Pokémon Detective Case Files

Chapter 278 The Sinnoh Champion's Guidance Battle

Chapter 280 The Sinnoh Champion's Guidance Battle

Passion is often the stage for disillusionment.

For those who harbor dreams, this world always seems a bit too cruel. Some dreams will never come true, and some storms will overwhelmingly destroy the budding of aspirations.

"Roserad, 'Grass Slide'."

The seemingly menacing monster had no time to dodge and was sent flying into the distant forest by a green light.

Zhu Lan did not refuse the challenge from her research assistant, Neil. Coincidentally, the forest in front of the Forest Mansion had been cleared into an open space, and the two began their coaching match on this overgrown ruin.

Officer Jenny and Venetian stood by the field, watching with interest as the two distanced themselves from each other on the forest ruins.

Inside, Professor Medan and Zina stood far behind the window, watching the game outside through the hazy window.

No one was to act as referee for this match, because the outcome was a foregone conclusion.

"Is the second Pokémon they sent out a Fang Cage? Well then, let's respond with a Grass-type move!"

Zhu Lan gave instructions to her subordinates.

"Magic Leaf!"

The move, deliberately released a beat later, was launched first. The blue-glowing leaves were like sharp throwing knives, cutting through the opponent's "Grass Blender" which was released using the terrain advantage, and pushing the gaping-mouthed fang cage out of the arena.

Neil's enthusiastic expression became a little strained at this point, and after much hesitation, he finally decided on the third Pokémon to be sent out.

Cynthia was puzzled when she saw the Pokémon her opponent had sent out. Why was even the unevolved Snowcap being sent out?

Moreover, the snow-hat monster showed an obviously unnatural nervous expression after releasing the ball, which indicates that Neil had only recently captured it.

The opponent's goal is probably to inflict some damage on Roseradore with a genuine priority move. Their intentions are all too obvious.

With a soft sigh, the Sinnoh Champion calmly commanded Roserade, which was flitting among the branches, "Roserade, 'Pin Missile'." Then she added quietly, "Be careful not to actually hit it—"

Neil, of course, was completely oblivious to his opponent's tacit instructions. Just as Cynthia had predicted, he frantically directed the Snow Hat Monster to launch a preemptive attack with "Ice Shards".

Unfortunately, if the opportunity to strike first is missed when the command is given, its speed advantage will be greatly reduced.

A small blizzard of "ice pebbles" finally blew out of the Snow Hat Monster's mouth, but it was instantly engulfed by a barrage of "firing missiles".

With a whoosh, four "Pin Missiles" flew past Snowcap Monster's snow-white hat, accompanied by a terrifying gust of wind. The "Ice Shards" that managed to pass through the barrage of projectiles completely missed Roseradore, which was standing still, and disappeared into the distant forest with a huge deviation.

The snow-hatted monster fainted from fright.

Cynthia's commands were concise and clear, but each move she executed inevitably sent one of Neil's Pokémon out of the arena.

After Snowcap, the opponent has sent out a new Pokémon. Seeing the Pokémon the opponent will send out next, the Sinnoh Champion became slightly more interested.

The purple, hot air balloon-like sprite waved its ribbons and used the "Fly" move amidst the air currents, soaring into the sky, which resembled the opening of a well surrounded by deep forests.

The move execution is decent, but the direction of the movements is too predictable.

Cynthia patiently waited for the opponent to make the first move, then calmly commanded Roserade to retaliate: "Use 'Cotton Spore' towards the sky."

Large fluffy clumps flew out from the red and blue bouquets, drifting into the air as Roseradore danced, and taking advantage of the wind, they entangled the wind-borne ball that flew high in the sky trying to avoid its opponent's attack.

Actually, when facing Neil's Windball, Cynthia originally had the intention of experimenting with the move.

After all, that was also the trump card that Fire-type Champion Bigleaf pulled out in the previous championship. Although it only hit thin air when it fought against him, it is still very necessary for the Sinnoh Champion, who must face challenges from all sides at all times, to store several tactical options in his mind.

However, it seems a bit too much to try out new moves in a match with such a significant skill gap.

"Cotton Spore" is merely a harassing move that significantly reduces the opponent's speed; it has no offensive capabilities. However, the opponent's Tayrule is simply too weak in Pokémon battles, unable to withstand even such a move.

After several unsuccessful attempts to dodge in the air, the Wind Ball was completely wrapped in white cotton wool, losing its ability to continue flying. It had no choice but to make a miserable, headfirst landing outside the field.

"If you have any other Pokémon, send them out too. Hmm, it'll be good to test their teamwork."

