Lose?
What a joke. Since arriving in this world, Caleb had never once encountered that word in reference to himself.
Just then, Korrina subtly tugged at the corner of his shirt and leaned in to whisper, "Uh, Caleb, we're trying to comfort Bea right now. Maybe tone it down?"
"Tone it down…" Caleb muttered.
But… I wasn't lying?
Still, he chose not to argue and instead shifted his tone. "Don't put so much pressure on yourself. Battling should bring you joy. If you're always gloomy, your Pokémon won't feel good either."
Bea slowly raised her head and turned to look at the group of Fighting-types standing behind her.
Machamp, Grapploct, Hawlucha...
They all watched her with concern, worry clearly written across their faces.
I've really been immature... she thought, a sour pang rising in her chest.
She bit her lip and lowered her head again — but when she looked up once more, a glint of fierce determination had returned to her eyes.
"I understand, Caleb." Bea nodded, then turned to her Pokémon and gave them a deep bow. "I'm sorry… for making you worry."
A perfect 90-degree bow again…
Caleb couldn't help but marvel inwardly. This girl's seriously polite.
Seeing Bea bounce back brought visible relief to Korrina and Maylene, who both sighed.
Then Bea snuck a glance at Caleb, blushing slightly. "Mr. Caleb… about becoming your student… does that still stand?"
"If it's tactical instruction, sure," Caleb replied. "But if you're expecting me to teach you fighting techniques, then sorry — I'm out of my depth."
Bea's ace was a Machamp capable of Gigantamaxing.
Machamp, huh…
If it had Guts, he could teach her to use Substitute with Focus Punch, or Flame Orb plus Endure.
No Guard with Dynamic Punch was also a solid route…
Maybe sneak in a Toxic while they're distracted...
"Yes, sir." Bea smiled faintly.
I'll need a proper gift to formally become his student…
According to Galarian tradition, a proper disciple had to present a gift.
She glanced at the pink Pokémon behind Caleb. But if it's that, Caleb's sure to be pleased.
"Let me check who I'm up against next," Caleb said, walking to the Pokémon Center lobby.
The screen showed the bracket of first-class Fighting specialists who'd advanced.
Huh? Why is Box here? With his strength?
Ah, auto-advance. His opponent was a no-show.
Lucky punk.
"Caleb!"
A familiar voice called from behind. Caleb turned — it was Ash, with Brock and Dawn beside him. Pikachu was munching on a ketchup bottle. Judging by their relaxed expressions, they'd just eaten.
"I heard from Brock that you advanced too!" Ash said with a grin.
"So that means you did too," Caleb replied.
Ash beamed. "Yup! And Chimchar evolved mid-battle!"
He tossed a Poké Ball.
With a flash of light, an orange monkey with wild fur and blazing fire on its tail appeared.
Monferno!
If Caleb remembered right, Ash's last opponent was Brawly and his Annihilape.
Years of training, only to fall to a Monferno's evolution in battle... ouch.
"Look at the screen!" Dawn suddenly pointed.
Everyone turned.
Caleb's name was right there.
Caleb vs. Ash
"Well, if I'm battling Caleb…" Ash's eyes lit up. "Then I won't lose this time!"
Caleb blinked.
Wait… something doesn't add up here.
When did we ever battle before?!
"Ahaha, I look forward to it." Caleb coughed awkwardly.
Another battle against the protagonist team, huh? And it's the young version of the big guy. Hope he doesn't pull some crazy evolution stunt...
The next morning.
Haunter dragged Caleb to the Pokémon Center cafeteria.
"Haun haun!"
Look, look! It's a buffet! We can eat as much as we want!
"Calm down, jeez. You're acting like I never feed you!" Caleb scolded.
Haunter poked his fingers together, looking wronged.
"Haun…"
Well… we are broke, right? I thought I'd save a little. Plus, my fourth-dimensional stomach can store leftovers.
!!
That hit Caleb like a thunderbolt. He stared at Haunter in disbelief. "Wait… are you actually a genius?"
How did you even think of that?!
Turns out reading really does increase your IQ!
"Haun haun!" ( ｀▽´ )ノ
Haunter puffed up with pride.
I'll even pack some for Pachirisu.
When Pachirisu had first heard about Caleb going broke, it'd scoffed.
No way. With all this wealth, he's clearly bluffing to get me to eat less.
But when it saw the nearly empty storeroom in the back, its whole world collapsed.
Its appetite too.
Now, Pachirisu just sat motionless in the Gym like a statue.
True friendship shines in adversity…
Caleb felt oddly moved.
And then promptly watched Haunter dump an entire tray of tomato spaghetti into his mouth.
"..."
Right.
Haunter's fourth-dimensional stomach was his mouth.
So to retrieve the food later, you'd either have to reach inside… or make him puke it out…
Caleb's stomach churned.
Good thing I'm not eating it.
But even so, he stared at his own untouched plate of spaghetti and completely lost his appetite.
"Master."
Bea's voice came from behind. She had arrived for breakfast and now stood awkwardly beside Caleb, flanked by Maylene and Korrina.
These three had been inseparable lately — already acting like lifelong friends.
"Morning," Caleb greeted. "No need to be so formal. Just call me by name."
He'd only taught Bea a few tactics last night. "Master" felt… excessive.
"No," Bea replied firmly. "This is a matter of proper respect."
Seeing her so serious, Caleb sighed. "Alright, call me whatever you want."
Traditional customs… what a pain.
At that moment, Korrina, about to grab some food, suddenly pointed ahead.
"Uh… Caleb, does Haunter always eat like that?"
Her own post-training appetite couldn't even compare.
Caleb looked toward the buffet — and promptly facepalmed.
Haunter was guzzling down a mountain of steaming buns, stuffing them into his mouth nonstop.
Around him were heaps of empty plates.
"Haunter? What Haunter? Saying ghost stuff first thing in the morning — how unlucky!" Caleb growled through clenched teeth.
Korrina: ???
Eventually, Caleb managed to stop Haunter before he drew the wrath of the surrounding Fighting trainers.
Haunter, sulking in a corner, looked utterly wronged.
Bea stepped forward and pulled out a finely crafted wooden box. "Master, this is my disciple's gift."
Caleb took one look at the polished wood and immediately retracted his earlier complaints.
Who said these rituals were annoying? They're amazing!
He opened the box.
Inside lay a pair of crimson gloves, each fitted with a silver spring coil at the wrist.
"Lucky Gloves!" Caleb gasped.