Chapter 269: The Battle Agreement

Zi Yu held Xiao Xian Nai and her trophy, slinging the empty incubator over her back; after the musical ended, night had fully fallen, and Zi Yu felt today had been deeply fulfilling—she had seen many interesting things, and most importantly, everyone had been happy!

Xiao Juer was discussing the music and costume design of the recent musical with Guang Tai; without doubt, the performance had been astonishingly brilliant, and she grew ever more eager to see Guang Tai’s new designs, though Guang Tai’s constant haste left her deeply curious.

They would not stay long in any one city before moving on to the next.

“So you’re looking for Champion Adack? But that old man’s whereabouts have always been mysterious—if even the Elite Four don’t know, there’s nothing to be done.”

“Wait, you know the Champion too? Do Miss Jadelle and Miss Wanden know him too? Come to think of it, I once received a strange doll from Miss Jadelle.”

Xiao Juer told of the Reuniclus doll; upon learning its creator was Guang Tai standing right before her, she was first astonished, then that surprise slowly turned into intense curiosity.

“A prop artisan? Unbelievable—does that mean there’s nothing you can’t do, whether it’s props, art, or music?”

“A genius artist, a genius musician—what other powers will you reveal next? I’m growing more and more curious about you, like exploring the unknown—this excitement and joy is impossible to suppress.”

Reuniclus—so it’s a Pokémon from the Galar region, like Xiao Xian Nai?

Though it’s a Legendary Pokémon, I’ve never heard its legend before.

Xiao Juer’s eyes sparkled; thinking of that comical big head, she burst into a chuckle. Though many called her an icy beauty, in truth, Xiao Juer did laugh often.

Guang Tai judged her as someone who seemed cold on the outside but was inwardly fiery—if she didn’t tell those cold jokes.

“Ah! I just thought of a funny one.”

“To become Champion, first pass Reuniclus!”

As expected, Xiao Juer had linked Adack and Reuniclus, then naturally told a cold joke.

In Pokémon Master, she had told many strange cold jokes, and only Feng Lu and Naza ever laughed at them.

Like the rich man whose face turned red like a Scyther; Hong Jin has a Whiscash! Swanna! If you don’t take off now, you’ll be late!

“Hahaha.”

But only Zi Yu laughed out loud, then the girl looked puzzled at Guang Tai and Master N.

Laugh! Why aren’t you laughing?

“Surely the joke wasn’t that unfunny?”

Xiao Juer fell into thought, adding: “Actually, to change people’s impression of me, I planned to start with jokes—but only Feng Lu laughs at mine.”

“The person most respected by the police officers is of course Boss Jue, because the boss of the police station is Boss Jue!”

Now even Zi Yu couldn’t laugh.

N: “Hmm, how to put it…”

Guang Tai: “A bit off.”

It wasn’t because they were teasing Boss Jue—Xiao Juer and Boss Jue were acquaintances, so joking was fine—but because the joke genuinely had no punchline.

Xiao Juer pondered: “...I guess I still need to work harder. I need to think of even funnier jokes.”

Zi Yu: “I think Sister Xiao Juer just needs to keep the confidence you show on the runway—smile more. Jokes aren’t necessary at all!”

Xiao Juer looked at the earnest Zi Yu, paused slightly, then laughed: “Ah, you’re right—if I show more smiles offstage, people will realize I’m not that cold or hard to approach.”

“Hmm, but I’ll still try to think of more interesting jokes.”

“By the way, let’s add each other as friends!”

Xiao Juer voluntarily sent Guang Tai a friend request and showed off an artist group chat.

It included not only artists who had appeared at the Feiyun Gallery, but many others Guang Tai didn’t know; yet for those working in art, most time was spent seeking inspiration and working, so the group chat looked rather... quiet.

But there were familiar faces in the group—Guang Tai spotted Jadelle’s and Naza’s accounts!

“This group is just for notifying where art exhibitions are held—if anyone organizes one, they can announce it here. I often follow these exhibitions because as a model, I must always stay aware of fashion trends.”

“Artists lead fashion—just like your clothing designs. I believe soon the Unova region will see many similar artworks: black and white, legendary dragons, stories of the nation’s founding will become new sources of inspiration for artists.”

“Artists always radiate a unique aura—an inner, soul-deep charm that instantly captivates. Like a kind of magic.”

“As I said before,” Xiao Juer blinked, “I’m looking forward to your next piece! I’ll wear it well and show off its beauty.”

Confident Xiao Juer was truly dazzling.

