257

"Corviknight Flying Taxi Headquarters..."

Naoki strolled through the bustling streets of Wyndon City alongside Koraidon and Calyrex. They followed signs in the city center, making their way toward their destination.

The streets were lively with people coming and going, most accompanied by one or two Pokémon. Some were casually shopping, while others were trainers visiting the Wyndon Market for the first time, marveling at its wonders.

In this world, shopping with Pokémon was as ordinary as breathing. Despite Koraidon and Calyrex being extraordinarily rare Pokémon, they drew little attention—mainly because no one recognized them.

That didn't stop the occasional over-eager trainer, though. Every now and then, an excited young trainer would catch Naoki's eye, rushing over to block his path and issue a challenge.

Just like now.

A boy wearing a red-and-white baseball cap, with a Scorbunny hopping excitedly at his heels, stood in front of them. His eyes sparkled as he pointed at Koraidon and Calyrex.

"A Pokémon I've never seen before! You're a trainer too, right Let's have a battle!"

Naoki glanced down at the energetic little rabbit and couldn't help but smile. "You must've just started your journey, huh?"

The boy proudly held up three fingers. "It's been three months!"

Naoki gave him a polite, encouraging smile. "You've come far, but… it wouldn't be fair for you to battle me. You might want to wait until you've grown a bit stronger."

Undeterred, the boy puffed up his chest. "We already have three gym badges! We're ready!"

Naoki raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Three badges?" He thought for a moment, then shook his head gently. "Even so, I think it'd still be a little unfair. But hey, good luck on your journey! Maybe we'll battle someday."

He gave the boy a friendly wave and stepped around him to continue on his way.

However, they had barely gone a few steps before another young trainer approached. This one walked with a confident stride, flanked by a Farfetch'd holding its leek like a sword.

Naoki let out a quiet sigh. 

"It really is a city that lives and breathes trainer battles."

He gave the Farfetch'd a glance, noting how much stronger it looked compared to the previous trainer's Pokémon. But, unfortunately, he wasn't here to battle.

The new trainer grinned. "Come on! Let's have a match!"

Naoki shook his head with a friendly smile. "Sorry, I'm not a Pokémon trainer. I'm just passing through, so I'll have to turn down your challenge."

The boy hesitated, clearly taken aback. He looked around fifteen or sixteen years old.

"That can't be right! You look just like a trainer... And that Pokémon—it's so strong! It must have been through countless battles!"

Naoki kept his polite smile intact. "But honestly, we're really not trainers."

The boy, sensing Naoki's sincerity, finally relented, though a hint of disappointment lingered in his expression. He gave a small nod, accepting that a battle wouldn't be happening today.

Naoki let out a quiet sigh of relief. Not wanting to attract any more challengers, he climbed onto Koraidon's back. With a quick command, the Pokémon dashed gracefully through the streets, too fast for anyone to follow on foot.

After weaving through several blocks, they arrived at the Corviknight Flying Taxi Headquarters—a towering skyscraper, stretching over thirty meters into the sky.

The lobby on the ground floor served as both the ticketing office and waiting area. A few attendants stood ready at the front desk, assisting customers. Naoki noticed a couple of travelers completing their ticket purchase.

"That'll be 1,500 Pokédollars. Please take your ticket and head to the rooftop via the elevator. Our Corviknight taxis are stationed there," the receptionist said with a polite smile as she handed the ticket to the guest.

The guest nodded and walked away, allowing Naoki to step forward. The receptionist greeted him with the same friendly demeanor. "Welcome! How can I assist you today?"

"Hi, I was wondering—do you sell Corviknight feathers here?" Naoki asked.

The receptionist blinked in mild surprise. "Corviknight feathers? Oh, you mean the feathers shed by Corviknight?"

Naoki gave a small nod, clarifying, "Yes, exactly."

The receptionist hesitated briefly before answering. "I'm afraid we don't sell them directly. You see, our company has an exclusive contract with a steelworks factory. All the feathers shed by our Corviknight fleet are sent there to be processed and smelted into iron tools for distribution. We've never offered them as individual items."

Naoki tapped his chin thoughtfully. "I see... Steel feathers must be quite valuable resources around here."

The receptionist gave a small nod. "Yes, they are. Corviknight feathers are exceptionally strong, and the factory turns them into high-quality tools."

