章 112: There's Something Off About My Pokémon [112]
"Please secure your Pokéballs," the security guard said with a polite smile.
Lu Cheng glanced around and noticed a few enormous posters plastered on the walls. Each one featured a popular movie star with her striking Delphox by her side. Delphox, the evolved form of Fennekin, shares some resemblance to Vulpix in its initial form. But by its final evolution, it's a completely different creature.
With its sunken, witch-like face, a wild, fiery mane, and a staff-like branch igniting a ghostly blue flame at its tip, Delphox looked rather uncanny.
Lu Cheng sighed, "Both foxes, yet the difference is just… something else."
---
The subway in Shanghai was spotless yet exceptionally crowded. Onboard, a stylish woman was holding a Togepi—the little egg creature kept sticking its tongue out at Lu Cheng. Looking like an oversized ostrich egg, this Togepi peeked out from its patterned shell with a wrinkled yellow face, speckled in a way that could give even the bravest soul a bit of trypophobia. Two dark hollows sat in its head, giving Togepi's gaze an unsettling intensity as it stared right at Lu Cheng.
Lu Cheng's skin crawled, though a little girl nearby continued playing with it eagerly. When she reached out her finger to Togepi, Lu Cheng swore he saw the Pokémon's wrinkled face twist into a sinister smile.
"Big sis, this Togepi is so cute!"
"Haha, yeah, look! It's even yawning!"
Rubbing his forehead, Lu Cheng got off the subway. After a half-hour walk, he finally arrived at Shanghai's renowned Pokémon Contest Hall.
The hall's official name was the Milotic Pavilion, built in honor of a rare, shiny Milotic that won a global contest under a Chinese trainer's guidance. From the outside, the entire building resembled a giant statue of Milotic. Made of glass, it sparkled in the sunlight, making the Milotic sculpture appear even more lifelike and enchanting.
Milotic was supposedly inspired by the mermaid myth, though to Lu Cheng, it looked more like a sleek, long-bodied fish with some impressive fins.
As he entered the main doors, Lu Cheng noticed that the hall was surprisingly quiet for a weekday.
"Hello, sir. Admission is 200 yuan," the receptionist informed him.
Inside, the vast hall had an elegant, European feel to it, with photos of previous ribbon winners displayed on the walls. Large floor-to-ceiling windows provided a view of the scenery outside, while an enormous crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling. A grand marble staircase led up to the second floor.
But after wandering around for a while, Lu Cheng still couldn't find the berry mixer he was looking for.
"Lu Cheng?"
Lu Cheng turned around in surprise, not expecting to run into her here of all places.
Lü Ning was dressed in a flowy Bodomier dress with fringe at the hem, a feathered accessory in her hair, and a hint of lavender perfume. Clearly, she'd gone all out for the occasion.
"What brings you here?" she asked.
"I'm just here for a trip. I heard the Milotic Pavilion is pretty famous, so I thought I'd check it out."
"Well, you've come at the perfect time," Lü Ning smiled. "There's a performance happening today. Want to watch?"
Lu Cheng, not all that interested in Pokémon Contests, shook his head. "From the looks of your outfit, are you participating too?"
"That's right." Lü Ning's gentle smile deepened, dimples forming on her cheeks. "The main reason I came back to Shanghai is to compete for the Cute Ribbon this time."
Lu Cheng suddenly recalled someone talking about this on the boat.
"Didn't you already earn a Beauty Ribbon?"
Lü Ning nodded, smiling. "That's right. Once I collect all five ribbons, I'll be able to enter the national competitions."
Lu Cheng was impressed. Not only was Lü Ning a trainer, but she was also a skilled Contest Coordinator.
"By the way, there's also a beginner's contest today. Why don't you give it a shot?" Lü Ning suggested, dimples showing again as she grinned. "With your Vulpix, I'm sure you could win a beginner's ribbon easily!"
"Oh, I don't know… I don't really know much about Pokémon Contests—"
Just as Lu Cheng started to decline, a system notification popped up.
Ding! New task detected: 'Coordinator Novice.'
Task objective: Earn a ribbon of any rank in a Pokémon Contest.
Reward: Title "Novice Coordinator," skill "Enhanced Visual Perception" LV1!
Skill description: Increases your visual reflexes, capturing and perceiving images with greater clarity.
Lu Cheng's expression grew complicated. Seeing this, Lü Ning raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Well, um, where do I sign up?" Lu Cheng managed a slightly awkward grin. "I've got time to spare, after all… haha."
---
Every Monday and Saturday, the Milotic Pavilion hosts Pokémon Contests of varying ranks, awarding ribbons only to the top contestant in each competition. Ribbons are categorized into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels; generally, trainers must first earn a lower-level ribbon before they can advance. With her Lopunny, Lü Ning had skillfully achieved three consecutive wins, securing an Advanced Beauty Ribbon that landed her on the cover of Youth magazine. At the Advanced level, a Contest ribbon was comparable in prestige to a regional Gym Badge.
However, the Milotic Pavilion in Shanghai awarded both "Beauty" and "Cute" Advanced ribbons, so the national contest's entry bar was somewhat lower than that of the Pokémon League Championships.
"What exactly happens in these contests?" Lu Cheng, who still knew almost nothing about Pokémon Contests, asked Lü Ning for a last-minute rundown.
"If I had to sum it up, it's all about creativity," Lü Ning explained with a small smile. "Contests are split into two rounds: the Move Round and the Battle Round.
"In the Move Round, judges rate each move based on creativity and performance. Moves that are especially fitting or impressive score higher."
"As for the Battle Round, it's not just about winning—it's about displaying your creativity with moves as well," she continued. "A creative combo can earn you higher points while making your opponent lose points.
"Whoever has the highest combined score by the end wins the ribbon!"
Lu Cheng nodded thoughtfully. "So, what happens if you knock out your opponent's Pokémon in the Battle Round?"
"Knocking out an opponent's Pokémon does cause them to lose a lot of points," Lü Ning replied. "But if your style is too reckless, you might lose points yourself."
Lu Cheng nodded again, processing all the information… until something clicked.
"Wait, what if I knock out everyone else's Pokémon?"
Lü Ning froze momentarily, a bit thrown off. She gave a slightly awkward smile. "Well, since it's an elimination-based contest, if all the other Pokémon are knocked out, then, technically, there wouldn't be any scoring left to do…"
"I get it!" Lu Cheng said, his eyes lighting up with newfound clarity. "So, as long as I knock out everyone in the Battle Round, I'll win the ribbon, right?"
"Uh…" Lü Ning wasn't sure if she should nod. In theory, coordinators preferred to beat their opponents with elegant, creative moves that could earn them more points without excessive risk of deductions. But if his plan was just to eliminate everyone…
Watching Lu Cheng with a determined, almost battle-hardened expression as he charged toward the registration desk, Lü Ning muttered under her breath with a hint of worry, "Let's hope his group doesn't end up in chaos…"
---
Translator's NoteHi, peasants! I'm so excited to share Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking! Our favorite carefree bard, Venti, takes center stage in this Honkai: Star Rail adventure, landing in Belobog—the last bastion of preservation on Jarilo VI. With the fire inside fading and winds growing stagnant, can the spirit of freedom and the breeze of change rise once more?
If you're a fan of Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail, you're gonna love this one. There's music, rebellion, and all the freedom-loving energy Venti brings to the table! Also, I've got two more stories lined up after this, so keep an eye out. As always, thank you so much for your support—y'all are the best!
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
If you wish to support me or read ahead here's a link! [patreon.com/WiseTL]
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