"Orion, if you weren't two years older than us, we would've put you in your place a long time ago," Blaze snapped, glaring at him. "So what are you acting so smug for?"
Orion only sneered. "Age is a convenient excuse for people who can't win. How old was Drake when he surpassed the previous generation and became a national Champion?" His gaze flicked briefly toward Liora before returning to Blaze. "And you're still complaining about two years?"
Blaze's expression tightened. He hated hearing it, but Orion was not completely wrong. True monsters did not wait for the playing field to be fair. They climbed over everyone anyway.
"You—"
For once, Blaze had no comeback.
"He has a point," Aaron said, cutting in before the silence could stretch too far.
Everyone turned toward him.
Aaron looked at Orion calmly. "But being strong doesn't automatically make someone impressive. A real elite Trainer should have some class too. Standing here putting people down just to make yourself look better doesn't make you elite. It makes you small."
The table went quiet.
Liora looked at him with open admiration, while Blaze's anger eased a little and gratitude flashed across his face. Braveon simply smiled, as if he had expected Aaron to say something like that.
Orion's expression darkened. "And who are you?"
His cold gaze settled on Aaron.
"What a joke. I'm not elite?" His smile sharpened. "Are you saying you are?"
This stranger had just called him small in front of Liora. That alone was enough to make his temper flare.
Aaron only smiled. "I'm just an ordinary Pokémon Trainer. Who I am doesn't really matter. What matters is that you're interrupting our meal."
His tone stayed polite, but there was no warmth in it.
"So could you move?"
Aaron had never been fond of people who insulted his friends. If someone wanted to be rude, then giving it back to them was only fair.
Orion stared at him for a moment, then laughed softly. To his credit, he managed to swallow his anger. A few seconds later, his expression had smoothed out again, and the smile returned to his face.
"Well then," Orion said, "since an ordinary Trainer like you has such strong opinions, why don't we settle this properly?"
His eyes narrowed.
"A battle."
He leaned forward slightly, his smile growing colder. "Unless you'd rather avoid it. Of course, someone willing to lecture others about what makes a Trainer elite wouldn't be afraid of a simple challenge, would he?"
He had boxed Aaron in neatly. If Aaron refused, Orion could make him look like all talk. If he accepted, Orion would get to crush him in public.
Blaze almost laughed from sheer anger. "Orion, do you have any shame at all? You're already at Crown University, and you're challenging someone who hasn't even enrolled yet?"
Orion smiled as if he had heard nothing wrong.
Aaron, meanwhile, was more amused than offended. Where did this guy get his confidence? Did he really think a cheap provocation like that would work? Did Aaron look that stupid?
He was just about to answer with something properly insulting when the system's voice rang in his ear, sounding far too excited for its own good.
"Ding~"
"Quest triggered: Show-Off Shutdown Mission."
"This guy really tried to flex in front of the King of Show-Offs. Bold move."
"Accept his challenge, beat him in public, and make him regret opening his mouth."
"Mission Reward: Haki Skill Upgrade Card ×1, which can upgrade Haki to Conqueror's Haki, and Pokémon Candy (Gym) ×1."
Aaron swallowed the words already on his tongue.
Damn. So the system was forcing him to show off now?
Fine.
Today, he would show off properly.
Not even Arceus could stop him.
The moment he saw the reward, his eyes lit up. He stood and looked at Orion with a smile.
"Since you're trying this hard to drag me onto the stage, fine. I'll battle you."
The table fell silent.
"Huh?" Blaze stared at him in shock. "Aaron, don't waste your time. This isn't fair. He's already at Crown University, and he's about to become a junior."
Liora quickly lowered her voice. "Aaron, he was ranked top five in the Hidden Dragon Tower two years ago. He really is strong. You can just ignore him."
Aaron waved a hand, his expression righteous enough to look almost fake.
"There's one thing I can't stand," he said, glancing at Blaze and Braveon. "People insulting my friends. That's a principle."
Blaze froze for a moment. Liora stared at him, and Braveon's smile deepened.
Aaron turned back to Orion, who was still a little stunned.
"What's wrong?" His tone stayed calm. "Having second thoughts?"
Orion's mouth twitched.
He looked at Aaron like he was staring at a fool.
Where did this idiot come from?
He actually walked right into it.
But since Aaron had accepted, there was no way Orion would back down now. Someone with that sharp a tongue deserved a lesson.
Orion stepped aside and gestured toward the battle platform with a mocking smile.
"Then please."
His voice was smooth, but the contempt was obvious.
"After you, ordinary Pokémon Trainer."
Aaron smiled and walked toward the battle stage at the front of the dining hall.
Orion followed after him.
...