Spirits, who made him the Gym Leader’s directory 5

Chapter 5: Finally, a Challenger!

2025-01-30

Chapter 5: Finally, a Challenger!

‘My dearest father, I hope this letter finds you well. I trust you haven’t gotten lost in the blindingly white legs on Sunny Coast.’

‘Your handsome and intelligent son has a new plan to revitalize the Pavilion industry and urgently needs your support.’

After bidding farewell to Eileen and returning to the Pavilion, Gu Xin took a shower, then lay in bed and took out his phone to send a message to his old man.

Why not send a letter like the old man? Come on, what era is this? Do people still send letters?

Only that old man is so fond of letter writing. In his words, it’s the romance of the times, although Gu Xin couldn’t understand it at all.

After sending his request to his dear old dad, Gu Xin stared at his phone, lost in thought.

Speaking of which, as the wheel of time rolls forward, technology is also constantly developing.

Gu Xin quickly searched online.

“Professor Kukui of the Alola region proposed the Rotom Dex concept? In other words, the Rotom Dex hasn’t been created yet, so the Rotom Phone definitely hasn’t either.”

Gu Xin confirmed this point.

The so-called Rotom Dex and Rotom Phone are simply explained as AI-powered Pokédex and AI-powered phone.

In the original work, they are the Rotom Phone from the seventh generation Alola region and the eighth generation Galar region, which is a Rotom Pokémon integrated into a phone and Pokédex, allowing Rotom to act as the ‘artificial intelligence’.

This is a huge opportunity.

Nessa from *Pokémon Scarlet/Violet*, she’s the daughter of the Rotom Phone company owner, so Nessa is actually a super rich second-generation heiress.

Gu Xin told his father this information. He himself doesn’t have much time to run a company, but his father does.

Seizing this opportunity would allow them to easily become one of the world’s top companies.

After waiting for a while, seeing his old man reply with an ‘ok’ message, Gu Xin prepared to rest.

The night passed without incident.

Early the next morning, Gu Xin got up, washed up, had breakfast, and then began training his Pokémon.

“I really need to raise more Pokémon; this yard is so lifeless.”

In the backyard, Gu Xin watched Sprigatito and Nidorino engage in a training battle, glancing at the seemingly endless backyard and silently muttering to himself.

Such an empty yard wastes resources; it’s a shame not to raise more Pokémon.

Also, as a Pavilion Master, having more Pokémon is necessary.

In the future, when I’m stronger, I can’t use my real mainstays to deal with new trainers who come to challenge, right?

That would completely crush their spirits.

“Pavilion Master brother!”

The receptionist excitedly jogged over, her miniskirt swirling.

“What’s wrong?”

Gu Xin looked at the receptionist in confusion.

“We have a challenger! A challenger has come to challenge the Pavilion!”

The receptionist was very happy, her little face flushed.

Obviously, she was thrilled that the Pavilion finally had another challenger, especially since it had been almost a week…

Which Pavilion goes a week without a single challenger?

The receptionist genuinely hoped the Rota Pavilion would get better. She wasn’t very old, but she knew that her Pavilion Master brother was a good person and always took good care of her.

“Oh?” Gu Xin’s eyes lit up.

Finally, a challenger!

Gu Xin immediately recalled his Goodra and other Pokémon who were training and walked toward the inside of the Pavilion.

Meanwhile, inside the Rota Pavilion…

“Tsk~ This Pavilion is really big; it looks quite decent.”

A handsome boy with spiky hair surveyed the Pavilion and nodded in satisfaction.

Although he knew from online information that this Pavilion’s level was average, it didn’t matter; he was just casually picking up a badge.

It didn’t matter whether this Pavilion’s challenge difficulty was high or low; he absolutely had to get this badge!

“But I still hope the Pavilion Master can bring some surprises, otherwise it would be too boring.”

The spiky-haired boy smiled softly, clearly a seasoned show-off.

“Ah~!!!”

“Young Master Satoshi is so handsome~!”

“Young Master Satoshi is full of confidence today.”

