Chapter 209: Why Did It Evolve Into a Pokémon Battle?

Seeming to notice that Luo Mu had been stunned by Mr. Mime's data, Otto immediately made exaggerated facial expressions to hint at the Mr. Mime on stage.

What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and sell yourself!

At the same time, Otto spoke to Luo Mu with a face full of smiles about Mr. Mime's special qualities; for instance, not only were Mr. Mime's various skills as a butler solid, but its own strength was also quite good, possessing powerful psychic abilities that could lift heavy objects above and precisely manipulate a Mao Jin to wipe bowls and chopsticks below.

It could be called the perfect butler essential for both home life and travel.

Luo Mu was struck into a state of silence by Otto's one-two punch; it seemed the Meowstic's words were not false, this Mr. Mime had indeed repeated grades for many years, otherwise Otto would not be promoting it so vigorously.

But since Mr. Mime's resume alone was so excellent, why had it repeated grades for so many years?

There should be no problem with Mr. Mime's personality, after all, not long ago Luo Mu had seen it feeding wild Electric-type Pokémon, or was it that Mr. Mime's kindness was directed only at Pokémon, while in reality it despised humans?

Luo Mu felt that was unlikely; if Mr. Mime despised humans, it would surely have gone to some forest to live in seclusion, impossible for it to have stayed for so many years at this Pokémon Butler Academy that supplies butlers to humans.

Luo Mu shifted his gaze to the Mr. Mime, which had remained motionless since appearing on stage, unlike those graduate butler Pokémon eager to display their talents, simply standing there quietly.

It seemed the answer would only be revealed by Mr. Mime itself.

Luo Mu could feel that Mr. Mime had been sizing him up ever since it appeared on stage.

At the very instant their gazes met, a male voice that leaned toward the aged yet was extremely steady and wise rang out in Luo Mu's mind: "Hello, Mr. Luo Mu."

Was this telepathy?

Luo Mu remembered that Mr. Mime indeed seemed to have the ability of telepathy.

Luo Mu tried speaking in reply: "Nice to meet you, Mr. Mime, but how do you know my name?"

The sound of Luo Mu's reply caused Principal Otto, who had been tirelessly introducing Mr. Mime, to freeze, and his and Marushiru's expressions instantly turned to surprise.

This was not surprise because Mr. Mime could use telepathy, but simply surprise that Mr. Mime was actually communicating with Luo Mu right from the start.

It was well known that when meeting many distinguished guests who came to select butler Pokémon, Mr. Mime would often choose not to say a single word, maintaining a very cold attitude toward those guests.

It was as if Mr. Mime was unwilling to be chosen by those people.

Receiving Luo Mu's question, Mr. Mime replied with a serious expression: "Because before we came, we all reviewed the investigation data on your residence, and only felt we could accept working at your farm did we come here to seek employment at this time."

"After all, the rules stipulated from the beginning that the choice between us is bidirectional, is it not?"

Mr. Mime's voice was steady, and its methodical words were highly logical, making Luo Mu almost feel under the illusion that he was conversing with a wise old man.

Luo Mu nodded slightly: "You are correct, the choice is bidirectional; this is a right you ought to have."

"Thank you for your understanding." Mr. Mime pressed the hand holding its fan against its chest, its eyes full of wisdom looking at Luo Mu, "What do you think of me? I can guarantee there is not a shred of falsehood in my data."

Luo Mu spoke frankly: "I think you are wonderful; based solely on my understanding from the tour so far, you are the most outstanding."

"The data says your farm is a place operated purely by Pokémon, built in the suburbs far from the bustling city; I very much like quiet places."

"To be honest, I am very interested in taking a position at your farm."

Mr. Mime's performance was completely different from the other butler Pokémon; it seemed more adept at expressing its own demands, and if the data was genuine as it claimed, Luo Mu felt Mr. Mime indeed had the confidence to express its own thoughts.

At the very least, Luo Mu was willing to communicate with Mr. Mime, and its qualities as a butler perfectly matched the butler in Luo Mu's mind.