As for the founding legend, N’s gaze shifted; he lifted his hat brim.

Could this be Guang Tai’s purpose in holding the art exhibition—to stir artists across Unova to explore the founding legend?

Or was there deeper meaning hidden beneath? N felt there must be something he hadn’t noticed—but right now, he didn’t wish to investigate it.

Let’s set these thoughts aside for today; the new information gathered and the unsolved equations witnessed were already too much.

Seeing Xiao Juer and Guang Tai’s conversation show no sign of ending, N cleared his throat lightly.

“Ah, sorry—Master N seems to have something to say to you. I’ve taken up too much of your time.”

Xiao Juer felt slightly apologetic; when discussing clothing and art, she grew overly excited, and today’s memories flooded her mind like a tide—she had countless things and questions she wanted to pour out to the person before her.

Ignoring others’ feelings was inappropriate for a model, so Xiao Juer immediately stepped aside—but N smiled and shook his head:

“No need. I was just preparing to say goodbye here.”

“Do you remember this?”

N suddenly pulled out a pure white tablet from his coat.

“The thing you gave me—the Gratitude Stone. If you hold true gratitude in your heart and carve the name of the person you wish to thank upon it, that gratitude will reach their heart accurately.”

“Originally, I only intended to carve two names on it—my two elder sisters who raised me. I even considered carving the names of my childhood companions.”

“But now, this stone can finally hold more names. I think... I finally understand what true ‘gratitude’ means.”

“I will treasure this stone, carving precious memories upon it.”

“Then, as we agreed, let’s meet again at the Sky Tower!”

“I have many things to reflect on, and you have things to attend to for now. Use this time to improve yourselves.”

“I thank you for giving me so many new experiences today—and also thank Miss Zi Yu and Miss Xiao Juer.”

Zi Yu: “No problem! Master N, let’s challenge the Battle Subway together again next time!”

Xiao Juer: “To be recognized by the audience is my honor.”

Guang Tai: “I’m glad you feel that way. Then, let’s meet again in Hualing City!”

The meeting at Sky Tower. Sky Battle?

N’s eyes held deep thought; he suddenly stepped closer to Guang Tai and whispered:

“But be careful of my companions—they’re conducting activities in the city. They might cause some... trouble.”

“I can only apologize, but my stance hasn’t changed—for now.”

Guang Tai chuckled: “No, you’ve already changed a little.”

N: “Changed? Maybe. Anyway, everyone—farewell! I’ll remember everything from today!”

Master N waved goodbye, clutching his trophy, walking alone into the darkness beyond the streetlights.

Soon, even his footsteps vanished.

“What a strange person,” Xiao Juer said to Guang Tai. “Your friend radiates a melancholy, compassionate aura—very similar to an artist’s. With his unique hair color, it’s no wonder people are drawn to him.”

“And he defeated the Battle Subway Controller—his strength is formidable. Such a Trainer is rare.”

Guang Tai: “In artistic terms, he’s an idealist. He has faith, he has pursuit—he views the world through a mindset higher than reality.”

“He’s less an artist than a philosopher seeking a path. Philosophy holds immense intellectual power, but it must eventually touch reality—ideal and truth will eventually converge.”

“Huh~ He does sound fascinating,” Xiao Juer found it interesting, then turned to Guang Tai: “So where are you headed next?”

Guang Tai replied: “White Forest. But I’m not going to challenge Unova’s trials—then again, maybe I am.”

He didn’t know what Adack had sensed in White Forest, nor whether the tree hollow there connected to the Dream Tree.

Though logically he should head to Hualing City first, the route to White Forest passed through Enchanted Bridge, and Guang Tai had not forgotten his duty to help the girl’s spirit cross over.

So, he would meet her again on Enchanted Bridge, complete the White Forest investigation, then go to Hualing City to catch a flight to Mount Road Town, cross Reverse Mountain, pass through Karamu Town, and let Shieldon complete its Knight Sword trial along the way.

Finally, reach the city where Adack vanished—Draco City.

And Draco City was also the hometown of one of the two Poké Balls on his person—Axew. Perhaps this journey’s endpoint? Or perhaps the true end would be in Rikuu City—he still planned to find the Alloy Metal.

Along the way, boarding the ship from Feiyun City, he could also visit the Free Garden Island—by the way, Free Garden Island was very close to Rikuu City.

“No need to rush. Stay here tonight—I’ll treat you well! I know a restaurant with exceptional taste. May I have the honor of inviting you to dinner?”

