Chapter 0633: Not a Gathering of Heroes, But a Radish Convention(Two-in-One)

The blonde girl before them wore a helmet and protective gear, gliding over smoothly on rollerblades. Her single ponytail swayed behind her as she flashed a bright, cheerful smile.

"Yo, Master!"

Korrina skidded to a stop before Natsume and Viola, grinning widely:

"Long time no see!"

Natsume nodded. "Last time was at Kanto's P1 Grand Prix."

"Bea ended up winning the championship in the end."

Korrina's eyes burned with competitive spirit as she recalled the tournament.

"Next time we meet... I won't lose to her again!"

"Seems you've gained the confidence befitting a Mega Evolution successor."

Natsume glanced at the Key Stone embedded in Korrina's gauntlet.

"Of course~" Korrina puffed out her chest, hands on hips. "Lucario and I have grown even closer!"

"Honestly, I was shocked when I spotted you earlier—wasn't sure if it really was you," Korrina continued. "Then Lucario sensed your aura, so I came over to say hi!"

"Didn't expect this either," Natsume sighed. "Never thought I'd run into so many Gym Leaders on this trip..."

Counting Grant and Viola, Korrina made the third Leader they'd encountered at Battle Castle.

This wasn't a gathering of elite trainers—more like a radish convention. (Misunderstanding)

At this rate, forget Mega Stones... just not collecting badges would count as success!

Korrina: "Master, you're here for Battle Castle's ranking matches too?"

Natsume nodded.

"In that case, how about a battle—"

Korrina planted one hand on her hip, confidently clenching her Key Stone-embedded glove.

"Lucario and I can't wait to face Blastoise again!"

Natsume studied Korrina's earnest expression, feeling complicated.

It wasn't about avoiding battle... mostly about not traumatizing his apprentice.

"Here to train Larvitar this time," Natsume said. "Afraid I'll have to disappoint you."

"Aww..."

Korrina's brief disappointment vanished as she brightened again, cheerfully inviting:

"Then Master, will you visit Shalour City? I can take you to the top of the Tower of Mastery—the view's absolutely breathtaking!"

Natsume: "Tower of Mastery? Maybe later, but not right now."

Korrina understood her master had greater priorities.

Like training Pokémon, challenging legends like Senior Red, or pursuing honorable duels.

'I should follow Master's example.'

Korrina secretly clenched her small fist, then suddenly remembered something. She reached into her bag and pulled out a fist-shaped Rumble Badge.

"Here Master, take this! No need to stand on ceremony!" Korrina said with her trademark sunny smile.

She'd meant to give this badge to Master after the P1 Grand Prix.

But back then, she hadn't been a Gym Leader yet... Now she could finally present it properly!

Natsume stared at the gleaming badge in Korrina's palm, momentarily stunned:

"Why are you giving me a badge all of a sudden?"

"Because Grandpa and I both recognize your strength!" Korrina declared matter-of-factly. "This way, you won't need to make a special trip to Shalour Gym."

Natsume: "Believe me, I would never come to Shalour Gym."

Korrina: "But Gengar might! Master, you should consider Gengar's feelings too~"

"Gengar~" Gengar jumped out from Natsume's shadow upon hearing the voice, grinned and shook hands with Korrina.

Agreement reached.jpg

"I'll leave this badge in your care then, Gengar-chan~" Korrina said playfully.

"Gengar!" Gengar nodded solemnly.

Then it raised the badge triumphantly high, the metal surface glinting with a distinctive ding!

[Ding! 「Rumble Badge」detected. Updating quest progress!]

[Progress updated!]

[Current Progress: (2/8)]

Everything happened so fast.

As the familiar-yet-unexpected notification chimed in his ears,

Natsume pressed his lips together, emotions in turmoil.

Now they're handing out badges face-to-face? No battles needed, just straight to the point?

Looking at Korrina's guileless smile, Natsume couldn't bring himself to pull out his notebook.

'Korrina' was simply this kind of straightforward, cheerful single-minded soul.

Giving badges was just her way of recognizing a trainer's worth.

Natsume instinctively scanned the room. Well-dressed trainers mingled in small groups, every one looking like potential 'Kalos Gym Leaders.'

"About how many Leaders are participating today?" Natsume asked Korrina.

