Pokémon: Just won the championship, the newbie growth system is here!

The rock-crusted steamed buns actually tasted alright.

If it weren't for the fact that Ye Luo looked like he was gnawing on a lump of coal, his score would probably be even higher.

The "coal balls" are filled with black sesame paste, which has a sweet taste.

Meloeta was also gnawing on a lump of coal, wolfing it down in two bites—equivalent to eating a steamed bun the size of her palm.

Unlike Gardevoir, who sat on the other side, eating her steamed bun in a refined and elegant manner.

"Growlithe".

A coal-shaped steamed bun was handed over, and the Gyrodog carefully ate it in one bite.

A text message came through Arceus's phone, and Ye Luo licked the black sesame paste off his hand.

"A friendly reminder from the Beginner Trainer's Guide: You have arrived in the city where your first Gym is located, Pewter City."

Well done! It seems that the Viridian Forest challenge was a piece of cake for a promising new trainer like you. You deserve praise. But now comes the real challenge for trainers: challenge the Pewter City Gym to get your first badge and take another step closer to becoming a Pokémon Master!

Main objective: Defeat the Pewter City Gym Leader.

Reward: 5000G, 5 points (points can be used to open blind boxes)

"Hmm... is there anything special about opening blind boxes with points?"

Ye Luo wasn't sure, but the reward of 5000 Alliance Coins was quite tempting.

Based on the prices in the Kanto region, you can earn around 600 to 1000 League Coins per day, which is enough to live comfortably during your travels.

With 5000 Alliance Coins, I can save on travel expenses for this week.

The reward was quite good, but Ye Luo wasn't too surprised; he was facing some serious problems.

"But these rewards are based on my ability to challenge the dojo."

Challenging the gym isn't difficult at all. With Ye Luo's Pokémon's current strength, getting the badge shouldn't be a problem; it'll be easy, like stomping fish.

The problem is that Ye Luo himself is no longer qualified to challenge the dojo.

"The Pokémon League has a clear rule that once you become the champion, you cannot challenge a gym."

With the champion's strength, who will challenge the gym leader again? Who is the true challenger?

The League Champion has a privilege: he can directly battle the final-ranked Trainers in the League Tournament. However, in return, he will lose the qualification to challenge Gyms.

Staring at the main storyline on his phone, Ye Luo stroked his chin and muttered to himself.

"So this main quest will get stuck? It doesn't seem like that."

Ye Luo noticed the content of the main objective.

"Defeat the Pewter City Gym Leader."

"It doesn't mean I have to defeat him myself; perhaps other trainers can do it too?"

This logic might work, but it's also possible that he really would have to challenge the gym himself, which would make the mission truly bugged.

Regardless, Ye Luo still needs to give it a try.

If successful, the 5000 Alliance Coins travel fee is still quite attractive.

As the rock buns were almost finished, Meloeta took the last one and continued to gnaw on it.

"Your lips are covered in black sesame paste."

Ye Luo gently rubbed Meloetta's face and scraped the black sesame paste off the corner of her mouth.

After finishing the steamed bun, Gardevoir used its psychic powers to lift the teapot next to it and poured a cup of tea into the floating cup.

[Leaves fall.]

"Thanks."

He took the tea, drank it all in one gulp, and felt that he had eaten enough for lunch.

Gardevoir thought that although Meloetta was the one who received special treatment, Ye Luo sometimes spoiled this willful Pokémon too much.

However, Gardevoir wasn't too jealous, after all, it also had its own ecological niche.

[I usually take care of the trainers; Meloetta can't do that.]

There aren't many Pokémon that can take care of their trainers, and Gardevoir is quite pleased with itself for this.

"Ugh~ (....)"

[What, you don't believe me?]

Gardevoir complained to Arcanine, who was so devoted to the family.

"Ugh~?"

Arcanine thinks this is biased.

[Hmph, I don't care what you think, as long as Ye Luo thinks so.]

Gardevoir, while eating a steamed bun, leaned closer to Ye Luo, almost pressing against the trainer.

Arcanine sighed, wondering who really seemed like they hadn't grown up.

Arcanine may never have understood the standard of being willful; it simply finds the days of traveling with its trainer to be very happy.

Arcanine usually sleeps in its Poké Ball, and when it wakes up, it is called out to play and eat with its trainer. Arcanine is very satisfied with this lifestyle.

A seasoned trainer knows not to put pressure on Pokémon and to make them as happy as possible in order to better reward themselves.

Ye Luo understood this principle perfectly: trust between trainers is the secret to making Pokémon stronger.

Battles always test logistics, and trainers are essentially responsible for this. A trainer who understands your Pokémon can fight without distractions.

"Speaking of which, isn't Gardevoir a bit too close?"

[Is there?]

Gardevoir didn't pay any attention and just silently munched on its "coal ball".

[Are you full, Ye Luo? If not, here's some for you.]

Not understanding why Gardevoir was suddenly showing such care for its trainer, Ye Luo had already eaten four steamed buns.

"I'm already full."

Meloetta: [I'm not full~.]

"If Gardevoir is full, the extra portion can be given to Meloetta."

[there is none left.]

Gardevoir had already finished the steamed bun and was calmly using its psychic powers to pour tea.

Meloeta didn't mind, and tugged at Ye Luo's scarf, indicating that she still wanted to eat the cotton candy from the roadside.

Don't spoil it too much.

Telepathy echoed in Ye Luo's mind as Gardevoir deliberately whispered something.

[Meloeta should be spoiled!]

Two voices echoed in my head.

Meloetta and Gardevoir, two Pokémon with telepathic abilities, often clash.

The things they're vying for are nothing more than trivial matters; the main thing is that everyone wants to get closer to the trainer, which is a very normal development.

If you add a West Lion Sea Serpent, it will turn into a chaotic battle for favor, and Ye Luo will often be the one who suffers.

This is unavoidable; when trainers raise a lot of Pokémon, various conflicts are bound to arise.

Watching the sparks fly between Meloetta and Gardevoir's hostile gazes, Ye Luo calmly sipped her tea on the bench.

The best solution in this situation is to fight. Pokémon should use battles to determine the winner; this is an age-old truth.

[hehe.]

[Hmph~.]

However, Meloetta and Gardevoir exchanged a smile and did not fight.

They've already fought more than once, and both sides know each other inside and out, so there's no need for them to fight all the time.

"it's over?"

Ye Luo also planned to stop the conflict between the two Pokémon before things escalated into a major conflict.

[I admit Meloetta is more skilled.]

Gardevoir voluntarily gave up the battle, proving that it is no match for a legendary Pokémon in terms of strength.

Meloetta's combat strength is considered T0 level in Ye Luo's team. It's only right that she's pampered on a daily basis, as she can provide very strong support when it matters.

Moreover, even if a winner is determined, the outcome of the match may not necessarily be during the match itself, but could also occur outside the match venue.

Gardevoir smiled and leaned her head closer.

[Since I've been so sensible, shouldn't the trainer praise me?]

"Yes, you've become much more sensible."

I remember Gardevoir used to be the most aggressive Pokémon in the team, always wanting to fight with other Pokémon.

Ye Luo patted Gardevoir's head, and Gardevoir smiled.

That's its purpose.