Chapter 30: The Legendary Martial Arts Mistress???
Nero had secured his first victory in the school team selection tournament, instantly becoming the center of attention. Even during lunchtime at the cafeteria, several girls came up to chat with him.
He also watched a few more matches from the tournament's later rounds.
Aside from a few well-known trainers, most of the competitors were the top-ranked students from regular classes, making their strength levels relatively close. As a result, many battles lasted quite a while.
The longest match exceeded half an hour.
By around 5 PM, all twenty matches had concluded.
From what Nero observed, his class had the most participants among the regular classes, with a total of three competitors.
Both Markus and Dennis had successfully advanced as well, meaning all three were students from Class 2 of Senior Year 3.
Aside from the experimental class, Class 2 had the highest number of advancing students, making it a hot topic across campus.
Additionally, Nero's Combusken's Thunder Collapse Punch and Dennis' Dragon-type Pokémon had also garnered significant attention.
Since Nero was a day student, he didn't need to attend evening study sessions. After the matches ended, he left the campus with Combusken.
Since it was still early, Nero headed straight for Hugo's dojo.
Navigating the familiar alleyways with ease, Nero arrived at the dojo.
Thunder Collapse Punch was a technique he had learned from Hugo. Even though he had only trained at the dojo for just over a week, he had gained a lot from his time there.
Although Nero himself wasn't too keen on striking wooden training posts, his Combusken had successfully incorporated the martial arts move into its combat style.
Had he not been facing a Vaporeon today, he might have demonstrated the move in battle.
Pushing open the dojo doors, Nero stepped onto the cobblestone pathway leading inside.
By the small garden, the dojo grounds were filled with vibrant flowers of various colors, competing in full bloom. The lush green grass and towering trees created a picturesque setting.
"Ma~champ~~~"
In the garden, a Machamp wearing a half-apron was leisurely watering the plants with a goofy-looking Squirtle-shaped watering can, humming a tune in contentment...
The scene was incredibly wholesome—though the sight of a muscular female Machamp in such a role was rather eye-searing...
Machamp leaned in toward a rose, sniffing lightly, savoring the delicate fragrance.
As the intoxicating scent filled its senses, its face turned slightly red...
Why on earth are you blushing like a Polteageist?!
Noticing Nero's arrival, Machamp smiled, set aside its watering can, and jogged into the wooden cabin.
Nero knew it had gone inside to prepare some fruit.
Having been around Machamp for a while, Nero no longer felt uncomfortable around it. Instead, he found it to be quite caring.
While helping Combusken train, Machamp also looked after him.
If Nero got thirsty from training, Machamp would bring him fruit. If he collapsed from exhaustion, it would carry him inside to rest.
If Hugo was Nero's martial arts master, then Machamp was...
His martial arts mistress???
Nero recalled reading about ancient traditions in the Canalave City Library in Pokémon Platinum.
In ancient times, when both humans and Pokémon were fewer in number, there existed a law allowing humans to marry Pokémon...
The most mind-blowing part? Such unions could even produce offspring...
Having spent considerable time at the dojo, Nero knew that Hugo lived here permanently.
However, despite all this time, Nero had never once seen Hugo's wife…
Instead, the only one always present was this female Machamp…
Could it be that she really was his martial arts mistress???
A short while later, Machamp returned with a large plate of freshly cut fruit. Nero accepted it with a polite "Thank you."
After handing him the fruit, Machamp grabbed a mop and bucket, seemingly preparing to clean the storage room.
Just as Nero picked up a bright red apple, he suddenly felt a pair of eyes watching him from behind a nearby green tree.
Combusken noticed it too and prepared to chase down the peeping figure, but Nero stopped it.
Looking towards the tree, Nero spotted a small black tail peeking out from behind it, which made him chuckle.
"Not coming out to have an apple?" Nero said in a gentle voice.
The black tail twitched a few times before quickly retreating. A small head peeked out from behind the tree but, upon making eye contact with Nero, panicked and quickly hid again, shivering slightly.
"I don't think I look that scary, do I?" Nero scratched his head awkwardly. He recognized this Pokémon, and judging by its timid behavior, it matched what the Pokédex described.
"Got it."
Nero had an idea. He put on his round glasses and took out a pink Pokéblock from his system backpack.
Holding it in his palm, he placed it on a small plate and carefully set it down about half a meter from the tree.
Returning to his seat, Nero took a bite of his apple.
Pokéblocks were made from a blend of different berries, with certain combinations creating flavors that Pokémon found irresistible.
The pink Pokéblock emitted a mouthwatering aroma. The hidden Pokémon behind the tree was visibly salivating.
After hesitating for about thirty seconds, it finally couldn't resist and stepped out.
Seeing the drooling, yellow-furred Pokémon, Nero smiled and pressed the right button on his glasses frame.
A translucent blue screen appeared in front of his eyes, displaying various stats of the Pokémon.
Pokémon: Pichu
Type: Electric
Ability: Lightning Rod
Gender: Female
Level: Normal
Condition: Good (No abnormalities)
"Pichu~~"
Pichu stared at the pink Pokéblock, drool dripping from its mouth.
Pichu: (ˉ﹃ˉ)
Carefully picking up the Pokéblock, it took a tiny bite.
Instantly, its eyes sparkled like little stars. It had never tasted anything so delicious before.
Satisfied, Pichu hesitated after the first bite.
It shouldn't eat it all at once—if it did, there wouldn't be any left!
Who knew when it would get to taste something so delicious again?
Pichu hid the Pokéblock behind its back and looked at Nero with its big, gem-like eyes before flashing a bright grin.
It had just labeled Nero a "good person."
Nero walked over, crouched down, and took another fresh Pokéblock from his backpack.
"Don't worry, there's plenty more. Eat as much as you like."
"Pichu~~~!"
Seeing Nero produce delicious food as if by magic, Pichu's eyes were filled with admiration.
Looking at the timid yet adorable Pokémon, Nero instinctively wanted to pat its little head. However, considering Pichu's shy nature, he stopped midway.
Watching the little Pichu nibbling on its food, Nero smiled warmly and softly said, "Pichu, arigato~"
Nero would never forget—back at the abandoned kindergarten, when he was being hunted down by a Murkrow cloaked in darkness, it was this very Pichu that saved him.
This was a debt of gratitude he would remember for a lifetime.
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