260

"King of Bountiful Harvests?"

"What kind of Pokémon is that?"

"No wonder its head is so large. Look closely—it almost seems like it's wearing a crown!"

"A crown?"

The audience was abuzz with curiosity and excitement.

At that moment, spectators in the arena, as well as people watching from their homes across Galar, were all captivated by the mysterious Pokémon. The cameraman zoomed in, focusing on the King of Bountiful Harvests.

The King wore a calm expression, though he didn't seem quite sure about the attention. Still, he responded with an elegant smile.

"I should probably ask Naoki about this later," he mused to himself.

The King's gentle smile appeared on the screen, and some viewers gasped in delight.

"It's smiling at me—how adorable!" a person exclaimed.

Vivian, holding the microphone, looked at the King with awe.

Confirming with Naoki, she asked, "King of Bountiful Harvests?"

Naoki nodded with a warm smile. "Yes, that's His name."

"I've never heard of it!" Vivian remarked with wonder. "It's amazing how many mysteries still remain in the Pokémon world! So, Naoki, are you planning to use Him in the next match?"

The crowd's anticipation grew. Koraidon had already swept through Briar's team single-handedly. They could only imagine the strength of this dignified Pokémon standing by Naoki's side.

Vivian, intrigued by the King's recent display of healing powers, added, "The King's healing abilities were incredible. I think we're all curious to see what other abilities He might have in battle. So, Naoki, will you use the King of Bountiful Harvests in the next round?"

The entire stadium held its breath, awaiting Naoki's response. Even Champion Leon, back in the contestant hall, leaned in with a look of anticipation.

He could tell Naoki was holding back, likely saving his full strength. Leon felt the excitement building inside him. He longed for a fierce battle, pitting his ace Charizard against this powerful trainer and his mysterious Pokémon.

At their level, encountering an opponent like this was truly thrilling. Leon's eyes shone with hope as he stared at the screen.

But Naoki's response surprised everyone.

With a kind smile, he looked into the camera and said, "The next match? No, I'm not continuing."

The entire audience was stunned.

Was Naoki really giving up the next match? He hadn't even faced some of the top trainers yet! Leon felt a pang of disappointment.

Vivian, equally shocked, asked, "Leaving? Naoki, are you joking?"

Naoki chuckled and shook his head. "No, I'm not kidding. I came here to fulfill a promise, and now that it's complete, it's time for me to go."

Mike, watching from the audience, was torn between excitement and disappointment.

In the stands, the crowd was crestfallen. Many had become fans of Naoki after watching the battle, charmed by his strength and poise.

Before long someone started shouting with hope, calling out his name:

"Naoki! Naoki! Naoki!"

Under his lead, the entire crowd cheered in unison, and some even stood up, waving their cheering sticks with enthusiasm.

The sound echoed throughout the arena like an unstoppable wave.

In the Galar region, there's a deep admiration for powerful trainers. Just like the reigning champion, Leon, whom everyone admires, respects, and looks up to as their hero.

At this moment, the Galar audience truly hoped that this incredible trainer, Naoki, would stay and continue in the Rising Star Competition.

Even Leon, watching from the contestant hall, clenched his fists in anticipation. 

"You've got to say yes!" he murmured to himself.

Naoki glanced around at the enthusiastic faces in the audience, momentarily speechless.

But… he really wasn't a trainer!

He looked at the camera and said with an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry."

They had already been away from home for quite some time. If he continued, there would be the quarterfinals, then the semifinals, and after that, the finals.

Typically, the competition schedule allowed for a day of rest for the Pokémon after each match. This whole process would take much longer than he'd planned.

Hearing this, the audience let out a collective sigh of disappointment.

Vivian, sounding genuinely regretful, asked, "It looks like Mr. Naoki has made his decision! So, Naoki, where are you headed next?"

That, he could answer with a smile. "After this, I'll be returning to my home in the Paldea region."

"Paldea, huh? I see!" Vivian nodded, her voice warm. "Thank you so much for giving us such a memorable match today. We wish Naoki, Koraidon, and the King of Bountiful Harvests a safe journey!"

Naoki paused for a moment, a bit amused. 'It almost feels like they're sending us off on an adventure,' he thought.

After a brief pause, Naoki nodded with a small wave and turned to leave Wyndon Stadium with Koraidon and Calyrex by his side.

In the contestant hall, Leon watched him go, feeling a deep sense of disappointment.

"What a shame," he muttered.

But when he heard Naoki's mention of Paldea, his spirits lifted.

"Paldea?"

A trainer with such strength must be a big deal in that region. Maybe he's even a champion-level trainer for the Paldea League.

Leon smiled to himself, determination rekindled. 'It's settled! When I have the chance, I'll go to Paldea and challenge him to a match!'

...

One hour later, at the Corviknight Flying Taxi Headquarters.

Mike looked at Naoki with a reluctant expression. "Are you sure you won't stay?"

Naoki smiled and shook his head. "No, there are people waiting for me back home."

Mike felt a pang in his heart. 'Such talent... if only Naoki were part of his family!'

Despite his disappointment, the straightforward and warm-hearted man handed over Naoki's promised reward.

A large bag filled with shimmering feathers lay on the floor.

"These are the feathers shed by Corviknight every day," Mike said, looking thoughtful. "I'm not sure what you're planning to do with them, but they're yours now!"

As he spoke, Mike took two more items from his office.

The first was a peculiar-looking teacup with strange markings resembling eyes and a mouth, containing a slightly wobbly, purple liquid.

Next to it sat a matching teapot with a similar color pattern. The outer walls of the teapot had a few cracks, which the purple liquid from the teacup seemed to fill and repair.

