Chapter 52: Dylan Joins the Group Chat

Selene's fair face was full of joy, her eyes shining as she stared at Litten. A Pokémon! A Pokémon really prepared just for her!

Selene loved Pokémon and dreamed of capturing her own, but because she wasn't old enough, she had to suppress her excitement.

She joined Rota Gym as an apprentice to get early exposure to Pokémon and learn about Pokémon battles.

But she never expected that on her first day at the gym, the handsome gym leader would give her such a big surprise!

She was so happy, so very happy!

"What do you think, Litten?"

Dylan couldn't help but smile at the excited girl, then looked down at the little Litten.

"Meow…"

Litten licked its lips, slightly averting its gaze with a soft sound.

Unlike Sprigatito's clear and cute cry, Litten's was somewhat low.

"It says it doesn't dislike you, Selene. I hope you take good care of it. Pokémon are the most important partners and companions for trainers, not just pets."

Dylan placed Litten on the ground, his smile fading slightly as he spoke to Selene with a serious tone.

"If a trainer cannot treat their Pokémon well, they will suffer consequences. The relationship between a trainer and their Pokémon is always mutual, not one-sided."

"Yes! I understand!"

Selene immediately stood up straight, seriously promising.

She understood this well and believed she would take good care of Litten. After all, it was her first Pokémon!

"Here is Litten's Poké Ball. From now on, this little one is entrusted to you."

Dylan nodded in satisfaction, handing Litten's Poké Ball to Selene.

"Thank you, gym leader!"

Selene excitedly took the Poké Ball, her fair face brimming with joy, and then bowed to Dylan in gratitude.

She finally had her first Pokémon!

"Go ahead." Dylan chuckled.

Selene pursed her lips, then walked over to Litten, squatting down nervously in front of it.

"Hello, Litten. From now on, I am your trainer."

"Meow…"

"Let's work hard together and become strong! Please trust me!"

Seeing Selene's serious and earnest expression, Litten hesitated for a moment, then stepped closer to Selene.

This meant it accepted Selene as its trainer.

Suppressing her excitement and nervousness, Selene raised the Poké Ball in her hand and aimed it at Litten. A red light touched Litten, and it was absorbed into the Poké Ball without any resistance.

If Litten disliked Selene, it could have avoided being captured by the Poké Ball.

"I'm a trainer now…"

Standing up and looking at Litten's Poké Ball in her hand, Selene was momentarily lost in thought.

"Hooray! Selene successfully captured a Pokémon!"

The receptionist cheered on the side, feeling happy for her sister.

"Although Litten accepted you, Selene, you still need to spend more time with it to build your bond."

Dylan smiled as he spoke.

"Yes!" Selene's smile was almost uncontrollable.

"Now, you two go on. I'll give you a lesson this afternoon."

Dylan nodded and indicated that the two girls could go back inside the gym.

Of course, Dylan was very mindful of his responsibilities as a teacher. After all, Selene was his first gym apprentice, so he needed to pay extra attention.

"Got it~!"

The two girls responded obediently. Selene quickly released Litten again, and the two girls, along with the Pokémon, headed towards the gym.

"Feels like handing out Pokémon like a professor," Dylan said, gently scratching Litten's belly in his arms, feeling a bit nostalgic.

The scene of giving Litten to Selene had a certain charm, though it lacked the part where a professor would let the newcomer choose one out of three Pokémon.

However, feeling something strange, Dylan turned around and saw the Meowscarada staring at him with a faint aura.

"Meow…" The Meowscarada's jewel-like eyes were full of resentment as it stared at Dylan.

Dylan: "…"

Then the Meowscarada's gaze fell on Litten in Dylan's arms, and its eyes instantly became sharp.

This coquettish little Litten…

"Meow…" Litten, feeling the senior Meowscarada's sharp eyes, tilted its head in confusion.

It seemed that this senior Meowscarada had a big problem with it?

But Litten was strong and brave. Although it should ideally cower to avoid being marked by the senior Meowscarada, the Litten family had no cowards!

Summoning its courage, Litten glared back at the Meowscarada, even rubbing against Dylan's chest.

"Meow~"

The Meowscarada squinted its eyes, revealing a charming smile, with a faint green light flashing on its body.

This little one just weaned? Daring to challenge me? Hehehe...

