Facing Rika's sudden invitation to temporarily serve as a Victory Road gym leader, Aiden felt a wave of emotion—
Less than half a year ago, he'd merely been a trash Gym Leader. How had he now achieved a two-tier leap, nearly becoming an Elite Four member?
Though temporary, this invitation essentially signified President Geeta's approval—a rare honor in Paldea, where the Elite Four position had been vacant for years.
But being Paldea's Elite Four wasn't necessarily a good thing…
Aiden's expression turned complex.
As everyone knew, President Geeta was a workaholic who micromanaged the League's affairs while burning herself out.
As the Elite Four under the Top Champion, they weren't explicitly required to match her pace—but clearly, they all worked far harder than gym leaders or other League members.
Take Larry, guarding Area Zero's entrance while juggling both Elite Four and Gym Leader duties—Aiden wouldn't be surprised if he'd learned the move "Endure" just to survive.
As for Rika and Hassel—the other two Elite Four—they seemed less overworked than Larry, but their workload was still immense.
Definitely far exceeding his own gym duties.
So…
Aiden, accustomed to the peaceful rhythm of gym life, hesitated at the League's offer.
After all, Larry's "precedent" as both Elite Four and Gym Leader looked like a one-way ticket to overwork-induced burnout!
His gaze drifted to the small figure behind Rika.
Following the game's path, the true successor to the Elite Four seat should have been this eight-year-old Poppy, who hadn't even reached Pokémon world's human "evolution milestone" of age 10.
President Geeta couldn't demand much of a child—Poppy was less a proper Elite Four and more the League's mascot.
Question: Is Paldea truly so talent-starved that a nine-year-old—which couldn't even enroll in Naranja Academy—must become Steel-type Elite Four?
Paldea was short on personnel, but not that desperate. Several gym leaders likely had Elite Four-level strength if they tried.
As for why none stepped up, forcing Geeta to choose child labor…
Aiden guessed they simply refused overtime. From the start, they'd probably rejected Geeta's invitation outright.
Just like his own gym leader evaluation—no one expected this rookie to fight so hard he'd win first place, skipping straight to Elite Eight gym leader status.
After the news broke, Brassius had taken his Sudowoodo overnight and fled to Kalos on vacation, never considering trying to keep his gym position…
Truly, his former self had been too naive, blind to the intricate schemes of city dwellers.
Their tactics ran deep!
Now, with him as a better option, life was finally targeting him—a decent, law-abiding gym leader who'd never done wrong?
But the Elite Four role was tempting.
Cynthia was Sinnoh's Champion. Caitlin would soon likely become Unova's Elite Four. If he remained just a gym leader, facing Caitlin would feel like looking up at her…
I can lose to anyone—but never to Caitlin!
Seeing Aiden hesitate, Rika tilted her head in confusion.
Noticing his conflicted expression, she suddenly understood, waving her hand with a laugh:
"Don't worry—even as an Elite Four, you'll keep your gym leader position. The League doesn't need extra hands right now."
"This year's Champion assessments start in summer break. You'll just need to work some overtime, staying at the League to help evaluate rookies who've collected eight gym badges."
"Hmm… there might be one small task after that, but it's unconfirmed—probably just a trip to Area Zero?"
Rika added quickly.
Aiden nodded.
Typically, a region's Champion assessments lasted a year, Paldea included.
But Paldea's unique "academy system" shortened the process—all challengers were students. Even the final Champion qualification exam was scheduled during summer break.
Upperclassmen coped better; they'd accumulated experience. But freshmen only had six months to challenge gyms.
After the semester's end, they'd return to campus for intensive classes—even Champions weren't exempt.
This half-year of hands-on practice actually deepened their understanding of advanced courses.
Surprisingly logical.
Though Rika hadn't said it outright, Aiden grasped Geeta's thinking.
After the Area Zero collapse, League personnel shortages had stabilized. They didn't need another Elite Four to share the load.
Resolving Area Zero—the ticking time bomb—mattered far more.
So the next Elite Four's main task would be escorting the new Champion into Area Zero for training, possibly cleaning up the two professors' mess?
If so, this suited him perfectly.
He'd planned to visit Area Zero anyway—now he wouldn't even need to file a report with Geeta.
Decision made.
"I'll try it. But…" Aiden met Rika's eyes. "I lack experience. Can I really handle the Elite Four role?"
Rika chuckled softly. "Don't worry. When it comes to evaluating students, the other three Elite Four combined probably can't match you."
"Plus, using rental Pokémon for gym battles is troublesome. During Champion assessments, you can finally use your own team regularly!"
