Naturally, the professors did not casually spread the news that Aiden Flint possessed Rayquaza.
After all, if Hoenn gained a Legendary Pokémon wielder, it would only further strengthen Hoenn's reputation—and that was not something the other regions' professors wanted.
Hoenn already had two Champion-level trainers, after all.
Kanto, despite combining Kanto, the Orange Islands, and Johto, had many Elite Four members—but only one Champion: Lance.
Sinnoh and Unova were the same, and Unova's Alder was already growing old.
However, for Iris, who dreamed of becoming a Dragon-type master, Aiden was now nothing short of an idol.
A Dragon-type Legendary…
That was her ultimate dream.
After witnessing Aiden's battle with Drake, Iris had completely set Aiden Flint as her new role model.
—
Meanwhile, out at sea, Wallace was riding his Wailord, leisurely fishing.
Thinking about Drake heading to the scientist town to challenge Aiden, Wallace couldn't help but laugh.
"Steven was right… watching someone else get beaten together with you really does make the pain fade."
Just then, Wallace's phone rang.
Seeing that it was Drake, Wallace immediately hung up.
After letting it ring several times, he finally answered slowly—something he had learned straight from Steven.
The voice on the other end was furious.
"Wallace, you scheming bastard! You really planned this well—sending me to get beaten up! The kid has Rayquaza, and you still told me to challenge him?!"
Wallace chuckled calmly.
"Oh my, Elite Drake, please relax. Hoenn finally produced an outstanding young trainer, so of course you should go check him out. Isn't that only natural?"
Drake was even more furious, but Wallace was still the Champion.
Gritting his teeth, Drake replied,
"I might be old, but I still want to live a few more years. Still… since I already got beaten, I made sure to drag you and Steven down with me."
Wallace's heart skipped.
"What… do you mean by that?"
Drake laughed.
"Stop pretending. You just wanted to see me get smacked by Aiden's Rayquaza. You and Steven both fought him too, didn't you?"
"When I challenged Aiden, all the regional professors and plenty of elite trainers were watching. I told them straight out that both you and Steven lost to him."
"Now my loss doesn't look so bad anymore. After all, I'm only an Elite Four… you're the Champion."
Wallace's mind shattered.
"Drake, you old bastard! Who said I lost to Aiden—?!"
Before he could finish, Drake hung up.
Wallace immediately tried to call back—
No service.
Drake had done it on purpose.
Fuming, Wallace called Steven instead.
After hearing everything that happened in the scientist town, Steven fell silent.
After a long pause, he finally said dryly,
"I'm a retired former Champion anyway. Whoever the current Champion is… will be the one who loses face."
"Enjoy the seat. Don't even think about giving it back to me."
Click.
The call ended.
Wallace stared blankly at his phone.
"My reputation… it's over…"
—
Back on land, after Aiden left, the elite trainers from each region also departed, filled with ambition to grow stronger.
The professors exchanged research notes before returning to their own regions as well.
With Kanto newly unified, Champion Lance personally visited Professor Oak.
Regional competition was growing fiercer, and Kanto—now the strongest combined region—had to stay ahead.
Professor Oak smiled when he saw him.
"Lance, this time Hoenn took first place. That young trainer, Aiden Flint, is truly terrifying—he even has a Legendary Pokémon."
"He's the most impressive trainer I've seen from Hoenn besides Wallace and Steven."
"Oh, and he's a Dragon-type specialist too. Even Drake couldn't last a single round against him."
Lance frowned.
"So Hoenn produced another Champion-class trainer after Steven and Wallace? That's troublesome…"
—
In Sinnoh, Professor Rowan spoke with Cynthia.
After learning that Sinnoh's young elites had performed poorly, Cynthia sighed.
She was strong—but one person alone wasn't enough.
The Pokémon Leagues were becoming increasingly interconnected, and Chairman Damaran was even planning a massive multi-regional tournament for only the strongest trainers.
If Sinnoh didn't produce powerful new blood, it would fall behind.
"Cynthia, Hoenn recently produced a terrifying young trainer—Aiden Flint. He defeated Drake right in front of us."
"Drake even implied that Steven and Wallace might not be his match. If Aiden becomes Hoenn's Champion… Hoenn will have three Champion-class monsters."
Cynthia's expression turned serious.
"I understand."
—
As for Aiden Flint, he knew nothing of the storm his name was stirring.
He had finally arrived in Fortree City, ready to challenge the Fortree Gym.
But first…
He needed to contact the professors and receive the remaining three starter Pokémon.
PS: The MC's age was adjusted to 18.
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