Chapter 1049: Side Stories All Concluded

Not, bro.

You're the principal?

Looking at the old man before them, head bowed and hands clasped in sincere respect, the senior members of the Tianxing Team were not only shocked but also at a loss.

After all, they had originally planned to regroup and negotiate with the academy.

Now their plan had been directly overheard by the opposing leader!

Whoever saw this scene would be stunned!

But after hearing Klaveer's heartfelt apology, everyone's emotions gradually calmed down.

"Principal..."

Mu Dan was about to speak when Klaveer straightened his body and said what they had heard first.

"Regarding the demand to disband the Tianxing Team and the decision to persuade everyone to withdraw—I announce its immediate retraction!"

His voice was not loud, yet exceptionally startling and awakening.

The five seniors joyfully surrounded Mu Dan, unable to help themselves as they all spoke up:

"Great! We can continue to stay together from now on!"

"I am deeply grateful!"

"The principal is still quite open-minded! Didn't I tell you not to worry!"

"Hahaha!"

Smiles spread across everyone's faces.

Mu Dan, however, wore a bitter expression: "But I 'betrayed' you..."

Pina immediately waved his hand in denial: "Hey! You did that because you were worried about us—how could that count as betrayal?"

"Retirement is retirement, disbandment is disbandment!" Meloke wore the look of someone who had long prepared to play dumb.

Qiu Mingwen said in a soft, drawn-out tone: "Principal Mu Dan's thoughtful consideration for us is truly profound..."

As everyone spoke with genuine sincerity, Klaveer suddenly coughed twice.

When they looked over, this white-haired, white-bearded old principal solemnly said: "Everyone! I still have more to say. Although I have withdrawn the demand to disband the Tianxing Team, but you all...

"Your long-term unexcused absences! Altering uniforms without permission! Illegally taking academy teaching equipment! Illegally modifying your mount Pokémon! Speeding! And so on—a series of violations of school rules cannot be ignored!"

He held up his glasses with one hand, furrowed his brows, glared, and spoke sternly; with each sentence, one of the seniors seemed to be shot and silently turned his head.

After listing everyone's offenses, Klaveer said: "Therefore, as punishment, I need you to help the academy with volunteer work, establish the Tianxing Special Training Center, and assist in training the academy's students!"

He believed the Tianxing Team's many battle methods were quite special.

Although for Baimu, it hadn't taken much effort throughout, it still sparked a flash of inspiration in Klaveer.

The Tianxing Team members looked at each other in bewilderment.

Klaveer said: "From now on, the base will be the battle facility, and you will be the staff of the special training center, continuing activities based on this... Is there any objection?"

Objection?

Suddenly being made to work as school staff, no one could immediately digest it.

Klaveer also didn't rush for an answer: "Think it over carefully. When you return to school later, you can always find me."

Having said that.

He turned and left.

The principal's work is no easy task; the Tianxing Team has taken too much of his time, so Klaveer must go back to work overtime.

Baimu picked up the still sugar-demanding Zoroa, and said to Nimo: "Let's go too, striving to resolve another matter before dark."

"Another matter?"

"Challenge the treasure master."

"Oh oh!"

After walking not far, Mu Dan came running after them, panting: "Bai, Baimu! I haven't had a chance to thank you yet!"

"No need, I'll also have some trouble for you in a few days—we help each other."

Baimu shook his head.

He still remembered the request mentioned by Pa Pa Ti.

Although the Bi Bao Er II could fully handle the team's required mechanical technical position, but what if?

Mu Dan, upon hearing this, immediately nodded without hesitation: "Fine! Call me anytime!"

If she were to truly voice her thanks, she might have to fidget and adjust her wording, but when it comes to helping, she just raises her hand and comes!

The five members of the Tianxing Team stood behind the trees, each with different expressions.

Meloke was in awe, Qiu Ming wordlessly reverent, Pina's face showed a hint of envy, Ordi Jia was resentful and indignant, only Pi Pa's thoughts wandered, unknown what he was thinking.

They perhaps hadn't even imagined that this would be their closest moment to the peak of trainers.

——

Mark Forest Exit.

Baimu released the reluctant Zoroa.

The black fox's habit of taking three steps and looking back prompted Nimo to say: "Why not catch it? I see it likes you a lot!"

"It likes my sugar—you don't know how many times it sneakily reached into my pocket. Check your bag, things are missing now—still time to chase and return them."

Baimu gave a hehe laugh.

From this little trickster's habit of pretending to be a ghost to scare passersby, it's clear it's no good fox.

Fortunately, his outer pocket was empty, the Poké Ball placed inside his clothing, and Zoroa wasn't interested either; otherwise, he'd definitely have lost something.

Nimo covered her mouth in surprise, quickly tidied her belongings, and discovered a tree fruit was missing.

