Like Shiro, Kyle Verenza is also a trainer of the King class, and his Fire-type mastery has also reached the Elite level. He is two years younger than Ash, being fourteen this year, while Ash has just turned sixteen.
This time, he came not only because of his grandfather's connection but also because he wanted to see just what kind of powerful man could capture Cynthia's attention.
As mentioned earlier, the Varenza and Yoto families are close allies. Naturally, the relationship between the two is very strong, and Kyle and Raksha were both trained by Cynthia from an early age. To him, Cynthia is like an older sister.
The Raksha mentioned by Kyle is Cynthia's younger brother, Yoto Raksha. Speaking of him, his battle style is quite brutal — always reckless and fierce to the point of self-injury. Cynthia has scolded him for it many times, but unfortunately, he still does as he pleases.
The next battles were hardly worth watching. Two days passed, and Ash had fought nearly seven or eight matches. Thankfully, most of the weaker opponents had already been eliminated, leaving only the elites.
That afternoon, Ash was scheduled to face his first opponent from the Draconis and Oak families — something that piqued his interest. Ever since he was young, unless attending a formal event, he had never gone to any kind of banquet.
Naturally, he hadn't met the new generation from other families. Shiro, however, was different — he had lived a social life since childhood and had naturally met many of them, even training alongside some.
"Ash, are you tired?" In the hotel, Cynthia gently massaged Ash's shoulders. She had been watching the battles over the past two days with Sabrina and the others. Though Ash's victories were decisive, she could also see the impatience in his eyes.
"It's not that I'm tired," Ash sighed, "I'm just annoyed. I really don't understand the point of having so many useless halls in this league — all filled with cannon fodder. Even if I don't complain, Suicune and the others have been grumbling nonstop."
Enjoying Cynthia's gentle touch, Ash spoke helplessly. After two days, letting his champion-level Pokémon face opponents who weren't even at the elite level had become truly exasperating.
"Don't sulk. It's like that everywhere," Cynthia said with a soft smile. "Even in our region, it's the same. You'll get used to it."
"Cynthia."
"Hmm?"
"What are you— hey, Ash, don't do that~"
...
Forty minutes later
"You're impossible… your mind is never clean. Just when will you stop thinking about things like this?" Forty minutes later, Cynthia muttered while brushing her teeth in the bathroom. She rinsed her mouth, then turned to glare at Ash with mild annoyance.
At that moment, Ash, cigarette between his lips and a slightly dazed look on his face, ignored her complaints entirely.
Seeing him so unbothered, Cynthia sighed, gave up, and rested against his chest, savoring the rare quiet time between them.
"Ash, don't smoke. It's bad for your health," she said with a frown. Lately, Ash's cigarette habit had been getting worse.
"It's fine," he replied. "The energy in my body prevents any side effects. I don't get sick, and honestly, apart from training and medicine, this is the only thing I'm addicted to."
Hearing his reasoning, Cynthia reluctantly changed the subject. She knew all too well — once Ash set his mind on something, no one could talk him out of it.
"Who's your opponent this afternoon?" she asked.
"It's Nathan Glacienne, Lorelei's younger brother," Ash recalled.
"I heard he uses Ice- and Water-type Pokémon, very fitting for his family."
"Ice-types, huh… troublesome," Cynthia frowned slightly. Ice, Ghost, Psychic, and Dragon types — all were difficult to handle, especially with Ice's high chance of inflicting frostbite. Every third hit could easily freeze a Pokémon solid.
"Luckily for me, Ghosts and Psychics are the hardest," Ash said calmly. "I don't have any trained Psychic or Ghost Pokémon yet. I haven't started with Ralts or Eevee — this week's been too packed."
For Ash, Ice-types weren't particularly troublesome — not when his Charizard and Arcanine alone could overwhelm Nathan Glacienne's Pokémon through sheer power and level advantage.
"Don't worry, Sis. I'll definitely win the championship."
At that moment, in another hotel room, Nathan Glacienne was speaking on the phone with his sister. Since his next opponent was Ash, Lorelei couldn't help feeling a little concerned.
"Forget it. You can't beat Ash," Lorelei sighed.
"You've only just been promoted to the rank of Elite Four. Even if you faced me, you wouldn't win yet. Do you really think you can take down the Champion? Haven't you seen what he's capable of?"
Hearing his sister's blunt words, Nathan rubbed his forehead helplessly. His sister was incredible, but sometimes she could be so dismissive.
Then again, he had to admit — her reasoning was solid. She was just as strict and straightforward as Ash himself, though thankfully her strength and logic were both undeniable.
"Relax, Sis," he said confidently.
"I've already studied all of his Pokémon data. But… by the way, are you really going to marry him?"
The rumor of Lorelei's engagement to Ash was no secret to Nathan. He didn't object to it — after all, if Lorelei truly disagreed, even their father wouldn't be able to force her hand.
...
TN:
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