Naoki looked at the items in surprise. "Is this...?"

Mike chuckled and placed them on a tray. "Yep, this is the set of Sinistea and Polteageist I promised."

At that moment, the teapot lid lifted slightly, and a tiny, purple creature peered out, its eyes resembling latte art. It held onto the lid with small, hesitant hands, gazing at Naoki with cautious curiosity.

The creature noticed Naoki looking and quickly ducked back inside, like a shy hermit crab retreating into its shell.

Naoki: "..."

Mike laughed. "Ghost-type Pokémon like these can be a bit timid at first. Just let them be, leave them out on a coffee table or something, and soon enough, they'll start warming up to you."

He pointed to the teacup. "This one here is Sinistea. The 'eye' patterns are actually a part of its body, and that purple liquid inside? That's its real form, even the handle is part of it!"

This was the first time Naoki had seen Sinistea in person. He looked at its purple, swirling form within the teacup and couldn't help but ask, "Can I touch it?"

Mike nodded. "Of course, but whatever you do, don't try to drink it! If it doesn't know you well, it might try to enter your body and drain your energy from within!"

"What if we get along well?" Naoki asked, curious.

Mike shook his head firmly. "Even then, it's not meant for drinking. Sinistea tastes terrible—people who have dared to try describe it as undrinkable! Mostly, collectors keep it for its value; genuine Sinistea is incredibly rare."

Naoki nodded, beginning to understand.

Sinistea wasn't for drinking—it was more like a collectible or decorative teacup with a unique personality.

Then, he looked over at Polteageist and asked, "I can drink from Polteageist, right?"

"That's correct!" Mike replied, laughing. "Polteageist's black tea has a unique taste and aroma, though drinking too much can cause a bit of an upset stomach. Some daring tea enthusiasts enjoy it daily!"

Mike grimaced. "Not me, though. That tea tastes like it's been sitting out in the sun for a week."

Naoki hesitated. "Is it really that bad?"

Mike shuddered. "Trust me, I'll pass. The tea inside Polteageist has a, well... unique blend of ingredients!"

"Alright, let's not dwell on that!" Naoki quickly changed the subject, sensing his own stomach start to churn.

Mike chuckled, relaxing again. "One more thing—you should know that Polteageist can control the taste of its tea. If it trusts you, it'll serve you something pleasant. But if it's upset or doesn't trust you, it might add a bit of ghostly energy to the brew."

"I've heard from others that drinking it then can make you feel cold and shivery all over," he added, his tone dropping to a whisper.

"I understand." Naoki nodded.

He took the tray, glancing at the Sinistea and Polteageist with newfound appreciation.

Sinistea's liquid form had a distinct swirl pattern, making it hard to tell where its eyes were hidden. But the gentle rippling in the cup hinted that it was aware of him.

Polteageist, meanwhile, was a bit more direct.

As if sensing the change in hands, it lifted the lid slightly, peeking out with wide, curious eyes to get a better look at Naoki.

Naoki couldn't help but smile as he met Polteageist's gaze.

The next second, Polteageist quickly shrank back into the teapot.

It looked like a tiny hermit crab retreating into its shell.

Come to think of it, the ecology of these two Pokémon does resemble hermit crabs. They seek out teapots and teacups to inhabit. For example, when Sinistea evolves into Polteageist, it finds an antique teapot, moving from a teacup to its new "home."

Many wild Sinistea and Polteageist can be found blending in with stacks of tableware in hotels and restaurants, mimicking ordinary ceramics.

"Amazing," Naoki remarked with genuine wonder.

He wondered whether Sinistea and Polteageist became ghostly tea Pokémon because they inhabited tea sets or if they had always been that way. This thought led to an amusing question—what if one of these spirits accidentally took up residence in, say, a toilet?

"It really is remarkable," Mike agreed, nodding. "My grandfather collected these antique teacups and teapots from all over. They were just sitting in the warehouse when one day, these two Pokémon appeared out of nowhere and decided to move in."

"The first time I went to the warehouse and saw them, they scared me half to death! But when I realized they were harmless, I let them stay there."

"What's even more amazing is that they don't need food to survive!" Mike added with a grin.

Just then, a woman in a uniform walked over, carrying a small machine.

She set it on the table and said, "Here's the microscope you asked for, boss."

"Perfect, thank you!" Mike replied, then turned to Naoki, motioning to the Sinistea. "Let's take a closer look."

Naoki placed Sinistea under the microscope as Mike began adjusting it.

"The teacups that Sinistea and Polteageist inhabit are usually famous antique tableware, and there are fakes everywhere. Authentic ones have a unique mark on the bottom. Collectors look for this mark to tell the real ones apart."

Naoki leaned forward, looking through the microscope, and indeed, he could see a signature-like pattern on the bottom of the cup—proof that this was genuine.

"See it?" Mike asked with a satisfied smile.

Naoki nodded. "I do."

Mike was about to say more when he suddenly noticed Polteageist. While they were distracted, it had lifted its lid and popped out a pair of tiny, purple legs, and was now trying to make a quick escape.

Mike gasped. "The Polteageist is escaping!"

Naoki spun around to see it wobbling away.

Hearing the commotion, Polteageist hastened its pace. Its lid, balanced like a hat, wobbled and partially blocked its view.

Just then, it bumped into something soft and furry. The impact made its tea-like body quiver, leaving it momentarily dizzy.

When it recovered, it looked up to find itself face-to-face with Calyrex, who was gazing down at it with an elegant, calm expression.

Polteageist was startled and quickly performed a "Retreat" move, pulling its lid over itself with a decisive clink as it settled back into the teapot, safe and sound.