Xia Chi received a letter from an important person he had never expected.

The current champion of Donghuang is Yu Muxue.

The last time they met was in April, before she went to the Isle of Armor. This small island was the gift she gave back then, either as a reward from the Alliance or to win her over.

Xia Chi really couldn't guess what the purpose of this invitation to meet was.

Could it be that seeing that I discovered Mega Evolution in the Hoenn region, it is urging me to develop and explore in the Eastern Continent?

If that were really the request, Xia Chi wouldn't be so willing to accept it for the time being.

With these questions in mind, Xia Chi flew from the small island to the Alliance Building in Shanghai aboard Latias.

When the door to the conference room was opened, Yu Muxue had been waiting for a long time.

Thinking back to the last time, Xia Chi was waiting for the champion to arrive, accompanied by Dean Lin.

Undoubtedly, after six months, the experience in the Hoenn region has significantly elevated Natsuchi's implicit status once again.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Champion Yu Muxue."

After entering the reception room, Xia Chi nodded in greeting.

To his surprise, Yu Muxue stood up to greet him and even pulled out a chair for him: "I just arrived too."

This treatment made Xia Chi feel quite flattered: "You're too kind."

"That's how it should be."

Yu Muxue's smile was sincere and gentle. "Your achievements in Fengyuan are world-renowned; you are now the most dazzling calling card of Donghuang."

She blinked. "I already told you last time, no need to be so formal, just call me Sister Xue."

Xia Chi was quite moved.

Regardless of whether it's for political reasons, such respect from a champion is truly touching.

"Okay, Sister Xue."

Xia Chi readily accepted good advice.

After exchanging pleasantries, the two sat down.

Xia Chi cut straight to the point: "I wonder what Sister Xue wanted to do by calling me here this time?"

Yu Muxue pondered for a moment and said, "To be honest, there is indeed something I would like to ask you. You should have heard of Sai Xiaochi, the world-class attribute expert, right?"

Xia Chi nodded and replied, "Of course."

Electric attribute expert Sai assisted Qishu in winning the championship.

The multi-attribute expert even participated directly as a commentator in the competition.

He is very familiar with this high-level world-class event.

Is Yu Muxue looking for herself related to the Attribute Expert Competition?

But it seems like none of my own players are able to participate.

Xia Chi had some doubts.

"Aside from the Ice Masters, Donghuang's performance in other events this year has been less than ideal; they haven't even won a single championship."

Yu Muxue sighed softly, "So, I think there should be a tournament for experts with evil attributes at the end of the year."

------

[Ding~ Battle round 4-1 triggered: Dark Master! Because this battle round will have a chain reaction with subsequent battle rounds, please carefully consider whether to participate!]

Tongzi's voice suddenly rang out, but Xia Chi ignored it for the time being.

She then asked, "Sister Xue wants me to participate?"

Yu Muxue nodded and said, "Yes." Xia Chi frowned slightly, "But I only have two Dark-type Pokémon."

In his current lineup, only Magic Masked Cat and Tyranitar are Dark-type.

"Besides, I remember that one of the eight official gyms in our Eastern Empire is a Dark-type gym, right?"

"Oh, Director Qi."

Yu Muxue picked up her teacup and took a sip, her eyes momentarily unfocused. "She mentioned to me that she wanted to take a good vacation at the end of the year to adjust her condition."

Xia Chi: "."

Sister Xue, is it really that she wants to take a vacation?
Xia Chi felt a bit like the math teacher who monopolized PE classes in junior and senior high school—

"Oh, your PE teacher is on sick leave today, so we'll have math class today."

However, given the rather lackluster performance of Donghuang in international competitions this year, Director Qi might actually be happy about not having to participate in the matches.

After all, nobody wants to be whipped into a spinning top—

Despite its relatively low profile, the Dark type actually boasts several Elite Four-level trainers who specialize in it.

Cranberry from the Unova region, Flower Moon from the Hoenn region, and Rinka from the Johto region, plus Mordan, the island king from the Alola region who was once an Interpol agent, and Niezi from Spike Town, a powerful force from the Galar region.
It's no exaggeration to say that there are many experts here.

For Master Qi, who is virtually unknown even in Donghuang, this kind of competition can truly be described as "winning if he doesn't get eliminated in the first round."
Then the problem is coming.

The requirement for participating in the Attribute Expert Tournament is "at least three Pokémon of a certain attribute must be registered for the competition," and I don't have enough of those.
and many more.

Xia Chi was taken aback. "Sister Xue, you mean, Martial Arts Bear Master?"

Yu Muxue nodded and said, "Yes, but I also know that the bear apprentice has two evolutionary forms, so without knowing your future plans for the bear apprentice, I'd like to ask for your thoughts first."

Xia Chi pondered for a moment.

He's definitely right about the direction of evolution.

After all, with that [Water-Evil Mixed Scroll], the Bear Apprentice's evolutionary direction is the "Combined Attack Style" Martial Arts Bear Master.

But the words came back again.

If it can switch between Water and Dark types, can it still be considered a Dark-type Pokémon?

it should be no problem?

Xia Chi told Yu Muxue about his thoughts.

The champion of Donghuang looked visibly speechless.