"When——"

Soloya is a master of acting cute and coquettish; if not for her wariness that Baimu might want to subdue her, she would have been unable to resist making a move.

Who would have thought...

She really is too young, after all!

Since the losses were minor, Nimo did not turn back to look for Soloya; the two of them headed east all the way to East District 3.

Passing through Xuezha Town, they had lunch there and smoothly waited for Pipa to arrive and join up.

"Classmate Pipa!"

Nimo greeted him cheerfully.

Pipa puffed out his chest and planted his hands on his hips, looking as if he had everything under control: "You really did follow along like a soldier in formation! Student Council President!"

"I said, I'm just following Baimu, and I have a name — are you provoking me?"

Nimo raised an eyebrow; she was absolutely not the type to tolerate others unconditionally, and when faced with rudeness she would snap right back.

Being obedient in front of Baimu was mainly because she needed something from him.

Pipa also realized his opening line had been a bit off; he glanced at the noncommittal Baimu and lowered his head: "I didn't mean it that way. Sorry."

"Hmph hmph! I forgive you, Classmate Pipa!"

Nimo was very pleased with herself, and also a little surprised.

Previously, behind the castle gate had not been her first time seeing Pipa, but before that, no matter how she tried to strike up a conversation, she would be ignored, let alone receive an apology.

She carefully observed Pipa and discovered that the latter's facial features had undergone some slight changes.

Where before he had looked like he bore deep grudges and found everyone displeasing, now his whole person was much gentler, and had more of a youth's vigor.

Previously looking bitter and resentful toward everyone, he now seemed much gentler and full of youthful vigor.

Nimo was very curious, but Baimu did not chat much with Pipa and instead headed straight for the mine pit where the Titan Orthworm had been discovered.

Nimo was very curious, but Baimu didn't chat much with Paipa and went straight to the mine where the subterranean steel treasure master was discovered.

Baimu proactively brought up the matter of going to Area Zero and extended an invitation to Nimo.

"Area Zero? Going there violates school rules!"

She froze for a moment.

The danger of Area Zero was mentioned almost every year, and the Paldea Alliance also forbade anyone from entering; as the Naranja Academy Student Council President and a Champion-ranked Trainer, she naturally could not take the lead in breaking the rules.

Pipa said: "But there are lots of very strong wild Pokemon inside!"

Paipa said: "But there are many very strong wild Pokémon inside!"

Nimo subconsciously swallowed her saliva, yet still shook her head: "No way. Other things can be negotiated, but I truly cannot agree to something that violates school rules."

Nimo instinctively swallowed, yet still shook her head: "No, other things can be negotiated, but I truly cannot agree to you violating school rules."

Baimu and Pipa exchanged a glance; previously both of them had thought inviting Nimo was a sure thing.

Then... the three of them go down the pit?

That's not impossible either; it just means more pressure on him personally.

This topic was brushed aside as if it had never happened, Baimu moving on with a different subject.

This topic was as if it never happened, brushed aside by Baimu with another subject.

Destination reached.

An abandoned mine pit, sunken downward over ten meters with three tiered ledges layered one atop another, came into Baimu's view.

At the very bottom, many large and small mounds of earth could be seen, their purpose unknown.

"Right here. It occasionally surfaces to rest, showing only its head."

Pipa lowered his voice: "And its senses are exceptionally sharp; the slightest louder sound will be heard by it, and then it'll burrow back underground and flee!"

Nimo asked with great interest: "Titans are generally enlarged versions of a certain Pokemon, right? What is this Titan Orthworm?"

"... Dipplin. A Pokemon you've raised."

Pipa said softly.

Nimo's eyes lit up, and she pleaded with Baimu: "Can you let me have the battle opportunity? I want to know whether my Dipplin or the Titan is stronger!"

Nimo's eyes lit up, and she pleaded with Baimu: "Can you give me the chance to battle? I want to know whether my Silicobra or the treasure master is stronger!"

He did not hesitate.

A Titan-version Dipplin battling a Champion-version Dipplin — no matter how you put it, it's a great spectacle.

The three of them began their stakeout.

They waited until dusk and sunset, yet still no sign of the Dipplin.

Pipa scratched his head: "How could this be... does it have another nest?"

"Send Porygon2 to take a look."

Baimu shook his Polygon Phone; Porygon2 immediately used 【Substitute】 to create a clone, altering its shape and appearance to a degree, and explored forward along the tunnels in the mine pit.

Nimo asked curiously: "The inside of the cave is unknown and complex; what if Porygon2 gets lost?"

Baimu: "If it gets lost, it digs upward to come out, or dissolves."

But in fact, even if the Dipplin got lost, Porygon2 could never get lost; its processing program would automatically record the route.

Before long, Porygon2 sent back good news.

"It does indeed have another nest, to the east."

The three of them immediately relocated their position.

In no time at all they saw the Titan Orthworm under the night sky, gazing upward with its huge mouth opening and closing.

