This…!?
Shiko froze for a moment.
Then he couldn't help laughing out loud.
He genuinely didn't know whether he should call Roki, standing right in front of him, an absolute sucker—or his lucky charm.
Last time, he squeezed out a Special Quest from this guy and it dropped 5% of the Steel-type Law.
This time, another 5% showed up.
A full 10%.
That was worth the equivalent of a hundred Steel-type gems.
From that perspective, Roki was definitely a real lucky charm.
But…
Last time, Shiko beat him so badly that it left a severe psychological shadow.
This time, his mental wounds probably hadn't even healed yet, and he was about to suffer a second round of trauma.
That really was being a sucker.
Shiko figured that after he cleaned him up again this time, Roki would probably be stuck having nightmares for an entire month before he recovered.
Right after that—
When Shiko noticed the Pokémon standing beside Roki, he was a little surprised again.
Oh!
An Elite Four-level Salamence!
No wonder he looked so spirited and full of swagger.
So it was because he'd captured such a powerful Pokémon.
But what a shame.
Forget Elite Four-level.
Even if it were a Champion-level Salamence—
In front of him, with 100% Dragon-type energy…
It would still only be there to get beaten up.
Hm!?
Wait!
This Salamence…
It looked kind of familiar.
Its aura also felt familiar!
This…!?
This Salamence—wasn't it the Elite Four-level boss Salamence from Dragon Valley!?
Shiko stared for a while before recognizing it.
Once he understood, everything in his head became clear.
Most likely, this kid Roki had captured this Salamence back when they were in Dragon Valley.
Back then, Salamence had been brutally beaten by him, and its condition was extremely bad.
With the lineup Roki had at the time, beating and capturing it while it was that weakened… actually did make sense.
After Shiko realized it, the smile on his face became even brighter.
Looks like this time…
Not only was he going to give Roki a deep psychological shadow—
He was also going to give that Salamence a nightmare it wouldn't be able to shake for the rest of its life.
That 5% Steel-type Law…
He'd accept it without any courtesy.
"What the hell are you doing now!?"
Principal Jiro froze.
After snapping back to his senses, he hurried up and grabbed Roki, trying to hold him back.
What was this kid doing!?
Making trouble again and again in a setting like this—couldn't he settle down for once!?
Himeko turned her head to look at Roki.
This skinny young man was a complete stranger.
She had never seen him before—didn't recognize him at all.
And the blazing fighting spirit burning in his eyes made her even more confused.
After staring at him for a long time, Himeko slowly opened her mouth and said two words.
"You are…?"
Roki's expression instantly stiffened on his face.
She…!?
She didn't even know who he was!?
Roki felt like he'd been smashed by a heavy hammer—his momentum collapsed in an instant.
The person he had always regarded as his biggest rival…
Didn't even know he existed?
This…!?
A powerful sense of frustration surged up inside him.
His face flushed bright red—whether from shame or anger, even he couldn't tell.
The other people present—
Seeing this dramatic scene—
Were delighted.
One by one, they covered their mouths, afraid they might accidentally laugh out loud.
Roki took a deep breath.
He steadied his emotions.
"Sorry, I don't know you."
Himeko searched her memory for the name "Roki," found absolutely nothing, and shook her head with a serious expression as she answered.
In an instant, Roki felt like he'd taken ten thousand points of critical damage.
Don't know him!?
After it had gotten this far, she still didn't know him!?
So this woman…
Really had never once put him in her eyes.
Roki nearly went crazy.
"It's fine!"
He forced down the resentment in his chest, tugging the corner of his mouth into a stiff curve.
"It doesn't matter if you don't know me. After I defeat you later, you'll remember."
"Come battle! Let everyone see—who the true number one among this year's freshmen is!"
Roki clenched his fist and declared war on Himeko with high spirits.
Himeko blinked at him.
She found him inexplicable.
Who asked for a showdown the moment they met?
"I refuse."
Himeko shook her head without even thinking.
What a joke.
Time was precious—she needed to hurry into Mt. Silver and obtain those metal materials.
Why would she waste time here settling some "who's stronger" argument with Roki?
What benefit did it give her?
"You…"
Roki choked when Himeko rejected him so decisively.
This wasn't how it was supposed to go!
"You're scared, aren't you!? I knew it—you must be scared!"
Seeing Himeko turn away and plan to ignore him, Roki panicked.
Such a great opportunity was right in front of him—
How could he let it slip away for nothing?
In his desperation, he could only use a crude provocation to try to reach his goal.
"So boring."
Himeko snorted coldly, seeing through it at a glance.
"You…"
"If you fight me, and you win, I'll give my slot to the Military—how about that!?"
Roki was getting frantic.
Without thinking much, he tossed out his condition.
There were five slots to enter Mt. Silver.
He had already secured one.
The remaining four would be decided from the Military's five contestants.
But just now, his Salamence had instantly wiped out all five Pokémon.
So it was hard to analyze who fell first and who fell last.
Meaning—
Who could enter Mt. Silver would, most likely, still require another round of matches.
However,
The condition Roki offered held no appeal for Himeko at all.
Just as she was about to refuse—
Suddenly,
Shiko's voice rang out in her mind.
"Accept. I'll end it quickly."
Himeko froze.
She hadn't expected Shiko to be so proactive and eager to step out and fight.
But—
Since he'd taken the initiative to speak up,
She would take this challenge.
And also teach this young man a lesson—firmly, without budging.
"Fine. Then let's compare."
Himeko turned back around,
Looked at Roki,
And nodded seriously.
(End of Chapter)
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