Xiao Juer’s eyes lit up; she had found an excuse—she still wanted to learn more secrets about art and clothing design.

So she explained:

“Before reaching White Forest, you must pass Route 16, Enchanted Forest, Enchanted Bridge, and Black City—it’s still quite far! And I heard the elevator on Enchanted Bridge has been malfunctioning lately.”

Guang Tai: “I know that bridge is built on a cliff—but my Shieldon can fly.”

Xiao Juer: “...”

Guang Tai: “By the way, night is the perfect time to encounter ghosts!”

The atmosphere grew awkward, but Xiao Juer quickly adjusted, exhaled, and continued:

“Then let’s talk about Black City and White Forest.”

“They’re extremely close—Black City represents desire and modernity; White Forest represents freshness and nature. The Black Skyscraper and White Hollow are corresponding structures; their philosophies of survival are utterly opposite and sharply conflicting.”

“And passing through Black City requires caution...”

Xiao Juer warned:

“Black City is a metropolis of unbridled desire—perhaps the darkest and most naked place in Unova. Human nature there is endlessly amplified; even Pokémon trading occurs there. For you, who bond with Pokémon—not to mention anyone who sees Pokémon as partners—Black City’s existence is deeply painful and infuriating.”

“The black metropolis, pursuing progress and advancement—the Black City.”

“Yet this city is permitted by the Unova League, and its history is ancient—but not a trace of its past remains. In Unova, not only Black City and White Forest, but also Draco City—the conflict between history and progress is stark.”

“But the Black Skyscraper is a recent construction, hailed as the crystallization of human wisdom. Its peak is said to reach the heavens—a claim I don’t know if it’s exaggerated or true.”

“One advantage: hehe, few actions in Black City break the law. In other words, using your psychic powers, you might cause quite a ruckus there.”

“The city values only power and worth—nothing else matters. Strong Trainers can suppress profit-driven people, climb to the top of the skyscraper. And in Black City, there are also strange individuals who uphold their own pure justice.”

“As for White Forest, it is the complete opposite of Black City—it reverses and protects everything Black City finds repulsive: protecting the environment and Pokémon, maintaining ecological balance between humans and nature—that is White Forest.”

It is said that unbelievable Pokémon frequently appear in the White Forest, and even though it is right next door, the people of Black City dare not enter to capture them, for the forest is said to possess a strange, inexplicable power.

Some Pokémon hunters once ventured into the White Forest to capture Pokémon, but they all vanished mysteriously in the end.

One theory claims that the sacred giant tree in the White Forest is the forest’s guardian, and its cavern was said to have suddenly emerged to counter the towering skyscraper in Black City that reaches straight into the cosmos.

Black City, White Forest.

In different versions, each occupies a corner of Unova; Guang Tai’s memories of the Black Skyscraper and the White Tree Hollow are unclear, but he vaguely recalls that both places possess unique energies.

Meanwhile, Guang Tai received a mission.

【Mission Connected: Investigate the Truth Behind the Fantasy Bridge’s Malfunction.】

【Reward: 3 Release Jewels, 1 Phantom Mechanics, 3 Triple Acceleration Energies, 1 Unbelievable Wave.】

【Description: As the most peculiar bridge in Unova, its elevator breaks down every few days, and some even claim it is haunted.】

Investigation? Guang Tai thought, and a plan formed in his mind.

What exactly is Triple Acceleration Energy? He knew it was supposed to be a special energy in the cards, but paired with the Fantasy Bridge’s theme and the word “acceleration,” it made him feel like the next second he’d be riding a D-Wheel, drawing a card, and shouting “Accelerate Synchro!”

Because Ju Er’s enthusiastic invitation was hard to refuse, Guang Tai could only say dinner was fine, but staying overnight was really not appropriate.

Besides, night is the crucial time to encounter ghosts!

This piqued Zi Yu’s curiosity—she sensed Guang Tai had many secrets. Though she knew she shouldn’t pry, girls her age were naturally full of curiosity, especially after hearing that Guang Tai was going to search for ghosts.

Huh? Are ghosts more important than Ju Er’s invitation? Psychics are so strange!

But thinking about it, supernatural events do seem kind of interesting?

Too bad I still have school! How disappointing!

“But I’ll depart later—before I leave, I need to prepare some special items.”

Guang Tai said this to Zi Yu:

“Miss Ju Er, I’d like to use a set of Lei Wen Gym’s mechanical parts!”

(End of Chapter)