“Young Master Satoshi, win the Pavilion battle this time too~”

Behind the spiky-haired boy, several young girls’ eyes sparkled with adoration as they gazed at him.

“Don’t worry, my darlings, it’s no problem! After the Pavilion battle, we’ll go shopping.”

Satoshi turned around, stylishly swept his bangs, blew kisses at his girlfriends, and declared he would definitely win this Pavilion badge. A small Rota Pavilion, that’s all.

He would win!

Satoshi’s response elicited excited screams from his cheerleaders.

“So…the challenger is this guy?”

Gu Xin, who had just entered the Pavilion through the back door, saw this flamboyant scene and fell into deep thought.

The receptionist also had a subtle expression.

Although it felt a bit strange, Gu Xin still walked towards Satoshi; after all, this was a hard-won challenger!

Even if this challenger was a bit eccentric, he had to grit his teeth and go for it.

“Are you the Rota Pavilion trainer?”

Satoshi also noticed the black-haired boy approaching and raised an eyebrow, his eyes becoming serious.

Damn! This Pavilion Master is so damn handsome! His looks are even higher than mine…we could compete!

This is a strong opponent!

“Hello, I’m Gu Xin, the Rota Pavilion Master.”

Gu Xin wore a gentle smile, his calm tone pleasant to hear.

This polite demeanor caused the several female cheerleaders behind Satoshi to start emitting sparkles from their eyes.

This Pavilion Master is clearly a warm and sunny type.

“My name is Satoshi, Satoshi Oak, from Pallet Town.”

Although the newly debuted Satoshi was arrogant and self-centered, he still had basic manners, except when facing his childhood friend.

“I heard there’s actually a Pavilion in this town, so I decided to try it, even if it’s just an unknown little Pavilion.”

But inevitably, after a moment of politeness, Satoshi quickly reverted to his arrogant demeanor.

“The Rota Pavilion welcomes any challenger, shall we begin?”

Gu Xin maintained his gentle smile, unfazed by Satoshi’s tone.

“Of course.” Satoshi was confident.

Aside from the pride of being Ash Ketchum’s cousin, while his talent wasn’t as outstanding as his monstrous twin brother, Satoshi was also considered a genius trainer by many.

The information he’d checked before coming to this Pavilion was hilarious; the Rota Pavilion could be nominated alongside the Cerulean Pavilion as Kanto’s weakest Pavilion.

Pressure? Absolutely not, he’d already earned three Pavilion badges. Victory is certain!

Gu Xin and Satoshi took their positions on the battle field, and the Pavilion referee, finally having something to do, came over.

“The Pavilion battle for the Rota Badge will now commence. The challenger is Satoshi from Pallet Town.”

“The rules are 2-on-2, with Pavilion Master Gu Xin going first. The victor will be the one whose opponent’s two Pokémon are all rendered unable to battle.”

“Begin!”

The referee lowered his flag and stepped back from the battle field.

On the large screen at the front of the Pavilion, the half-body images of Gu Xin and Satoshi appeared, standing on opposite sides.

Gu Xin took out a Poké Ball, spinning it between his fingers, his lips slightly curled upwards.

“Then allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Gu Xin, and I am the master of this Rota Pavilion.”

“I am a multi-type trainer and will decide on my team based on the challenger.”

Gu Xin remained courteous and refined.

“Mr. Satoshi, I’ll ask you a rather abrupt question.”

“?”

Satoshi looked at Gu Xin questioningly.

“Have you ever faced the power of poison? That omnipresent, ever-present feeling of corrosion?”

“Often, absolute power doesn’t determine victory. Please savor this experience.”

The smile on Gu Xin’s face deepened, even causing Satoshi to feel a strange and twisted sense of unease.

What nonsense is this?

Satoshi knew that many Pavilion Masters had the habit of saying some ‘trash talk’ before battles, but this guy’s words were incredibly pretentious!

“Let’s begin our battle.”

Gu Xin’s smile returned to normal, as if nothing had happened, and he threw the Poké Ball in his hand.

“Mr. Satoshi, your first opponent is this one!”

The first Pavilion battle to change the Pavilion’s situation! Let’s start now!
(End of Chapter)

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