Chapter 24: Little Cosmog Likes You

The Alola region has no Gyms, but in their place is the traditional ceremony of the Alola region: the Island Challenge.

The so-called Island Challenge is for challengers to tour four islands, break through various trials led by Captains, and finally face the Island King or Island Queen in the ultimate Grand Trial.

Once passed, the challenge of that island is completed.

Of course, the Island King and Island Queen will go easy on the challengers; this is inevitable.

Iki Town, a place hailed as 'the place that thanks Pokémon'.

Here live people familiar with Tapu Koko, a small town carrying ancient traditions.

Likewise, this is also the place where Hala, the Island King of Melemele Island, conducts the Grand Trial for challengers.

Today, Iki Town is exceptionally lively because, after a long time, a challenger has finally come to challenge Hala's Grand Trial!

Around the festival stage in the center of the town, crowds have already packed in; a vast number of townsfolk have rushed here, wanting to witness whether this Grand Trial will succeed.

The festival stage is normally used to hold Tapu Koko festivals, but the Grand Trial is also conducted here.

Hala, with white hair and beard, wearing a yellow robe and possessing a burly figure, stands on the stage, gazing at the young woman slowly walking up from the opposite side.

"Mizuki, are you ready?"

"Of course! Come on, old man! I will win!"

Adjusting her beloved flower-patterned straw hat, the young woman with bright eyes and white teeth reveals a huge smile, her expression both excited and sharp.

"Hehehe... truly a wonderful expression."

Sensing the young woman's vigorous fighting spirit, Hala cannot help but chuckle softly.

As the Island King of Melemele Island, he is also currently the oldest Island King in the Alola region.

He is delighted to see a pure and outstanding junior trainer like Mizuki; this child... is far more impressive than his own grandson.

"Then let me, Hala the Island King, personally guide you! Challenger!"

Hala's aura suddenly shifts; he raises his right hand directly toward Mizuki, his majestic and solemn pressure drawing everyone's attention.

Even for an outstanding junior, one must defeat him in this Grand Trial to continue forward!

Hala, the Island King of Melemele Island, has come to challenge!

Mizuki's first Grand Trial officially begins; naturally, Hala will go easy, after all, Hala is a veteran Elite Four-level trainer.

In the game "Sun and Moon," he is one of the official Alola Elite Four, which is evident.

But this is merely a Grand Trial; Hala certainly will not use his full strength against a new trainer who has only recently started traveling.

Yet even so, defeating Hala is still not easy.

However, Mizuki is not an ordinary trainer!

All the onlookers watch the fierce battle on the festival stage with excited spirits; especially when they see Mizuki's Dragonair defeat Hala's Hariyama, they erupt in enthusiastic cheers.

"Mizuki really is... a talent like a monster~!"

In the crowd, Kukui, with his arms crossed, cannot help but sigh thus, and the 'monster' in his mouth is certainly a compliment.

Regardless, he feels that this young woman who moved from Kanto is simply too dazzling.

Her battle experience grows rapidly, her breeding talent is extremely outstanding, and her battle intuition is like a monster's; it makes Kukui feel utterly ashamed.

He admits he was once a genius trainer himself, but compared to Mizuki now, he feels he was actually quite weak back then.

Look at her; how long has it been? She has already grown to this level.

"Yes, Mizuki is really amazing." Lillie's Bai Xi, soft and tender, beautiful face carries a gentle smile.

"With such a junior, Alola truly should rise!"

Kukui's heart is full of gratification and longing; although Mizuki was originally from Kanto, what does that matter?

Now that she has moved to Alola, she is an Alolan!

And when Mizuki fully grows up, this 'monster' will inevitably make the world turn its head toward her! Kukui has this confidence.

It is said that Galar region's undefeated Champion Leon debuted at his peak, defeating all opponents to become the Galar Champion.

But now our Alola has General Mizuki; she will certainly not be inferior to Leon!

"Hm? Cosmog! Don't run around, Cosmog!"

Lillie was watching the battle on the stage with full concentration when she suddenly noticed her bag moving; the mischievous Cosmog had popped out of the bag again.

Cosmog, looking left and right, seemed to confirm its position and wobbled over toward that direction.

Lillie panicked and immediately ran toward Cosmog.

Because of the Grand Trial, there are simply too many people here now; Lillie feared Cosmog would get lost.

"Excuse me, let me through! Cosmog! Cosmog, where are you?"

By the time Lillie squeezed out of the crowd, she successfully realized she had lost Cosmog.

Lillie sighed wearily, but she was used to it and began searching around.

According to Cosmog's habits, it won't run too far; usually, that is the case.

Lillie looked around, but when she saw a spot under a tree not far away, Lillie froze.

The afternoon sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, sprinkling onto the youth's figure like ripples on a calm lake; his gaze looked forward, and the side profile he left for the young woman was exceptionally soft and bright, his black eyes dyed with the afterglow, smiling charmingly.

He raised one hand, holding a pink candy between his fingers, feeding the little creature before him; amidst the interplay of light and shadow, the scene was as beautiful as an oil painting reflected in reality.

The young woman stared blankly at the youth and Cosmog; though the surroundings were very noisy, she now seemed to hear nothing at all.

This scene was simply too harmonious and beautiful; it was so beautiful that she felt somewhat dazed.

"What a coincidence; we meet again."

Mamon noticed the young woman in the white dress standing not far away, straightened up, and smiled, greeting her.

"Mo~ mo~"

Seeing the youth's attention drawn away, Cosmog floated in front of him, acting spoiled with some dissatisfaction.

"Okay, petting you, petting you."

Mammon's smile deepened. He pinched Little Xingyun's little cheeks, then took out a candy and popped it into Little Xingyun's mouth.

"Cute Young Lady, don't you recognize me anymore?"

Seeing Liliane's dumbfounded expression, Mammon's brows couldn't help but rise.

"Ah… sorry, Mr., I was just spacing out."

Hearing this, Liliane finally came back to her senses. Her cheeks couldn't help but flush, and she lowered her head in embarrassment to speak — she really was too rude.

And being called cute or anything like that…

"No harm done. I didn't expect such a coincidence either. I just came to watch the Island King's Grand Trial, and I actually ran into you again, Young Lady." Mammon said with a smile.

"This child is just as energetic as last time."

Mammon's gaze shifted back to Little Xingyun, the smile at his lips deepening further.

"Yes, Little Xingyun is very energetic, but it seems to really like you, Mr."

Liliane's emotions recovered somewhat. Watching the clingy Little Xingyun, her pretty face looked a little strange.

Speaking of which, it seemed this good-looking young man had also said last time that his ability tended to attract Pokémon to him.

Ps: Moon, the female protagonist of *Sun/Moon* and *Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon*. In the games, she beat Necrozma to its knees and single-handedly took down the Rainbow Rocket team — one of the fiercest protagonists.

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(End of Chapter)