Chapter 118: After the Match and the Gift

Inside the competitors’ resting room.

“Su Yi, you’re starting to put pressure on me,” Dan Di said with a smile.

“Ha ha ha, I’m still far from that,” Su Yi shook his head and laughed.

There were actually many variables in this battle. At present, the strength of Su Yi’s accompanying Pokémon was mainly concentrated in the Grimclaw Dragon.

At first, the Steel Armor Raven’s assistance surprised Su Yi a bit, but afterward, the Steel Armor Raven’s performance was outstanding—one could say it couldn’t have done better.

After the match, Su Yi learned that the Giant Blacksmith was Steel and Fairy type, essentially a little Celestibird.

If the Scratcher Bird faced the Giant Blacksmith, there would be no doubt it would be at a great disadvantage.

The Scratcher Bird was itself weak to Fairy types, and its two main moves—Rock-type Stone Heavy Strike and Flying-type Divine Bird Smash—were both resisted. Moreover, it lacked any moves that could boost its own abilities.

By comparison, only the Steel Armor Raven’s Pounce could deal normal damage, and its own attributes allowed it to hold its ground somewhat. In other words, having the Steel Armor Raven on the field was the best possible outcome.

Among the other accompanying Pokémon, the Great Fierce Jowl Dragon’s strength didn’t lie in battles.

The Dazzle Bird’s dazzling flash had already been exposed in front of Nemo, and the kill tactic of dazzling flash combined with rapid retreat was unlikely to work, which would greatly diminish the Dazzle Bird’s role.

On the surface, the strongest combatant, Swift Meow, was now completely disobedient.

If it were a full 6v6 match against Nemo, powerful Pokémon like the Spiked Back Dragon, Violent Carp Dragon, Banquillas, Twin Axe War Dragon, and Crimson Lotus Knight would be enough to give Su Yi a hard time, and it was hard to say what other troublesome Pokémon she might have.

Although Nemo’s strength was still in the early stages of growth, her Pokémon’s potential was astonishing.

In summary: in 3v3, Su Yi barely held the advantage; in 6v6, he was far from strong enough.

Grimclaw Dragon—my current champion!

“Su Yi, that was an exciting battle,” Caidou said as she entered the resting room, full of admiration.

“It’s all thanks to Grimclaw Dragon and the others working so hard,” Su Yi said. Having a few accompanying Pokémon fighting with all their might for him gave him great comfort.

“You’re going traveling soon, right?” Dan Di asked.

Su Yi nodded and joked, “Just going to see the world, and maybe check out some of the league tournaments in other regions along the way.”

In truth, he still had a few Pokémon and companions that needed to grow—like the Bear Disciple, Burning Bug, Little Fierce Dragon, and Great Sky—too young to face large monsters directly. Battling Pokémon would be a perfect way to train them first.

Dan Di laughed heartily. “You’re not being very fair, you know.”

Upon hearing this, Caidou asked, “Su Yi, are you really going traveling?”

“Yes. I can’t stay in one place for long, especially with so many places I haven’t seen yet. I won’t stop until I’m tired and need a break,” Su Yi said with a smile.

This was exactly what he had originally vowed—to carry through the romantic spirit of a traveler and adventurer.

“But before that, I’ll return to Armor Island to say goodbye to Master Ma and the others, and maybe throw a little party. Would you like to come?” Su Yi invited.

Caidou nodded.

Dan Di asked, “I’d like to bring Sonia along, hope that’s okay.”

Su Yi smiled, “The more, the merrier.”

“Su Yi!” Nemo hurried after Su Yi as he left the arena, panting.

“It’s Nemo Meow,” Leek Grass said.

Surprised, Su Yi turned around.

“Although I wanted to battle you a few more times, sadly I have to return to Padeia,” Nemo said after catching her breath.

Su Yi was stunned.

This 3v3 battle had already taken a lot out of him—how could she, who said she was out of stamina, still be so energetic?

“Next time for sure,” Su Yi said awkwardly.

“Then it’s a deal!” Nemo replied with a bright smile.

Su Yi hesitated to speak.

“Next time, you should come visit Padeia. I’ll host you. Our villa is quite big,” Nemo said with a smile.

“Definitely, definitely.”

Nemo reached into her pocket and handed over something. “This is a prize and a token of thanks.”

Su Yi took the pendant-like charm. Nemo explained, “This item is called the Serenity Pendant. When a Pokémon holds it, their abilities won’t be lowered by the opponent’s moves or abilities.”

Su Yi was surprised. “That’s a great item. Thank you, Nemo.”

Nemo smiled. “I’m glad you like it. Now, let’s exchange contact info.”

“Okay.” Su Yi nodded. His Rotom phone flew out and exchanged contact info with Nemo’s Rotom phone.

“Let me see,” Nemo said, holding her phone and looking through something.

“Huh? Su Yi, you haven’t registered for any social apps?” Nemo tried to add him on a social platform but found he hadn’t signed up.

Su Yi scratched his head. “I never really paid attention to that.”

“I’ll help you register. Just like this…” Nemo took Su Yi’s Rotom phone and started fiddling with it.

Su Yi sighed. “I’m not some old man, you know.”

“Then just pick a picture for your avatar, and you’re done.” Nemo clicked on the avatar settings and browsed the photo album.

Suddenly, Su Yi froze and quickly said, “Wait, I’ll pick the avatar!”

Before he finished, Nemo had already opened his photo album.

There were some photos of Su Yi with his accompanying Pokémon, but mostly landscapes from Coral Plateau, Miasma Valley, and other places, plus some pictures Rotom had taken of monsters like Terrorosaur, Sakura Flame Dragon, and Swift Dragon.

Rotom immediately realized and switched the screen to its awkward yet polite smile.

“That’s private, Rotom!”

Even so, Nemo had seen quite a bit.

“These places and the Pokémon…” Nemo said in surprise.

“Uh, they’re all just places I’ve traveled to,” Su Yi quickly explained.

Nemo sighed. “These must be treasures you gathered on your journeys.”

“Some are treasures, yes, and some…” Su Yi smiled awkwardly, “...some were downright scares.”

After saying goodbye to Nemo, Su Yi added everyone in his contact list to his friends’ list, then eagerly browsed through their profiles.

“Dan Di has been to many places too,” Su Yi muttered as he opened Dan Di’s space. He expected photos mostly of sponsor events but found many unique landscapes—places few had visited.

“Something’s off.”

Looking at a photo showing a frustrated Charizard and Dan Di’s carefree, smiling face, Su Yi immediately understood, “They got lost on the way, didn’t they?”

Su Yi couldn’t help but chuckle.

Sonia’s profile, besides glimpses of her research breaks, was filled mostly with fashion shares and displays, along with scenes involving Dan Di.

Master Ma’s profile contained screenshots of game trophies and achievements, while Mistress Miye’s was full of everyday kitchen scenes—rice, oil, vinegar, tea.

Caidou’s page was very disciplined, all workout pictures, while Onio’s photos showed no sign of himself but were all Ghost-type Pokémon.

“Let me check on Steel Armor Raven,” Su Yi said with interest as he finished viewing, then put away his phone and headed toward the Pokémon Center.

(End of chapter)