She noticed Naoki's lingering interest and paused, thinking carefully. "Hmm... I suppose I could ask the company boss about it. If you're really interested, perhaps there's a way to help."

Naoki's eyes brightened with hope. "Thank you so much."

The receptionist smiled warmly. "No problem at all. I'm happy to assist you, Mr. Trainer."

The Galar region holds trainers in high regard. After becoming a member of the League's board of directors, Chairman Rose implemented a series of policies to make the region more welcoming for trainers. 

He hoped that every trainer visiting the Galar region would leave with fond memories and positive experiences. Rose's influence spread throughout the region, inspiring locals to assist passing trainers. 

After all, these traveling trainers contribute to the economy, whether through battles or by supporting local businesses. Pokémon battles, in particular, are a major draw for tourism, fueling both the region's reputation and economy. 

Naoki, however, wasn't entirely aware of how deeply this culture ran. 

The receptionist didn't elaborate further. Instead, she picked up the phone at the front desk, tapped in a series of numbers, and made a call. 

The phone rang for only a moment before someone answered. The receptionist quickly relayed the situation: 

"Hello, boss! A trainer just arrived at the company. He's asking to purchase some Corviknight feathers..." 

"Yes, he's traveling with two incredibly powerful Pokémon—ones I've never seen before." 

There was a brief pause on the other end, and then the receptionist's expression shifted in surprise. "What? You're coming down here yourself?" 

"Alright, I'll get everything ready." 

After ending the call, she gave Naoki an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Our boss has heard about your request and would like to meet with you personally. Please have a seat over there—he'll be here shortly." 

Naoki blinked, taken aback. 

'All this... just for some Corviknight feathers?' He wasn't anyone important—why was the boss getting personally involved? 

With a puzzled shrug, Naoki sat down in the waiting area. Koraidon looked around with wide-eyed curiosity, while Calyrex remained calm and composed, his serene posture exuding quiet elegance and authority. 

Before long, the elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and a tall, broad-shouldered middle-aged man stepped out. Dressed in casual clothes, he carried an old-fashioned flip phone in one hand and was speaking animatedly into it. 

"What? He really said my vision isn't as sharp as his? In public, no less? And now the company's stock has taken a hit because of it?" 

"Damn it! This is ridiculous! Tell him to hold tight—our company will definitely take the trophy at the Rising Star Competition!" 

The man angrily hung up and dialed another number. "Where's that kid, Harry? Why haven't we heard anything from him? The Rising Star Competition is about to start, and as a company-sponsored trainer, he should know better!" 

There was some chatter from the other end of the line. 

The man's frustration only grew. "Forget it. Don't count on him. I'll look for other trainers to step in. We can't afford to lose this competition—not to those other companies!" 

He ended the call with an irritated sigh and turned toward the front desk. 

The receptionist gave a polite nod, then gestured toward the lounge area. The man followed her direction, striding confidently toward Naoki. 

As he reached the young man, his sharp gaze landed on the two Pokémon standing by Naoki's side. 

The first was Koraidon, with its powerful build, fierce eyes, and commanding presence. This was clearly no ordinary Pokémon. 

The second was... 

The man blinked, startled. 'Why is this Pokémon's head so big?!'

Calyrex, noticing the man's gaze, raised his head slightly. In an instant, the regal authority he once held as the King of Galar filled the room. The air around him was thick with unspoken power, making the man instinctively straighten as if bowing in submission. 

A shiver ran down the man's spine. 'Did this Pokémon just read my thoughts?!'

Although the man didn't know exactly what kind of Pokémon it was, the sheer intensity of its gaze and aura left no doubt—it was extraordinary. 

The man's expression shifted to one of opportunity. 

'Well, well… When one door closes, another opens!' With their usual trainer missing, it seemed fortune had smiled upon him. Standing before him was a powerful trainer from another region—exactly the stroke of luck they needed. If this newcomer agreed to participate, they might have a real shot at winning the Rising Star Competition! 

Clearing his throat, the man composed himself and tried to sound as polite as possible. "You came here for Corviknight feathers, correct?" 

Naoki nodded calmly. "Yes." 

"Well, that's no problem at all!" the man declared with a wide grin. "In fact, I can even give them to you for free!" 

Naoki raised an eyebrow. "?" 

The man's grin deepened. "All I ask is a small favor in return." 

Naoki frowned slightly, already suspecting this wouldn't be simple. "What kind of favor?" 