"You'll command Pokémon you raised yourself far more smoothly than rentals."
Rika winked, then added a reminder:
"Of course, as Elite Four, your standards must rise beyond selecting promising students. The goal is choosing the best rookie as Champion. So Teacher Azure must take this seriously!"
"After all, this Champion must enter Area Zero. Insufficient strength could be dangerous. Geeta's stance is—"
"Better another year with no Champion than a weak one."
"???"
Hearing Rika's key phrase, Aiden's eyebrows shot up.
Was this a good thing?
Right—he had used his main team against rookies early on, before Eevee and Riolu evolved.
But later, his Pokémon became too overpowered to fairly evaluate newcomers.
Copycat + personally trained Eevee. Lucario mastering Invisible Fist and Armor Island martial arts. Ogerpon—cute but capable of one-shotting Titans. Shelgon—underdeveloped but destined to be illegal. Plus mythicals like Mew and Mewtwo…
Excluding Indeedee (still in her second growth phase), this lineup would make anyone leave a bad review.
That's why he'd rented Pokémon from the Battle Chateau and the Paldean League and developed tactical variations.
Tactics only work when strengths are balanced. His Pokémon outclassed rookies too much—even holding back yielded no useful assessment.
He'd never planned to catch many Pokémon, so unlike other gym leaders, he couldn't rotate backups. Hence this approach.
The results were good—students struggled but succeeded, their journeys smoother afterward.
But that was "Aiden (Gym Leader)." Now he wore another hat.
Aiden (Elite Four)!
As a student, their first gym leader was him. Their final Champion assessment opponent? Also him…
Poetic full circle.
"I understand."
Aiden nodded.
Rika's meaning was clear:
After Champion assessments begin, "Elite Four Aiden" must intensify the difficulty!
As the starting gym, Sunshine Gym taught students how to nurture Pokémon and unleash their full potential in battle.
Now, as Elite Four, Aiden would teach them a new lesson.
The final lesson's name—
Tempered Steel!
Just imagining students entering Paldea League with excited hearts and confident strides—ready to sweep the Elite Four and step on President Geeta to become Champion—only to find him at the door…
Their expressions would be priceless.
Aiden's face lit up with a warm smile.
"I look forward to seeing students again this summer."
For some reason, watching his gentle smile, Rika felt an inexplicable chill.
My imagination… right?
"Hmm… then it's settled."
Rika nodded.
"Apart from League business, I came for another reason." She stepped aside, revealing Poppy, who'd been hiding behind her. "Little Aiden—or rather, Teacher Azure—do you remember this child?"
"Eh? Adult talk's over?" Poppy—trying to stay unnoticed, half-asleep until now—perked up. Meeting Aiden's puzzled gaze, she instinctively straightened her back, puffing out her chest with fierce determination.
"Hmph! Since adult business is done, it's my turn!"
"Long time no see, Gym Leader Aiden!"
Poppy planted her hands on her hips, mimicking adult speech with impressive confidence.
"…"
Aiden had assumed Poppy just tagged along with Rika—they were close in games and anime, Rika like an older sister.
But now it seemed Poppy had targeted him from the start?
Though confused, Aiden stayed patient with the child, bending down with a smile:
"Indeed long time no see, Poppy."
When they last met, he'd been an inexperienced rookie gym leader.
Two months later, Poppy looked unchanged—confirming Aiden's suspicion:
Do humans in the Pokémon world really evolve at age 10?
After greeting Poppy, Aiden looked at Rika.
Why bring her to Sunshine Gym?
Surely not because he'd beaten her two months ago…
"Ah, this is complicated…" Rika waved a hand helplessly.
"Since you accepted Poppy's gym challenge—making her taste defeat for the first time—she's trained relentlessly. Her goal: become stronger and wipe away that shame~"
"Didn't you tell her to challenge you again?" Rika's tone turned playful.
"…"
Aiden recalled.
He had suggested she return during Champion assessments—if she proved worthy, he'd recognize her.
Just a polite remark. How had the meaning twisted in translation?
Now he felt like a noob-crushing sadist in Rika's eyes…
Slander! Blatant slander!
"That's right! I'm here to keep our promise!"
Poppy beamed at Rika's words, locking eyes with Aiden again.
"Teacher Azure, accept my rematch!"
"…"
Silence.
Aiden wanted to say: Sunshine Gym is closed—come back tomorrow.
But in this setting, he'd just have to soothe a crying child!
And if she lost again… more tears?
If she won… he'd owe her another debt on the Victory Road…
So troublesome!
Aiden sighed inwardly.
