Naoki fell into deep thought.

  His main goal in ing here was to buy a batch of Corviknight feathers. But now, the man before him promised not only the Corviknight feathers but also a set of authentiistea and a Polteageist teapot—a rare find indeed.

  Ordinary Sinistea and Polteageist teapots are nice, but the authenties are treasures, practically one in a million. Even after traveling far and wide, you might never enter them.

  As a Pokemon pyer, Naoki found it hard to resist the allure of such a rare reward.

  Sinistea and Polteageist even have an exclusive move called "Tea Party," but Naoki just so happeo ck a fitting tea set to host one.

  In his mind, a vivid image appeared: a sunny garden filled with blooming flowers, where Pokémon gathered to hold a charming tea party, sharing berries and ughter.

  Still, Naoki decided to firm everything.

  "So, as long as I pete on your behalf and succeed, I'll get the Corviknight feathers and the genuine Sieapot?"

  The man nodded eagerly. "Exactly! I don't need you to wiire petition—just defeat the trainers sponsored by our rival pany, and we're set!"

  He tinued, "I'll give you the Corviknight feathers up front, but the Sinistea and Polteageist set is yours only if you succeed."

  Naoki was tempted but still cautious. "The value of the authentic tea set is pretty high, isn't it? Are you sure it's worth it?"

  The man waved his hand nontly. "Ah, don't worry about that! They were part of my granddad's colle. When he passed, I ied a lot of antique treasures. I've already sold a good k when I started my business, and these are just what's left."

  Naoki: "..." 'So, he's not just determined, but also... practical.'

  Suddenly, the man bahe table in frustration. "I just 't stand losing to that other pany! Whatever it takes, I want to wipe that smug grin off their faces!"

  Naoki: "..."

  It seemed the man wasn't aiming for the championship—he just wao defeat his rival. If Naoki succeeded, he'd walk away with the Corviknight feathers, Sinistea, and the Polteageist teapot.

  This deal sounded more beneficial than risky.

  "Alright," Naoki nodded. "But I o uand the strength of my oppo."

  The Gar region's petitions are simir to ional tours—you need eight gym badges to participate. Anyone making it to the top four wouldn't be an easy oppo.

  The man beamed, thrilled that Naoki agreed. "That's no problem! e with me to my office, and I'll show you everything you o know."

  They stepped into the elevatether. As the elevator asded, the man grumbled: "Don't worry too much. That guy's top-four finish ure luck! The trainers he fought along the way were all pushovers."

  "What about the time? Whehe petition start?" Naoki asked.

  The man adjusted his tie and replied, "The event kicks off this afternoo trainers are peting, and your first match will be against that guy. You won't o battle anyone else."

  "This afternoon?" Naoki blinked in surprise. It was already ten in the m—just a few hours left! "Isn't that cutting it a bit close?"

  The man shrugged. "That's exactly why I asked for your help. We don't have time to find anyone else."

  Soon, the elevator chimed, signaling their arrival oop floor.

  In his office, the man pulled out a folder from his desk drawer and ha to Naoki. "Here's the list of trainers participating. It also includes the Pokémon they used in previous tours."

  Naoki took the papers and flipped through them. His eyes wide the first name on the list.

  "Leon?"

  "Yes, even though Leon is the reigning champion, he's endorsed by several panies and often participates in these petitions for promotion."

  Seeing the on Naoki's face, the man added, "Don't worry. You won't have to fight Leon. Look at the sixth row—the one named Briar."

  Naoki sed the list until he found the trainer named Briar. His thoughts briefly drifted to Leon. In the games, Leon was ued until he faced Victloria, ting himself as the most powerful trainer in Gar.

  But this time, Naoki's oppo wasn't the champion. His gaze settled orainer Mike had mentioned:

  Name: Briar (Representative of the Braided Wool Sweater Clothing pany)

  Gender: Male

  Number of Gym Badges: 8

  Rank in Previous Tours: 4th

  Pokémon Team: Torterra, Leafeon, Appletun, Shiftry, Lilligant, Rilboom

  Naoki sed the lineup again, notig a trend. "All Grass-types?"

  He sidered it for a moment. With Koraidon's Fire-type moves, dealing with these Pokemon should be easy. His fidence grew. 'This seems doable.'

  "Well? How does it look?" the man asked eagerly.

  Naoki nodded. "It looks manageable.

  The man grinned: "That's fine. Oh, by the way, I almost fot to introduce myself. My name is Mike. What's your name?"

  Naoki extended his hand. "Naoki."

  At that moment, Naoki remembered something. "Will the trainers in the petition be using Dynamax?"

