Inside the medical room of the Petalburg Gym, it was so quiet that only the rustling of leaves in the breeze outside the window could be heard.
The scent of medicinal herbs lingered in the air, light yet persistent.
The afternoon sunlight filtered through the partially drawn curtains, cut into several beams that fell diagonally across the snow-white sheets, outlining the dancing dust motes in the air.
Ariel's eyelids fluttered a few times as his consciousness broke free from sleepiness.
To simulate the illusion of being unconscious, he had simply fallen straight asleep.
He didn't rush to open his eyes, instead letting his senses lead the way.
A faint sound of breathing reached his ears, steady and soft; it was Norman's.
Beneath his palm, the texture of the bedsheet was soft, carrying a trace of comforting warmth.
He took a deep breath, the medicinal smell stimulating his nasal cavity and giving him a clearer understanding of his injuries.
He slowly opened his eyes; the light was somewhat piercing, so he deliberately let his gaze appear vacant, carrying the daze of someone who had just woken up.
His vision gradually cleared, and the first thing that came into view was Norman's face, which looked slightly tired but full of concern.
The tense lines between his brows relaxed instantly the moment he saw him wake up, as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted.
Norman let out a long breath, revealing genuine relief.
Ariel's performance had only just begun.
He turned his head slightly and let out a few muffled murmurs from his throat, his voice deliberately raspy and weak.
He tried to prop himself up but fell back onto the pillow powerlessly, his brows furrowing slightly as if enduring some discomfort.
Seeing this, Norman immediately stepped forward, supporting his back and placing a soft pillow behind him.
"Don't move, your injuries haven't healed yet."
His voice carried a trace of an undetectable tremor—the lingering fear that remained after his worry.
Ariel leaned back on the pillow as intended, his gaze falling on Norman, his eyes suppressing anxiety and inquiry.
He did not speak directly.
Only after Norman patted his arm to reassure him did he difficultly part his lips, his voice thin but carrying an undeniable persistence:
"Team Magma... Tabitha... was he caught?"
As soon as this question was asked, the ease on Norman's face vanished completely, replaced by a look of gravity.
He shook his head slowly, a movement filled with an indescribable regret.
"Unfortunately, he escaped."
Ariel's breathing hitched slightly, a flash of disbelief crossing his eyes, followed by deep self-reproach.
He closed his eyes, as if processing this terrible news.
Watching Ariel's reaction, a complex emotion welled up in Norman's heart.
He had seen too many Trainers shirk responsibility after a failed mission; rarely was there someone like Ariel, who took all the blame upon himself.
This made his admiration go one level deeper.
"He was hidden very deep,"
Norman explained in a low voice,
"I didn't expect that he actually had an Elite Four Level Pokémon hidden by his side. That Pokémon's strength far exceeded our expectations, its explosive power was startling, and it forcibly tore open a gap. By the time I reacted, he had already led the remnants of the Team Magma and successfully broken through the encirclement."
As Ariel listened, his face grew paler, and he pursed his lips tightly as if suppressing the turmoil within.
He knew that this Elite Four Level Pokémon was just an excuse Norman used to give himself a way out while also elevating the opponent's strength to explain the failure.
But for him, this was just a perfect excuse to make his own hard-fought battle seem even more reasonable.
He lowered his eyelids to hide the sharp glint that flashed through his eyes.
The fact that Team Magma's Tabitha had escaped meant he still had opportunities to deal with them and extract more value.
And Norman's trust in him had also gone up another level because of this.
This deal was extremely cost-effective.
"It was my incompetence..."
Ariel said in a low voice, his tone full of remorse. He struggled to get up but was pressed back down by Norman again.
"No, Ariel, you have already done well enough."
Norman's tone was firm, carrying an unquestionable affirmation.
He looked at Ariel's tightly bandaged arm and the bandages faintly visible under his clothes, speaking with righteous conviction.
"I have already witnessed that battle in Petalburg Woods."
He paused, his tone becoming solemn.
"Single-handedly, you pinned down those three capable subordinates by Sen's side and successfully defeated them, buying us precious time. If not for your desperate resistance, letting a parasite of the League like Sen remain at large would only have brought even more serious consequences."
Norman's words were full of praise for Ariel's heroic performance.
He described Ariel as a lone hero who stepped forward at a critical moment, resisting the onslaught of evil forces with his own flesh and blood.
These words, falling into Ariel's ears, were undoubtedly the highest praise for his exquisite acting.
Deep in his heart, an inexpressible sense of satisfaction quietly grew.
"Your contribution is far beyond imagination."
As Norman spoke, he took out an exquisite velvet box from his pocket.
He opened the box, and a badge shining with a metallic luster lay quietly inside.
The badge was in the shape of a balance scale, with a gemstone resting on each end, symbolizing justice and balance.
"Ariel, although you didn't pass through a conventional Gym challenge, the will, courage, and determination to protect justice that you showed in actual combat in Petalburg Woods are far more profound than any Gym challenge."
Norman handed the box to Ariel, his gaze sincere and solemn.
"This Balance Badge is not just recognition of your strength, but also a reward for your character. It represents the highest respect from Petalburg Gym to you."
Ariel looked up, his gaze falling on the badge.
He reached out, his fingertips touching the cool metal of the badge, feeling its heavy weight.
There was no wild joy or excitement on his face, only a near-calm acceptance.
This calmness, in Norman's eyes, made him seem even more steady and restrained, neither arrogant nor impulsive.
He carefully put the badge away, his movements meticulous.
On the surface, he acted like a young Trainer who had gained recognition, but in his heart, he was perfectly clear.
What he pursued was never some illusory justice and glory, but tangible power and resources.
The corner of Ariel's mouth twitched imperceptibly; it was a cold sneer that only he could perceive.
He had successfully entered Norman's line of sight.
He closed his eyes, as if due to exhaustion, but in reality, he was sketching a blueprint for the future in his mind.
In the medical room of the Petalburg Gym, the sunlight was still quiet, and the medicinal smell permeated the air.
Everything seemed so peaceful, as if the bloody storm from before had never happened.
However, beneath Ariel's calm exterior, a more far-reaching plot was quietly unfolding.