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Chapter 152 - 108. Rival

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Sitting on Dragonite's back and holding Gardevoir in his arms, this was simply the pinnacle of life. A Dragon-type pseudo-legendary Pokémon beneath him, and the beautiful Gardevoir beside him, both the dreams of countless Trainers. 

If this isn't the pinnacle of life, what is?

No matter how many Trainers want to surpass Evan, they can't rival his current team and configuration. 

At this moment, Evan was chatting with Gardevoir. He asked her about the Pokémon that Gallade seemed to know. However, Gardevoir refused to reveal anything, only replying cryptically, "You'll know when the time comes." 

Evan was left speechless. 

But he couldn't help his curiosity. What kind of Pokémon was it? Could it be another pseudo-legendary? And what were the odds it was residing in Everland City? 

Do you know why that place is called Everland City? It's because the area is dotted with cemeteries and ancient tombs. With just a little digging, you might even find your ancestors. To preserve its delicate ecosystem, the Pokémon League has avoided modernizing the city—no subways, no skyscrapers. 

It feels like stepping back in time.

The city is surrounded by a dense and eerie forest teeming with Ghost-type Pokémon. It's their paradise, a haven for the supernatural. The sheer number of Ghost Pokémon in Everland City earned it the nickname "Ghost City." 

If there really is a pseudo-legendary Pokémon here, could it be Ghost-type? Perhaps something like a Dragapult? Or maybe... something else? Evan's mind wandered. 

Could it be a talking Gengar? A rare Shiny Gengar, maybe? 

He couldn't help but get excited. If possible, he hoped to catch a few Ghost-types to add to his team. Froslass, Chandelure, Decidueye, or even a Gengar would be ideal companions for him. 

As he pondered the possibilities, Evan decided he might as well stay in the forest for a while. There was nothing urgent back at home, and this was an opportunity to train and explore.

"That's settled," he announced to himself. "I'll spend a few days in the forest for some serious training. Isla and the others can take care of the breeding house while I'm away."

He took out his phone and quickly sent a message to Isla: "Handle the breeding house matters while I'm out. If there are new orders, log them for now. For anything urgent that you can't manage, I'll handle it when I return."

Hearing this, Gardevoir glanced at Evan with a mix of surprise and happiness. She hadn't expected him to make such a spontaneous decision, but she was glad. 

No more being cooped up at home—this was a real adventure.

Now, Gardevoir only hoped that Evan would stay safe.

It would be a shame not to travel beyond the comforts of home. 

If you stay inside every day, waiting for opportunities to come to you, you'll eventually grow complacent. Worse, you could lose the sharpness needed to truly excel. And Gardevoir, always thinking of Evan's potential, longed for her Trainer to rise to fame—to claim an Elite position by earning it at the grandest stage of all.

Now, as things were starting to change, there was a sense of excitement in the air.

After sending the message to Isla and the others, Evan quietly admired the scenery. The vast blue sky stretched endlessly above, with Dragonite flying at breathtaking speeds. Along the way, they passed many Trainers riding on their Flying-type Pokémon. Yet, none could match Dragonite's pace, and they quickly faded into the horizon.

Down below, travelers in the forest caught glimpses of Dragonite soaring through the sky. Its imposing presence made many assume it was an Elite Trainer. Curious murmurs rippled through the crowds as they watched in awe.

For Dragonite, this was no leisurely flight. With the route firmly in its mind, it was entirely focused on reaching their destination. Its speed remained incredible even while carrying Evan, making the journey exhilarating yet somewhat exhausting for its passenger.

Among all Flying Pokémon, Salamence is often regarded as the ideal mount. Its broad, stable back and exceptional speed offer a comfortable ride, allowing passengers to feel secure even at great heights. In contrast, Dragonite, while fast and reliable, isn't as suited for long flights. 

After over an hour of travel, Evan began to feel the strain. His legs had started to go numb, and he sighed in mild frustration. 

"Just a bit longer," he muttered, trying to stay positive. They were close to their destination now.

Meanwhile, back at the breeding house, Claire arrived, only to find it empty. Disappointment immediately washed over her.

"What?" she exclaimed. "I came all the way here, and Evan isn't around? That's so unfair!"

Her exaggerated frustration left Isla shaking her head in amusement. Standing beside her, Violet raised an eyebrow as she assessed the situation.

"Where did Evan go?" Violet asked curiously. "Did he mention anything?"

Isla nodded, a small smile forming. "Brother Evan left with Gardevoir to challenge a Gym."

Violet was taken aback. "Challenge a Gym? Are you saying Evan is taking on Gym battles now?" 

The surprise was evident on her face. The Evan she knew was more of a homebody, someone who didn't step into the competitive spotlight. Yet here he was, actively pursuing new challenges.

Could it be that Evan was preparing for something bigger? Was he planning to compete in the national competition? Violet couldn't help but wonder.

Claire, standing nearby, couldn't hide her amusement.

"Oh, Violet, it looks like you have a strong rival now," she teased with a sly grin. "Tsk, tsk, just imagine the embarrassment if you lose in this year's national competition."

She smirked, leaning in with mock concern. "When that happens, you might be too embarrassed to even think about taking over the Elite position. Hey, hey, hey~~!"

The thought of Evan participating in the national competition was surprising, yet undeniably intriguing.

After all, this was the year Violet was slated to take over the Elite position. However, the process was far from a formality. If someone like Evan managed to shake things up, it would certainly be a spectacle worth watching.

Hearing Claire's taunts, Violet's eyes narrowed as she shot her a sharp glare.

"Stop overthinking it," Violet retorted. "If I lose, then I lose. The worst that can happen is starting over. What really interests me is why Evan is suddenly entering the competition. Didn't he say he wasn't interested in this sort of thing?"

She crossed her arms, deep in thought. "And then there's his Pokémon," she added. "That's what's confusing me the most."

Violet couldn't help but analyze the situation. If Evan only had three championship-level Pokémon, then his chances of winning the tournament seemed slim. Even if he managed to go far, Violet felt confident she could hold her own against him in battle.

"That guy Evan might be scary," she admitted, "but I'm not exactly weak either. Still, having fewer Pokémon puts him at a serious disadvantage."

Isla, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, finally chimed in. She didn't hold anything back and shared what Gardevoir and Gallade had been up to.

When Violet heard Isla's explanation, her expression shifted from skeptical to incredulous.

"So, it was their doing?" Violet murmured, astonished. "Unbelievable."

She couldn't help but marvel at how quickly things were changing. Evan, who had once shown little interest in competitions, now seemed poised to shake the foundations of the Trainer world.

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