Spirits, who made him the Gym Leader’s directory 14

Chapter 14: This Young Master’s Name Remains Unchanged

Having prepared food and Energy Cubes for Tylee Meow and Bad-Star, Gu Xin also sat down to eat breakfast.

The weather was excellent today, the morning sun shining warmly on his skin.

Gu Xin pulled out his phone, browsing the Kanto League’s official website. He clicked on the Pavilion rankings, then selected Rota Pavilion.

‘A very challenging Pavilion, Pavilion Master Gu Xin’s skill is quite good. Next time, this young master will definitely win!’

Seeing this new comment posted last night, Gu Xin couldn’t help but smile.

Clearly, this was a comment from Shigeru, very much in Shigeru’s style.

However, below this comment, two skeptical replies appeared.

‘Is that true? Are you a shill hired by Rota Pavilion?’

‘Hilarious, this trash Pavilion actually has someone who can’t beat it? What’s your level? Did you challenge him with a Magikarp?’

‘Reply: Get lost, if you’re not convinced, leave your information and let’s have a match. This young master’s name remains unchanged, Daimu Shigeru.’

And clearly, Shigeru wasn’t the good-tempered young master he once was. Even in the original story, Shigeru was like this.

When he first debuted, he thought himself second only to God. His early elimination at the Indigo League was a major setback, humbling him significantly.

Due to his Indigo League defeat, Shigeru’s personality changed drastically when he reached the Johto Region, though his arrogance remained at his core. He was later defeated by Satoshi in the Silver Conference.

Being defeated by his childhood friend and ‘reformed’ in his personality, Shigeru decided to give up being a trainer and become a researcher. But even so, Shigeru remained proud, especially when facing Satoshi.

“There are internet tough guys everywhere.”

After Shigeru’s strong reply, the two doubters didn’t respond further, and Gu Xin chuckled lightly.

Technology in this world is advanced, and so is online social media. Everyone has haters, like Champion Kiawe, the Pavilion Master of the Poni Island Pavilion in the Galar Region.

Kiawe is a Champion-level trainer. With the former Galar Champion Leon retiring and the previous Galar Champion Raihan resigning, only the current Champion, Dande, could defeat Kiawe in the entire Galar Region.

It’s safe to say Kiawe is the second strongest in the Galar Region.

Kiawe is outgoing and cheerful, and frequently posts selfies on social media. However, Kiawe still has many haters.

Why?

Because Kiawe has never defeated Dande. According to Kiawe’s League card description, he has suffered ten consecutive defeats against Dande. Every time he loses, his account is flooded with sarcastic comments.

This is the current state of the internet. Online giants don’t consider Kiawe the strongest Pavilion Master in the Galar Region, nor that he has defeated the most of Dande’s Pokémon to date.

What they know is that Kiawe is a complete loser against Dande, because he has never won.

But is this a reason to mock Kiawe?

Kiawe is a Champion-level trainer! This is undeniable. In this world, with nine regions combined, how many Champion-level trainers are there?

At most a dozen. That’s the total number of Champion-level trainers worldwide!

Yet, even so, Kiawe is mocked online, so the internet truly has all kinds of people.

“I wonder if I’ll have any challengers today.”

Gu Xin idly flipped through the latest comments on other Pavilions, muttering to himself.

“And that Shigeru guy said he’d challenge again. When will he come?”

Gu Xin thought of Shigeru. Undeniably, as the first challenger to truly push him, Gu Xin had a deep impression of him.

Hmm, next time he comes to challenge, he should give him a proper welcome!

“It would be even better if Satoshi came.”

Gu Xin thought of Satoshi. Before he crossed over, the Pokémon anime had been updated to “Horizons.”

In “Journeys,” Satoshi defeated the previous strongest champion, Dande, in the World Coronation Series, becoming the new world’s strongest trainer.

But sadly, even after becoming the strongest, Satoshi still felt he hadn’t become the Pokémon Master he envisioned, so his journey would continue.

Only…this new journey wouldn’t have ‘us’ accompanying him.

Gu Xin had also watched “Horizons.” He had to say that while “Journeys” had a good ending, the production was truly terrible, a fact even Satoshi’s victory couldn’t change.

But “Horizons” was truly well-made, and the new protagonist,リコ (Riko), was very likable.

He’d gotten sidetracked. The important thing now was, would Satoshi challenge his Pavilion?

“If we follow the plot…Satoshi seems to only come to Rota Street after returning from his Hoenn journey and during his participation in the Battle Frontier.”

Gu Xin recalled the plot. If the original plot unfolded as it should, at the rate of one region per year, Satoshi wouldn’t reach Rota Street for at least three years.

Because Rota Street is a location that appeared in the “The Guardian Deities” movie.

“I should go out for a walk sometime.” Gu Xin thought. Now that he’s here, the plot might change subtly.

And Gu Xin really wanted to meet Satoshi. While he’s a Pavilion trainer, he can still travel.

Being a Pavilion trainer does require responsibility, but Pavilion Masters are also people and need rest, don’t they?

“Gu Xin~”

Suddenly, a sweet voice called out.

Gu Xin turned his head and saw Eileen, dressed in a white long dress, walking towards him gracefully.

Even the loose dress couldn’t hide her alluring curves. Her delicate and gentle face was lightly made up, her golden wavy hair cascading down, beautiful.

“Eileen, so early today?” Gu Xin replied with a smile.

“Hmm~ Yesterday, some guests visited the castle, so I didn’t come to the Pavilion.” Eileen first explained her absence yesterday.

“So I came earlier today. But I just heard from my younger sister that you defeated a challenger yesterday? And that person was Professor Oak’s grandson.”

Eileen blinked her bright eyes, asking Gu Xin excitedly.

She was happy! Gu Xin was finally not just giving away Badges!

“Yes, Bad-Star performed very well.”

“Fantastic~ Your hard work these past few days wasn’t wasted, Gu Xin. But it’s such a pity; I wish I had been there yesterday.”

Eileen was genuinely happy for Gu Xin, but then felt regret; it was Gu Xin’s first victory over a challenger! And she wasn’t there.

“It’s okay, there will be many more opportunities,” Gu Xin’s lips curved into a slight smile. Giving away Badges?

No more! From now on, whether to give a challenger a Badge will depend on whether the challenger earns his recognition!

“Mm-hmm~” Eileen’s pretty face bloomed with a beautiful smile, her eyes curving into crescents, radiant.

“Eh? Did Sprigatito evolve?” Suddenly, Eileen looked towards Tylee Meow, who was eating, with some surprise.

“Yes, it worked hard too, hmm?”

Gu Xin nodded, just as he was about to say something, his phone rang.

It was a message from the receptionist, another challenger had arrived at the Pavilion!

(End of Chapter)

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