Spirits, who made him the Gym Leader’s directory 2

Chapter 2: This Old Man Is Hopeless!

2025-01-30

Chapter 2: This Old Man Is Hopeless!

“Thankfully, there’s a fellow sufferer to compare myself to.”

Gu Xin flipped through the comments with interest. Although the Pavilion was in a tough spot, at least he had a comrade in misfortune.

No, even as equally struggling Pavilions, the Celadon Pavilion’s popularity still far surpasses Rota Pavilion.

No, no, I can’t get this down.

Gu Xin adjusted his thinking. Since he was already here, he might as well try to salvage this Pavilion business.

After all, it was *his* Pavilion!

If… if it really couldn’t be saved, then so be it.

Anyway, he had money now, he could do anything. And since he had already transmigrated to the Pokémon world, how could he not go see this wonderful world?

Yeah, no problem. If it works, I’ll keep doing it; if not, I’ll go traveling. Perfect!

“This back garden is big enough, it’s just that there are few Pokémon.”

Gu Xin glanced at the seemingly endless backyard. This was the land behind his Pavilion, already fully purchased and belonging to him.

The area was vast, and many wild Pokémon inhabited it. Spending time here to relax was one of his daily routines.

“Pavilion Master, Queen Eileen is here to visit you.”

A young girl approached and spoke to Gu Xin.

“Okay.”

Gu Xin glanced at the girl. She was one of the Rota Pavilion staff members, the receptionist who greeted challengers.

Gu Xin stood up and stretched, while a small green cat, which had been lying in wait on a nearby tree, intently watching a Pidgey, skillfully leaped down from the tree and dashed over.

“Meow~”

A pleasant, soft sound echoed as the kitten instantly darted into Gu Xin’s embrace, rubbing against him.

A small, light green body with four deep green leaf-like patterns overlapping in the center of its face, and collar-like fur on its chest; a very cute kitten.

This was a Sprigatito, Gu Xin’s starter Pokémon, received from Pokémon School.

“Good girl~ We’ll train this afternoon, okay?”

Gu Xin affectionately rubbed Sprigatito’s little head. The soft fur felt wonderful.

“Meow!” Sprigatito raised its little head, full of fighting spirit.

Gu Xin chuckled softly. So cute.

Entering the Pavilion through the back door, although the Pavilion’s popularity was low, the building itself was large and luxurious; it truly exuded an air of wealthy extravagance.

Entering the waiting room, one person was already seated and waiting.

A luxurious, form-fitting purple-pink long dress, a curvaceous and attractive figure, flowing golden, fluffy long hair, a fair and delicate face, and a beautiful crown adorning her head.

“Eileen, have you been waiting long?”

Gu Xin smiled at the woman, whose bearing was elegant and refined.

Eileen, the current Queen of Eudalond City, that was the identity of the woman before him.

That’s right, Gu Xin’s location was Rota Street, the location of the movie *Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai*.

Of course, while it’s called Rota Street, it’s actually a fairly sizable town.

“I just arrived, Gu Xin. How have things been lately?”

Eileen rose gracefully and spoke softly, her watery eyes reflecting Gu Xin’s image.

“How else could things be? The Pavilion is really struggling.”

Gu Xin sat down and poured a cup of tea for Eileen, then sighed helplessly.

“Rota Street is located north of Deepgray City (Nimbasa City) and Mount Moon. This location is relatively remote, so fewer travelers end up coming to Rota Street.”

Eileen offered consolation.

“Your Majesty, if I remember correctly, this is the third time you’ve said that.” Gu Xin replied humorously.

Eileen blushed slightly, raised her teacup, and took a sip of tea.

Although she was the Queen of Eudalond City, she was only twenty years old. And because she had been raised as a crown princess since childhood, she had little contact with others.

“It’s mainly a matter of strength. If only I were stronger.”

Gu Xin remained optimistic. How could he not be? He had only just transmigrated. More importantly, his future was secure.

At worst, the Pavilion would close down, and he’d go traveling. So it wasn’t a big deal at all.

“You only recently graduated from school. You’ll get stronger gradually. Your uncle was rather hasty in leaving so suddenly.”

Eileen spoke humorously, expressing her sympathy for Gu Xin.

Gu Xin had only been at Pokémon School for less than six months before he was suddenly called back to inherit the ‘family business’.

Asking a rookie trainer to suddenly become a Pavilion Master was simply absurd!

“In my dad’s words, the money’s been made, time to enjoy life,” Gu Xin shrugged.

“But this Pavilion is still my family’s. I’ll try to keep it going as long as possible, and if it does well, it can bring a lot of popularity to Rota Street.”

“If only I could help.” Eileen said helplessly.

But she was just a queen with no fighting skills, and not a trainer either.

The title of Queen sounds very noble, but in the context of the Pokémon League’s dominance over the world, her small regional queenship is essentially a self-contained entity.

While the Pokémon League still grants these ancient monarchies legitimate power, a more realistic term would be “local noble” with no real power, rather than queen.

After all, Rota Street is just a small town, and Eudalond City was once just a small country.

The Pokémon League would not acknowledge a national monarchy. Many lineages can trace their ancestry back to kings, etc.

For example, Acerola, the future Alolan Ghost-type Elite Four member, is a descendant of the Alolan royal family, but in modern times, she’s just an ordinary person.

The era of many countries existing side-by-side is long gone.

“Your Majesty, your cheering from the sidelines would give me a lot of motivation.” Gu Xin raised an eyebrow, teasing her.

“You’re so quick-witted,” Eileen couldn’t help but roll her eyes at Gu Xin.

Although she was two years older than Gu Xin, they were childhood friends and had a close relationship.

“Your uncle sent you something back.” Then Eileen took out a small box and handed it to Gu Xin.

“What does this old man mean by sending things here every time?”

Gu Xin complained, but his hands still diligently opened the box.

“I don’t know either.” Eileen playfully blinked innocently.

“Poké Balls?”

Gu Xin looked at the two Poké Balls inside the box – and they weren’t empty. There was also a letter.

‘My dearest son, I hope this letter finds you well. Your mother and I are having a great time in Alola. Don’t worry about us.’

‘I also checked online about your Pavilion’s recent situation. Son, you have to keep working hard. Why are there so many bad reviews? If it really doesn’t work, let’s just demolish the Pavilion; we won’t take this abuse.’

‘One more thing, there are many beautiful women in Alola, and your mother and I plan to stay here a while longer. I’m seriously considering finding you a stepmother. What do you think? Feasible or not?’

‘By the way, keep these two Pokémon and raise them. We have the money, anyway. One is a rare Pokémon I acquired from the League at a great cost; my son deserves to have one. The other is one I caught here for you. One Sprigatito is not enough, after all.’

‘Finally, your mother and I both really like Eileen. Tell me if you like her or not; we both want to be grandparents sooner rather than later. Or shall we find you another girl on our trip?’

Gu Xin read the letter with an impassive expression before putting it away.

This old man is truly hopeless!
(End of Chapter)

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