  Mike nodded eagerly. "Of course! This is a signature feature of battles in Gar! ht—you're nar, so you probably don't have a Dynamax Band, huh? That could be a problem."

  Mike began pag anxiously. "When Pokémon Dynamax, their power skyrockets. If your oppo Dynamaxes and you 't, you'll be at a huge disadvantage!"

  He scratched his head in frustration. "Dynamax Bands are only given out by the Gar League to qualified trainers, so I 't just get one for you."

  Naoki gave a small, reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it. I think we'll be fine."

  He khat there were instances where ordinary Pokémon could still defeat Dynamaxed ones. It would be challenging, but not impossible.

  Feeling hungry, Naoki decided to take Koraidon and Calyrex out for a meal before the petition.

  ...

  Fifteen mier, at a fish and chips restaurant.

  Naoki sat at the table, watg Koraidon devour its food with armihusiasm. A flicker of crossed his mind. "This is going to be fine... right?"

  Koraidon's powerful presence could easily make people fet that it was a legendary Pokémon.

  As if sensing Naoki's doubt, Koraidon thumped its chest fidently. "Raao!" (No problem!)

  No matter who the oppo was, it was determio win. But first, it o fuel up!

  Nearby, Cyclizar flinched, clearly intimidated by Koraidon's way of eating. "Gaaoo..."

  Calyrex, seated by the window, elegantly sipped a cup of sweet bck tea. Watg Koraido, his expression held both curiosity and amusement.

  He g Naoki. "Is this what you mentioned earlier? Trainers anding Pokémon in battles?"

  Naoki nodded. "Yes. In battles, trainers give strategiaher attag, defending, or setting up binations to gain an edge."

  Calyrex hummed thoughtfully, swirling the tea in his cup. After a moment, he asked, "Do you have a strategy prepared for Koraidon in the uping battle?"

  "Raao?" Hearing Calyrex mention his name, Koraidon paused mid-chew and turo look at Naoki.

  Naoki thought for a moment, then said, "How about… 'All-Out Attack'?"

  "All-Out?" Calyrex raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

  "Yeah! It means using sheer strength to overwhelm your oppo. No need for fancy strategies—just hit with your stro moves and take them down!"

  Calyrex gave Naoki a ptive look as if sidering the reckless nature of the pn. For a moment, he seemed about to protest. But then, a memory stirred— time he used Gstrier's Snow Lao csh head-on with Spectrier's Star Shatter, and quietly swallowed his words."

  "It might just work," Calyrex said thoughtfully. "It suits Koraidon's nature perfectly."

  Naoki beamed. "Really?"

  Koraidon puffed up proudly. "Raao!" (Of course!)

  Watg the joyful exge between Naoki and Koraidon, Calyrex smiled to himself. But after a moment of refle, he asked curiously, "Now that my steeds and I are with you, are we your Pokémon too?"

  Naoki blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the question.

  To be ho, treating someone as intelligent and regal as Calyrex as a Pokémo odd. In Naoki's mind, Calyrex was more like a human—definitely not someone he could imagine anding like a Pikachu.

  Besides, Naoki couldn't help but think that Calyrex would probably be better at strategizing in battle than he ever could.

  Seeing the hesitation on Naoki's face, Calyrex chuckled gently. "Don't overthink it. You pulled me from the abyss of loneliness onow, I simply wish to lend you my aid."

  Naoki rexed and joked, "Well then, if Koraidon ever gets defeated, I'll have to t on you!"

  At that, Koraidon stopped chewing abruptly. Its expression soured in indignation. "Raao!" (That's never going to happen!)

  "I mean 'if'—and that's a very big if—it ever happened."

  Koraidon huffed, still unvihough it went back to eating. Naoki shook his head and pulled a napkin from the table.

  "Are you full?" he asked. "If so, wipe off that ketchup around your mouth first."

  Koraidon, now full, grabbed the napkin with his paw, wiped his face messily, a out a satisfied burp.

  ...

  1:00 PM – Wyndon Arena

  Naoki arrived at Wyndon Arena with Koraidon and Calyrex to meet up with Mike.

  "Are you ready?" Mike asked, looking a bit anxious. After all, this was a trainer he had picked st minute, and he wasirely sure about Naoki's strength.

  Naoki gave a modest nod.

  Mike exhaled in relief. "It's good to see you're fident. The match is about to start. Head to the testants' hall and wait there. You'll be up first."

  "I uand." Naoki wasn't a seasoned petitor, but after watg plenty of Pokémon battles in anime, he felt somerepared.

