The moment the girls around Gary finished speaking, all eyes in the field immediately fell on Gary.
Almost everyone showed the same expression as Officer Jenny.
"What the heck, a Smoliv?"
"I follow Gary's video account, I remember he's a really proud guy, so why would he capture this kind of Pokémon?"
"That's something you guys don't know, right?", A man with a Flareon showed a mysterious expression.
"I saw an incredible secret yesterday in the battle area of the Pokémon Center."
"What secret?"
The trainers around him enthusiastically handed over sunflower seeds and drinks, and the uncle selling starch sausages nearby even offered a grilled sausage as a friendly gesture.
The Flareon trainer glanced at the Muk beside the uncle and decisively refused his kindness, then said, "Before my friend and I battled, I saw the battle screen showing the words 'Contestant Axel used Smoliv to defeat contestant Gary Oak.'"
"Gary must've been defeated by someone using a Smoliv, so..."
"I know this one. If you can't beat it, then join it!"
Hearing the trainers' discussions around him, Gary's face turned almost red.
"How can you talk like that about a trainer's business?"
"Smoliv is originally a very strong Pokémon, okay!"
Seeing Gary trying hard to defend Smoliv, Axel and the little loli exchanged glances, both covering their mouths tightly, holding back laughter.
'Looks like yesterday's Smoliv really left a psychological shadow on Gary.'
But this guy was indeed resourceful. Aside from the Unova region, known as the "Dream Trait Homeland," finding a trainer with a hidden ability Pokémon wasn't an easy task.
Yet Gary managed to hug a dream trait Smoliv in just one day.
The little loli hugged Axel's arm tightly and pouted hard, "Rich dog, having connections is really nice."
Axel silently glanced at the shiny Pheromosa Pokéball on his waist and calmed down again.
'So his background isn't better than mine?'
'Then it's fine...'
Under Officer Jenny's arrangement, Gary quickly stepped forward for testing.
Unfortunately, the gate didn't respond to him at all.
Some trainers couldn't help bursting into laughter.
"Gary, can you do it or not? If not, hurry back and let us try."
"Yeah, let's all try. Maybe we'll have a better chance of earning Lord Dragon God's favor?"
Gary didn't really react to these people's words.
But the next line really struck a nerve.
"I actually thought just now that Gary might be able to open the secret realm, how ridiculous."
"I was actually expecting something from a Smoliv trainer. From now on, please call me a clown!"
Gary: "..."
'If there weren't so many people here, I'd really show you what an infinite Star Peach Berry Smoliv looks like!'
Just as Officer Jenny sighed, the Arbok in Arcanine's mouth suddenly spotted Axel.
"Arb!"
Arbok's body nearly straightened out like a purple stick, forcefully pointing in Axel's direction.
'Good bro, don't leave such a big thing like damaging the Dragon God statue all on me!'
Arcanine quickly nudged Officer Jenny's pant leg, signaling her to look at Arbok's reaction.
The two of them soon locked onto Axel.
Axel: "..."
Officer Jenny jogged a few steps and appeared beside Axel with Arcanine.
"Little brother, you should be the trainer who defeated Arbok yesterday, right?"
"But don't be nervous, the Dragon God statue breaking wasn't because of you."
"Now could you please try and see if you can open that secret realm?"
"Alright," Axel helplessly agreed, gave the little loli next to him a reassuring look, and walked toward the gate of the secret realm.
Actually, ever since that golden keyword appeared yesterday, he had a strange feeling.
If he really broke the statue, there was no reason for Black Rayquaza to reward him.
'Won't that make it a total masochist?'
Thinking it through, it felt more like a form of acknowledgment.
Seeing Axel step up, the proud Gary immediately and excitedly moved aside.
'Finally, finally someone to speak up for Smoliv!'
"Axel, quick. Tell them how powerful Smoliv is."
"Wasn't it you who used Smoliv to rub me into the ground yesterday?"
"Release your Smoliv too. Let's teach them a lesson together."
Axel was stunned and released his Ralts.
"Gary, are you feverish or what? Where would I get a Smoliv. I told you already, that was borrowed from Eva."
"But your Smoliv's pretty good. Train it well, and maybe next time you'll be able to beat Eva."
"Damn! Damn! Damn!"
Gary suddenly remembered that the Smoliv wasn't even Axel's Pokémon. He almost spat out a mouthful of blood and furiously scratched his hair into a bird's nest.
'Day one of missing Ash.'
'This new rival is pure torture.'
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Axel followed Officer Jenny past the barrier and arrived at the secret realm's gate.
The moment Axel approached, the gate visibly reacted.
A wave of gentle energy radiated from the gate, and the deep purple halo rippled out like water.
The two professors researching mythological domains both stood up, joyfully looking at Axel.
"Looks like the child acknowledged by the Dragon God has been found. Just let him approach the gate."
"But before that, we need to make some preparations, since some trial-type secret realms immediately start battles after entering. I suggest lending the Arcanine to this child for now."
Officer Jenny hesitated a bit. Arcanine was a Pokémon exclusive to the Jenny family and was rarely, if ever, handed over to outsiders.
It wasn't that they were stingy. It was just that Arcanine was a special kind of Pokémon.
If the person commanding it had any evil thoughts, it was very likely to be attacked by Arcanine.
But for some reason, from the first moment she saw Axel, she had this inexplicable trust in him.
After weighing the pros and cons, Officer Jenny raised her head and gently stroked Arcanine's snout.
"Arcanine, are you willing to go in with this little brother?"
Arcanine's eyes landed on Axel. A glint of thought passed through its bright eyes, and finally, it stretched out its tongue and licked Axel's cheek.
"Woof!"
'This trainer feels like a good person!'
Axel also affectionately hugged Arcanine's big head and turned to look at Officer Jenny.
"Then thank you, Officer Jenny, and Arcanine!"
After giving the little loli a reassuring glance, Axel eagerly walked into the ruins' gate together with Arcanine...
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