Chapter 82 — Magic Flash

"I never expected to meet you in the first round two years in a row."

Standing opposite to Larina, Arlo said with a smile.

"I'm different from who I was before, Arlo. You'd better be prepared."

Larina returned the smile.

However, that smile had something chilling about it.

Coming from a beauty like Larina, it gave off more of a femme fatale vibe.

Arlo secretly shuddered.

But on the surface, he maintained a composed expression, "Then let's have a battle with no regrets."

...

...

Twenty minutes later.

"Oh my god..."

As Arlo's Dynamaxed Flapple fell.

Many local Galar spectators who had watched last year's Star Tournament were all dumbfounded.

On the big screen, Arlo's six Pokéball icons.

Thievul, Wooloo, Bellossom, Ludicolo, Cherrim, and Flapple, all dimmed indicating that all six of his Pokémon had lost their ability to battle.

In contrast, on Larina's side, a beautiful Milotic stood proudly on the field.

And on the big screen, her side only showed one dimmed Pokéball icon for Drednaw.

This meant Larina had only lost one Pokémon.

Arlo had been defeated six to two!

No wonder the spectators were so shocked.

After all, who could have imagined that Arlo, who had defeated Larina just last year, would be beaten six to two!

"This is too extreme?!"

Even Champion-level Raihan couldn't help but shout out.

To achieve such growth in just one year, it's, it's simply unbelievable!?

Leon's expression grew heavier as he thought to himself:

"Is this also the result of that man's special training?"

Others didn't know, but he was well aware that Larina had also received guidance from Sun Wuming.

However, what puzzled Leon was.

Larina didn't use the ability called "Haki" that Bede had used.

Perhaps she thought Arlo's strength didn't warrant using that technique?

Watching from the high platform, Rose couldn't help but smile.

Just as he had expected.

Both Larina and Bede had achieved incredible growth under that man's cultivation.

This was undoubtedly a good thing for Galar.

Meanwhile, a new idea emerged in Rose's mind.

...

...

"To only lose one Pokémon without using Fishman Karate, that's an acceptable result."

In the rest room, Sun Wuming smiled and said:

"How does it feel to get your revenge?"

"Surprisingly, I'm not that happy."

Larina's face radiated a charming smile.

"Arlo's strength was only slightly above mine to begin with, so beating him doesn't feel as satisfying as I imagined. My goal is still to defeat Leon."

Sun Wuming smiled in response.

The next match also began.

But since it wasn't someone Sun Wuming knew, he didn't pay much attention.

Sun Wuming glanced at the card for the last match of the first round, Marnie VS Raihan, with a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

...

...

Near evening.

The last match of the first round.

Marnie VS Raihan.

When Marnie appeared wearing the same Turtle School training uniform as Bede.

The venue once again erupted in commotion.

Watching from backstage, Piers also widened his eyes in surprise.

Had his sister also received guidance from that man, just like Bede?

Raihan's face showed an expectant smile as he called out his first Pokémon, Sandaconda.

Months ago, it had easily defeated Marnie's Morpeko.

And Marnie, showing no weakness, called out the same Morpeko that had been defeated by him before.

"This girl...!"

Piers was shocked.

Even though Raihan had brought out a Ground-type, you still dare to battle with an Electric-type Morpeko.

However, as the battle progressed to the later stages.

Piers and everyone else were given a huge shock.

"Give it the final blow, Sandaconda! Dragon Rush!"

Taking advantage of experience, type advantage, and stamina, Sandaconda had been suppressing Morpeko.

And Raihan, seeing his chance, launched a fatal attack.

Sandaconda's body surged with light purple energy, enveloping its entire form.

In a second, it transformed into a roaring flying dragon, lunging to bite Morpeko.

"Seems she still can't match Raihan after all."

Piers frowned in thought.

However, at the final crucial moment.

Marnie's beautiful emerald eyes suddenly contracted, "Go! I believe in you! Morpeko!"

In the next instant, incredible energy surged through Morpeko's entire body.

Its two small hands overlapped, pressing against its forehead.

"What kind of pose is that!?"

Everyone shouted in confusion.

"Can she pull it off?"

Sun Wuming thought to himself.

"Magic Flash!!!"

Marnie shouted with all her might.

"Morpe!!!"

Morpeko, as if its spirit had become one with its trainer, used all its strength to release the energy within.

Instantly, a dazzling golden shock wave with terrifying visual impact and mountain-splitting power met Sandaconda's Dragon Rush!

BOOM!!!

The collision of the two impacts created a terrifying shock wave.

Strong smoke spread everywhere.

