Chapter 146 ⇾ Pidove, Give Me That 100% Critical Hit!

When Milo saw that Magnolia didn't want to say more, he didn't press further.

The old woman and her assistant then easily closed the energy leak point. Having closed several such points before, they were quite experienced with the procedure.

On the way back, Cole looked at Magnolia and asked, "Professor, I've done what you asked me to help with, so you should fulfill your promise to me, right?"

The professor smiled and said, "Of course, I always keep my word."

As she spoke, she pulled out a backpack from the back seat, took out something that looked like a map, drew on it with a pen, and handed it to him.

"Here, this is a map of the area around Turffield. The location marked with red pen is the place you're looking for. That area is home to many Cottonee and Whimsicott, so it's quite well-known locally."

Upon hearing her words, Milo suddenly chimed in, "So that's where you want to go, Cole? If I had known, you could have just asked me! I definitely know about it! You wouldn't have had to trouble the professor."

His words clearly implied: Cole, you got tricked into working for nothing.

As soon as Milo finished speaking, Magnolia shot him a fierce glare, as if saying: Why did you have to tell him that? Now how am I supposed to ask for his help?

Milo pretended not to notice her look and continued smiling foolishly, thinking to himself, 'Hmph, that's what you get for not answering my question.'

Looking back now, Cole realized he'd been quite naive. He could have simply shown the video to Turffield residents and asked around. He might have already reached the place by now.

But helping Magnolia wasn't so bad either. He got to experience Dynamaxing, which was quite educational — no loss there.

After returning to Turffield, Cole parted ways with Magnolia and Milo.

Before leaving, he tried to return the Dynamax Band to her, but she said, "Keep it as a gift from your elder."

In truth, the Dynamax Band wasn't very useful to Cole since he couldn't use it in Kalos, but it's rude to refuse a gift from an elder. Besides, he might visit Galar again someday.

"Then I'll graciously accept your gift."

"Yes, that's right!" Magnolia nodded with satisfaction, "Next time I need your help with something, you can't refuse, okay?"

Cole: ... Was it too late to give it back now?

But thinking about it, if Magnolia really needed his help with something, it wouldn't be so bad. This was a great opportunity to build a relationship with a famous League professor!

"Professor, let's exchange contact information." Cole said.

Magnolia was momentarily stunned by his words, then laughed helplessly, "You really are a sly one, aren't you?"

In the end, Cole successfully exchanged contact information with her.

After parting with the professor, Cole released Daisy and the Dunsparce from their Poké Balls, planning to follow the map's directions to find Dunsparce's homeland.

When passing by a Pokémon store, he suddenly remembered that he still owed Pidove a gift, so he went inside with Daisy and Dunsparce.

"Welcome!" A sweet-voiced female staff member saw him enter and immediately approached with a smile, "How may I help you?"

After thinking for a moment, Cole asked, "Where can I find items suitable for Flying-type Pokémon?"

"Flying-type Pokémon items? Please follow me." The young woman led him past several shelves to the Flying-type Pokémon section.

Here, Cole saw food for Flying-type Pokémon, cleaning powders, fruit juices and drinks that Flying Pokémon like, and various other products. The shelves displayed a dazzling array of colorful items.

After much consideration, he chose a conventional gift: a Sharp Beak. The Sharp Beak could enhance the power of Flying-type moves.

However, when passing by another shelf, he spotted a pair of glasses — a Scope Lens. This item helped Pokémon identify opponents' weak points, making it easier to land critical hits.

This seemed perfect for a Pidove with the Super Luck ability!

Cole looked at the Sharp Beak in his hand, then at the Scope Lens on the shelf. Which should he choose?

Seemingly noticing his hesitation, Daisy gently poked her son's back.

"Garde~ Garde~" — Why are you going back and forth? Just get both! It's not like we can't afford them!

Mom was becoming more and more like a rich lady, but what she said made sense. He'd get both.

Although in official competitions, a Pokémon could only carry one held item, Pidove wasn't going to compete in tournaments. What's wrong with wearing two? They could afford it!

"Miss, please wrap both of these for me." Cole took the Scope Lens from the shelf and handed it to the staff member along with the Sharp Beak.

