"How troublesome," Red muttered as he resigned himself to the inevitable and walked into the café.
"Welcome home, Master!"
Red's arrival immediately caught the attention of the café maids. Most were his fans and felt genuinely thrilled by his presence.
Some of the more enthusiastic maids approached, attempting to loop their arms around his shoulders, but Red smoothly sidestepped the overly familiar gesture.
Faced with numerous eager maids wanting to serve him, Red sat somewhat awkwardly across from Lorelei, forming a stark contrast with the other customers.
Most contestants sat alone nursing their coffees, occasionally stealing glances in Lorelei's direction. Yet the vast disparity in status discouraged them from mustering the courage to approach.
Red's arrival sparked intense envy. After all, the woman sitting face-to-face with him was the legendary "Ice Queen," who rarely spent private time with men.
Lorelei actively inviting Red had already shocked most onlookers. The flames of gossip burned in their hearts as they eagerly anticipated what might develop between Red and the Elite Four member.
"So... why specifically choose such a conspicuous location?" Red asked helplessly after receiving a cup of sleep-aiding warm milk from a café maid.
"I didn't expect such a coincidence either, little brother Red," Lorelei teased, giving him a provocative look that made Red shudder involuntarily.
"Alright, enough with the games. How did the matter I discussed with you go?" Red's tone became serious after tasting his warm milk, awaiting Lorelei's answer.
"I must say, challenging all four Kanto Elite Four trainers before completing even a full year of travel takes remarkable audacity. Your declaration not only surprised us but simultaneously rattled the upper echelons of the Kanto League," Lorelei said, studying the youth before her with curiosity. The divine Pokémon battle between Zapdos and Articuno had left an indelible impression.
"It's just a simulation battle. Why the nervousness?" Red replied calmly, unfazed by her surprise.
"Simulation battle? You consider a 5-on-5 Pokémon battle a mere simulation?" Lorelei touched her cheek with mild exasperation.
'Adding just one more Pokémon would qualify as an official challenge. What is this kid thinking?'
"Though it might seem arrogant, the reason for a simulation battle is simple—I'm concerned that defeating all four of you in an official match would inevitably result in the League management thrusting the Regional Champion position upon me," Red explained methodically.
His words nearly made Lorelei drop her cup. If any ordinary trainer made such a claim, she'd dismiss it as empty boasting.
But this was Red speaking, which forced her to consider the gravity of his assertion.
Regional Champion wasn't merely some Conference Champion title that changed hands regularly. It represented the strongest individual in the entire region—an unquestionable authority and the most prestigious symbol a Pokémon region could bestow.
"Why are you so confident?" Lorelei voiced her genuine confusion.
"Because I was born for battle. Facing various strong opponents repeatedly stimulates my combat instincts and makes my strength grow exponentially," Red stated matter-of-factly.
"A person of battle..." Lorelei murmured, sensing an overwhelming aura emanating from Red at that moment.
'Instinctively radiating fighting spirit? What a terrifying youth.'
"Besides the Kanto region, travels to other regions await me. I don't want to be restricted by the Regional Champion position too early and lose my freedom."
"Moreover, my original intention in challenging you four Elite Four members was merely to ensure my starter lineup wouldn't remain unchallenged. Deploying them in the Indigo League otherwise would feel somewhat unfulfilling."
Compared to one-sided victories concluded in under ten seconds, Red preferred genuine competitive matches. This approach allowed him to respect contestants who'd worked hard to reach the Indigo Plateau while simultaneously tempering his Pokémon's abilities—accomplishing two goals at once.
From Red's perspective, his starter Pokémon deserved to challenge worthy opponents. One-sidedly crushing weaker trainers was actually disrespectful to his partners' capabilities.
"I understand. As long as you become this Indigo League's champion, League officials will naturally grant you the opportunity to travel the Champion's Road and challenge the Kanto Elite Four," Lorelei explained.
"Is that so? I'm very much looking forward to that day," Red said, finishing his warm milk. His lips curved upward as he dispersed the psychic barrier he'd erected around himself and Lorelei.
Since the conversation involved challenging the Elite Four, Red had preferred discretion. He'd used his psychic abilities to soundproof their discussion while subtly applying mild Hypnosis to make onlookers subconsciously disperse.
Perhaps wanting to reassert her status as an Elite Four trainer, Lorelei stood as Red prepared to leave. She approached him and extended her delicate hand to straighten his slightly disheveled collar.
Because Lorelei deliberately leaned forward, the revealing expanse of her décolletage became clearly visible. After Red instinctively glanced downward, he quickly averted his gaze—only to meet Lorelei's teasing eyes.
"What's wrong, little brother Red? Is Big Sister's figure that distracting?" Lorelei purred, teasingly trailing her index finger along Red's neck.
Red felt profoundly awkward and could only maintain silence.
Fortunately, most onlookers had dispersed; otherwise, this would inevitably spark unnecessary gossip.
Lorelei had only dared to boldly tease Red after confirming the crowd had thinned, hoping to unsettle his composure.
"Alright, I'll stop teasing you now," she said, noticing Red's growing displeasure. She quickly withdrew and properly composed herself.
"If you truly choose to challenge the Champion's Road, then the first Elite Four trainer you'll face will be me." Lorelei regarded Red with complete seriousness.
"Lord Red from Pallet Town, I eagerly anticipate that day's battle!"
"Is this your battle philosophy? Becoming water and ice..." Red observed.
"Naturally. Normally I'm like water flowing in its natural course, but the instant battle begins, I fight mercilessly like ice," Lorelei explained.
"I also very much look forward to that day—the day I defeat all four of you," Red declared.
He glanced toward the window where the moon, previously obscured by clouds, now cast its ethereal light across the scene, as if illuminating the path forward.