Sandgem Town, Sinnoh Region.
While Lucian was buried in overtime work, discussing new tournament formats with Lance, Wallace, and the others, Cynthia was doing the exact opposite.
At least, that was what Lucian claimed.
In reality, this was simply the result of losing the Sinnoh Champion Challenge not long ago. According to their bet, Lucian had to handle the extra workload for the time being.
As for Cynthia, she was currently immersed in ancient mythology research alongside Professor Rowan.
This was her real hobby.
After Team Galactic collapsed and Cyrus vanished, the Sinnoh region entered a rare period of peace.
Most remaining issues involved Pokémon hunters, smugglers, and underground criminal groups. Those were matters for Rangers, investigators, police forces, and the International Police.
A Champion was not deployed for every problem.
A trump card remained a trump card precisely because it was not used casually.
Compared to others spending their free time shopping, gaming, or vacationing, Cynthia was spending hers buried in old ruins, myths, and historical records.
Very few people could understand that lifestyle.
. . .
It was noon.
Sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the research hall.
Cynthia stood quietly near the desk, dressed in a fitted black trench coat that reached just past her knees. Black long boots accentuated her already slender figure, while the white shirt beneath the coat added a touch of clean elegance.
Her blonde hair flowed over her shoulders like strands of gold under the sunlight.
The light illuminated her gentle oval-shaped face, fair skin, silver-grey eyes, high nose bridge, and soft pink lips.
Even when expressionless, she carried a natural warmth that made it seem as though she was always faintly smiling.
The black-and-gold accessories she wore added further refinement to her calm and composed presence.
Sinnoh's Champion was not only powerful.
She was stunning.
At that moment, music suddenly played from her Pokégear.
Cynthia glanced at the screen.
"Sister."
A rare smile appeared on her face.
This caller was uncommon.
If Rolanda was contacting her directly, then something important had happened.
Cynthia still remembered the confident declaration her younger sister made years ago before setting out on her journey.
"I'll one day surpass you."
It was an ambitious goal.
Cynthia had always supported it wholeheartedly.
Thinking about that, she suddenly remembered Steven Stone disappearing for weeks at a time to search for rare stones.
"…I want to retire too," Cynthia muttered quietly.
Then she accepted the video call.
"Roro, where are you right now?"
The woman on the other end looked remarkably similar to Cynthia. The main difference was her high ponytail, which gave her a more energetic appearance.
The moment she heard the nickname, Rolanda's face instantly turned red all the way to her ears.
"Don't call me Roro!"
"I'm currently on Iron Island."
Iron Island.
A thoughtful look appeared in Cynthia's eyes.
"Did something happen?"
Her expression sharpened immediately.
She stood up at once, already reaching for a Poké Ball, clearly prepared to head for Iron Island personally if necessary.
Seeing this reaction, Rolanda hurriedly waved her hands and shook her head frantically.
"Sit down already! I'm fine!"
"I'm researching the ruins here and training. More specifically, Lucario is currently training with Mr. Riley."
Rolanda turned the camera.
On screen, Riley sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, accompanied by two Lucario.
The atmosphere around them was calm and focused.
One human.
Two Lucario.
All meditating together in complete silence.
Only after seeing that did Cynthia finally sit back down.
As Aura Pokémon, Lucario chose their Trainers carefully.
In Cynthia's experience, people acknowledged by Lucario rarely had problems with their character.
Rolanda scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"Lucario's training right now, and I'm busy researching the ruins here too."
"But I promised someone I'd help with something."
"My friend, Austin. Old man Alex's grandson. You still remember him, right?"
Austin.
The moment the name surfaced, Cynthia immediately recalled him.
A youth with black hair appeared in her mind.
The version she remembered was probably from when he was thirteen or fourteen.
At the time, he had been four or five years younger than her.
Thinking about it now, Cynthia realized she had not seen him in years.
Traveling across regions, becoming Champion, dealing with Team Galactic, and handling endless Champion responsibilities had consumed most of her time.
As Sinnoh Champion, even half a day of peace felt luxurious.
Cynthia nodded lightly.
"Of course I remember him."
"What did you promise?"
Rolanda sighed helplessly.
"It's a long story."
"It starts with a Feebas."
Cynthia leaned slightly against the desk, her silver-grey eyes softening, as she smiled.
"That's fine."
"I have time."
Because of Rolanda's stubborn personality, she rarely relied on Cynthia for help, even when things became difficult.
The sisters rarely had long conversations unless the topic involved Pokémon or ancient history.
This time, however, Cynthia genuinely hoped the story would take a while.
. . .
. .
.
Cynthia paused for a moment after hearing the full explanation.
A Feebas afraid of humans.
Blue had suggested relying on Milotic or assistance from Feebas itself.
That alone said enough.
Cynthia exhaled softly.
"So that's the situation. A Feebas traumatized by humans, and even Blue couldn't resolve it."
Rolanda nodded on the screen, shoulders slightly tense.
"I already have Milotic, so Austin asked me for help. I thought it was just a pitiful Feebas, so I agreed immediately."
Her expression turned more frustrated.
"Then I got stuck here. The ruins research, the security work, everything piled up."
The Iron Island ruins were not ordinary.
They were linked to the myths of space and time, and the current research team was still analyzing ancient inscriptions buried deep within the site.
Rolanda had ended up serving both as a researcher and a bodyguard for the expedition group.
Despite that, she was still known across Sinnoh.
A prodigy who had won the Lily of the Valley Conference in her debut year.
Then she disappeared from the League circuit entirely.
No longer a challenger.
Now fully focused on ruins and ancient history.
Cynthia listened quietly, then spoke with a small smile.
"You can stay on Iron Island for training. I'll handle the Feebas matter."
Rolanda's voice softened immediately.
"I'm sorry… you're already so busy, and I'm still causing trouble."
Cynthia blinked once.
Busy?
Her mind flashed through piles of ancient texts beside Professor Rowan.
Yes.
Extremely busy.
She raised a finger lightly.
"Then agree to one condition."
Rolanda frowned slightly.
"What is it?"
"Come home for dinner during the New Year."
A pause.
"…Alright. I know."
"And behave properly, Roro."
"I told you not to call me that!"
A soft laugh escaped Cynthia.
"I'll head over now. Send me the address."
Rolanda immediately forwarded the location through her Pokégear.
It was the Black Crest Jubilife Breeding House.
. . .
Cynthia ended the call and stepped out of the research hall.
She found Professor Rowan shortly after.
The older man looked stern as always, beard slightly unkempt, expression serious, but his eyes softened once he understood the situation.
"A Feebas with possible trauma?"
"Yes," Cynthia replied. "Human-related. Milotic may be needed."
Rowan's expression darkened slightly.
Even he did not tolerate cases like that.
"Go. Handle it quickly."
"Understood."
. . .
Outside the facility, the air shifted.
Cynthia released her partner.
"Garchomp."
A massive shadow broke through the sky.
Garchomp roared as it descended, its wings slicing through the wind like blades.
"GAAARRR!!!"
Its body was built like a supersonic weapon, blue scales gleaming under the sunlight, wings shaped like jet fins.
Cynthia landed smoothly on its back.
Her eyes sharpened.
"Jubilife City."
Garchomp responded instantly.
"GARCHOMP!!!"
And then it launched forward.
The sky split open as they shot toward the eastern route of Sinnoh, heading straight for the Black Crest Jubilife Breeding House.
. . .
Please do leave a review and powerstones, which helps with the book's exposure.
Feel like joining a Patreon for free and subscribing to 30+ advanced chapters?
Visit the link:
[email protected]/GRANDMAESTA_30
Change @ to a