Chương 55: Chapter 55: After All These Years, A Child Taught Me a Lesson
Chapter 55: After All These Years, A Child Taught Me a Lesson
In the end, only two contestants managed to succeed in the challenge.
Even so, the first winner's victory was questionable and had hints of luck.
During the Chinese New Year broadcast, the entire event gained massive traction, skyrocketing Hikaru's fame.
Now, even walking down the street, Hikaru could barely avoid being recognized, with people constantly asking for his autograph.
---
Three days later, Hikaru, wearing a mask and cautiously looking around, slipped into the Pokémon League headquarters.
"Hikaru? It's you!"
The receptionist was the same stylish young lady who had previously helped register him.
Today was the scheduled day for him to collect his challenge rewards.
"It's me," Hikaru nodded quickly and whispered, "But keep your voice down. Where do I go to claim my prize?"
Noticing how loud her initial greeting was, the receptionist chuckled and lowered her voice.
"Right this way, little celebrity," she teased, leading him toward a more private area.
The room was temperature-controlled and secured. Once inside, she left, replaced by an older man with streaks of white in his hair but an imposing aura about him.
---
"Chairman Li Hua, it's an honor," Hikaru greeted respectfully.
The man before him was none other than Li Hua, the chairman of Shuimu City's Pokémon League branch and a Master Trainer—a title synonymous with prestige and power.
Li Hua chuckled heartily. "No need for formalities, Hikaru."
He handed Hikaru his professional trainer's certificate and gestured toward the vast array of Pokémon eggs displayed in the room.
"These are the eggs available for selection. As promised, I will act as your guide during this process."
Hikaru was startled by the VIP treatment.
"Thank you, sir."
---
Hikaru scanned the eggs, his Insight ability automatically activating.
[Species]: Caterpie (87 hours 45 minutes)
[Potential]: Ordinary
[Species]: Weedle (52 hours)
[Potential]: Ordinary
After scanning two eggs, both belonging to common Bug-types, Hikaru felt his curiosity wane. He decided to follow the faint sense of resonance tugging at him.
Ever since he entered the room, his Aura Sense had been subtly activating, guiding him toward a particular direction.
---
With newfound determination, Hikaru ignored the other egg groups and strode toward the source of the resonance.
Behind him, Li Hua hesitated. The young trainer hadn't even stopped to consider other prestigious options, including eggs from rare species like Snivy.
Eventually, Hikaru's steps brought him to a shelf containing a deep blue egg. The aura emanating from it seemed to respond to him.
"This one," Hikaru announced, his tone firm.
---
Li Hua furrowed his brows. The egg in question was labeled only as belonging to a Fighting-type Pokémon. Beyond that, no other details were available—a rarity even for someone of his expertise.
"This egg?" he asked, uncertain.
"Yes," Hikaru affirmed.
The aura emanating from the egg was unmistakable. Hikaru didn't need more convincing; he was certain it was a Riolu egg. With the Kaioken ability waiting in his arsenal, this match felt predestined.
---
Li Hua glanced at the egg and then at Hikaru. Even as a Master Trainer, he couldn't identify the egg's exact species.
Yet, the moment Hikaru approached, the egg began to quiver as if responding to him.
"Alright," Li Hua relented. "If you're sure, take it. Once it hatches, come back to register its details."
"Thank you, Chairman," Hikaru said, bowing slightly as Li Hua handed him the egg.
---
After a pause, Li Hua added, "These eggs have been incubated in nutrient-rich solutions, so they should hatch within five days. If the Pokémon isn't what you hoped for, feel free to exchange it for another."
Hikaru blinked in surprise, then smiled. "Thank you, but I won't need to. Even if it hatches into a Caterpie, I'll train it into a Butterfree that can stand on its own!"
Li Hua was momentarily stunned. Then he laughed heartily, nodding in approval. Yet deep down, he felt a pang of guilt.
How had he, a seasoned trainer, become so cautious and calculating?
The boy's words reminded him of the passion and fearlessness he had lost over the years.
"After all these years… to think I'd be taught a lesson by a child," Li Hua thought to himself with a wry smile.
---
Back home, Hikaru was too excited to take his eyes off the egg.
Even Kirlia hovered nearby, her curiosity piqued as she eagerly awaited the new companion.
Finally, a soft crack echoed through the room.
The first thing to emerge was a small blue head, followed by the rest of a tiny figure struggling free of the eggshell.
With black ear-like appendages and fiery red eyes, the Pokémon stood confidently, its gaze unwavering.
"Riolu," Hikaru whispered, his heart racing with excitement.
---
"Riolu!"
Even before hatching, Riolu had felt a connection with Hikaru through their shared aura. Now, standing before its trainer, the bond felt undeniable.
Without needing words, trainer and Pokémon bumped fists.
"Welcome to the team!" Hikaru grinned, introducing Riolu to the rest of his Pokémon.
---
Charmeleon and Frogadier appeared first.
"Char!" Charmeleon gave Riolu a welcoming pat, puffing its chest like an older sibling.
Frogadier remained aloof, but Riolu didn't seem to mind, extending a paw for a fist bump anyway.
Even Kirlia floated down, giggling as she gently touched fists with Riolu.
"Alright, Charmeleon," Hikaru said, patting his Fire-type on the back. "You're in charge of teaching Riolu the basics of fighting moves!"
Charmeleon nodded proudly, ready to take on its mentoring role.
Though in the back of Hikaru's mind, he wondered how long it would take before Riolu outpaced its teacher.
---
[Species]: Riolu
[Potential]: Champion
Even with such a bright future ahead, Hikaru was confident this Riolu would exceed all expectations.
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To be continued...
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