"Don't stress," Rika chimed in, lowering her voice. "Poppy isn't old enough for the Champion assessments anyway. You won't meet 'Elite Four Aiden' then."
"And don't underestimate her. She has a natural affinity for Steel-types. She's inherited several powerful Pokémon from her family—her strength rivals a normal gym leader~"
"I brought Poppy partly to fulfill her wish, partly to observe your current team's strength."
"This battle's outcome doesn't matter. It's just to deepen our understanding of 'Teacher Azure'."
Rika laid her thoughts bare.
Aiden's eye twitched.
Eight-year-old Poppy is this insane?
No wonder she'd commanded Corviknight before—it was her special trait!
This made her becoming Elite Four at nine plausible.
Powerful Pokémon rarely recognized ordinary trainers. But if Poppy had this gift… even with modest skill, she could command them.
And Rika's implication…
This battle requires my future Elite Four lineup—a full-power match?
Though she claimed it wouldn't affect anything, as a quasi-Elite Four trial, he should go all out.
But… wouldn't that be bullying a child?
"Exactly! Don't underestimate Poppy! I'm very strong now!"
Puffed up by Rika's praise, Poppy's eyes burned with intensity. "Battle me! Now!"
"…Understood."
Aiden surrendered. If Poppy didn't mind, why should he?
"Rules? 3v3 or 6v6?"
"5v5." Rika answered for Poppy. "Champion assessments will likely be full battles. Considering rookies' strength, the Elite Four use one fewer Pokémon. This lets you practice the format."
Aiden nodded. "Since this also tests my Elite Four eligibility, allow me to prepare."
"Of course! Show us your full strength, Gym Leader Aiden!"
Poppy beamed. Rika nodded beside her.
Aiden entered Sunshine Gym.
His Pokémon rarely battled challengers—they lived in "free-range mode." Especially Lucario, seldom seen by day.
But nearing dinner, the gym was full—perfect for "Aiden's Grand Review."
Sylveon, Lucario, Ogerpon—his core three.
Shelgon, though less powerful pre-evolution, qualified as "my Pokémon."
Two slots remained. Technically cheating, but Mewtwo and new arrival Indeedee filled them perfectly.
A warm-up for the upcoming Psychic Master Tournament.
Only then did Aiden realize—
Excluding Mewtwo and Indeedee… he hadn't even gathered six main Pokémon yet?
Am I too laid-back…?
...
Minutes later.
On Sunshine Gym's outdoor field, Aiden and Poppy stood on their halves, awaiting referee Rika's signal.
"Before we start…" Rika turned to Aiden, grinning. "As gym leader, shouldn't Teacher Azure say something inspiring?"
"Gym leaders traditionally give rousing pre-battle speeches to challengers."
"…"
Aiden was speechless.
Is this actually a tradition?
Early on, he'd mimicked other gym leaders' speeches.
But facing 10-30 challengers daily, he'd abandoned the habit.
Reason: he ran out of unique lines!
Generic speeches felt insincere, hurting his image…
Plus, familiarity with students made rituals unnecessary.
But this match was special.
Aiden looked at nervous, waiting Poppy and spoke simply:
"During your first challenge, I told you type advantages aren't absolute—sometimes they're traps to lull opponents."
"Two months later, that still holds true. Remember it in this battle."
He smiled at Rika. "Begin!"
Rika dropped her raised hand. "Battle start!"
Simultaneously, Aiden and Poppy threw Poké Balls.
"I choose you, Corviknight!"
"My lead is—Lucario!"
"Luca—"
A black crow armored in steel feathers screeched midair, its presence making Lucario instinctively narrow its eyes.
A formidable foe. Stronger than wild area leaders!
Must take this seriously.
Rika retreated to the sidelines, studying Aiden's Pokémon.
She remembered this one.
During his evaluation, Aiden had only unevolved Eevee and Riolu.
Now Riolu had evolved into Lucario—undoubtedly far stronger.
Eevee had become Sylveon.
Even unevolved, those two had defeated her main Hippowdon through perfect coordination.
She hadn't been serious then, but their skill was evident. That day, she first witnessed Aiden's unorthodox command style.
But beyond them…
He'd supposedly caught a terrifying "Ogerpon" in Kitakami?
Hold on, Poppy!
At least force Aiden to use all his Pokémon!
Rika already knew Poppy's chances before the battle—
Not happening~
Rather than hoping for Poppy's impossible win, Rika wanted her to push Aiden to reveal his full team.
That way, she could gauge where to place him in Champion assessments.
If Aiden was too strong, eliminating all students at the entrance would become this year's Victory Road disaster…
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