Pokémon: Breeding Simulator [176]

Meanwhile, just as Lucario had finally resolved to step onto the battlefield, things weren't looking nearly as promising on Irida's side.

"Eevee, how can you be such a coward?!"

"You should be ashamed of yourself!"

Irida fumed at her Eevee, who was clinging to the wooden railing with both front paws, refusing to let go.

She had been so excited when she found out her opponent was Elias.

After all, she had put Eevee through some emergency training just for this.

The proof was right there—the pudge around its belly had slimmed down by an entire notch.

And now, right before the match, Eevee had gotten cold feet!

"Bui! Buibui~!"

Eevee shook its head furiously at Irida's attempts to coax it.

Lucario? There was no way it could handle that.

It couldn't even beat a Shinx—how could it possibly go up against Lucario?

This wasn't confidence on Irida's part; it was practically sending Eevee to its death!

Seeing Eevee on the verge of tears, Irida felt a headache coming on.

Still, she had faith in her partner.

If nothing else, the matches were supposed to pair Trainers of roughly equal strength.

If she'd been matched with Elias, didn't that mean Eevee wasn't as weak as it seemed?

"So, Eevee, if you go out there and battle, I'll ask Elias to cook you something special tonight."

With no other choice, Irida resorted to her final bargaining chip.

Elias's cooking was incredible—her Eevee had, on more than one occasion, eaten itself into a full-bellied stupor.

It was the perfect bait.

Sure enough, as soon as the words left her mouth, Eevee's eyes lit up.

Its previously flailing body froze.

After a few moments of internal struggle, it finally loosened its grip on the railing and gave a hesitant nod.

"Bui~ (You'd better not lie… huff.)"

Eevee shivered as it agreed, while Irida grinned wide with victory.

A few minutes later, she finally made her entrance with Eevee in her arms, trailing behind.

On the battlefield, Lucario stared down at Eevee, who was visibly trembling.

Its irritation only deepened.

Even the clan leader serving as referee could sense Lucario's rising resentment.

He glanced at Eevee, then at Lucario, a little confused.

If memory served, hadn't he assigned Elias to battle one of the Diamond Clan's leaders last night?

So why was he facing Irida now?

Lost in a spiral of second-guessing, the old man still managed to issue the signal to begin the match.

The outcome, of course, was hardly unexpected.

With a light tap of its bone staff, Lucario pinned Eevee flat on its back—completely immobilized.

No matter how much it flailed or bared its teeth, it couldn't even budge Lucario a fraction.

Elias almost felt the urge to cover his face in embarrassment.

"Trainer Irida's Eevee is unable to battle."

"Victory goes to Elias of the Pearl Clan!"

The referee hurriedly announced the result, as if hoping to escape the awkwardness.

Irida, however, looked like she'd taken a real blow.

She'd known there was a gap between Eevee and Lucario—but she hadn't expected it to be this wide.

---

[Back in the stands, Irida barraged you with an endless stream of questions about Pokémon training.]

[Seeing her stubborn expression, you had no choice but to answer patiently.]

[Fortunately, she wasn't too crushed. After agreeing to meet up for dinner, she left the grounds with a much-relieved Eevee in tow.]

"Excuse me, are you Mr. Elias?"

Just after Irida left, Elias heard a gentle male voice behind him.

Turning around, he froze.

"Cynthia?"

The name slipped out instinctively—only for Elias to realize a beat later that the person before him was a man.

But...

Despite the difference in gender and age, the resemblance to Cynthia was uncanny.

The same golden hair, amber eyes, even the shape of the face and the air about him—it was all strikingly similar.

Most telling of all... the Garchomp standing at his side.

Elias had mistaken the two at first glance, and he couldn't be blamed for it.

Still, unlike Cynthia, whose presence had always felt bright and forthright, the man before him exuded something subtler—like warmth carefully veiling a hidden layer.

"Cynthia? That's a lovely name," the man replied, smiling softly.

"But if it's alright with you... I'd prefer you call me Volo."

"Or, if you'd like to be formal, you can add my title—member of the Ginkgo Guild."

Volo didn't seem offended in the slightest by the mistake. Shaking his head, he spoke with calm politeness.

Elias gave a slight nod in response to the introduction, then asked, "So, what can I help you with?"

He had heard of the Ginkgo Guild—an organization of merchants dealing in materials, tools, even flowers.

To some extent, they had helped strengthen trade and connection across the Hisui region, and Elias held no particular dislike for them.

What puzzled him, though, was why someone like that would seek him out.

Trying to sell him something?

While Elias was still speculating, Volo cleared his throat and finally got to the point.

"I watched your match yesterday, Mr. Elias. It was brilliant."

"What intrigued me most, however, was the stone you used to change Lucario's form. I was wondering if you might tell me where you found it?"

Volo embodied every hallmark of a true merchant.

He rubbed his hands together eagerly, eyes practically glowing with interest.

Hearing the same question Cynthia had asked the day before, Elias felt his patience wearing thin.

"Picked it up in the Crimson Mirelands," he replied, just as curtly as Lucario had the day before.

There was no way he'd mention anything about Regigigas—that would be foolish.

"I see."

Volo nodded, as if thoughtful.

Then, a faint smile curved his lips as he added, "Thank you for sharing that. Here—my card. Please, take it."

He made no attempt to pry further, nor did he seem disappointed. In fact, his expression suggested he'd already figured something out.

After handing over the card and offering a polite bow, he turned to leave.

"I'll take my leave now. Also—I've signed up for the tournament myself. I look forward to our match."

Watching Volo walk away, Elias frowned.

There was no doubt in his mind: that man hadn't come just to ask about the evolution stone.

But what his real purpose was, Elias still had no clue.

"Elias, that guy... his aura feels off."

Zoroark whispered from behind him, her voice low and wary.

The gloom radiating from Volo was even stronger than hers—and she was a Ghost-type born of resentment.

"Yeah," Elias murmured. "There's definitely something strange about him."

"Best we keep our distance."

He reached out and patted Zoroark's fluffy head reassuringly.

Still, more than Volo's motive, what intrigued Elias most was the man himself.

There was no denying it.

He looked far too much like Cynthia.

And considering who Cynthia really was...

A theory began to take shape in Elias's mind.