"Then… what happens to Garchomp and Lucario after Mega Evolution?"
Cynthia finally asked, fingertips grazing the Poké Balls at her waist. Her tone was calm — but her golden eyes were filled with curiosity and anticipation.
Chen Shi paused.
His expression became… strange.
He didn't answer immediately.
Cynthia's heartbeat skipped.
…Did something go wrong?
She leaned closer slightly, gaze locked on him — serious, focused.
Steven, Phoebe, Ash, and Gary all turned toward him as well.
Silence stretched.
Finally…
Chen Shi spread his hands and sighed dramatically.
"…How would I know? I don't have either of them."
The room froze.
Cynthia's expression slowly darkened.
Her fist clenched.
Steven and Phoebe turned away immediately, pretending the walls suddenly became extremely interesting.
Ash blinked innocently.
Gary raised his hand.
"So, uh… how do you actually use Mega Evolution?"
Chen Shi chuckled and patted Gary on the head.
"You'll need training. First, understand your Pokémon's heart. Then use the Key Stone to connect your bond — only then can you activate the Mega Stone."
"The first few times are the hardest — the energy is unstable. It takes repeated use before the trainer and Pokémon can fully control the transformation."
The explanation wasn't only for Gary.
He was speaking to Steven and Cynthia — warning them not to recklessly attempt Mega Evolution during the tournament and risk injuries.
Cynthia suddenly stood up.
"…My match is starting. I'll go first."
She left without looking back.
Steven and Phoebe exchanged a look full of schadenfreude.
Someone was definitely sleeping on the metaphorical couch tonight.
Meanwhile, Chen Shi lounged lazily on the sofa, completely unbothered.
In his previous life, he had seen a video interview:
Reporter:
"You've been with your girlfriend for years. Do you still talk every day? What do you talk about?"
Guy:
"Oh, every morning I make her mad… and then spend the rest of the day coaxing her."
Their relationship was perfect.
The lesson?
True love survives nothing… except strategy.
Cynthia wasn't angry — just frustrated she didn't get her answer.
Chen Shi wasn't worried.
Then, as if remembering something, he turned serious.
"Steven — tell your father about Mega Evolution. We've collected too many stones. People will get greedy."
"When I walked out just now, someone already tried approaching me."
Steven's face hardened.
Mega Evolution was no small matter.
If a peak Elite-tier Pokémon Mega Evolved…
Would it cross the gap into Champion-tier?
Could it break the ceiling entirely?
Could it reach a level beyond Champion?
The elders of Meteor Falls once told stories — that ancient "Dragon Gods" saved the world using this very power.
Steven didn't know how strong the Dragon Gods were…
But stronger than Champions?
Absolutely.
Something this monumental wouldn't stay quiet.
He couldn't hide it anymore.
Steven stood abruptly.
"I'll go make the call."
He left in a hurry.
Once he was gone, Chen Shi leaned back and watched Cynthia's match on the large tournament screen — Ash and Gary sitting beside him, wide-eyed with anticipation.
Cynthia vs. Leon.
Both trainers stepped onto the field with visible caution.
Cynthia sent out Milotic.
Leon countered with Inteleon.
Chen Shi raised an eyebrow.
He hadn't expected the first round to end like that.
Milotic fought well, and she did heavy damage —
—but she still fell first.
"She got overwhelmed," Chen Shi muttered.
Inteleon, dual-wielding firearms and attacking relentlessly, simply outpaced her control-based strategy.
It was a clean, tactical suppression.
After a short pause, Cynthia sent out Lucario.
Leon swapped Inteleon for his ace — Cinderace.
The moment both Pokémon touched the field…
The battle ignited instantly.
Fire-type strikes, high-speed dodging, acceleration boosts — met with lucario's Extreme Speed and brutal Bone Rush counterstrikes.
No tricks.
No terrain setups.
Just a pure, explosive clash.
Both Pokémon fell at the same time.
Finally —
Cynthia sent out Garchomp.
Leon didn't return Inteleon.
Instead — he sent Charizard.
No showmanship.
No hesitation.
No friendly pretense.
Just two absolute titans ready to collide.
The entire stadium held its breath.
And then—
They fought.
Wild.
Unrestrained.
No defense.
No baiting.
Just raw power, blow for blow.
It was chaos — and the crowd loved every second of it.
In the end — Charizard fell.
Inteleon tried to finish it…
…but Garchomp shredded it without difficulty.
The referee raised his flag.
"Winner — Cynthia!"
The arena erupted in cheers.
Leon, instead of frustration, bowed his head slightly — and applauded Cynthia with a warm smile.
Chen Shi blinked.
"…Why does he look relieved?"
Ash tilted his head.
Gary shrugged.
Chen Shi stared for another few seconds—then gave up.
"Weird guy."
Just then, the door slid open.
Cynthia walked back in.
Sweat-damp bangs, calm expression — and dangerously quiet aura.
Chen Shi's survival instinct finally activated.
He immediately sat upright, grabbed a glass of water, and held it out respectfully.
"Cynthia — great work. You fought beautifully. Have some water."
Her lips curved upward just slightly.
"Don't call me Cynthia."
"…?"
She sipped the water, leaned closer, and whispered with a straight face:
"Call me Chronic Indecisive Disorder."
Chen Shi: "......…"
Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> patreon.com/lucarioTL