  While Mike made his way to the audienaoki headed towards the testant hall.

  The hall was bustling with activity. Trainers were scattered around, taking care of their Pokémon in preparation for battle.

  Initially, Naoki was ed that someone might reize Calyrex. But to his relief, no one paid much attention to him.

  He took a quice around, noting the variety of Pokémo—Grimmsnarl, derace, Coalossal, Dragapult, Grapploct, and Falinks.

  The room was filled with Pokémon of all shapes and sizes—some tall, others tiny, some with sleek fur, others covered in scales. Some were calm, while others radiated fierergy. Surprisingly, Koraidon and Calyrex blended in well among the crowd.

  Naoki sed the trainers and Pokémon, w if Leon would be among them. However, instead of Leon, he spotted a familiar face—Raihan!

  The dark-skinned boy stood at ease, his friendly smile as bright as ever.

  Naoki blinked in surprise.

  "Is that... Raihan?" he whispered to himself.

  Naoki thought for a moment and immediately realized why Raihan would be here. As Leon's fiercest rival, Raihan had likely e to this event hoping for another ce to challehe Gar Champion.

  After all, defeating Leon seemed to be Raihan's ultimate life goal.

  Raihan notiaoki's gnd offered a warm, friendly smile iurn.

  "Hey, are you a petitor in the Rising Star petition?" Raihan asked as he approached, his gaze shifting to Koraidon and Calyrex standing by Naoki's side.

  Naoki greeted him politely. "Hello."

  Raihan's eyes lingered on Koraidon for a moment. As a Dragon-type specialist, he could immediately sehe power radiating from the mysterious Pokémon.

  At that moment, the sound of the event announcer echoed through the arena.

  Hearing his name called, Naoki gave Raihan an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I have to go. My match is starting."

  He excused himself, walking past Raihan and heading toward the testant's entranbsp;

  ...

  "Wele, everyoo this year's Regional Rising Star petition! I'm Vivian, your host for today's event!"

  "Thank you for your patience—our first match will begin shortly! Let's wele our two petitors to the stage!"

  Vivian's voice echoed across the stadium, and the crowd erupted with excitement.

  "Introdug first—Briar, sponsored by the Braided Wool Sweater pany!"

  The audience cheered loudly as a young man with a posed expression strode fidently onto the stage from the dimly lit entrance. His demeanor was cool and distant, radiating an aura of determination.

  Vivian tinued with enthusiasm: "Ah, it's Briar, just as expected! As a three-time semi-finalist in the Champions Cup, I'm sure many of you are familiar with his journey. His unwavering perseverand unbreakable spirit have inspired fans everywhere!"

  The crowd began ting in unison: "Briar! Briar! Briar!"

  Many of Briar's fans filled the audieheir cheers eg throughout the arena.

  Hearing the overwhelming noise, Mike, seated in the front row, scowled and muttered, "So noisy."

  A plump, middle-aged man sitting nearby ughed heartily. "Mike, didn't get enough sleep st night? Why not take a nap? After all, today's Rising Star petitio really you."

  Mike shot him a sour look. "It's not over yet, Robbie. Don't t your victory before it's earned. Just wait—you'll see."

  He crossed his arms, gring silently ahead as the crowd buzzed with excitement.

  Vivian's lively voice echoed across the arena.

  "And now, let's wele Naoki, the trainer sponsored by the Corviknight Flying Taxi pany!"

  A wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd.

  "Naoki? Who is that? I've never heard of him," a spectator whispered.

  Curious eyes turoward the entra the far end of the stadium.

  From the shadowy archway emerged a young man with dark hair and a sturdy build, walking calmly onto the stage.

  Two Pokémon followed closely at his side.

  The first was Koraidon, its scarlet scales gleaming in the light. Its muscur frame radiated raw power, and its golden eyes carried a fierce, intimidating gaze that left no room for doubt—it was a force to be reed with.

  The sed Pokémon floated gracefully beside it—Calyrex. It hovered effortlessly above the ground, supported by its psychic abilities. Its slender limbs trasted with its oversized head, and its majestic, all-seeing eyes glimmered with quiet authority.

  The crowd stared in stunned silence, awestruck by the sight of the two mysterious Pokémon.

  For a moment, the entire arena seemed to hold its breath.

  Then Vivian's voice broke the silenbsp;

  "hat aranaoki truly is a mysterious trainer. I wonder what kind of exg battle these two Pokémon will bring us!"

  She paused dramatically before announg:

  "Let's not keep everyone waiting! The first match of the Regional Rising Star petition has officially begun!"