The difference in strength between a Sinnoh champion and an amateur trainer, between a champion-level Pokémon and a Pokémon that has not undergone professional training, is simply too great.

Helpless, Zhu Lan made up an excuse and suggested this to Neil.

The research assistant, who dreamed of becoming a trainer, looked somewhat embarrassed. However, Neil himself wasn't particularly surprised by the situation.

This is champion-level skill. If they were to be easily overwhelmed by Pokémon trained by amateurs, they wouldn't be in such a state.

That would actually make it seem unreal.

With this thought in mind, Neil finally calmed down a bit. He gritted his teeth and sent out the last two Pokémon he had.

It's an octopus bucket and a grass-bound noblewoman, the latter wearing a pink garbage raincoat.

"Octopus Bucket, use the 'Octopus Bucket Cannon'! Grass Lady, 'Raster Cannon'!"

"The momentum is not bad. However, this match should end here."

Facing the two imposing beams of light, Cynthia casually raised her hand, her long, radiant golden hair swaying behind her. "Rosredo, 'Falling Petals'!"

As Zhu Lan gave the command, the felled trees around them trembled violently. Countless red, blue, and white petals burst forth from between the leaves, like a blizzard of petals, instantly thwarting the attacks of the Octopus Bucket and the Grass Lady.

Then, it launched an even more intense and indiscriminate physical attack in all directions.

Fragrant blossoms fall in disarray, a hundred flowers bloom in a dazzling display.

And so, the battle ended.

Without the need for a referee's ruling, everyone accepted the final result as a matter of course.

"Thank you for your guidance, Bamboo Orchid Champion."

Neil, holding the Poké Ball, retrieved his two Pokémon from the flower petals; they were actually unharmed.

He was simply knocked unconscious by the overwhelming aura of the attack.

The research assistant bowed deeply to Cynthia and sincerely exclaimed, "Your Roserade is truly powerful!"

"Perhaps, but the power of Pokémon doesn't mean everything. The profession of Trainer exists to prove this point."

"I will become stronger together with Mighty and the others!" Neil said confidently and resolutely.

"After battling Champion Cynthia, I finally understand the gap between myself and true powerhouses. My abilities as a trainer certainly have many shortcomings, but now I deeply recognize these flaws. So,..."

Now that we've found our direction, making changes becomes much easier.

Zhu Lan remained noncommittal, sensing that Neil still hadn't fully grasped her meaning.

The other party seemed to be using traditional data-driven thinking, separating Pokémon abilities and trainer skills into two types of experience that needed to be accumulated separately. They believed that as long as each was trained to the maximum level, one could naturally become a powerful Pokémon trainer. Gently touching Roseredo's white rose-like hair, Cynthia was unsure of what to do.

Actually, she wasn't entirely satisfied with Neil's performance in battles. This amateur trainer seemed to rely too much on Pokémon's abilities.

Despite having limited energy as a Pokémon trainer, he continued to capture Pokémon, which resulted in him being unable to train each Pokémon to its full potential and using all moves haltingly.

Neil's performance in battles also showed that he actually lacked an understanding of Pokémon knowledge. His understanding of battles was limited to type matchups and countering each move, and he never thought about combining Pokémon's characteristics, abilities, and held items to assist in battle.

More importantly, although he challenged Zhu Lan, he didn't really have much of a desire to win. Instead, it seemed more like he initiated the battle to experience a dignified defeat. No matter how many times such training matches are held, it will never lead to real improvement.

If Neil's ideas are allowed to continue to escalate, he might go down the wrong path of treating his partner Pokémon roughly in the future.

However, the research assistant in front of me isn't a Pokémon trainer in the strict sense, and his Pokémon don't need to participate in professional Pokémon battles. For researchers, the aforementioned issues might never arise in their daily lives. Therefore, even if Neil has some misconceptions about Pokémon training, at this moment, he should still choose to speak positively.

"Hmm—for an amateur trainer, your performance is not bad. You're probably good enough to pass two or three gym tests," Cynthia praised with practiced platitudes.

"It's easy to imagine that besides your work as a research assistant, you must have devoted a great deal of time to capturing, raising, and training all sorts of Pokémon, which is remarkable. Your Pokémon have also responded to your feelings in battle, which I think is a very rare emotional bond."

The Sinnoh Champion turned his back, intentionally or unintentionally adopting a very profound and unfathomable posture. "All life will encounter other life, and then something will be born. Becoming a professional Pokémon trainer is not an easy path. Even if you can't become that kind of strong person, I hope you can cherish the fate of meeting your Pokémon partner."

Neil's assistant looked like he had learned a great deal, his face full of admiration.

It's unclear whether he, as Professor Mei Dan's research assistant, understood the implicit admonition in her words.