You mean, you're a legendary martial arts bear master, and you're going to do something illegal?

Even so, Yu Muxue still gave an affirmative answer.

"If that's the case, then there's no problem."

She lied and said, "It's just a normal morphological change."

Xia Chi readily replied, "Then I have no problem. My bear apprentice will definitely be able to complete the evolution by November or December."

Xia Chi agreed very readily.

It's not just about triggering battle rounds; he also wants to compete against worthy opponents to hone his skills.

The World Evil Attribute Master Tournament, featuring many top-tier players, was exactly what he wanted.

So, what are the time and place of the match?

Yu Muxue said, "In Flying Cloud City of the Unova region, the time is in mid-to-late December."

As expected, it's Unova!
Xia Chi felt a slight sense of emotion.

Everything connected: the Light Stone that appeared from the lucky lantern, Reshiram's awakening.
Perhaps the answers will be revealed then.

------

Latias stretched out its streamlined red and white body, flying steadily in the azure sky as it returned to the island.

The city skyline below is gradually replaced by the azure sea.

Xia Chi sat on her broad, warm back, unconsciously stroking the ever-silent Light Stone in his hand.

He ultimately accepted the invitation to participate in this year's Evil Attribute Expert Tournament, and also accepted the system's turn of battle.

Today is October 22nd, and there are still two months until the start of the competition.

There's plenty of time—

Even if the Lucky Lantern doesn't yield the final fragment of the Bear Apprentice's Pokémon, regular training and battles will be enough to raise the Bear Apprentice to level 40, which is required for leveling up.

The competition itself was not the root of his unease.

What truly lingered in his mind was the system's cold, impersonal message.

"This round of combat will trigger a chain reaction!"

If Xia Chi's guess is correct, the outcome will most likely be the same as with Hoenn—

It evolved into a scenario like "Plasma Cluster uprising, Kyurem awakens".

As soon as this thought arose, an indescribable sense of annoyance and displeasure quietly grew.

It wasn't fear, but a sense of frustration.

He thought of Hoenn.

Despite their elaborate schemes to turn Fireflies against Groudon and plant an inside man, they ultimately failed to prevent Groudon and Kyogre from awakening.

It was as if it were destined to happen, something that could not be changed by anyone's will.

Although the actual damage caused by the final war of gods was kept to a minimum.

But that sense of powerlessness—that "what's meant to happen will happen"—is like a leech, haunting him to this day.

Xia Chi naturally possessed knowledge of Team Plasma's conspiracies in the Unova region, as well as of the Black and White Dragons and even Kyurem, perhaps even more so than in the Hoenn region.

He had the information, he foresaw the crisis, but deep in his heart lingered a huge doubt.

Can my intervention really change what seems to be an inevitable course of events?

Or will I ultimately be left with no choice but to futilely go with the flow of events, just like in Hoenn, and then frantically try to clean up the mess after the disaster strikes?

Perhaps it was the bond of a shared soul that allowed Latias beneath him to keenly sense the turmoil and heaviness churning in the trainer's heart.

A gentle, feather-like telepathic connection swept through Xia Chi's mind.

Xia Chi, what are you worried about?

Xia Chi was silent for a moment, and instead of answering her question directly, he suddenly asked, "Latias, do you think if I hadn't gone to Odomare that time, you would still be living a leisurely life in the Water City with your brother?"

【Huh? Xia Chi, do you want me to go back? No!】

Latias's reaction was unexpectedly intense.

She clearly misunderstood, and her emotions became somewhat flustered, causing the flight path to shake noticeably for a moment.

Xia Chi immediately realized his slip of the tongue, and he quickly used both hands to gently pat Latias's neck, conveying his apology and comfort.

"No, no, Latias, that's not what I meant. I meant..."

He carefully chose his words and said, "What would it be like if there were a Pokémon world where I didn't exist?"

It wasn't that Xia Chi was just being melodramatic, but this feeling of destiny made him feel somewhat wistful at the moment.

I don't know what the world will become.

Latias's telepathy returned to normal, but she remained confused, unable to comprehend Xia Chi's profound assumptions.

However, she spoke her next sentence with unwavering conviction.

However, Latias knew that without Xia Chi, he would be very, very sad. I think everyone would feel the same way, because Xia Chi is our 'world'.

Latias's words were like a warm beam of light, instantly piercing through Xia Chi's mind of those ridiculous and illusory thoughts about "destiny."

He was startled for a moment, then shook his head and gave a self-deprecating laugh.

Ha, always getting caught up in nihilistic, unrealistic, and meaningless fantasies like "destiny."

Latias understands it better than Latias.
What is fate, what is destiny? Would a world be better if I didn't exist? What does that have to do with me?
The tangible reality is the warm body temperature of Latias beneath me, which is currently supporting me.

They are the companions on the island who are waiting for me to return.

It is that small island that holds the promise of the future, and it is this magnificent sea and sky before us.

As long as I walk alongside Latias and Nyaha Ponpo, and move forward together in this world, that's enough!

Just as the gloom in Xia Chi's heart dissipated and a sense of enlightenment dawned.

hum-

The luminous stone he was holding tightly in his palm, which had always been warm and silent, suddenly began to hum loudly!

(End of this chapter)