"The next challenger—Renjiro from Shuangyang City!"
The referee's clear voice echoed across the grand arena of the Twin Flame Gym. The crowd's murmurs grew louder as Renjiro's figure appeared, stepping confidently onto the competition field.
"It's Renjiro—the genius from our Shuangyang City!" someone gasped from the stands.
"Oh my god, I didn't even notice him earlier! He's actually here to challenge the Twin Flame Gym!"
"This is going to be good. I wonder who will win this battle."
"It has to be Master Li. Li Fei is a senior trainer—how could he lose?"
Whispers filled the gym as spectators recognized Renjiro, the boy whose name had spread like wildfire in recent weeks. Known for his 37 consecutive victories at the Battle Tower, he had become a figure of both admiration and curiosity.
Li Fei, standing at his end of the battlefield, was just as surprised as the crowd. He hadn't expected the next challenger to be the prodigy of Shuangyang City. His eyes briefly widened before they settled into a look of focused anticipation.
So it's him, Li Fei thought. The boy everyone's been talking about.
"I've been looking forward to this battle," Li Fei said aloud, a genuine smile tugging at his lips.
"And so have I, Master Li," Renjiro replied, his tone respectful but brimming with determination.
For as long as he could remember, Renjiro had dreamed of this moment—facing off against Shuangyang City's strongest trainer. And now, that dream was about to become reality.
But just as the tension began to build, Li Fei raised a hand. "Before we begin… there's someone who wants to see you."
Renjiro blinked, puzzled. "Someone wants to see me?"
Without further explanation, Li Fei took out his phone and initiated a video call.
Meanwhile, in the Battle Tower of Demon City…
At that very moment, Li Mengxue, Li Fei's daughter, was engaged in a fierce battle. Her Charmeleon stood firm, flames flickering at the corners of its mouth, as it faced off against a nimble Blitzle.
"Charmeleon, use Flamethrower!" she commanded.
With a roar, Charmeleon released a jet of searing flames, the heat rippling through the air as it shot toward Blitzle.
"Blitzle, dodge!" cried its trainer, panic in his voice.
But Charmeleon's speed was astounding. The Flamethrower struck true, licking at Blitzle's legs and singeing its fur.
"Blitzle!" the trainer cried as his Pokémon faltered, its agility crippled by the burn.
Gasps rose from the onlookers.
"Did you see that? The speed of that Flamethrower—Blitzle didn't stand a chance!"
"Where did this little monster come from?"
"She's from Shuangyang City. Been training here for a while," someone explained.
"First Renjiro, now her—Shuangyang City's really churning out prodigies this year."
"She's got talent, that's for sure. Her Charmeleon's Flamethrower is so fast, few at this level can dodge it. She's nearly ready to challenge junior trainers."
Whispers of admiration filled the Battle Tower as Li Mengxue calmly issued commands.
But as Blitzle's trainer called for surrender, acknowledging defeat, Li Mengxue gave a polite nod. "Thank you for the match."
She returned Charmeleon to its Poké Ball, intending to head to the Pokémon Center for a rest. Unlike Renjiro's seemingly tireless Beedrill, her Charmeleon needed recovery between matches.
Just then, her phone rang.
"Dad?" Li Mengxue said, seeing her father's name flash on the screen. Curious, she accepted the video call.
"Dad? What's going on? Aren't you in a match right now?"
On her screen, her father's face appeared, his expression excited.
"Look who's here!" Li Fei said, turning his camera to reveal Renjiro standing ready on the battlefield.
Li Mengxue's eyes widened. "Renjiro?"
Renjiro gave a small wave toward the camera.
Could this be the person Li Fei meant?
"Yes, it's him! Didn't you always say you wanted to see him?" Li Fei teased, his grin widening.
Li Mengxue's cheeks flushed pink. "Dad! Who said I wanted to see him?! I said I wanted to battle him!"
But Li Fei was already chuckling. "It's not important. What matters is that he's here today. Watch carefully—your father's about to teach him a lesson!"
Li Mengxue couldn't help but laugh despite herself. "Alright, Dad. Give it your all!"
On the field, Renjiro rubbed his temple as he overheard the conversation, a sweatdrop forming. When did I ever bully her?
Li Fei ended the call but left his phone propped up so his daughter could watch live. He faced Renjiro once more, eyes gleaming with the thrill of the challenge.
"You heard that, boy. I won't be holding back—this one's for my daughter!"
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Renjiro said, his voice steady.
Li Fei's grin broadened. "Good! Charizard, let's go!"
With a roar that shook the rafters, Li Fei's strongest Pokémon appeared in a burst of light. The massive Charizard spread its wings wide, flames flaring at the tip of its tail.
Spectators leaned forward in anticipation.
This… this is going to be intense.
The referee raised his hand. "Begin!"
Renjiro wasted no time. "Beedrill, I choose you!"
A blur of black and yellow shot onto the field, wings humming as Beedrill took its place opposite Charizard.
Li Fei narrowed his eyes. So it's the famous Beedrill.
"Charizard, Flamethrower!"
A torrent of fire exploded from Charizard's mouth, hurtling toward Beedrill.
"Dodge and use Twinneedle!" Renjiro commanded.
Beedrill darted to the side, the flames narrowly missing its sleek form, and closed the distance with blinding speed. Its twin stingers glowed as it struck at Charizard's side.
Charizard roared, the hit making contact, but it retaliated instantly.
"Wing Attack!" Li Fei shouted.
Charizard's massive wings glowed white as they slammed into Beedrill, sending it spiraling back.
But Beedrill righted itself mid-air, wings buzzing furiously.
"Poison Jab, go!" Renjiro called.
Beedrill streaked forward again, landing another hit before Charizard could react.
The crowd was silent, hanging on every move.
"This kid's good," Li Fei muttered.
He raised his voice. "Charizard, Air Slash!"
Blades of compressed air shot from Charizard's wings, targeting Beedrill.
"Agility!" Renjiro ordered.
Beedrill's form blurred as it zipped between the attacks, drawing closer.
The two Pokémon clashed again and again, a blur of fire, wings, and stingers.
From the sidelines, Li Mengxue watched, eyes shining. "So strong… both of them."
Li Fei's phone vibrated with her message: Dad, this is amazing!
Li Fei grinned. "Charizard, Dragon Claw!"
"Beedrill, Drill Run!"
The arena shook as claw met drill, the clash sending out a shockwave that rattled the walls.
Both Pokémon backed off, panting, but neither ready to give in.
Renjiro wiped sweat from his brow. So this is what it means to battle a true senior trainer.
And Li Fei, for his part, felt his heart race with excitement. This boy's the real deal.
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