Sam, holding a drink in his hand, sat at a square table, repeatedly raising his wrist to check the time.
"Why isn't she here yet?"
He was growing a little anxious. He had already contacted Professor Oak, who said someone would personally deliver the Pokémon Sam requested today.
"Is she finally here?"
A mature woman in her twenties appeared at the entrance of the café. She quickly spotted Sam and walked straight toward him.
As the elegant, intellectual woman approached, Sam froze in disbelief.
He never imagined that the person sent by Professor Oak would be Lorelei, one of the Kanto Elite Four.
Professor Oak really is something else…
"You're Sam, right?" Lorelei pulled out a chair and sat down across from him.
"Yes—hello, Miss Lorelei."
Sam stood up instinctively, not daring to act casually in front of a legendary Elite Four member.
"Relax, no need to be so formal. Sit down, sit down." Lorelei smiled gently.
Looking at the soft-spoken and approachable woman before him, Sam couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
So much for rumors—she wasn't cold at all.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Lorelei went straight to the point.
"I heard you're looking for a rideable Water-type Pokémon?" she asked casually, stirring her drink.
Sam immediately straightened his posture.
"Yes, that's right, Miss Lorelei."
"And I heard you prefer Gyarados?"
"Yes. I do."
Sam had no intention of hiding his preference. After all—who could resist Gyarados's sheer dominance?
Lorelei nodded slightly.
"Gyarados is indeed an excellent Water-type, and it's suitable for riding. Unfortunately, though, there aren't any appropriate ones available within the League right now."
Those words hit Sam like a thunderbolt.
No suitable Gyarados…?
All the excitement drained from him instantly.
Seeing his expression change so dramatically, Lorelei burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, alright, I won't tease you anymore. There may be no Gyarados—but how about Lapras?"
"…Lapras?"
Sam wondered if he'd heard her wrong.
It wasn't that he hadn't considered Lapras—far from it. The problem was that Lapras had never appeared on the League's application list.
Due to excessive hunting, Lapras was now a strictly protected Pokémon. Capturing one without League approval was practically asking to be jailed.
"Lapras would be perfect," Sam said carefully, "but isn't it forbidden to capture them now?"
"That applies to wild Lapras," Lorelei replied patiently. "Private breeders are a different matter."
At that moment, everything clicked.
If Sam remembered correctly, Lorelei's signature Pokémon was Lapras.
Could it be…?
His heart started racing.
A Lapras raised by Lorelei—its offspring would at minimum have Elite-level potential.
Any lingering thoughts of Gyarados vanished instantly.
Lorelei stood up gracefully, her presence suddenly changing.
Though she still smiled, a faint chill radiated from her.
"You're right. I do have a Lapras with exceptional potential," she said calmly.
"But whether you can obtain it depends on the answer you give me."
"Come with me."
She turned and walked outside.
Full of questions, Sam followed her closely.
Under Lorelei's lead, the two arrived at an unused battlefield.
Lorelei wasted no time.
"Professor Oak holds you in very high regard. After learning you wanted a rideable Water-type Pokémon, he came directly to me."
Sam finally understood why an Elite Four member had personally appeared.
"I happen to have a young Lapras," Lorelei continued.
"Entrusting it to a Trainer with both integrity and potential—that's something I care about."
"You once rescued Sabrina from Team Rocket, didn't you?" Lorelei smiled.
"That tells me enough about your character."
"Now, show me your potential as a Trainer."
Sam didn't feel nervous at all.
He smiled calmly.
"I understand, Miss Lorelei."
"1v1 battle. Three Pokémon each. When all Pokémon on one side lose the ability to battle, the match ends. To avoid accusations of bullying, I'll send out my Pokémon first."
She raised a Poké Ball.
"Come out—Smoochum."
A red flash lit up the field, and a small, humanoid Pokémon appeared.
"Analyze."
[Pokémon]: Smoochum
[Type]: Ice / Psychic
[Strength]: Elite High Level
[Potential]: Elite
Elite high-level…
Right within the acceptable range.
Sam immediately understood—Lorelei had done her homework.
This Smoochum was perfectly chosen to counter his Venusaur, Charmeleon, and Scyther. Clefairy, lacking combat power, clearly wasn't part of her calculations.
Since Lorelei was testing his Pokémon, Sam had no intention of using anything else.
And using Gengar? That would be meaningless. Even if he won the first round, there was no way he could defeat Lorelei's main Pokémon.
With his decision made—
"Then it's up to you," Sam said firmly.
"Charmeleon!"
---------------Author---------------
Thank you NARTER-501,
George Simon, RebelRob_94,
Domnick Dawson, terrance smith, What if stories for supporting me!
read 60 chapters ahead on:
👉 patreon.com/Master_fic
Every 50 power stones= 1 chapter
Every 5 reviews = 1 chapters