Where am I supposed to find a Rival?

[Task reward is being distributed...]

The next moment, Reid felt a card-like object appear in his hand.

[Pokémon Central Bank Savings Card—A bank card that can be used to deposit and withdraw funds at any bank in the Pokémon world. It contains 10,000 Alliance Coins.]

[Note 1: As a trainer traveling the world with the goal of becoming the strongest champion, money is indispensable. This 10,000 Alliance Coins will help you easily get through the early difficulties and grow quickly.]

[Note 2: Faced with such a large sum of money, please stay true to your original aspirations. Do not squander it or use it for inappropriate things. Only with a steadfast heart can you reach the ultimate pinnacle.]

"Heh..."

Reid couldn't help but chuckle at the system's rambling mechanical voice.

A large sum? Don't squander it?

Seriously, even if you go by the internal pricing of the League, this 10,000 Alliance Coins wouldn't be enough to buy a few Master Balls, and you're telling me not to squander it?

Even if I wanted to splurge, this paltry amount wouldn't be enough to make a difference.

Fortunately, after his previous experience with the novice trainer benefits, Reid wasn't too concerned about the novice task rewards. In fact, he had even forgotten about the novice task until this moment.

No expectations, no disappointment.

As for this "bank card with a large sum," it could go sit in a corner somewhere.

Later, along with all the other junk he'd gathered, he could donate it all to an orphanage along with the newbie trainer benefits he first received.

At least he'd be doing some good with things that were of no use to him.

While these thoughts swirled in his mind, the system's voice rang out again.

[Novice task completed. The next task is now issued—defeat your rival in a formal Pokémon battle between trainers.]

[Note 1: On the road to becoming a successful trainer, other figures will inevitably cross your path. The ones who can push you to grow the most are not your friends but your rivals. Command your Pokémon and claim victory in your first battle against your rival.]

[Note 2: The reward for this task is significantly better than previous ones. Please do your best to complete it.]

"..."

Even though the system mentioned the reward "improvement," Reid didn't quite know how to respond.

Indeed, competition between two people could create a positive dynamic that pushed both sides to grow faster. Reid knew this and had seen it with his own eyes.

But... there hadn't been any rivals on his journey to becoming a champion.

Since leaving Professor Rowan's lab at the age of 15, he had always traveled alone.

No companions, no rivals. Even when he did meet some trainers around his age during his travels, none had ever posed a real challenge to him.

He and his partner, Typhlosion, had basically bulldozed their way through everything.

Now, the system was telling him to defeat his rival, but where was he supposed to find one?

And even if he found one, what was he supposed to do?

Walk up and say, "Hey, let's have a Pokémon battle between trainers"?

Sure, Pokémon battles were incredibly common and widely accepted in this world. If someone issued a challenge, the other person would almost always accept.

But that was usually when both sides were evenly matched, or when a weaker trainer challenged a stronger one.

Reid had never seen a regional champion actively challenge a weaker trainer.

If he actually did that, he'd make headlines in the League Daily the very next day.

He could already imagine the headline:

"Shocking! Sinnoh Champion and Pokémon World Champion Reid preys on novice trainers..."

Ugh...

He didn't even want to think about what might happen after that.

So, this task was basically impossible to complete.

Which was fine. At least it wouldn't give him more useless stuff.

Tucking the bank card and the GS Ball replica containing Mesprit into his pocket, Reid walked out of the infirmary under Professor Rowan's slightly puzzled gaze.

"Professor, is something wrong?"

Hearing this, Professor Rowan didn't speak immediately. He simply looked Reid up and down, his gaze pausing on Reid's face for a moment before finally patting him on the shoulder.

"Even if a champion's duties are busy, you need to make sure you get enough rest."

"?"

"I saw you standing there without moving, your expression constantly changing. Have you been too tired lately? Sure, you're young, and it's a good time to push yourself, but your health is the foundation for everything."

"...Got it."

"When are you planning to leave?"

Reid snapped out of his thoughts and, after a moment of serious consideration, replied, "I'll head out in a little while."

The issue at the research lab had been resolved, and for now, he had no other plans. The situation with the lake legends was highly uncertain and dangerous, so the sooner it was dealt with, the better.

However, Professor Rowan's reply was rather stern.

"I just told you to take it easy, and you're already forgetting?"

Reid was momentarily taken aback before he realized the concern hidden beneath the professor's stern words.

Smiling, he replied, "Don't worry, Professor. I know my limits. But before I leave, I need to make a call."

Professor Rowan nodded and, while walking forward, said, "You know where the phone is. I won't walk you there. There's a lot of work piling up in the lab that I need to get through."

Remembering the exhausted faces of Professor Rowan's assistants, Reid nodded quickly.

"But Professor, you should take care of yourself too."

Professor Rowan paused for a moment, then replied with a simple, "Mm."

As the tall, white-haired figure disappeared around the corner, Reid made his way to the phone booth in the research lab's main hall.

Since he hadn't been recognized by the lake Pokémon, if he wanted to visit Lake Valor and Lake Acuity and meet them—perhaps even force a meeting—he had to make some preparations to ensure he could meet them.

And for this, there were more specialized people.

Or rather, organizations.

With their help, even if the two lake Pokémon didn't come out or couldn't come out, Reid could still meet them easily.

As for whether they would help or not, Reid hadn't even considered it.

He had given them a new way of life. If they refused to help, it would mean they still harbored ill intentions, and he would have every right to take them down.

Picking up the phone, Reid dialed a specific number.

After three low tones, the call connected.

Even though the call was connected, no sound came from the other end, aside from the faintest buzz of electricity.

This was nothing new to Reid. Without hesitation, he spoke, "Prepare two small Galactic Bombs for me. I'll pick them up later."

(T/N: The bomb used by Team Galactic on the 3 Lakes to lure Uxie, Azelf and Mesprit out.)

After a brief silence, a flat, emotionless voice responded from the other side.

"It will take time."

"How long?"

"Six and a half hours."

"Alright."

Just as Reid was about to hang up the phone, he heard slow, deliberate footsteps approaching from behind.