Paldea region. In a livestream with very few viewers, a cheerful and lively sweet female voice rang out.
["Catch your eyes with an electric web! Who's here for Iono? Iono's here!"]
["Good morning, afternoon, and evening, hello!"]
["Now~ iono will join everyone in watching the final moments of this Paldea Pokémon League Champion Exam!"]
["Trainer Lucas Blade VS Chairwoman and Champion of the Paldea League—Geeta!"]
Accompanied by spirited background music, the livestream camera zoomed in gradually. At the top of the Pokémon League in the northwest of Mesagoza, the climax of the battle slowly unfolded.
Countless sparks of electricity flew across the field, and a closer look at the ground revealed scattered purple toxic spikes.
On the field, two battered Pokémon faced each other.
One had crystalline petals, looking both mysterious and dangerous.
The other had a majestic black mane. Even poisoned, its golden eyes shone like the sun, unwavering and full of determination.
As they faced off, the young man on the left, dressed neatly in casual clothes and looking about eighteen, spoke:
"Wild Charge!"
The Luxray's eyes flashed. Electricity crackled around its body in an instant, as if it wore a golden battle cloak. Not even the poison could stop its determination. In the next moment, Luxray turned into a bolt of lightning, charging at Glimmora. The ground it passed over was scorched black by the electricity.
On the right, the black-haired beauty in a meticulously tailored suit had no intention of sitting still. Her battle style was as awe-inspiring as a war god's. Geeta ordered coldly:
"Sludge Wave!"
Instantly, a wave of toxic sludge swept over everything. Luxray struggled to advance, almost unable to move.
But Luxray's gaze remained resolute. At that moment, it resonated with Lucas, and memories of the past flashed through its mind.
Luxray felt a surge of mysterious power within. Gritting its teeth, it pushed forward with all its might until it touched the small body ahead.
A golden lightning storm swept across the entire battlefield in an instant. The whole Paldea League headquarters shook. Even the air began to smell strange and unpleasant.
The odor, mixed with the stench of poison, was very off-putting.
But Lucas and Luxray didn't wrinkle their brows at the smell. Instead, they smiled genuinely.
From their perspective, Geeta's Glimmora could no longer maintain its floating stance and collapsed straight onto the ground—now battered beyond recognition—completely losing the ability to battle.
A new champion-level trainer was born here.
…
"I'm planning to retire!"
After the Champion Battle, Lucas Blade—now a champion-level trainer—faced Geeta's offer to work for the Paldea League and gave an unexpected answer.
Geeta rubbed her aching temples, frowning.
"Champion Lucas, do you know what you're saying?"
Lucas responded without hesitation:
"I know, but my plan won't change!"
Geeta sighed, looked at Lucas with regret, and asked:
"I can't force you, but at least tell me why. It took you just a year to reach your current level."
"You have such extraordinary potential. Why give it up?"
Lucas' eyes flickered. He felt his answer might anger the always-elegant Chairwoman Geeta. But under Geeta's oppressive gaze, he caved and surrendered.
"You should know my background. Becoming a trainer was a coincidence. My dream is to open a small shop or farm and live a peaceful rural life!"
"Now that I've become a champion-level trainer, I have the confidence and courage to pursue my dream!"
Geeta took a deep breath. She could understand Lucas' thinking, but seeing such an outstanding trainer choose to retire still made her sigh again.
"I understand. Your reason convinced me. But I have one request—please agree to it."
Geeta continued slowly:
"You're a powerful trainer and the only one in recent years to pass the Champion Challenge. If something happens in Paldea that I can't handle, I hope I can privately ask for your help."
This time Lucas didn't refuse. He nodded and replied softly:
"No problem."
…
Paldea region, southern Los Platos.
It had been half a month since that little-known Champion battle in the Pokémon League ended.
Since then, the new champion-level trainer hasn't taken any job. Not many people knew that a new champion-level trainer had joined the League. This small and peaceful town continued its everyday life.
At the town center, a young man in a casual T-shirt and capris, sunglasses on under the warm sun as if heading to the beach, walked out of a stylish building.
Lucas looked at the [Land Transfer Certificate] and [Construction Permit] in his hand, nearly moved to tears.
He never expected that buying a large plot of land in the Pokémon world would be so troublesome—it took him seven whole days to get the documents from the mayor.
If he'd known, he would've just asked an acquaintance for help and forgotten about pride or saving face.
But—
When Lucas arrived at the land he'd almost spent all his savings on—leaving only enough to feed his Pokémon—his eyes shone with unprecedented excitement.
This is the feeling!
The Pokémon world isn't just about fighting. There's also the option of living a happy life with your best partners!
Basking in the warm sunlight, he could pet Luxray, occasionally tease his tsundere Seviper, hug his low-key Mimikyu and ride Dragonite to admire the sky, and watch Gallade and Swampert battle in the kitchen.
However, an obtrusive line of text suddenly appeared before Lucas' eyes.
[Ding! Special Prompt System loaded successfully!]
[System Objective: Cultivate every host into the strongest of their era! In this world's terms—a Champion!]
Lucas: "..."
He looked confused, and if you looked closely, you'd see a deep sense of annoyance in his eyes.
I already became a champion-level trainer on my own. What's the point of your cheat system now, other than disturbing my peaceful retirement?
It's... just bad luck!