c188: Zvitch and Kenin's Bet
Countless eyes were locked on the tournament board hovering above Veilstone Arena.
"Of course, I care about my apprentice, Jiang Cai'er," Kenin said calmly, though her gaze betrayed her worry. "Her strength isn't bad. She should place in the top five."
Zvitch noticed her eyes flick to the projection. He assumed she was admiring her own student's potential and fiery spirit.
"But how about a little bet this time?" Zvitch's voice was loud enough to catch Cai'er's attention. She turned slightly, arching an eyebrow at the two.
"Haha, I've heard of Jiang Cai'er always ranked in the top three among Rustboro's new elites," Zvitch said with a knowing smile. "She's young, bold, and capable."
Cai'er was indeed strong. She had three elite-level Pokémon an Aerodactyl close to professional tier, a Blaziken with rare footwork, and a Houndoom that had mastered mid-range tracking. Her strength could threaten even the professional class if she continued training hard.
But today, her opponent was Qin Yun a rising star who had already defeated her once in a public match.
She couldn't afford to lose again.
The two mentors smiled as they exchanged words.
Kenin thought, Qin Yun is indeed more talented than Cai'er... but she has steadiness, the kind that carries you far.
In Qin Yun's mind, Jiang Cai'er's obsession with reputation made her appear naive almost childish.
Zvitch chuckled, and Kenin relaxed. As long as he didn't bring up the three core fossils from the Devon vault, she could accept any wager.
Still, Kenin didn't want Jiang Cai'er's future hampered by a single tournament result. She'd trained the girl to walk a path of long-term success.
Jiang Cai'er's first-round opponent was a male student who looked giddy upon realizing he'd be fighting her—he practically fist-pumped on the spot.
"Let's see who between our students takes first place in doubles," Zvitch said.
Tension rippled across Veilstone's audience. Many feared getting crushed by top contenders in the first round, throwing off their momentum.
"Fine," Kenin said with a smirk. "I'll bet you one fossil... excluding that one."
"That's the past," Zvitch replied, eyes gleaming. "Soon, Cai'er will be the one chasing Qin Yun."
"It's a deal."
Qin Yun looked up at the announcement board with interest. The names flicked past rapidly.
He had seen this kind of setting many times high stakes, high audience pressure but this time was slightly different. This wasn't a personal match like his last fight with Mikey. This was institutional.
Qin Yun was still technically a third-year high schooler one year behind Cai'er. He had more time to grow. But his rapid progression, spurred by Active Blocks, had already pushed him into the spotlight.
"Match 132: Qin Yun vs. Li Xing. Field 132."
Although he had defeated Cai'er before, it had been against her fourth-strongest Pokémon Aerodactyl. She hadn't used her top three.
Li Xing, seeing Qin Yun's unfamiliar face, smiled in delight. A rookie? This is my chance to shine.
At that moment, the board froze on their match pairings.
Zvitch gave Kenin a side glance. "So, it's settled."
Coincidentally, Jiang Cai'er's match was at Field 133 right next to Qin Yun's.
Kenin's lips tightened. If Jiang Cai'er faltered again in front of Qin Yun, it could seriously impact her confidence.
But Kenin nodded. "I accept. The bet is on."
As Qin Yun approached Field 132, he ran into Jiang Cai'er. She gave him a cold glance and huffed before walking away clearly still annoyed by their last match.
"She's got a temper," Qin Yun muttered, amused.
Still, if he couldn't beat someone like Li Xing, he had no business contending for the top.
"I'm taking first place this time."
Kenin, watching him from the stands, felt confident. Her only concern was if the so-called "monsters" the quasi-champion-tier trainers from Saffron and Goldenrod were participating.
If they were absent, her students had a real chance.
"Bet? What kind of bet are you placing?" a Devon executive asked Zvitch.
Zvitch shrugged. "Just some fossils from the warehouse. Except the ancient ultra-class ones, of course."
"All players, please reach your designated fields within three minutes," the announcer boomed. "Matches will begin shortly."
Participation was full no forfeits. Everyone understood the opportunity before them.
If Jiang Cai'er had used her elite trio last time, Qin Yun thought, I would've lost. No question.
Despite his confidence, he wasn't arrogant. He knew the others weren't weak this was a proving ground.
On the stage, Kenin's sharp eyes narrowed. "It's him... he's the one!"
Zvitch grinned. "The other fossils are all on the table, except the rare three. Let's see who gets the last laugh."
Kenin was surprised. She had known Qin Yun's name ever since President Zvitch took an interest in his Active Cube research and the elite-tier Pikachu. Still, wagering a fossil?
Not cheap.
Standing across from Qin Yun was Li Xing, a rugged trainer in his thirties. Clearly not a rookie.
But Qin Yun was unfazed. He wouldn't back down no matter who stood before him.
Zvitch had heard about Jiang Cai'er from the Devon R&D circles. She was one of the upcoming stars. Kenin's investment in her was immense.
Their wager was informal more a statement of pride than greed. But between elite-level trainers, even verbal agreements carried weight.
The arena had been divided into over 300 marked fields. Each team was paired, and their Active Block count was displayed above them.
"President Zvitch, isn't this a little risky?" a Devon employee whispered.
Zvitch only smiled.
Jiang Cai'er, having heard of her opponent, smirked. "Master Du sure has confidence."
Still, she glanced back at Qin Yun before heading to her field.
She wasn't sure how she felt about him—annoyed, impressed, curious? It was complicated.
But she wouldn't lose. Not again.
No one wanted to give up especially not with SSS-class scouts watching from the shadows.
"Is that him?" a voice muttered near the stands. "Will Master Du really show up?"
"Maybe. Qin Yun's name's already spreading."
Kenin was cautious. Her expectations for Cai'er were about growth solid foundations, steady rise.
But seeing Zvitch's smug expression, she couldn't help but chuckle.
"Let's see which unlucky soul faces Qin Yun first," she murmured.
The digital list read clearly:
Qin Yun Matched.
The fossil bet just one line of casual dialogue was enough to stir murmurs throughout the stadium.
To others, this was just a tournament.
To Devon's inner circle?
This was the beginning of a legacy.
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