In the backyard of the Pokémon Center, Silas was hard at work training his Carvanha.
After completing the cleanup mission two days earlier, he'd exchanged his points for the Carvanha Breeding Manual.
"Carvanha's teeth are its primary weapons. Crunch, Ice Fang, Psychic Fangs… these biting techniques form the core of its offensive style."
Silas flipped through the manual, committing the notes to memory before setting the training regimen.
"Carvanha, your task today is simple break that reef into pieces!" he commanded, pointing to the massive rock placed in the corner of the pool.
"Carv--nhaaa!" The Rough Skin Pokémon flicked its tail, body twisting as if to protest.
Silas crouched down, lowering his hand into the water to stroke its coarse scales. His voice was steady.
"Listen. If you want to grow stronger, you have to adapt. Even if your teeth break, they'll regenerate quickly. That's your gift. But if you don't sharpen them now, you'll never become what I need you to be."
Carvanha let out a sulky "Pffft~", spitting a small spray of water into his palm. But, under its trainer's firm gaze, it returned to circling the reef, sinking its fangs in again and again. Judging by its pace, Silas estimated it would take half the day before the rock gave way.
He left Carvanha to work and walked over to another pond, where his Corphish was training eagerly.
"Corphish has always been enthusiastic about drills," Silas mused aloud. "But… mastering Dragon Dance is still a hurdle."
Before he could puzzle over it further, a childish voice rang out from behind.
"Big brother, big brother! I came to play with you~!"
Turning, Silas spotted a little girl with a ponytail, clutching an oversized doll as she waved happily at him.
It was May.
Her family had only just moved to Petalburg City, and with her parents constantly busy, the young girl often slipped away to the Center, pestering Silas to spend time with her.
He sighed helplessly. "So it's you again…"
Faced with the Gym Leader's daughter, Silas had little choice but to put his training on pause. Perhaps a few days' rest wasn't such a bad thing anyway.
'Besides', he thought, 'May's still young, her worldview unformed. If I carve out a place in her heart now, then in the future…'
A bold, almost mischievous idea flickered in his mind.
Crazy, daring, risk-taking-like the Dark-types he so admired.
Silas crouched so that he was eye level with her, gently ruffling her hair. "May, have you had lunch yet? Want to eat with me in the cafeteria?"
"Mm-mm!" May shook her head, leaning against his hand with a smile. "Not there. I want you to come to my house! Mama made lots of yummy food for lunch!"
She tugged on his finger insistently, her little hand surprisingly firm.
With no choice, Silas recalled his Pokémon and allowed himself to be led. As they crossed the Center's lobby, he noticed several trainers watching with envious eyes.
'Of course', he thought. 'Since the Gym's opening, many families have flocked to Petalburg, all hoping to curry favor with Norman. But he's too focused on strength to waste time on politics. So instead… they've set their sights on May.'
He glanced down at the girl pulling him along and shook his head inwardly. She has no idea how many eyes follow her. And now I've been dragged into the spotlight too.
Soon Silas found himself walking through the quiet streets toward the Gym Leader's residence. Petalburg Gym wasn't just a battlefield-it was also a home.
Soon, they arrived at a quiet wooden house nestled beside a bamboo grove. The tranquil scenery carried a refreshing calm.
Silas offered a polite bow. "Mrs. Coroline, you truly are worthy of being Norman's wife. This bamboo grove and house… your design is beautiful."
Coroline wore a simple, elegant kimono, her posture graceful as she returned his compliment with a warm smile. "Thank you, Silas. I hear May's been troubling you these past few days?"
At that, May puffed up her cheeks in protest. "I didn't bother big brother at all! I've been good! It's you and Dad who are always busy and never play with me!"
She clung tighter to Silas' hand, glaring indignantly as though listing her parents' crimes.
"You naughty child…" coroline frowned, preparing to scold her, but May squealed, darting behind Silas for protection.
"Big brother, save me~!"
Silas froze, caught between mother and daughter, when footsteps sounded across the yard.
"Silas." Norman's voice carried weight, and the man himself appeared, his presence filling the backyard. "The Gym is complete. Thank you for watching May these past few days."
His sharp eyes softened slightly. "I remember you planned to enter the League a year from now. How about testing yourself against me first with a Gym Battle?"
The words lit a spark in Silas' chest. His first badge challenge and against none other than Norman himself.
Caroline gave a small laugh. "Honestly, you just finished the Gym and already you're itching for a battle. Boys and their Pokémon…"
"Go for it, big brother!" May chimed, clapping her hands.
Silas blinked, caught off guard, but nodded quickly. "It would be an honor, Mr. Norman."
...
Minutes later, Silas stood in the polished battlefield of Petalburg Gym, the family's home seamlessly opening into the arena. A referee raised the flag.
Silas followed, nerves tightening. His memories from another life told him well: Norman was not an opponent to underestimate.
Flexible tactics, relentless pursuit of strength, and a well-balanced team with no true weakness. A man called the Trainer closest to the Elite Four.
The referee raised a flag. "This is an official Petalburg Gym Challenge. The rules are as follows:
Two-on-two battle.
The Gym Leader sends out first; the challenger chooses a counter.
The challenger has first attack.
The Gym Leader may not switch Pokémon. The challenger may switch freely.
Victory is decided when one side's Pokémon are unable to battle."
'What a terrifying opponent for my first badge…'
Silas swallowed hard, gripping a Poké Ball.
"Are you ready?" Norman asked calmly, pulling out his own Poké Ball.
The referee's flag dropped. "Battle… begin!"
With a flash of white light, Silas threw his Poké Ball.
"Go, Corphish!"
"Cor-phishhh!"
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(End of chapter)