"Meow-ha, you're all grown up and still jealous of the little one?"

Dylan laughed, seeing the big and small Meows locking eyes.

"Meow~"

Hearing Dylan's words, the Meowscarada instantly relaxed, stretching lazily, its magnetic voice sounding quite content.

"Don't bully your companions. Litten is still young, and you're the senior. Take care of it."

Dylan's phone rang; it was from the Pokémon Inspection Bureau.

Dylan placed Litten on the ground, instructed the Meowscarada, and turned away to answer the call.

"Meow~" Seeing Dylan walk away a bit, the Meowscarada showed a 'friendly' expression to the now fully bristled Litten.

Of course, it would listen to Dylan, but as a senior, guiding the new Meow was reasonable, right?

Meanwhile, Dylan answered the call.

"Dylan, this is the Deputy Director of the Pokémon Inspection Bureau. Your application has been approved."

"Thank you very much."

This serious and clear voice could only be from an Officer Jenny.

Dylan wasn't surprised. The Jenny and Joy families were the backbone of the Pokémon League, present in every department.

After a brief chat with this Officer Jenny, Dylan received a friend request on his social account.

Then he was added to a group chat named "Kanto Gym Leaders Group Chat."

'Rota Gym—Dylan' joined the group chat.

Pewter Gym—Flint: Wow~ A newcomer! Is Rota Gym in Rota? We're pretty close. Let's have a meal together sometime.

Cerulean Gym—Daisy: A new member... Oh, it's Rota Gym! (Surprised.jpg)

Officer Jenny: Gym Leader Daisy, Gym Leader Dylan of Rota Gym just graduated from the Pokémon School recently. Despite the previous poor reviews, he has worked hard and received many positive reviews from challengers. He also shone during the recent Team Rocket S.S. Anne incident. This is something Cerulean Gym should learn from!!

Officer Jenny: Also, I received reports that Cerulean Gym gave out two badges yesterday. Is that true???

Officer Jenny: As an official Kanto gym! Gym Leader Daisy, stop such disgraceful behavior!!! (Angry.jpg)

Cerulean Gym—Daisy: Jenny, please don't scold me. I know it was wrong... But the challengers hit us so hard the day before, and my Pokémon and I are still in the hospital... (Tearful.jpg)

Celadon Gym—Erika: Actually, Ms. Jenny, I think Daisy has been trying her best...

Officer Jenny: Erika, I almost forgot about you. The day before, you were also reported for making challengers wait for half an hour while you took a nap. Is that true?

Celadon Gym—Erika: (Sweating) I might have... possibly... maybe...

Officer Jenny: As an official gym leader of the league, how could you be so disrespectful! This is too much!! This year, Celadon Gym's bonus is halved!

Celadon Gym—Erika: (Nooo.jpg)

Cinnabar Gym—Blaine: Haha~ Jenny is still so fiery~ It'll be hard for you to get married with that temper.

Officer Jenny: Blaine, I haven't talked about you yet! How many people think Cinnabar Gym has closed down? Please take it seriously! If you don't accept a few challengers soon, Cinnabar Gym's bonus is also forfeited this year!!

Cinnabar Gym—Blaine: Emmm...

Officer Jenny: And the Vermilion Gym! @Vermilion Gym—Lt. Surge, Mr. Surge, there have been so many complaints about Vermilion Gym recently. Can you explain why?

Vermilion Gym—Lt. Surge: Haha~ Those kids are too weak...

Officer Jenny: And Fuchsia Gym! @Fuchsia Gym—Koga, Mr. Koga, I always thought you were a reliable person. Now, according to reports, challengers say their personal safety cannot be guaranteed in your gym. What does that mean?

Fuchsia Gym—Koga: ...

Officer Jenny: Finally, you! @Saffron Gym—Sabrina, Ms. Sabrina, I personally verified your skills and I'm satisfied. Gyms are meant to challenge trainers, but please take it easy! Challengers walk in fine and come out broken! How can you do this?! Saffron Gym is being called haunted!

Saffron Gym—Sabrina: (Confused.jpg)

Officer Jenny: Stop giving me that cute face!!! They're calling you a monster!!! (Frustrated.jpg)

Good, very good!

Seeing Officer Jenny's stern handling of the situation, Dylan couldn't help but smile, realizing he was now part of this eccentric yet dedicated group of gym leaders.