Almost two months had passed since the Blueberry Academy delegation left.
Likewise, it had been nearly a month and a half since Nemona, Paul, and Shizuka had set off for the Hoenn Region to tour, challenge gyms, and tackle the Battle Frontier.
Lucas had previously worked out that Ash usually took three to four months to travel a region, two or three regions per year. As protagonist, Ash ran into a lot of things, so taking it slow made sense.
If all you cared about was gyms or battle facilities, even accounting for travel, Lucas was confident he could clear them in a week—as long as they were open.
Now, Nemona was hardly any weaker than her year-ago self.
Spending nearly one and a half months to clear the Battle Frontier was mostly due to accompanying Paul and Shizuka to challenge gyms, and detours catching Pokémon. In all, pretty reasonable.
Today, the people Lucas was here to pick up from the airport were Nemona, and Paul and Shizuka, who were temporarily suspending their gym runs to return to Paldea with Nemona.
Lucas reckoned that after her growth at the Battle Frontier, Nemona was ready to challenge the champion test.
That was why he'd boldly suggested the champion test livestream proposal to Iono.
Iono was startled at first, then wondered if Lucas was kidding her, but soon recalled a certain figure and became suspicious.
As Levincia Gym Leader, she'd directly experienced Nemona's confidence-shaking talent.
Last year, Nemona's advice had helped Iono's stream rejuvenate. Her popularity was now worlds apart from when she'd livestreamed commentary at Lucas's champion test.
Nemona had long collected her eight badges, she'd faced gym leaders at full strength.
So, when Lucas mentioned an emerging champion-level trainer, Iono's thoughts naturally turned to Nemona.
Iono asked outright.
"That's right. Nemona returned specifically to challenge the champion test."
Lucas nodded.
As they stepped into the airport to await the trio's flight, a surprised male voice sounded behind Lucas before he'd even sat down.
A sharply dressed butler—uniform creased like a blade, deep black wool catching the lights with a soft luster. Brass buttons at the collar clicked together like clockwork gears, his hair (salt-and-pepper at the edges) perfectly slicked back, crow's feet folding and relaxing in textbook etiquette.
A single look and you'd know: this was a strong, highly professional butler.
Full of self-restraint, though nothing like an Oranguru, it was its own kind of impressive.
"So you're here as well, Mister Sebas? Did Nemona's father and sister not come?"
Lucas nodded to Sebas, the house butler of the Nemona family, peering behind him but seeing no one else.
"Since you're Miss Nemona's teacher, just call me Sebas. As for the master and eldest young lady, unfortunately, Miss Nemona didn't even notify the family—so I only found out by checking our routine updates."
"The master and eldest are currently in Kalos for important negotiations. They can't make it back, so I've been sent to meet her."
There was a shade of regret on Sebas's face, but as he looked at Lucas, it quickly returned to warmth.
"Thankfully, you're also picking her up. That'll surely make Miss Nemona happy, as she isn't one to care for formalities."
Ever the professional, Sebas didn't forget the notable figure beside Lucas—Iono.
He addressed her by name, and with a few genuinely flattering words, Iono's head was held high.
"Hahaha! What do you mean, hot up-and-coming streamer and Levincia's most reliable gym leader? Don't flatter me with the truth!"
Lucas shook his head as Iono puffed up even more. Instead, he looked for the correct departing flight, but before he could spot it, Sebas—like a mind reader—checked his watch, then said:
"The flight lands in ten minutes. Mister Lucas, Miss Iono, would you like me to prepare some hot coffee?"
"Coke for me! Lots of ice!"
Iono, like a student, held up her hands, sweater sleeves drooping.
Sebas's eye twitched, but he held back and nodded. "Understood."
"Hot chocolate for me," added Lucas, also setting aside courtesy since Iono had gone first.
After another quick bow, Sebas strode away. Lucas wasn't sure if he'd go buy or make the drinks himself; given the timing, it seemed more likely he'd buy them.
Yet, Sebas's efficiency was beyond what even Lucas expected.
The roar of an arriving plane sounded as Sebas approached, carrying an unknown tray.
"Apologies for the wait. I borrowed the airport's facilities to prepare these myself—it took a bit longer."
He neatly presented Lucas his hot chocolate and Iono her iced coke, plus three extras—most likely prepared for Nemona, Paul, and Shizuka.
Iono's Coke was simple, but Lucas could tell, just from the aroma, that this was not instant chocolate. Impressive.
