Chapter 67: A Duel That Reshaped a Life’s Perspective

Chen Ou strode confidently, without a hint of panic, to stand opposite Xiaoxia. He seemed utterly unconcerned, not even the slightest bit embarrassed. In fact, was he even a little smug?

Xiaoxia truly felt it was time to give Chen Ou a proper lesson.

"Can we begin, Mr. Prosecutor?" she said, her voice thick with resentment.

"Let's begin, Gym Leader Xiaoxia. Let’s start a battle with the Blue Badge at stake!" Chen Ou grinned mischievously.

"No." Xiaoxia shook her head, meeting Chen Ou’s puzzled gaze. "No matter what, I can't fault your abilities as a trainer. You weren’t involved in that ‘major incident,’ but whether it’s Lance, Red, or Brock, they all praise your strength. I don’t doubt you’re capable of earning the Blue Badge."

Chen Ou said nothing, maintaining a placid smile, calm and collected.

On the sidelines, Asu and Sakura, acting as referee, watched in silence, careful not to speak.

"But you’ve angered me, Chen Ou. I won’t block you from the Blue Badge, but I will teach you a lesson—show you what it means to be a senior."

Aside from anger, Xiaoxia’s face also bore the pride and confidence unique to a trainer.

Chen Ou’s fake smile became genuine. This was the Xiaoxia he wished to see: spirited and ready for battle. This was the fiery orange-haired girl who once put Red in his place, not some playful mermaid Xiaoxia.

Really, where did Xiaoxia get that playful reputation? Her nickname was clearly “Wild Mermaid”!

Thinking this, Chen Ou took a Poké Ball from his belt and gripped it in his hand.

"Let’s begin, then."

"Let me show you what real experience looks like!" Xiaoxia declared, brimming with confidence in her own abilities. She had every reason to be confident: as a veteran Gym Leader, a prodigious Water-type trainer aiming for Lorelei’s level, how could she not strive toward her goal?

Moreover, she admired someone as outstanding as Red… How could she allow herself to stagnate?

Indeed, people often don’t realize their own complacency. Without pushing oneself, you never know how strong you can be.

Chen Ou was here to push Xiaoxia, to make her even stronger.

At the very least, she couldn’t be weaker than Yellow… That would be far too dull. Of course, as a healer, Yellow’s strength was bizarrely formidable…

Even Lance had been defeated by her, though he wasn’t as strong then as he is now, and Yellow had used others’ Pokémon. Still, it didn’t change the fact that the newly debuted Yellow had taken him down.

Chen Ou always teased Lance about this black mark at their gatherings.

That aside, Chen Ou was also a Pokédex holder. What should his title be? Had the Professor decided? Well, there was no rush; many Pokédex holders from the original story had yet to appear. Titles could wait until after the Indigo League.

Brushing away these fleeting thoughts, Chen Ou smiled and responded:

"Then, Xiaoxia, let me witness your progress. Show me whether you have the strength to stand beside Red!"

Talking about Red was guaranteed to keep Xiaoxia alert.

She knew perfectly well that this scoundrel, Red, and Green were all thick as thieves.

[Could Red have asked him to do this?]

The thought, once it surfaced, refused to leave. She took a deep breath, regaining her composure and refusing to let anger cloud her judgment.

She was first to throw her Poké Ball.

"Come out, Gyarados!"

A flash of white light, and a massive, fierce Gyarados emerged, roaring into the arena!

"ROAR!!!! (Weakling!!!)"

Chen Ou raised an eyebrow. Whatever Xiaoxia was imagining, her fighting spirit hadn’t diminished with her anger.

He tossed out his own Poké Ball.

"Get ready to battle, Charmeleon!"

"RAWR!!! (Moron!!!)"

Charmeleon roared as it entered the field. Facing Gyarados’s intimidating presence, it stood its ground, unwavering, earning Xiaoxia’s attention.

She sized up Chen Ou’s Charmeleon, nodding. "Your Charmeleon is well raised. But do you really think a rookie Pokémon like this can defeat my Gyarados? I heard you caught an Entei. Why not send it out and show me?"

Her tone was full of curiosity.

Chen Ou’s capture of Entei was no secret within the League. Entei was rare, but not a legendary, so the shock was limited; after all, Shiba was friends with an Entei, and though he hadn’t caught it, he could command it in battle.

Chen Ou shook his head. "Underestimating my Charmeleon? Xiaoxia, you’ll pay for that."

Xiaoxia shrugged, unconcerned.

Ignoring her, Chen Ou called out, "Charmeleon, show this orange-haired wild bass what we’re made of!"

"You bastard! Who are you calling a wild bass?! Gyarados, Aqua Tail!"

Xiaoxia’s temper was instantly triggered.

"Charmeleon, dodge and counter with Flamethrower!"

Chen Ou kept his cool, directing the battle.

Both Pokémon received their trainers’ commands. Gyarados gathered a massive spiral of water around its tail and swung it at Charmeleon.

Charmeleon tried to dodge, but this was Xiaoxia’s Gyarados—its moves wouldn’t be so easily evaded. As Aqua Tail neared Charmeleon, it shifted form, attempting to envelop Charmeleon like a giant hand.

All avenues of escape were sealed in an instant; clearly, Charmeleon would have to endure.

So Charmeleon fired a concentrated Flamethrower at the weakest point of Aqua Tail, blasting a hole and slipping through nimbly.

Xiaoxia frowned, noting that Charmeleon’s Flamethrower was thicker than usual. It seemed Chen Ou truly had skill in raising Pokémon; this Charmeleon’s fire was both more powerful and hotter than average.

But what happened next completely changed her view of Flamethrower.

After dodging, Charmeleon released its attack…

A cone-shaped blaze erupted, wider at its base than the very doors of the Gym.

Gyarados was engulfed in a wave of fire, streaked with white flames.

At that moment, Xiaoxia, Sakura, and Asu all felt as if their worldview had been turned upside down.

Charmeleon squinted and smiled.

‘So, who’s talking now?’

P.S. Many thanks to Mo Bai Mu Chen for the generous reward of 100 Starting Coins! Such a magnanimous patron, surrounded by admirers!