The man leaned closer, his excitement barely contained. "I want you to represent our company in the next Regional Rising Star Competition!" 

"A competition?" Naoki blinked, caught off guard by the request.

Seeing the confusion on Naoki's face, the man smiled warmly. 

"Relax! It's just a standard Pokémon tournament. You're a trainer from another region, aren't you?" 

Naoki nodded slowly. "Yes, I am." 

"I knew it the moment I saw you!" the man said proudly, puffing out his chest. "My instincts are never wrong. The Rising Star Competition is a cherished tradition here in Galar." 

"Here, Pokémon battles are already commercialized," the man explained. "At first, companies would spend big money to hire famous trainers to endorse their products and attract fans." 

"Later, some companies began sponsoring talented trainers directly, training them from scratch. If these trainers performed well in tournaments, it brought huge profits to the companies." 

"But since the main tournament only happens once a year, fans started wanting more. To meet their demands, the Regional Rising Star Competition was created. Now, many companies enter trainers into the competition, hoping to gain fame and outshine their rivals." 

Naoki nodded, finally getting the picture. 

"So it's kind of like a celebrity event," Naoki muttered to himself. "These companies back trainers, turn them into stars, and use their popularity to make money." 

A sudden thought struck Naoki, and his eyes narrowed. "You're not asking me to enter the competition on your behalf… are you?" 

The man grinned. "Bingo!" 

He leaned in and continued. "We originally had a trainer. He made it to the semi-finals last year but lost to Leon in the end." 

"But a month ago, he disappeared while 'training.' We haven't heard from him since, and it seems like he won't be back in time for this year's competition." 

The man clenched his fists, his frustration bubbling over. "Now, that sweater company next door is taunting us, calling us 'cowards' and saying we'll be the first to drop out this year. Some of our investors got cold feet and pulled out, tanking our stock price!" 

The man looked ready to burst. "A clothing company, can you believe it? They think they're better than us just because they placed third!" 

Naoki blinked. "...And where did your trainer place again?" 

"Fourth," the man admitted with a huff. "So what? Third place isn't that special!" 

Naoki smirked to himself. 'Third place still beats fourth.'

The man leaned closer, his eyes filled with determination. "Look, if you enter the competition and knock out that sweater guy's trainer, I don't even care about winning the whole thing. Do that, and not only will I get you Corviknight feathers—I'll throw in a genuine set of authentic Sinistea and a Polteageist teapot! ! All free, no strings attached!"

Hearing this, Naoki felt a flicker of interest. 

The promise of authentic Sinistea and a Polteageist teapot? These are incredibly rare!

The moment Naoki's expression shifted, the man knew he had struck a chord. 

With a sly grin, the man leaned forward. "Well? What do you say?" 

Naoki's heart raced. 'This is tempting.'

Even though he didn't consider himself a trainer, he could pretend to be one if necessary. After all, Koraidon was strong enough to win most battles on its own. Naoki just had to tag along and let it handle things. 

Still, Naoki had one lingering question: "Why do you think I can definitely beat that trainer?" 

The man didn't hesitate. "Because those Pokémon of yours are no ordinary Pokémon!" 

He gestured toward Koraidon and Calyrex confidently. "It's rare to see Pokémon like this in the wild—let alone two of them. Even I've never seen anything like them before." 

"They've got that powerful, mysterious look, and those eyes? They aren't the kind that just follow orders like a Pikachu you find on the street." 

The man leaned back, his gaze sharp. "No way someone with Pokémon like these could be weak. You're either a top-tier trainer... or you're about to tell me you're just a farmer from the countryside." 

Naoki: "..." 'I am really a farmer.'

"Exactly!" The man threw his hands in the air, grinning. "There are only two possible explanations. Either you're some elite trainer, or you come from an ancient, well-established family, and these Pokémon were passed down to you." 

"But since you're here buying Corviknight feathers instead of getting them through some fancy family connection, that rules out option two. Which leaves only one possibility." 

The man gave a triumphant smile, striking a playful Detective Pikachu pose. "The truth is clear—you're a powerful trainer!" 

Naoki: "..." 

The man scratched his head with an awkward laugh. "Haha, sorry, been watching a bit too much Detective Pikachu lately." 

He straightened up and looked at Naoki with a hopeful expression. "So, what do you say? Will you help me out?"