"Of course! Thank you for your purchase, young man." The young woman said sweetly, "Also, our store is currently running a promotion. If you spend over P$100,000, you can participate and enjoy a 20% discount. Would you like to join?"

The Sharp Beak and Scope Lens were P$60,000 each, bringing Cole's total to P$120,000 — making him eligible for the promotion.

A discount? Now you're speaking my language!

"What kind of promotion? How do I participate?" Cole asked, his eyes sparkling.

"You just need to defeat the trainer appointed by our manager, and you'll get a 20% discount." The young woman replied.

In fact, the appointed trainer was the manager's own son. To create training opportunities for his son, the store manager had specifically arranged this promotion, even at a financial loss.

Talk about spending money freely!

"That's it?" Cole asked.

"Yes, it's that simple." The young woman replied with a smile.

"Great, let's do it then! I can't wait!" Cole said eagerly, rubbing his hands together.

"Alright, please follow me."

Led by the young woman, Cole arrived at the store's backyard, where a spacious Pokémon battle arena stood. A young boy was training his Pokémon on the field.

The boy wasn't very tall, had cool white hair, and appeared about the same age as Cole. He was training a Corvisquire and a Meowth.

"Carson, we have a new customer!"

The boy called Carson glanced at Cole and asked expressionlessly, "Are you the new challenger?"

Oho~ What a cool kid!

"Yes, pleased to meet you." Cole said with a smile.

"Then let's begin." The boy said while recalling his Corvisquire and Meowth, apparently not planning to use them in battle. After they took their positions on opposite sides of the battlefield, the boy added, "We can use up to three Pokémon each. The battle ends when all of either side's Pokémon are unable to battle."

"Got it!" Cole made an OK gesture.

"Seeing that you're quite young, I'll go easy on you for the first Pokémon." Carson said, raising his chin.

"???" Cole was confused, 'Come on! Are you older than me? You're not even as tall as I am!'

Oh well, let him act cool if he wants. There's always a price to pay for showing off.

After speaking, Carson released a Sobble.

'Tsk tsk tsk…' Cole shook his head helplessly. He really was being underestimated!

Since this was for buying a gift for Pidove, why not let it take the stage?

"Coo Coo Coo~"

With a flash of red light, Pidove appeared in the air, flapping its wings.

"Pidove, do your best! Otherwise, I'll have to spend more money to buy your gift."

"Coo Coo Coo~" — Leave it to me!

Upon hearing that he wanted to buy a gift for it, Pidove became full of energy.

When Carson saw Pidove, he immediately displayed an "as expected" expression, "So you are a novice trainer. Though Pidove is quite rare in Galar."

Indeed, the most common bird Pokémon in this region was Rookidee.

Hearing the boy's words, Cole didn't know how to react anymore.

"I'll let you attack first." Carson said, with an air of generosity.

Cole smiled and asked, "Really?"

Carson nodded, "Of course it's real. Don't worry, I'll go easy on you."

"Alright, I hope you won't regret it."

As Cole spoke, he thought to himself: It looks like I've secured that 20% discount today!

"Pidove, start your performance! Air Cutter!"

"Coo Coo Coo~~~"

Pidove flapped its wings, and several gear-shaped wind blades shot out.

"Sobble, dodge quickly!" Carson shouted.

Sobble pushed off with its legs and jumped to another spot.

Bang Bang Bang!!!

The place where Sobble had been standing was slashed by wind blades, creating cracks and raising dust.

However, it had barely landed and hadn't even caught its breath when Pidove's next round of Air Cutter came, so fast it was astonishing.

Bang Bang Bang!!!

"Sobble..."

Before Carson could finish speaking, the poor water lizard was engulfed by the wind blades.

Pidove's Super Luck ability activated, and Air Cutter already had a high critical hit ratio, resulting in a critical hit that knocked out the opponent in one blow.

"Yeah! Pidove, first victory!" Cole said, extending his right palm toward Pidove.

"Coo Coo Coo~~"

Pidove happily flew over and high-fived Cole with its wing to celebrate.

Looking at the motionless Sobble lying on the ground, the young Carson was stunned, his face turning bright red.

"You... you..." He looked at his opponents, then at the motionless Pokémon, but ultimately swallowed the words that had reached his lips.

