"Alakazam has lost its ability to battle. The match is over."
The same host—the one whose slicked-back hair looked sharp enough to swat flies out of the air—gripped the microphone and shouted excitedly,
"Let us congratulate Mr. Kael and his Weavile on claiming ultimate victory! After eight long hours, the S.S. Anne Pokémon Tournament has finally come to a close. Let's give them a round of applause as Mr. Kael and his Weavile come forward to receive the championship prize!"
"Congratulations, Mr. Kael~"
Miki winked playfully as Kael stepped onto the stage. She had served as the referee for the final match—and now, as the award presenter.
Kael's opponent in the finals was a researcher from Saffron City. He wasn't a professional Pokémon Trainer, but his Alakazam was undeniably powerful—something Kael had to admit. Winning sixteen consecutive matches and standing out among 320 competitors was proof enough of his strength. If not for Weavile's complete type advantage against Psychic-types, the outcome of the match might have gone very differently.
Alakazam's strongest offensive move, Psychic, was utterly ineffective against Weavile. Even so, relying on Teleport, Recover, and the Normal-type Tri Attack, it had still given Weavile plenty of trouble despite the disadvantage.
There had undeniably been an element of luck in this match.
Although he'd won the championship, Kael felt no pride or arrogance. To him, this shipboard tournament had never been entirely fair—he had simply benefited from the rules. Knowing oneself and seeing reality clearly was the only way forward.
Miki cradled an incubator in both hands, the Mystic Water necklace resting against her collarbone. She stepped onto the award platform and, smiling, handed the incubator to Kael.
Inside lay a blue Pokémon Egg streaked with black markings, resting quietly within.
The incubator's casing was made of special composite glass, with a shock-absorbing base. Even if it were dropped from four or five stories up, the Pokémon Egg inside would remain unharmed.
Miki then removed the necklace from around her neck and handed it to Kael as well, her smile bright.
"I knew you'd win from the very beginning," she whispered close to his ear. "You didn't disappoint me at all. How about a hug? Think of it as a little bonus for that ship ticket I gave you."
She didn't yet know that Kael hadn't boarded the S.S. Anne with her ticket at all—but as hired security, traveling free of charge.
With a beauty making the request, Kael naturally didn't refuse. Taking the Mystic Water, he gently wrapped an arm around Miki's shoulders. Under the gaze of the crowd, the two shared a brief, light embrace.
Applause, cheers, and whistles echoed throughout the grand hall.
People always enjoyed seeing a hero paired with a beauty. As the center of attention that night— victorious, confident, and with a lovely attendant asking for a hug—nothing about the scene seemed out of place.
...
As for the more imaginative thoughts some people entertained, Kael could only say they were overthinking it.
After the awards ceremony, he and Miki had merely slipped away to the ship's bar for a few drinks, exchanged contact information, and then returned to their respective rooms.
Sixteen battles in one day had left Kael utterly exhausted—mentally more than physically. After all, Weavile had done the fighting; he'd only been issuing commands from the sidelines.
Soaking in the warm bath, he found himself unwilling to get out. If Lulu hadn't finally lifted him onto the bed with Psychic, he might've fallen asleep right there in the tub.
Kael was very satisfied with both championship prizes.
As for the Pokémon Egg, the only thing that mattered was potential—rarity meant little to him. Scarcity didn't necessarily equate to talent. The Mystic Water, on the other hand, boosted Water-type moves. When Feebas eventually evolved into Milotic, it would be perfect for her.
Bang! Bang!
At midnight, when nearly everyone aboard had fallen asleep, a knock echoed at Kael's door.
"Who the hell doesn't sleep at this hour?"
Startled awake, Kael shot upright in bed. Being woken when he was already exhausted put anyone in a foul mood.
He didn't open the door immediately. Late-night visits warranted caution. Peering through the peephole, he saw a woman outside—wearing a camisole, black stockings hugging her long legs, heavy makeup accentuating her features.
Despite it all, he recognized her.
Lisa—the bounty hunter who'd applied for the security job alongside him.
Is something wrong with this woman's head?
Kael snorted internally. Showing up like this in the middle of the night at a young man's door—any idiot could guess what she was after.
Several possibilities flashed through his mind. Most likely, a certain Rocket Team executive named Mondo had seen his matches and decided he was too much of a threat.
Trying to eliminate the problem early, huh?
Kael sneered. He'd seen this kind of thing plenty of times. Back when he took bounty missions in Viridian Forest, betrayal and dirty plays were commonplace. And having lived two lifetimes—his previous one as a business elite—he knew better than anyone that the marketplace was just another battlefield.
Refusing to open the door would only raise suspicion. Better to face whatever came next head-on.
He opened the door.
Lisa leaned against the frame, smiling sweetly.
"Aren't you going to invite big sis in for a sit, handsome?" she purred.
Before Kael could respond, she'd already stepped halfway into the room.
He moved forward, blocking her path. Lisa placed a hand on his chest, deliberately giving it a squeeze, eyes widening in mock surprise.
"Well now—didn't expect you to be this solid," she said with a grin.
"Come on, let me in. The night's still young… maybe I can teach you a few fun things."