Nimo cried out in surprise: "So big!"

Even though they were dozens of meters apart, the other party still detected them; its large eyes glanced this way, and it shrank into the ground and ran off.

Even though they were tens of meters apart, the other party still noticed, their large eyes glancing this way before they shrank into the ground and fled.

"Ah... sorry." Nemo realized she had caused trouble.

Fortunately, Baimu and Papi had no intention of blaming her, silently following the direction of the ground tremors.

But the Dragalge ran too fast and too far; even Papi could no longer keep up, yet it showed no sign of stopping.

Nemo had long since been left far behind, out of sight.

"... I'll keep chasing, you two follow the phone navigation slowly." Baimu tossed the words over his shoulder to the dazed Milthon, then leaned forward and sped up.

Phone navigation?

Papi pulled out his phone and saw that the Dragalge II had "hacked" it, directly displaying the route map on the main interface.

Far away, the equally sweaty Nemo also received the message—just that the Rotom phone looked a bit dazed, as if it had been punched.

Ten or so minutes later.

Nemo, riding Milthon, finally caught up to the two ahead.

Meanwhile, the Subterranajewel had already been entangled by the Misreavus using 【Black Gaze】, flailing with six blue tiny fists.

But there was no doubt, it had little effect on Misreavus.

"Want to rest?"

Baimu turned his head to ask her.

Deeply ashamed, Nemo gritted her teeth and stepped forward, saying: "No need! I'll handle it!"

Bang!

Nemo's Dragalge entered the field.

Compared to the Subterranajewel's size, the difference was like that between father and son.

Their battle power was similarly disproportionate—except the father-son dynamic was reversed. After Nemo's Dragalge finished a round of Iron Head attacks, the Subterranajewel instantly writhed in pain, howling continuously.

How could it, when Misreavus's 【Black Gaze】 locked onto it constantly, leaving it no chance to even eat the secret seasoning?

Nemo was quite confused, "Is it... a bit..."

weak?

I thought both sides would at least fight several rounds, but the Subterranajewel, famous in the Paldea region, just...?

"It's like a max-level character clearing a mid-level dungeon." Baimu said calmly.

Nemo, after all, is a champion-level trainer from the Paldea region; there are hardly any wild Pokémon on land that could defeat her.

The reason I say "hardly any" is mainly because we're unsure of the battle power of the legendary beasts.

Having been in Paldea for some time, I've only encountered a timid Cryogonal... does Mighty Fang count?

Just as Baimu was pondering, Nemo's Dragalge swung its six blue tiny fists, forming a Storm of Fists, and violently knocked the Subterranajewel unconscious.

"Ah! I forgot to remind you to leave it a breath!"

Papi clutched his head in regret.

The lesson of the Earthquake Jewel was fresh in mind; now the sky had darkened, and further delay would mean working until who-knows-when.

Nemo weakly said: "Did I cause trouble again?"

"No big deal, leave it to you, Happiny."

Baimu gestured for the two to stay calm and not panic.

As he expected, Nemo's Dragalge struck much more gently than Big Mouth Baby, and the Subterranajewel soon woke up.

Freed from the Black Gaze's restraint, it immediately slammed into a nearby rock wall, blasting a large hole before fleeing.

The Dragalge II had already marked it, but they still had to keep chasing—truly making Nemo feel her life was tough.

"It feels, feels like the challenge of battling the jewel lies entirely in the pursuit!" she panted.

Papi advised her to sit on Milthon, but she refused.

Nemo realized for the first time the importance of stamina: "I want to train my physique!"

Another ten minutes passed.

The crafty Subterranajewel, with who-knows-how-many dens, was caught; it swung its wild fists to smash open a rock wall, dug out the secret seasoning from within, and swallowed it.

Hum!

The eating power transformed into visible light, illuminating its physique.

Nemo supported her knees, sent out her Dragalge to face it—two members of the same species, vastly different in size, entangled, yet neither gained the upper hand at first.

Until Baimu strode into the cave loudly, the Subterranajewel panicked, was seized by the Dragalge exploiting an opening, and violently pounced to take it down!

Clang!

The crisp ring of metal striking metal was especially pleasant to the ear.

Nemo's spirit also eased, especially after following Papi into the cave and seeing the secret seasoning scattered across the ground—her mood improved further.

"Is this the seasoning you used before?"

She asked.

Baimu nodded, swiftly harvested the first hundred stalks, ground them smoothly with Papi, and prepared dinner.

Unexpectedly, the Subterranajewel did not linger like the previous jewels, but stayed in place.

By the time they emerged, it had long vanished without a trace.

"Looks like it missed out."

Papi wore an expression of regret for it, then eagerly cracked his knuckles: "Let's begin! I can't wait to see the healthy form of the Hound Father!"

Fifth secret seasoning—Salty, Effect: Can astonishingly promote health!

(End of chapter)