Korrina blinked. "Around four... Why do you ask, Master?"

Natsume's breath caught, his vision darkening momentarily.

So one trip to Battle Castle might complete half the quest?

No way.

New objective:

Getting away with fewer than two badges counts as success!

……

After handing over the Rumble Badge to Natsume,

Korrina rollerbladed away to find suitable challengers in the hall.

Rattle-rattle—

Amidst the noise of rolling wheels, Natsume looked up at the ceiling where the dark-skinned Grant still hung from the beams with one arm.

"This guy..." Natsume pondered. "Is he mentally ill?"

He'd been hanging there for half an hour already. This wasn't rock climbing - more like curing dried meat.

But in the Pokémon world, trainers often had peculiar physiques. The occasional oddball among Gym Leaders wasn't unusual.

Viola approached with two champagne flutes, offering one to Natsume while asking curiously:

"Natsume-sensei, is Leader Korrina your apprentice?"

Korrina was famous in this castle as a Mega Evolution successor, also holding the rank of Count with considerable strength.

Accepting the glass with thanks, Natsume mused:

"That was a year ago. She wasn't a Leader back then."

Counting them up, he'd actually trained quite a few apprentices—

Korrina, Bea, Ash, Gladion, Wally...

Bea was the most disciplined martial artist among them.

In terms of maturity, Ash still lagged far behind Bea.

As for Wally, he was the student Natsume worried about most.

Unlike those dazzling geniuses, Wally seemed content chasing their shadows.

He never demanded special treatment, not even the Pokédex upgrade he deserved.

Just getting to battle Ruby, or supporting those brilliant talents, seemed enough for Wally.

"I wonder how Wally's been since returning to Hoenn."

Natsume sipped his champagne, lost in thought.

"That boy... he's actually no weaker than the others..."

Noticing his contemplation, Viola tactfully remained silent, thinking to herself:

"Did Korrina just give her badge to Natsume-sensei?"

Just as I suspected.

Viola nodded approvingly.

She could mail Santalune Gym's Bug Badge along with the photo frames - no need to trouble Natsume-sensei with a visit!

……

In the chat group, Natsume uploaded a photo.

Natsume: [Image]

Blue Oak, having traveled to Kalos before, recognized it: "The Battle Castle?"

"Battle Castle's ranking match," Natsume said. "Been waiting half an hour. Can't get matched with anyone."

"Probably forfeiting automatically when they see you're their opponent," Lance complained.

Natsume: "They should at least start one match so I can earn points."

Blue Oak said: "Natsume-sensei, you could issue a direct challenge - it's practically a medieval duel."

Bruno said gravely: "Most would rather be mocked than accept that challenge."

"That's the power of a trainer's reputation," Lance shrugged.

Natsume blinked: "I'm that famous now?"

Lance's expression turned complicated - this wasn't about fame.

No sane person challenges a Champion unless absolutely desperate!

As the group chatted, Butler Turner approached respectfully:

"Count Natsume, your ranking match is ready."

Natsume looked surprised: "Found an opponent already?"

The butler nodded. "You'll be facing Count Grant in a 2v2 single battle format. Victory will advance you to Marquis rank."

"And regarding the rewards you inquired about - Tyranitarite requires Duke rank. There's an additional special bonus for reaching Duke that might interest you."

"Oh?"

"A Z-Crystal from Alola," the butler explained politely. "According to our collection records, it's a versatile Normalium Z - usable for offensive moves, Z-Double Team, or even Z-Sing."

Natsume's expression turned peculiar.

Haven't even obtained Sparkling Stones yet, and now Z-Crystals are being offered...

He'd come specifically for Duke rank anyway - the Z-Crystal was just an unexpected bonus. Could always toss it into "Gengar's Storage Dimension" to collect dust.

"Thank you, Mr. Turner," Natsume said. "Please arrange the battle."

"Of course." The butler placed a hand over his chest. "Before battling, we request you change into proper duel attire."

This was Battle Castle tradition.

Combatants must wear formal outfits resembling ceremonial robes.

Natsume changed into a gold-embroidered crimson robe that made him stand out regally. Strolling through the castle gardens, he might as well have been a Duke surveying his estate.

