Chapter 26: Sinnoh Champion Cynthia
Sinnoh Region, Lily of the Valley Island.
As the host location for the Sinnoh League's "Lily of the Valley Conference," the island boasts world-class battle facilities. Trainers from across the globe, competing in the Sinnoh League, gather here to vie for the championship throne.
Becoming the conference champion grants the right to challenge the Elite Four—and potentially the champion above them. At the peak of the Sinnoh League stands a golden-haired beauty from Celestic Town: Cynthia!
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Sinnoh League Master Class battle!" The commentator's voice reverberated across the stadium with palpable excitement. "Today's match is a challenge to the Champion's throne! The challenger? Sinnoh League Psychic-type Elite Four member, Lucian!"
"Will we witness the crowning of a new champion, or will the title be defended? Let's find out!"
Step, step...
Light blue hair, a deep wine-red suit, and polished brown shoes. A gentlemanly figure, holding a hardcover book, strode into the arena with one hand in his pocket.
The audience erupted into cheers and screams.
Lucian snapped his book shut with a crisp "pop," adjusted his blue-rimmed glasses, and offered the cameras a warm smile.
"Lucian has entered the field!" the commentator exclaimed. "This is already his third challenge for the champion's title this year!"
Did he really have to bring that up? Lucian pushed his glasses up with a wry smile. At that moment, his gaze shifted to the elegant silhouette emerging from the opposite tunnel.
Click, click...
The sound of high heels striking the ground resounded with deliberate rhythm, perfectly timed to the peak of the crowd's frenzied cheers. The atmosphere reached a crescendo.
"Sinnoh's Champion! Cynthia!!"
When her steps ceased, it was as if the entire arena held its breath for an instant.
Radiant, golden hair cascaded like sunlight. Compared to the profound light gray of her eyes, everything else seemed to pale in comparison. Dressed in a sleek black coat with pointed heels, Cynthia tucked a strand of her waist-length hair behind her ear. Her face, exquisitely refined, curved into a faint, elegant smile.
"Thank you for waiting," Cynthia inclined her head slightly. "It's an honor that you're challenging me."
Lucian placed a hand over his chest. "I hope this time I can finally defeat your Garchomp."
"You're welcome to try," Cynthia replied with a subtle smile.
"The trainers are ready—let the battle commence!" the commentator roared.
"Lucian's first Pokémon is the formidable Bronzong, known for its exceptional resistances!"
"Meanwhile, Cynthia has chosen her undefeated ace, Garchomp!"
The two Pokémon took the field, their commanding presence immediately electrifying the audience. Garchomp, covered in razor-sharp scales and adorned with backward-curved spikes, stood tall. Its spindle-shaped tail and missile-like bone structures on its head added to its menacing aura. With scythe-like claws crossed menacingly, its blood-red eyes glared, and it unleashed an earth-shaking roar.
"GRAAAAAH!"
Bronzong hovered silently, its deep chime resonating like a solemn toll of a great bell, filling the arena with a sacred and imposing air.
"Garchomp, Flamethrower!"
"Bronzong, Block it!"
Garchomp opened its jaws wide, releasing an inferno that distorted the air with its intense heat. The resulting explosion was deafening.
Boom!
Bronzong landed heavily on the ground, its Light Screen completely consumed by the flames. Yet, faint blue energy flickered within the ancient patterns etched onto its surface.
Lucian raised a hand with a flourish. "Trick Room!"
A mystical light engulfed the field, forming a cage-like spatial distortion that enveloped both Bronzong and Garchomp.
"Under Trick Room, Garchomp's speed advantage is nullified!" the commentator shouted.
Cynthia's lips curved upward. "Garchomp, Dragon Rush!"
To everyone's astonishment, Garchomp dove forward like a supersonic jet. As its tail whipped up white contrails, its invincible claws tore through the Trick Room field, shattering it in an instant.
Lu Ye, watching the video of this clash between two elite trainers, wore a peculiar expression.
"Are you kidding me? Dragon Rush can break Trick Room? What kind of cheat is this?" He sighed deeply. "If that's how it is, I might as well quit training and start farming back home."
Beside him, Gastly stared at the screen in utter bewilderment. "Why does this feel nothing like the battles I've studied?"
Lu Ye glanced at the floating Gastly. "Thoughts?"
"Hsss-ka…"
"Speechless?"
"Gengaa!" Gastly's whole body quivered, its eyes widening with newfound fervor. It had discovered a whole new dimension of battling—one that inspired a profound sense of ambition.
Thinking Gastly was scared, Lu Ye patted its fog-like head reassuringly. "Don't worry. Stick with me, and I'll help you stomp some ordinary trainers, no problem."
Despite his confidence in his own tactical skills, Lu Ye knew that nurturing Pokémon to such a level required immense resources, connections, and time. Even with his system's assistance, becoming an Elite Trainer wouldn't happen overnight.
Still, seeing Gastly's eager determination, Lu Ye smiled, poking its misty form.
"Alright, alright… Even if I don't aim to be a Champion, I can at least help you chase your dream."
Gastly spun excitedly in response.
Switching on his livestream, Lu Ye was immediately greeted by a flood of familiar fans.
"Teacher Lu is back!"
"Finally! You've ghosted us for almost a week!"
"My youth has returned now that Teacher Lu's streaming again!"
"Sorry, sorry. Final exams are here—I need that scholarship," Lu Ye explained nonchalantly.
"What? You mean our streamer's a straight-A student?"
"10-year fan here—Lu's a top-tier student at Modu University!"
"No way???"
"Wait, really? He's that smart?"
"Thanks to 'How to Substitute-Protect-Toxic with Bulbasaur' for the Rocket gift. You're officially a friend now."
"Alright, today's stream is something new."
Lu Ye dragged Gengar into his game team. "Time to teach you all about a Perish Song strategy!"
His first match was against an opponent with the ID "Cabbage Ice Cream," whose avatar was an adorably cartoonish, three-headed blonde girl.
"Wow, the opponent's super cute," Lu Ye chuckled.
Confirming they weren't a high-ranked trainer, he rolled up his sleeves and began commanding in earnest.