There, slumped like a stray dog with his brown hair drooping and a gloomy aura, was none other than Arven.
It was spring break. Lucas remembered that Arven, spurred on by Nemona, had set out to challenge gyms.
The spot he was squatting at was the Paldea League's office in Cortondo, where challengers had to register—looking very much like the building in the game.
Judging by Arven's dejected posture, had he failed?
Lucas frowned. That shouldn't have happened.
Katy's Cortondo Gym was always the first stop for rookie trainers and Naranja Academy students. Katy had been specifically instructed to keep battles fair—challenging, but not discouraging.
Lucas felt Katy and Brassius had the hardest jobs among the Gym Leaders: facing hordes of rookie trainers, choosing the right Pokémon, and giving feedback.
Lucas himself would've fled after a day.
After all, the League worked adult staff to the bone to give the younger generation a comfortable environment.
Lucas recalled when he had swept through Katy's baby Pokémon with Luxio. Katy's shocked face was still clear in his memory.
He hadn't expected Arven to fail—even with Katy going easy.
Lucas looked at Arven with disappointment, but didn't approach. Instead, he tried to slip away quietly.
After all, it was vacation—he didn't want to play babysitter for this awkward kid!
However, Lucas forgot about Milcery on his shoulder, radiating a sweet scent that drew a lot of attention.
Dejected, Arven's nose twitched. He smelled something familiar—like fresh cream?
Arven's stomach instincts were sharper than Lucas's. In seconds, he identified the scent as coming from a familiar Pokémon.
He looked up and spotted Lucas trying to escape, with Milcery looking puzzled as to why Lucas wasn't greeting Arven.
Seeing Lucas, Arven's mood brightened instantly. He waved and called, "Brother Lucas!"
With no escape, Lucas let Arven catch up and asked about the other students.
"So, Nemona and Eri already got their first badge and moved on, while the others are training outside town, aiming to beat Katy?"
Lucas stroked his chin, listening as Arven explained Nemona cleared the gym with just two Pokémon, and Eri won with impressive wrestling skills.
He wasn't surprised they passed so quickly. With Nemona's current strength, she might soon face Iono. Eri, being an upperclassman, had likely been training her Pokémon longer.
But Arven losing? That didn't make sense.
Lucas asked, "Tell me exactly how you lost."
Arven nodded, explaining that because of Mabosstiff, Katy had treated him as a badge-holder. After Mabosstiff and Katy's Pokémon knocked each other out, Skwovet, being under-leveled, got steamrolled.
Recalling the details, Arven grew gloomy. "Katy said the power gap between my Pokémon was too big—that I was unqualified as a trainer… But what could I do? Mabosstiff's been with me since I was little!"
"That's where you're wrong."
Lucas's expression grew serious, startling even Milcery.
He set his hands on Arven's shoulders and, using his adult strength, made him sit. Then, sitting beside him, Lucas asked calmly, "You barely train Skwovet, do you?"
Arven flinched—he hadn't expected Lucas to see through him.
Lucas continued, "Of course I noticed. Skwovet's always lounging around, just wanting to eat and sleep. It listens to you, but isn't keen on training, right?"
Arven felt Lucas could read minds and poured out his woes: "Mabosstiff always finishes its training, but Skwovet runs a few steps then acts like I'm starving it—even though it eats more than both of us combined!"
Lucas's tone remained calm. "Do you regret catching Skwovet?"
Arven hesitated. "I…"
Lucas pressed, "Be honest."
Arven mumbled, "A little… It's obedient, just lazy about training. But I don't plan to release it!"
He emphasized he was only a bit dissatisfied.
"I get it, but this shows you haven't fulfilled your duty as a trainer to teach according to each Pokémon's nature." Lucas shook his head, then patted Arven's back. "This lesson was meant for next semester, but since you're facing this now, I'll give you some special instruction."
Arven brightened, but before he could cheer, Lucas added, "Not now, though. I have business at Patisserie Soapberry to see Katy. Wait here."
Arven froze, glanced at Milcery on Lucas's shoulder, and suddenly realized, "You're here to get the evolution accessory for Milcery, aren't you?!"
"Oh?"
Lucas's eyes glinted with interest—Arven seemed to know something.
Arven nodded. "The Paldea Dessert Association is hosting a dessert contest with Katy's Patisserie Soapberry. The prizes include the accessory Milcery needs to evolve!"
PS: Bonus chapter at 100 PS