Steady, dignified, wise, and capable of making certain judgments independently.

Luo Mu asked: "So, will you accept the butler position at my farm?"

Otto's gaze constantly darted between Luo Mu and Mr. Mime; obviously he hadn't quite reacted yet, but it seemed... this student who had repeated grades for over a decade at his academy was finally going to be "married off" today!?

Otto suddenly felt tears welling up in his eyes, while his assistant, Young Lady Marushiru, quietly wiped away a tear as well.

She had witnessed with her own eyes how Principal Otto, due to Mr. Mime's employment issues, had worried himself from a dashing, handsome middle-aged man into the shiny bald bulb he was today.

However, Mr. Mime's next sentence pulled Otto and Marushiru from their sweet dream of surprise and reminded them of dead memories.

Mr. Mime spoke slowly: "I would be delighted... although I very much wish to say that, I have another requirement."

Otto's eyes widened, and the words burst from his mouth: "Mr. Mime! That's enough, why must you insist on that set of requirements of yours? It has been so many years already!"

Interrupted mid-sentence, Mr. Mime looked toward Otto, bowed slightly, and apologized: "Principal, I understand you are worried about my employment, but whether you call me stubborn or old-fashioned, on this point alone I cannot compromise."

"You... sigh!"

Otto raised his arm only to let it fall dejectedly, heaving a sigh.

Luo Mu's expression did not change much as he spoke: "Mr. Mime, feel free to speak your mind."

Mr. Mime nodded gratefully; up to this point, Luo Mu had left a very good impression on it, and the telepathy continued: "Perhaps my personality is simply like this; demanding too much is likely why I have whiled away over a decade of time in the academy."

"Ever since I entered the Pokémon Butler Academy, I have had a dream: the place where I work in the future must be a place where Pokémon and humans coexist equally, where there is no discrimination, where Pokémon are not merely weapons for combat, and where both Pokémon and humans perform their respective duties, living together happily."

"Your farm, judging from the data, does indeed seem to be my ideal place."

"Then, there is the final obstacle; to ensure peace and stability in life, one must possess the power to confront accidents."

"In short, Mr. Luo Mu, please send out a Pokémon to battle me; as long as you can demonstrate power sufficient to protect your territory, I will serve you with my whole heart."

Mr. Mime's words thoroughly clarified the reason for its repeated grades, leaving Luo Mu feeling suddenly enlightened.

Perhaps some might think Mr. Mime was too demanding, picky and unable to see its own situation clearly, but Luo Mu felt this was not a bad thing; it only represented that Mr. Mime was treating seriously the place where it would likely work for the rest of its life, wishing to make the selection as carefully as possible.

Unfortunately, previously there was probably no one who could meet its standards.

Thinking of this, Luo Mu smiled and said: "A battle? Although somewhat unexpected, I accept your challenge, after all, I do know a thing or two about Pokémon battles."

Seeing that Luo Mu had agreed to its overstepping and willful request, Mr. Mime said gratefully: "Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Luo Mu."

Because Otto had again fallen into a state of withdrawal, likely thinking Mr. Mime's employment was probably ruined, his assistant Young Lady Marushiru came over and, with a look of wanting to speak but hesitating, whispered a reminder: "Mr. Luo Mu, although Mr. Mime cultivates the Way of the Butler, in reality its combat strength is very strong."

"A few years ago, a visiting Gym Leader also received a battle invitation from Mr. Mime, but in the end, that Gym Leader lost to Mr. Mime; you understand what I mean, right?"

"A Gym Leader?"

Luo Mu froze, looking at Mr. Mime, while Mr. Mime allowed Luo Mu to size it up.

To be honest, Mr. Mime's appearance was more like that of a sage making full use of wisdom, not at all looking like someone with powerful combat strength.

Even so, since Mr. Mime could defeat the Pokémon commanded by a Gym Leader, its strength should be quite outstanding, at least... it should be much stronger than the current Feng Su Gou.

It seemed it was time for Swampert and the others to take the field.

(End of Chapter)