Chapter Fifteen: The Alchemist Emperor’s Invitation to Battle! Hunter? Challenger!

When Leon heard that Su Yi had arrived at Armor Island because he was lost, he was momentarily taken aback, then burst out laughing. “So, Mr. Su Yi, you get lost just like I do!”

Su Yi was a little speechless, thinking to himself: Is that really the same? I’m lost because I have no idea where I am, but you’re lost simply because you have no sense of direction at all.

“Char!” Charizard, standing to the side, spread his claws and shook his head in exasperation. What’s there to be proud of? Why laugh so happily about this?

“Young man, you’re not from Galar, are you?” Mustard asked, noting that neither Su Yi’s appearance nor his clothing fit the region, and especially since there was an unfamiliar cat Pokémon at his side.

Su Yi nodded. “Indeed, I’m not from Galar. I come from a faraway place.”

“A faraway place, is it?” Leon didn’t press further; he wasn’t the sort to insist on getting to the bottom of things. He simply felt that anyone who battled with passion and cared for their Pokémon, who could play with them and show a genuine smile, couldn’t possibly be a bad person.

“That’s right. I’ve come from far away, hoping to travel to the ends of the world. That’s the romance I intend to pursue all my life.” Su Yi took a deep breath, his heart filled with anticipation for a world still brimming with wonders.

“I want to accompany Su Yi, meow!” Sprigatito leapt into Su Yi’s arms, looking at him with hope.

Su Yi scooped up the cat Pokémon, bumping his fist against her paw.

“How wonderful it is, to be young and full of energy, always looking forward to the unknown.” Mustard stroked his beard, as if recalling his own youthful days.

“What an adorable Pokémon—and it can even talk!” Honey’s attention was entirely captured by the charming cat.

“Su Yi has other Pokémon I’ve never seen before! This is incredible—I can hardly wait any longer!” Leon, stirred by Su Yi’s unrestrained words and the spirit of exploration, slapped the table and stood up.

“Su Yi, battle with me!”

“Huh? A battle? With Leon?” Su Yi was briefly stunned by the sudden challenge.

But when he saw the pure, eager light in Leon’s eyes—the desire to explore the unknown and face different opponents—Su Yi understood. At their core, those who love Pokémon share this same yearning.

To meet different people and Pokémon, to witness the stories between humans and their partners, to challenge the unknown and the strong, to hone oneself and scale new heights—wasn’t this the very wonder that the world of Pokémon offered humanity from the beginning?

“Since I’ve been invited by the Champion, how could I refuse?” Su Yi raised his fist with a smile.

“Oh, all right, all right. But before you battle, you should at least fill your stomachs first,” Honey said helplessly.

“In that case, let’s eat!” Su Yi and Leon chorused.

It seemed Leon had met someone truly interesting. Watching Leon and Su Yi devour their food with gusto, Mustard’s weathered face was tinged with nostalgia, as if time had turned back.

Back then, Leon had been young—his drive, his boundless curiosity, and desire had carried him to the Champion’s throne. But his love for Galar and his deep sense of responsibility led him to take up the mission of protecting and prospering the region. From that point on, he never again had the time to embark on carefree adventures as he once had.

Su Yi, who was about the same age as Leon, seemed to embody what Leon might have been without those burdens. Perhaps Leon sensed this, however faintly, and so he laid aside the mantle of Champion, returning for a moment to his original self, savoring the rare freedom from all constraints.

...

“Your cooking is still as delicious as ever,” Leon said, setting down his utensils and exhaling in satisfaction.

“Thank you for the meal, Aunt Honey,” Su Yi said politely.

“Seeing you all so full of life is the best compliment I could ask for,” Honey replied with a warm smile.

“Well then, next up!” Leon turned to Su Yi, his eyes burning with anticipation.

Su Yi chuckled. “Aside from being an adventurer, I’m also a hunter—which is to say, a challenger! I won’t feel any pressure facing a Champion.”

“Kids these days are almost too energetic,” Mustard remarked, smiling as he led the two brimming with energy to the enormous battlefield behind the dojo, carved out of the mountain stream.

As Leon warmed up, he asked, “Su Yi, how many Pokémon should we use?”

Su Yi thought for a moment. “Let’s do one-on-one. I’d like to see just how far my partner is from the Champion’s level.”

“No problem,” Leon said, adjusting his cap and gripping a Poké Ball.

Su Yi also took out his Dire Wolf Dragon’s Poké Ball, his expression grave and focused.

As he’d said, he wanted to see just how much distance separated his companion from the very best in the Pokémon world, even if for now, his partner’s ecological niche was still at the lower end.

“Leon is fine, but Su Yi, you’re familiar with the rules of a Pokémon battle, aren’t you?” Mustard stepped to the referee position.

“I understand them perfectly,” Su Yi replied, ready. Sprigatito cheered for him from the side.

“Then, Leon and Su Yi—one-on-one battle! Take your positions—the battle begins!” Mustard announced in a booming voice.

“Go, Inteleon!” Leon was the first to throw his Poké Ball.

“Intela!” A slender, bipedal blue lizard Pokémon gazed at Su Yi with poise.

“He didn’t send out his ace, Charizard?” Su Yi wondered, tossing out his own Poké Ball.

“Go! Dire Wolf Dragon!”

With a loud thud, the massive yellow-green lizard landed on the battlefield.

“Raaaar!” The Dire Wolf Dragon let out a fierce roar, the black markings around its eyes making it look especially menacing.

“Oh! What a huge Pokémon! Not that one called Dodglet, but another I’ve never seen—how exciting!” Leon marveled at the creature, nearly ten meters long, and his anticipation for the battle grew.

“This Pokémon exudes pure wildness. Just what region could such a Pokémon come from?” Mustard examined the Dire Wolf Dragon with curiosity.

The battle had begun!

“Let’s start with a greeting! Inteleon, Snipe Shot!” Leon commanded.

“Inte!” Inteleon raised its hand, forming a finger-gun gesture. In the next instant, a flash of blue light erupted from its index finger, launching a narrow and powerful jet of water straight at the Dire Wolf Dragon.

“Dire Wolf Dragon, dodge!” Su Yi shouted.

“Raa!” The Dire Wolf Dragon moved its powerful limbs, scrambling to the side, barely evading the shot.

“For a sniper, that speed’s too slow! Once more—Snipe Shot!” Leon barked.

Inteleon fired another jet of water. This time, before the Dire Wolf Dragon could react, it was struck directly.

“Raaah!” The Dire Wolf Dragon cried out, staggering as a deep wound appeared on its side.

“It may be slender, but its attacks are remarkably sharp, Inteleon,” Su Yi said, clenching his fist.