"But I will definitely win," Sam said confidently.
"Oh?" Erika raised her eyebrows slightly, genuine curiosity flashing in her eyes. She wanted to see which Pokémon Sam planned to use against her Vileplume.
Sam had always followed a consistent approach when challenging Gyms. Normally, he would send out a Pokémon whose strength closely matched the Gym Leader's, using the battle as a way to sharpen both himself and his team.
Lt. Surge from the Vermilion Gym had been a special case—Sam had gone there with the clear intention of teaching him a lesson.
If things followed his usual pattern, Sam would have chosen Venusaur to face Erika's mid–Gym-level Vileplume. A Grass-type versus Grass-type battle would have been intense, and regardless of the outcome, Venusaur would have gained valuable experience.
After all, Gym challenges weren't truly about collecting Badges.
They were about training Pokémon.
Unfortunately, Venusaur couldn't battle today.
It had been seriously injured during the fight against Lorelei, and Nurse Joy had strongly advised that it rest and avoid combat—especially high-intensity battles.
Reluctantly, Sam set Venusaur aside.
That left only two options.
Scyther and Gengar.
"Then it's up to you," Sam said firmly.
"Scyther!"
Scyther landed on the battlefield, its presence radiating an overwhelming fighting spirit. No matter who its opponent was, Scyther would always fight at full strength. That was its way of showing respect.
"Ba—wang… ba—wang…"
Sensing Scyther's intent, Vileplume instinctively took a step back.
It was afraid.
"An Elite-level Pokémon?" Erika's eyes widened slightly. She hadn't expected such a surprise. She had assumed Sam only possessed Gym-level Pokémon—but this Scyther had clearly crossed into the Elite tier.
In that case, her plans would need to be moved up.
"Vileplume, Razor Leaf," Erika ordered calmly, setting her thoughts aside. Right now, the battle came first.
Countless sharp leaves filled the air.
"Keep cutting," Sam said simply.
The storm of Razor Leaves posed no threat to him at all.
Slash.
Slash.
Slash.
Scyther's twin scythes flashed continuously, shredding every Razor Leaf before it could even get close.
As the attack continued, Scyther's momentum climbed to a terrifying level.
Once its rhythm was fully established, it was time to counterattack.
"Quick Attack, followed by a continuous slash."
That was it.
Sam didn't believe Vileplume could withstand Scyther's full-force assault.
Scyther vanished in a blur of motion. When it reappeared, it was already behind Vileplume.
"So fast…" Erika couldn't help but sigh.
She could only watch as Vileplume was struck again and again, completely overwhelmed by Scyther's relentless assault.
"Ba… wang…"
Vileplume showed no reaction after the final blow and collapsed, losing its ability to fight.
"You did very well, Vileplume," Erika said gently as she recalled it. "Come back and rest."
The battle was over.
"This is the Rainbow Badge," Erika said, handing it to Sam. "You've earned it."
"Thank you," Sam replied.
However, he didn't leave right away. Instead, he remained where he was.
He hadn't forgotten what Erika had said when they first met.
"Everyone else, please leave us," Erika instructed.
Once the battlefield was empty, she turned back to Sam.
"Please come with me, Mr. Sam."
She led him to a small, elegantly decorated room filled with exquisite floral arrangements. If Sam remembered correctly, Erika wasn't just the Gym Leader—she was also a professional flower arrangement instructor.
"Please, have a seat."
Her demeanor softened instantly, returning to that calm, graceful presence reminiscent of a classic Yamato nadeshiko.
Sam sat down without ceremony and waited, letting her speak first.
Erika didn't rush.
She adjusted a few flowers, then calmly prepared tea, performing the ceremony with practiced elegance as if Sam weren't even there.
A true lady.
Even though Sam knew nothing about tea, he could tell her skill was exceptional.
This must be what people call 'refined taste,' he thought.
At last, she poured the tea and handed the cup to him.
"Please."
The fragrance alone filled the room.
When Sam took a sip, a subtle, indescribable warmth spread through his body.
He wasn't a tea drinker. He preferred simple pleasures—sweet drinks and instant satisfaction.
Yet even someone as unrefined as him had to admit…
This tea was excellent.
The fatigue from the battle melted away, leaving his mind clear and refreshed.
Was the tea truly that good?
Or was it because Erika had made it?
"Sam," Erika said softly, setting down her cup, "I sought you out today because I need your help."
Here it comes, Sam thought.
There was no such thing as a free lunch—
not even free tea.
He straightened slightly, his expression calm but alert.
"Miss Erika," he said carefully, "please tell me what this is about first."
To be honest, Sam had no desire to involve himself in something serious enough to trouble the eldest lady of Celadon City.
Even the way they addressed each other revealed their thoughts—
Erika called him by name, hoping to close the distance.
Sam, meanwhile, deliberately added Miss before hers, keeping things formal.
Erika's smile didn't change at all.
"The activities of Team Rocket in Celadon City have been increasing," she said calmly. "It's causing significant trouble for the citizens."
Sam nearly cursed out loud when he heard the name Team Rocket.
A part of him wanted to stand up and leave immediately.
Unfortunately… he couldn't.
After all, he was a Trainer with a "righteous heart."
At least, that's what Professor Oak liked to call it.
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