Honestly, Lucian had never met a Pokémon trainer like Luther. Being counter-questioned like this left him unsure of how to respond.
"Can't you… be a little more ambitious?"
The earnest tone sounded almost like an elder lecturing a junior. Even Lucian felt it sounded strange.
Luther scratched his head.
"I joined the tournament so I could slack off comfortably in the future, gain more capital to continue slacking off, and let my Pokémon prove their strength while enjoying the spotlight for a change."
"You don't want to try reaching the ceiling? Cynthia and the champions from other regions are waiting for you up there."
Luther curled his lips.
"Why does everyone insist on becoming the strongest? Why are you all so obsessed with that question? I once asked myself: How much strength does a person need to hold onto their happiness? Now, I'll ask you the same thing."
"Lucian, what is your answer?"
Lucian was speechless.
Drawing from years of experience, he realized that the question itself was the answer.
Everyone measures that question differently. Ten thousand people might give ten thousand different answers; it depended entirely on the individual.
Watching Luther wrap an arm around Mai in the distance, Lucian sighed. He realized that he still couldn't understand Luther.
He seemed completely different from everyone else, always coming up with bizarre ideas and sometimes shocking actions.
And yet, the dream of someone like that was to loaf around and coast through life?
So many outstanding Pokémon Trainers appeared at this year's Sinnoh Conference. Yet, Luther, the region's most remarkable representative, constantly talked about slacking off and genuinely intended to live that way.
Lucian wondered how Luther's supporters would react if they found out.
Luther always came up with strange new phrases that somehow ended up spreading among Pokémon Trainers.
For instance, the term "slacking off" popped out casually while Luther was chatting with Cynthia and the others.
Initially, Cynthia and the others only understood its meaning through context.
But during this tournament, Luther repeatedly used the phrase in interviews to describe himself and others, and it suddenly became popular.
Lucian truly wanted to know where Luther got all these weird ideas.
Watching Luther and Mai leave the corridor, leaving only himself and Girafarig, Lucian sighed.
"So this is what young people are like?"
Then he turned and left as well.
When Luther returned to the Contestant Village, he saw Etorre frantically trying to comfort Mao, whose eyes were still red from crying.
Ettore had calmly accepted his mistakes during the match and admitted that his skills simply weren't good enough, but Mao couldn't stop crying.
The moment the anxious Etorre noticed Luther returning, he said something to Mao and hurried over.
"How do you usually comfort Mao?"
Luther leaned backward instinctively.
Wait, Etorre, are you serious?
"Mai is literally standing right beside me. How am I supposed to answer that?"
Mai froze for a few seconds, her mouth slightly open, and let out a drawn-out, "Ahhhhh..."
"Ah~~~~"
"I'm going back to the room to see if Gengar behaved today."
Using a terrible excuse, Mai left the space to Luther and Etorre.
Seeing how anxious Etorre looked, Luther didn't have any good advice. What worked on Mai might not work on Mao.
"Mai rarely needs me to comfort her. So, even if you insist on asking, I really don't know what to tell you..." Luther scratched his head. "At most, you lost the match, and she just can't accept it yet. Why don't you get her something she likes to eat and bring it to her?"
"I don't know what she likes to eat."
Even Etorre himself seemed to realize how ridiculous that sounded; sweat appeared on his forehead.
Luther exchanged a glance with the Espurr sitting on his shoulder. The Espurr's eyes were filled with confusion.
Azumarill, clutching a bag of potato chips, looked at Etorre as if he were an idiot. Kirlia took two steps backward. Mismagius sighed and floated straight back into the room to rest, unable to bear watching any longer.
"How long have you two been traveling together?" Luther crossed his arms and frowned.
"Since Hoenn... it's probably been a few years..." Ettore suddenly realized something, and cold sweat immediately formed on his forehead.
Before coming to Sinnoh, he and Mao had always been partners, but Etorre had never realized her feelings for him.
However, after meeting Luther, a series of coincidences had finally made him understand.
"You're hopeless. Just wait for death. Goodbye."
Luther really wanted to hit Etorre with a barrage of insults, but he held himself back.
"Then go ask her yourself."
Frustrated by Etorre's hopelessness, Luther turned around and left decisively. If he had stayed any longer, Etorre would have probably spent another half hour thinking before making a decision. Luther figured he might as well force him into action.
Back in his room, Luther let out a long sigh. He had originally wanted to discuss the details of today's battle with Etorre, but judging by his current state, that would have to wait.
Opening his phone, Luther didn't bother browsing the forums. The time in the top right corner was approaching six in the evening.
The quarterfinals had all ended, and the draw for the next round was about to begin.
Mai lay on the bed with her chin propped on her hand, quietly watching Luther, who was sitting in a chair lost in thought. She accompanied him as they waited for the results.
Gengar had taken the energetic Milcery outside to play, and Dusknoir was looking after Chikorita and Joltik. The two Ghost-type Pokémon had practically become new babysitters, making the usually noisy room unusually peaceful.
Ash, who had historically advanced to the semifinals, was sitting in the Contestant Village lobby, staring intently at the screen.
This time, the photos of the four remaining contestants didn't rotate anymore.
At this stage, there was no need for suspense.
When the clock struck six, Luther was resting with his eyes closed. Perhaps because today had been especially exhausting, he felt drained and sluggish.
Under the summer evening breeze, he nearly fell asleep.
Mai had her Espurr rub against Luther's ear, causing him to jolt awake and hurriedly open his phone.
First semifinal match:
Luther versus Dakota.
Second match:
Ash versus Kanae.
There was no surprise or sudden shock. Luther remained calm.
What was meant to come would eventually come.
Whether he faced Ash or Dakota, it had always been inevitable. He didn't think it had anything to do with luck in the draw. No matter who he battled, it would be the same.
At this stage, there were no easy matches left.
If you wanted to become the champion, you had to prove that you could defeat every opponent before you. Only then would your victory be truly deserved.
When Luther first arrived in this world, he had a ridiculous motivation for facing Dakota: clearing away obstacles so Ash could win the championship.
Now, however, Luther had only one reason for wanting to battle Dakota.
To prove himself.
So what if he had only started traveling a year ago?
You have Darkrai? So do I.
Are your Pokémon strong? Mine are no weaker.
Dakota is considered the favorite to win this tournament.
If Luther defeats him, all the glory and attention surrounding Dakota will go to Luther instead.
Mai never opened her phone. She stared eagerly at Luther, waiting for him to tell her the results in person.
(End of Chapter)
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