The battle arena in the castle courtyard sat encircled by waterways, with trainers observing from three sides and the castle's second-floor balcony overlooking the fourth.

Sunlight glinted off the rivers as Korrina and Viola watched from a bridge. Trainers murmured:

"That count is Natsume-sensei..."

"Must be training a new member. Such tradition."

"Using Battle Castle as a baby cup now..."

Trainers exchanged meaningful looks, yet none dared challenge Natsume-sensei's honor directly -

Who could handle it if he suddenly sent out Mega Gengar?

Natsume took his position.

Across the field, the dark-skinned Grant was scaling the castle walls, attempting to descend to the first-floor balcony.

"Isn't Mr. Grant... being a bit excessive?" Korrina whispered to Viola.

"I'm just thankful my hobby became my job," Viola sighed.

"Grant treats rock climbing as his life's purpose!"

Tap!

Grant landed successfully, donned a red robe with the butler's assistance, and approached the arena.

"Natsume-sensei, I've heard a lot about you."

Grant's chocolate-soft-serve hairstyle contrasted with his solemn tone.

The atmosphere was serious, but Natsume suppressed a chuckle, clearing his throat:

"Likewise."

"I heard you own a café in Lumiose City," Grant licked his lips wistfully. "I have quite the sweet tooth, but must watch my figure for climbing."

Who knew Grant had such quirks? Natsume casually asked: "What do you think about while climbing?"

"Thinking..."

Grant paused. "About the next mountain to conquer. Because the mountains will always be there."

Kalos Leaders really don't take their jobs seriously...

Natsume thought: "Though maybe being a trainer is their side hustle."

"Well, here stands a mountain to conquer."

Grant's eyes sharpened as he threw a Poké Ball: "Go, Onix!"

BOOM!

The massive Onix crashed down, shaking the entire castle.

Spectators gasped quietly.

"Grant's Onix specializes in Rock Tomb," Viola explained. "One of his aces. I could never beat that thing."

Korrina giggled: "Master's probably already thinking about his next opponent."

Natsume's Dusk Ball rattled at his waist.

Looking up at Onix, Natsume felt... delicate.

Starting with an easy target?

The thought counts.

Shaking his head, Natsume threw his Dusk Ball:

"Go, Larvitar!"

"Larvitar~! (☆▽☆)"

Larvitar gazed up at Onix, tiny claws folded politely over its red scales - picture of timid obedience.

Onix's eyes contracted in instinctive fear, emitting a low growl:

"Onix..."

Grant shouted: "Onix! Rock Polish followed by Rock Tomb!"

Screee—

Onix shook off its fear as crystalline light smoothed its rocky surface, drastically reducing air resistance.

With terrifying speed, Onix plowed through the arena, tunneling underground!

CRASH!

Boulders rained down as Onix moved, entombing Larvitar in a rocky prison that sealed off all movement.

Spectators marveled at the combo.

"That move again," Viola groaned. "So annoying."

Natsume: "Larvitar, Crunch!"

The Rock Tomb prison began trembling violently before exploding outward under Grant's shocked gaze.

"Crunch... against Rock Tomb?"

Grant stared at the field.

"Larvitar... (￣～￣)" Larvitar munched on the remaining rocks, casually biting into another Rock-type energy boulder.

Onix: o((⊙﹏⊙))o

Larvitar: (〃ω〃)

Grant recovered first: "Onix, Iron Tail!"

The best way to conquer fear is to face it.

Onix roared, its tail glowing metallic white before slamming toward Larvitar!

"Dragon Dance to dodge, then Earthquake!" Natsume commanded.

The massive Iron Tail easily crushed the Rock Tomb debris but missed its nimble target completely.

Larvitar spun clear as the attack gouged the earth, then-

"Larvitar! (▼へ▼メ)"

Its eyes turned fierce as a tyrant's. One tiny fist smashed the ground.

The resulting quake sent Onix crashing down before Larvitar leaped up for a finishing Headbutt that shattered even Sturdy!

Spectators reacted variously:

"That power... before evolving?"

"It's Natsume-sensei's trained Pokémon!"

"Onix is unable to battle!"

The butler turned: "Count Grant, please send your next Pokémon."

Grant took a deep breath, unsurprised, and threw another Poké Ball:

"Tyrantrum, I choose you!"