"Dolores! You finally came out!"
A crisp voice rang out.
The Pokémon speaking wore a pink flower ornament on her head. Two bright green leaves draped over her forehead and down her back like a short, fresh green skirt. A pair of yellow dancing shoes completed her outfit.
It was Miss Lilligant.
The moment she saw Dolores, she hurried over with excited steps and a joyful smile.
Raylen watched her with interest.
Birds of a feather really do flock together. This Lilligant looked stylish and perfectly groomed—definitely the vain, loves-to-look-pretty type.
He took a quick glance around. More than a dozen different Pokémon crowded the clearing, lively and noisy.
"I caught a rare Fighting-type boy!"
"Wow, that's amazing!"
Onix twisted its massive rocky body, Machoke flexed its arms, Graveler rolled over to join the crowd, and Spoink bounced happily—everyone looked thrilled.
"Dolores, you haven't even evolved into a proper trainer yet, and you still dream of catching high-tier Pokémon? Hilarious."
A mocking voice cut through the chatter.
The Pokémon who spoke had a mostly black body, with eight round disc-like shapes framing her head.
She wore a long black dress shaped almost like a Christmas tree, decorated with four pure white bows.
Her movements carried a cold, elegant air.
It was Dolores's constant rival—Miss Gothitelle.
She walked gracefully toward them, looked Raylen up and down from above, and scoffed.
"He looks decent, but what use is that?"
"Girl, don't you know Pretty privilege is real.?" Raylen shot back immediately.
"Ah!"
Gothitelle's eyes widened—she had heard that voice inside her head.
Startled, she slipped and fell back onto the ground. Her black dress fluttered, revealing a pale, slender leg.
Raylen's eyes lit up.He rushed over and gently lifted the corner of her spread-out dress.
He had always been curious whether someone dressed like her… wore underwear.
"What are you doing?!"
Gothitelle's face flushed bright red in embarrassment and fury.
Yep.Mystery solved. She did.
Raylen nodded silently and let go.
"You disgusting Pokémon!"
Gothitelle scrambled up, straightened her skirt, and glared at him with pure hatred.
"Haha! Gothitelle, you've lost already!"
Dolores put her hands on her hips, grinning proudly.
She had long made a bet with Gothitelle—Whoever caught the higher-level Pokémon would win.
And Raylen was a legendary beast. There was no way she could lose.
"Hmph. Just a freak. What's so impressive?"
Gothitelle snorted. She pulled out a Poké Ball and threw it hard.
"Come out, Mountain Climber Girl!"
With a flash of light, a black-haired girl wearing a travel backpack appeared. Her tight sportswear outlined a strong, athletic body, her skin a healthy bronze.
[Pokémon: Mountain Climber Girl][Trainer: Gothitelle][Species: Earthfolk][Type: Fighting][Rarity: Rare][Moves: Bungee Drop, Hand Chop, Flying Kick, Splits Kick]
"See?" Gothitelle lifted her chin smugly. "I nearly fell off a cliff getting her!"
"Oh wow, a rare Pokémon~ what a pity~"
Dolores dragged her tone dramatically, expression dripping with disdain. She pulled Raylen closer, her eyes sparkling.
"You should check out my Pokémon. You'll be terrified."
This was it—her moment to shine.
She stood tall, puffed out her chest, acting smug and adorable in a way that made Raylen want to laugh.
"Mutant legendary beast?!"
"No way, how is this possible?!"
"It's real! All-type Pokémon?! This has never been seen before!"
The surrounding Pokémon all quickly opened their status panels to check.
Once they saw Raylen's details, their expressions went from shock… to disbelief… to awe.
Gasps burst everywhere.
"He's Level 1—must've just been born."
"His loyalty will max out so easily!"
"Dolores's luck is insane. How did she stumble across a legendary?"
In mere seconds, Raylen was surrounded.
"Back off!"
He frowned and kicked Spoink away, sending the round ball rolling across the ground.
"Don't scare me!"
He sidestepped Onix's enormous head as it snaked toward him.
A legendary beast like him—these Pokémon had only ever seen anything similar in books or on TV.In reality? Never.
Even being kicked didn't stop them from crowding closer, curiosity burning in their eyes.
Until—
"Ow! That hurts!"
[Move Activated: Telekinesis]
Raylen flicked his finger, and an invisible force flipped Graveler onto its back.
Seriously?
A rock-hard Graveler… whining after a little tumble?
He was sure that guy was just trying to scam sympathy.
While the others marveled, Gothitelle's face grew darker and darker.
"Dolores… you don't deserve him."
She spoke through clenched teeth, jealousy dripping from every word.
Silence fell instantly.
Every Pokémon present was a fully evolved trainer about to graduate and start their journey. Only Dolores was still stuck at Stage Two.
In other words—she was a repeat student. Her instructor had sent her out to catch a Pokémon hoping she'd give up.
No one expected the weakest trainer to catch the strongest Pokémon.
It was absurd.
"Name your price. I'm buying him."
Gothitelle crossed her arms, looking down from her height advantage.
The heiress of a wealthy family—she had money to burn. Her black dress hugged her curves, her expression full of arrogant confidence.
"Hmph. Not selling!"
Dolores grabbed Raylen's arm tightly, lifting her chin defiantly.
Raylen couldn't help feeling a bit proud.
"100,000 Poké Coins."
Gothitelle's offer made every Pokémon around them gasp.
"That much?! That's a fortune!"
"Obviously! He's a legendary! Honestly, that's cheap!"
"Gothitelle is going all-out to buy him!"
Jealousy filled everyone's eyes. Why wasn't I the one who found a legendary beast?
"You're really selling me?" Raylen muttered.
He caught Dolores's wavering gaze. She looked… conflicted.
Annoyance flickered in his chest.
"200,000."
Gothitelle raised the price instantly. Her eyes sparkled as she looked directly at Raylen, her voice sultry.
"Come with me. I'll treat you well. Anything you want—I'll give you."
Her gaze radiated naked desire.
But Raylen's instincts screamed danger.
He couldn't prove it, but he was certain—this Gothitelle had nothing good planned.