The dim sewer returned to silence.
The place where Natsuhiko battled the Lampent earlier.
A ghostly figure suddenly appeared here.
First, it frowned and looked around at the mess, the traces left by Rattata and Raticate were clearly visible.
Then its gaze fell on the Lampent lying on the ground, its candlelight dim.
Approaching.
It squatted down, reached out, accompanied by a faint red light, and directly extended its hand into the Lampent's flickering candle flame.
However, when the hand was withdrawn, the palm held nothing.
"Did someone take it?"
A deep, raspy voice echoed through the tunnel.
Took out a Pokeball and retrieved the Lampent.
Squinting, "Close, just a little more."
...
...
Natsuhiko held four Pokeballs, among them a Senior Level Muk, plus three Grimers, two had reached Excellence Level, and one was Qualified Level.
With this.
He had completed both of his missions.
As he left the sewer, the western sky had already been rendered gold and crimson, with a magnificent sunset intermingled with patches of emptiness, and these void patches tended to grow larger.
Arriving at the Trainer Guild.
The bustling crowd from the morning had subsided considerably, but a lot of people still gathered at the entrance.
Inside the guild was even busier, people hurriedly coming and going with eyes downcast.
Some were hoping to complete their missions before dark, while others, having completed them, were eager to exchange points and see if they matched the lineage of the Luck Emperor.
And undeniably, the noisiest spots were the mission area and the prize area.
Natsuhiko queued at a relatively less crowded line.
While waiting, he overheard the conversation of two people ahead.
They didn't bother to lower their voices.
Person A: Did you hear? This morning, a nephew of Ghost-type Elite Four Agatha came to the guild, applying to be a certified Newcomer Trainer.
Person B: Nephew? How come I heard it was her son?
Person A: Whatever "son" it is, as long as they're closely related to Agatha, isn't it a bit embarrassing for the Elite to have just become a "Newcomer Trainer"?
Person B: How do you know they aren't doing it deliberately?
Person A: Heard his Initial Pokémon is a Weedle. Ha, born lucky, even a Weedle can be nurtured with glory.
Person B: Don't underestimate Weedle as not a Poison Type, many of Agatha's Pokémon are also Poison Type....
Person A: Makes sense...
....
Silently standing behind them, Natsuhiko felt stranger the more he listened.
Originally, he just thought he was listening to gossip for fun, but as he listened further, he realized the person they were talking about seemed more and more like himself?
Initial Pokémon Weedle, just passed the Newcomer Trainer certification...
How did this get spread?
If it reached Agatha's ears, they'd inexplicably tack on her an extra son or nephew or whatever.
Thinking of Agatha's ghostly manner of keeping strangers at bay, Natsuhiko shivered.
At this moment, the person ahead suddenly turned to ask: "Brother, do you think that Agatha's son or whatnot, is hiding their strength or just this strong?"
Natsuhiko: "..."
Looking at the two staring intently at him, expecting an evaluation.
Natsuhiko pursed his lips hesitantly: "Maybe.... that person doesn't have much of a relationship with Agatha, much less being any 'son'..."
"Impossible!" Person A firmly denied Natsuhiko's words.
"My cousin's aunt's sister's friend is guild staff, how could words from her mouth be false?"
Person B said: "He doesn't get it, come, I'll analyze it further for you..."
The two began an intense discussion again.
Natsuhiko noted, being the subject at hand, he truly didn't understand...
He lowered his head, fiddled with his hair, hiding his handsome face.
Avoid drawing too much attention.
'Better leave quickly, this rumor's getting exaggerated, I might get killed by Agatha...'
Thinking back to his first encounter with Agatha.
The phrase "Luckily, you're not like him" she said, naturally referred to Professor Oak, whom Agatha liked in her youth.
Now she's well past her prime, yet still has Oak on her mind.
It's apparent how vindictive she can be.
Finally.
While waiting, Natsuhiko completed the points exchange for a few Pokémon.
Five Excellence Level Pokémon exchanging for 50 points, one Qualification Level Pokémon exchanging for 40 points, and one Qualified Level Pokémon exchanging for 5 points, totaling 95 points.
Subtract the cost of 30 points, leaving an extra 5 points.
This once again points out how the Trainer Guild cleverly manages their points, which can be directly converted into currency, each point equaling 10,000 league coins.
It equates to essentially purchasing Wild Pokémon indirectly.
You think the Alliance would lose out?
Perspective is narrow.
Believe it or not, when all comes down to it, the Alliance profits.
Holding three lottery certificates and 50,000 league coins.
Natsuhiko didn't go straight to the lottery.
He went...
To the restroom.
Upon exit, his appearance had undergone a drastic change.
Just shy of donning female attire.
No choice, as the guild's rumors grew more exaggerated, he had to lay low.
Especially since he planned to use Teacher Poke for the lottery; however, Teacher Poke wasn't on his registration.
The most crucial reason is.
He felt Teacher Poke might indeed draw something remarkable, the guild might not trouble him, but it's uncertain whether others wouldn't covet it.
Do you really think all Trainers registered with the Alliance are good people?
Don't be too naive, the premise of virtuousness is simply that the benefits offered aren't tempting enough.
Numerous roulette machines are available.
When Natsuhiko arrived with Togepi, someone was just leaving dejectedly.
This lottery format has enticing prizes, but those who truly win something worthwhile remain few.
Handing the certificate proving three chances to the staff, Natsuhiko placed Togepi onto the apparatus.
Witnessing Togepi raise its small head high, hands on hips, chest's Soothing Bell swaying back and forth.
Just shy of writing "I'm the Luck Emperor" across its face.
"Togepi?"
Do you want that? What prize?
Scanning the dense list of prizes, many held substantial value, with even non-rare and less precious ones offering great utility to him and his Pokémon squad.
"Whatever works for you, anything useful or precious is good."
"Togepi!"
Alright!
Togepi's chest thumped "bang bang."
The staff member observing their behavior stifled a laugh.
Do you really believe you can get anything you desire?
After promising, Togepi focused intently, squatted down, hands poised over the buttons, eyes swirling.
Snap!
Button pressed, wheel halted.
A yellow card emerged.
Seeing the card color, surprise flickered in the staff's eyes.
If one considers rare items and manuals as first prize, this yellow card signifies second prize.
Don't belittle second prize, its appearance rate is notably low.
Today, the staff had seen only a few yellow cards.
'This person is quite lucky.' He thought so.
Natsuhiko accepted the card, reading...
User Guide: Psychic Type "Play".
His eyes lit up.
A valuable item!
However, before he could praise Togepi, he noticed Togepi's puffed-up face, full of resentment.
"Togepi!"
Outrageous! It's not the first prize!
Togepi kicked lightly.
"Togepi!"
I advise you not to be ungrateful!