Before it could clear, everyone saw Sandaconda's body fly out from within, crashing hard behind Raihan.

"...Sandaconda is unable to battle, Morpeko wins."

The referee quickly reacted and declared with a wave of the flag.

"Hah... hah..."

On the other side, both Marnie and Morpeko were breathing heavily.

We, we did it! We really did it!

In the rest room, Sun Wuming also showed a relieved smile.

She couldn't succeed during training, but surprisingly her first success came during an official match.

Isn't this just like Ash's protagonist power?

However, about ten minutes later, as Heat Rotom collapsed powerlessly on the ground.

All three of Marnie's current Pokémon had lost their ability to battle.

While on Raihan's side stood one of his main fighters, the Kalos pseudo-legendary Goodra.

To be honest, Raihan was a bit surprised.

Because this little girl, who had been utterly defeated in the gym challenge, had actually managed to defeat his Sandaconda.

Like Bede and Larina, she had made remarkable progress!

But unfortunately, that was the extent of it.

Although Morpeko had successfully used Magic Flash, it had also reached its limit.

When Raihan brought out his ace Goodra.

Marnie couldn't hold on anymore.

She was cleanly defeated three to one.

"...I forfeit."

After a moment of silence, Marnie raised her right hand with her head lowered and spoke these three words, then turned and walked back to the player tunnel without another word.

The audience was stunned, because according to the rules, Marnie could still send out three more Pokémon.

Everyone thought this little girl had been scared off by Raihan.

They didn't know it was because Marnie currently only had three Pokémon on hand.

The referee also didn't say much, immediately declaring:

"The winner is Raihan."

...

...

Stepping into the dim player tunnel.

Marnie suddenly stopped, her small head hanging low as crystal tears rolled down her cheeks.

Then, she heard footsteps approaching from the front.

Before Marnie could look up, she felt herself fall into a warm embrace.

Marnie was stunned for a moment, then raised her arms and tightly hugged the other person's waist.

"Uu... uuu... uuuuu!!!"

The usually expressionless girl could no longer contain her emotions at this moment and burst into tears.

Just then, Piers also came from the player tunnel entrance.

He had originally wanted to comfort his sister whom he hadn't seen in a while and who had just suffered a crushing defeat.

However, he saw his sister crying her heart out while hugging that man who had beaten Cynthia's Garchomp half to death.

Piers was completely shocked.

His sister, act-actually crying in front of a man, and, and even hugging him!?

As an older brother who was like a father, he should step out and reprimand them for this behavior.

But thinking back to what happened to Cynthia's Garchomp.

Piers finally... chickened out.

What if that man got angry and beat his Pokémon half to death too?

...

...

After the emotional moment passed, Marnie returned to her usual expressionless face that remained unmoved by anything.

Faced with Sonia and the others' consolation, Marnie calmly stated that she would remember this defeat and train harder in the future.

Seeing that Marnie seemed to have truly come to terms with it, Sonia felt much more relieved.

As for Larina, she felt a bit jealous.

Both Bede and Marnie, whether they won or lost, had intimate moments with Sun Wuming.

Why hadn't she taken the opportunity to close the distance between them?

A lesson learned, don't forget next time.

"There are so many people discussing you and Bede online, and some are saying that the Galar League is really going to rise up this time."

After dinner, Sonia scrolled through her phone and excitedly told everyone.

Naturally, there was no need to say much about Bede defeating the Elite Four level Piers.

Larina had also reverse-swept Arlo who had defeated her last year.

And she had done it with the terrifying record of defeating six of his Pokémon while only losing two.

Add to that both of them having stunning good looks.

It was no wonder they were causing such a stir online.

Larina curiously leaned in, her head touching her best friend's.

[I thought our Unova Elite Four Caitlin's psychic powers were scary enough, but Bede's fists are even more terrifying]

[I'm sorry, Miss Larina, I always thought you were just a pretty face, but it turns out I was the clown]

[I thought Larina was like Valerie, beautiful but weak, but she turned out to be like Cynthia, gorgeous AND incredibly strong, how is that fair?]

[That punk girl in the last match was pretty good too, too bad she met Raihan in the first round]

...

"Please train me too from now on."

While Bede and the others were distracted by the online discussion, Marnie quietly said to Sun Wuming.

"Mm-hmm."

Sun Wuming lovingly hooked Marnie's little nose and replied:

"In return, will you show me your smile?"

Hearing this, Marnie was stunned for a moment.

Then, her mouth twitched, as if she had been given anesthetic.

She couldn't manage to smile even after a long while.

Sun Wuming was speechless, "While training, also practice how to smile normally, okay?"

"Mm."

Marnie nodded.

— — —

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