Chapter 23: Takashi's Guess

"What's wrong?" Sensing Lian's strangeness, Takashi asked aloud.

Lian pursed his lips, his eyes darkened, and he replied, "Cousin, this is the person I told you about."

Takashi was slightly taken aback and then asked, "Who?oh,that guy from the Battle Club?"

"Yes." Lian stared at Aron's back and nodded slightly.

Takashi turned his head, first looking at Aron and then at Combusken, who turned into a white afterimage and charged toward Houndoom, before falling silent for a while.

After a while, Lian's voice rang in his ears, breaking the silence. "Cousin, are there many people with Intermidiate-level Pokémon at the beginning of the school year?"

Hearing this, Takashi pondered for a moment and then said in a low voice, "As far as my school is concerned, there are very few people with Intermidiate-level Pokémon. Most of the freshmen's Pokémon break through to the Intermediate level after the field military training."

"Your school situation may be better, and the ratio should be about one-tenth."

Seeing that Lian's face was a bit gloomy, Takashi smiled and said to reassure him, "Cousin, don't be discouraged. Your Squirtle is about to evolve, and he can reach Intermediate level before the field military training."

"At that time, even in the Imperial Capital University, you'll be one of the best."

"Besides, as far as I know, even the children of those top aristocratic families in the imperial capital find it difficult to train Pokémon to an Intermediate level within a month."

"Maybe this Combusken has a special physique. It might be the kind that exerts strength early on and progresses rapidly, but slows down later."

"We don't have to surpass everyone at the start and crush every genius. As long as we make steady progress, we can continue to move forward."

"The future is what matters."

Takashi patted Lian on the shoulder and spoke earnestly.

After listening to Takashi's words, Lian was silent for a while. After an unknown amount of time, he finally nodded emphatically.

"Oh, I understand now!"

Hearing this, the corners of Takashi's mouth rose, and he nodded. "It's good to understand. Now, let's watch this battle carefully."

"Since you are both freshmen, you may meet again soon."

At this moment, the battle between Combusken and Houndoom was in full swing.

"Howl!!"

With the deafening howl of Growl, countless Pokémon scattered like birds and beasts. Houndoom opened his ferocious mouth, revealing two cold fangs covered with flickering electricity, biting straight at Combusken.

"Brick Break!" Aron said calmly.

"Combusken!!"

Combusken stood quietly on the spot, staring closely at the Houndoom who suddenly attacked, and at the same time, his palms turned into hand knives, instantly bursting into dazzling white light!

In the next second, Combusken jumped to a position half a meter above the ground, and while avoiding Thunder Fang, he slashed down with a knife in his hand!

"Roar!!"

The hand knife accurately hit the part between the two horns on top of Houndoom's head, like a giant ax carrying vast power, with mighty force attached to it.

Houndoom wailed in pain. His skull almost shattered, and the pain from the top of his head spread throughout his body in an instant. He swayed and fell to the ground.

"Com-busken."

Combusken sighed in relief when Houndoom finally collapsed, a satisfied smile on his face.

This Houndoom was at a higher level than Combusken, so the two Pokémon fought back and forth for several rounds before Houndoom was defeated.

"Emol!"

Lying in Aron's arms, Emolga stared blankly at Combusken's back. Her mind was filled with the scene of Combusken's fight just now, and little stars gradually appeared in her eyes.

"You little brat, don't do this next time," Aron looked down at Emolga in his arms and smiled gently.

"Compared with your own life, the energy cube is not important at all," he added.

"Eeeeeeemol..!" Emolga's dark eyes rolled, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

"Combusken."

At this moment, Combusken suddenly turned around and looked at a tall tree, his eyes stern and his face full of vigilance.

"Um?"

Seeing Combusken's reaction, Aron also turned around and looked at it. At the same time, he hugged Emolga with his left hand and touched the Poké Ball at his waist with his right hand.

"We mean no harm."

Two figures, one tall and one short, came out from behind the trees. The tall and burly man was smiling, while the thin young man beside him had a strange expression on his face.

"It's you, Lian?" Aron's eyes flashed, and he recognized the boy's identity.

It was the experience boy from the Battle Club back then.

This is the advantage of keeping Pokémon by your side anytime, anywhere. You can find humans or Pokémon hiding in the dark and respond in time.

Pokémon's sense of smell, hearing, and detection are far superior to humans.

Seeing Aron call out his name, Lian's expression changed rapidly, and he finally nodded. "It's me, Aron."

Seeing this, Takashi chuckled, crossing his arms and saying, "Let me explain the current situation."

"To put it simply, this is a fateful encounter. I took my cousin to Peaceful River Forest to practice. We heard a lot of noise around here, so we came to check it out."

He stared at Aron and continued, "I didn't expect to meet his acquaintance.To not disturb the battle just now, I didn't make a sound behind the tree."

Having said that, Takashi secretly sighed at how guarded this person was.

Eyes full of vigilance, hand on his waist, and observing without a trace.

Compared with his naive cousin, he didn't look like a newbie at all.

"So that's the case." Hearing Takashi's explanation, Aron suddenly nodded, hugging Emolga again with his right hand.

"Emol?"

Emolga opened her eyes wide, curiously looking at the two people opposite.

Lian watched Aron silently and couldn't help thinking of the match that day, and Squirtle, who had been defeated repeatedly and resisted the battle.

He had always thought that he must defeat Aron next time, but when he saw the Intermediate Combusken, he realized that there was a huge gap between himself and Aron.

After some enlightenment from Takashi, Lian had already figured out a lot, but when he looked into those calm black eyes, he realized that he still couldn't let go.

Yes, teenagers are always like this.

But he didn't have the courage to challenge Aron for now.

Takashi suddenly laughed loudly and said, "Since the misunderstanding is resolved, we will not bother you. I wish you a smooth trip."

"I also wish you a smooth trip," Aron responded with a smile.

As the two people's backs gradually drifted away, Aron muttered in a low voice, "No wonder I always felt that back was so familiar when I came in."

Takashi and Lian left this place, and then Takashi said, "In the wild, you must always be vigilant. Unless you are facing close acquaintances or special circumstances, you must keep a safe distance."

"I know," Lian nodded silently.

Seeing that Lian's expression was not very good, Takashi rubbed his head and laughed loudly, "What? Haven't you figured it out yet?"

Lian remained silent.

Takashi couldn't help laughing, then said, "I just observed carefully, and the identity of this Aron is not simple."

Lian raised his eyes, his eyes shining with doubt.

Takashi said slowly, "The clothes and pants on his body, even the shoes and backpack, are extremely professional outdoor equipment, only available in the outdoor store in the city center."

"We passed by there when we were purchasing supplies. You should know the situation of that store."

Hearing this, Lian nodded. Everything in that store is expensive, and he could buy his current full-body equipment.

"Such a person must be either rich or noble, and there is a high probability that he is a child of an aristocratic family."

"They come from rich families, they don't lack resources, and they don't lack coaching. It's much easier and simpler to train Pokémon than it is for us."

"Therefore, it is normal for them to be ahead in early stage."

"Children of aristocratic families always have a natural advantage in the early stage."

Takashi patted Lian on the shoulder and said in a deep voice, "Our advantage is in the middle and late stages."

"Don't be discouraged.Hardwork is the most important ."

After pouring down a bowl of thick chicken soup, Lian came back to life again. He couldn't wait to improve Squirtle's strength and catch up with the children of the upper families as soon as possible.

"Okay, it's getting late. Let's find a suitable place to camp nearby," Takashi looked up at the sky and said.