Taking a sip, Lucas let the unique flavor calm him.
And his gaze shifted to the trio emerging from the gate: Nemona, Paul, and Shizuka.
A low-key, black stretch limousine cruised down Levincia's streets, backgrounded by the enthusiastic chatter of the three.
Or, to be precise, just Nemona's lively talking, Shizuka's occasional comments, and Paul, who except for a polite greeting, barely said a word.
Iono was still in shock at the understated luxury of the limousine.
Staring at her phone, she lamented that all her hard work in streaming was still not enough to afford such a vehicle.
"Damn capitalists!"
But this was someone else's car, so she only muttered quietly.
After picking up the trio at the airport, Lucas (at the Nemona family's insistence, via sister and father from Kalos by remote order) joined them for a meal at one of Levincia's top restaurants. Iono, as a tagalong, got lucky.
On the way, somehow the conversation turned to Lucas's plans to pick out a car in a few days.
Upon arrival, Sebas handed Lucas a card for Nemona's family's preferred dealer—with a discount.
".Even at a discount, it'll be a luxury car."
Lucas winced, but nevertheless accepted, curious to at least take a look.
The restaurant was in one of Levincia's most expensive landmark buildings.
It reeked of money, though the portions were small.
The students, young as they are, were fine; Iono didn't have a big appetite either, as her petite size attested.
Lucas, on the other hand, hadn't eaten his fill, but hid it well—until Sebas noticed and requested the chef to bring more.
The meal was lively, and through Nemona's endless chatter, Lucas learned of their past month's adventures and gains in Hoenn.
Nemona didn't catch a huge number of Hoenn Pokémon, just one that kept appearing and evidently shared some affinity: the Ghost-type Duskull.
Dusclops and Dusknoir, Duskull's evolutions, were excellent Pokémon to raise.
This Duskull was her second-string's first member. It was clear Nemona would keep expanding her roster.
Having caught Duskull, Nemona's main goal was complete.
She had challenged the Battle Factory, Battle Stadium, Battle Dome, Battle Pike, Battle Palace, Battle Tower, and Battle Pyramid, earning all seven gold symbols.
Nemona had good luck; during her Challenge of the Battle Pyramid, Pyramid King Brandon hadn't yet left for Kanto, so she had a Pokémon battle with him.
According to Paul, it was a full six-on-six. Brandon even used the legendary Regirock, but ultimately Nemona's tough-as-nails Iron Fist Pawmot came out on top.
Brandon was in awe of such a genius-level young trainer; the memory still felt fresh to Paul, whose expression, though cool, finally revealed some yearning. Having seen someone his own age defeat Brandon, fulfilling his goal and wanting to make his brother proud, Paul was fired up.
Compared to that, his rivalry with Ash seemed child's play.
Paul had only caught a female Snorunt as his current partner, preferring an elite system—focusing first on training a few Pokémon before considering expanding his team.
"Definitely not like that idiot, who's not even been in Hoenn long and already almost has a full team."
During dinner, at Ash's mention, Paul gritted his teeth.
Not just Pikachu, but now he had Armarouge, and kept rotating in new Pokémon: Swellow, Treecko, Corphish, Torkoal… Did raising Pokémon cost no money?
All funded by his brother's years of travel savings and income from their day care. As a poor student at Naranja Academy, Paul couldn't comprehend it.
—He even heard Ash was in debt for two bikes, but still found cash to raise so many Pokémon.
Thirty Tauros?! Just thinking of the feeding and traveling expenses gave Paul the chills.
If only Ash had been born into wealth, like Nemona.
Shizuka, for her part, was similar. Except for some subsidies from Chairwoman Geeta for her future plans, everything else was saved from years as a nurse Joy. She was an adult, and except for Bulbasaur (from Professor Oak thanks to some family connections), asking the family for money was unthinkable.
After much effort, Shizuka had caught a Skarmory (thanks to Lucas's advice). She didn't even dare hope for more until earning a good prize at the Ever Grande Conference.
Lucas understood their worries—had lived it himself.
A year ago, starting from nothing, the only thing on his mind was scraping together funds, day after day, for training or survival.
No matter how much of a utopia the world is, as long as money exists, there are always expenses.
A hectic year later, most savings had gone into raising Pokémon. Only by scrimping had he managed to buy farmland in Los Platos, finally settling.
At least now, things were improving—he could finally, boldly, look at Sebas's business card.