Seeing the boy like this, Cole slightly restrained his smile. Bullying kids shouldn't go too far, but then again, who told him to act so arrogant?

After recalling Sobble into its Poké Ball, the boy tilted his head back and said with false bravado, "I won't hold back in the next round!"

Cole suppressed his laughter and said, "Please do your best. I hope you can really put a dent in my arrogance!"

"Pfft~~" The service girl watching from the side was amused by his words.

Several previous customers who came to challenge were only amateur trainers, so they all lost to Carson. Perhaps because of this, he had become a bit inflated with pride.

"Just you wait!"

With that, Carson took out a Poké Ball and released his second Pokémon, a Mr. Mime from Galar.

"Mr. Mime, use Psychic to catch Pidove!" Carson shouted.

Mr. Mime's eyes began to glow blue as its Psychic Power extended outward, ready to capture Pidove. At that moment, a purple light flashed in Cole's eyes, and his Psychic Power instantly collided with Mr. Mime's.

He thought to himself: This Mr. Mime's Psychic Power isn't even as strong as mine, a human!

In fact, he overlooked that his psychic seed came from Lugia, so of course his progress was different from ordinary Psychics.

Cole thought: If special ability users can assist during Pokémon battles, then it should be fine for me to step in directly, right?

Affected by the psychic interference, Mr. Mime hesitated for a moment. At that instant, Pidove's wings flashed with a hint of dark light, transforming into a blade that sliced toward the opponent.

Super Luck activated again, and combined with Feint Attack's tendency to hit vital spots, it triggered another critical hit. Mr. Mime was knocked out in one blow.

Looking at the fallen Pokémon, Carson kept shaking his head, "Impossible, impossible, it's just a Pidove, how could this happen?"

Suddenly, he raised his head.

"What's your name?"

Cole smiled and replied, "If your next Pokémon can beat Pidove, I'll tell you!"

Hearing this, Carson gritted his teeth, "Fine, I will definitely beat you!"

With a flash of red light, his last Pokémon appeared on the field — the Corvisquire that Cole had seen when he first arrived.

At this point, Carson wasn't thinking about beating Cole anymore; he just wanted Corvisquire to defeat Pidove.

"Corvisquire, Peck!"

"Caw!"

Corvisquire's beak, hard as iron, suddenly emitted a white light as its body transformed into an arrow shooting toward Pidove.

Seeing this, Pidove executed an elegant spin in the air, rotating two and a half times, avoiding the attack by skimming past its back while simultaneously slashing Corvisquire's back with wings that flashed with dark energy.

Critical hit! Another critical hit!

The trigger rate of Pidove's Super Luck ability had exceeded normal probability, as Cole had noticed long ago.

"Caw Caw!!"

Corvisquire cried out in pain and quickly plummeted.

However, its steel-like feathers gave it excellent defense, so although Pidove's Feint Attack had landed a critical hit, it didn't achieve a one-hit knockout like before.

After all, Pidove hadn't evolved yet; otherwise, Corvisquire might not have been able to withstand that attack.

Corvisquire wobbled back into the air, its gaze toward Pidove filled with fighting spirit.

Rookidee, Corvisquire, and Corviknight were just that kind of Pokémon — tough-minded, unafraid of challenges, and unwilling to back down even when facing stronger opponents.

"Corvisquire, use Peck again!"

"Caw Caw!!!"

Corvisquire once again transformed into an arrow rushing toward Pidove, this time using all of its strength.

But Pidove's flying techniques had been honed through life-and-death escapes in the wild, and this opponent was no match.

It activated Tailwind, and with the power of the wind, it easily avoided the attack with a rise and fall in the air, while shooting out several air blades.

Critical hit again!

"Caw!!!"

Corvisquire cried out in pain and fell to the ground, unable to battle.

"Well, looks like we won again!"

Cole and Pidove high-fived once more to celebrate.

✲✲✲

T/N: Hey! Liked what you read? Support your friendly neighborhood translator on Patreon! Think of it as buying me a coffee... or ten!

For just $1.50 (that's less than your daily meme budget), get extra chapters! Want more? $2 gets you bonus content, $5 unlocks premium stories, and $10 makes you my hero (and gets you everything I have, including earlier acess to new books)!

That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)

https://www.patreon.com/collection/1305384