Thinking of said competition two years later, Mavuika had a sense of trepidation. If she remembered correctly, this Eevee was a Pokemon he hatched from an egg that was obtained two months ago.
If it maintained this level of progress…surely not, right? There must be a limit on how fast his Pokemon can grow stronger.
Yes. There's no way he could do that. His Pokemon can probably grow faster only until a certain limit. After all, if that wasn't the case, then he would end up possessing a team of Pokemon that are all stronger than Legendaries in less than a year.
Mavuika shook her head and rid herself of this ridiculous thought. Since there was still time, she planned on satisfying her sister's desire and meet the three Champions. This should also help rid the team of Dante and his Eevee's shadow.
—
Dante stepped down from Ursaring's back and followed Mavuika. He didn't pay attention to his other teammates who had gone silent. Instead, he focused more on the gargantuan whale floating overhead on where they were going.
"So this is how they prevented the Pokemon from rushing inside the ruin."
Dante muttered. Above the stronghold, there was a Wailord, emitting a pressure that deterred the wild Pokemon. However, seeing that even Luiz's Scizor could follow them while only being a bit apprehensive, it didn't seem to be that powerful.
Suddenly, he noticed something. From the horde of Pokemon in the distance, a Weavile rushed over. Its face was feral as it headed towards the stronghold.
But when it was halfway at the camp, a Lucario appeared in its path. Its fist was coated in blue aura and it knocked out Weavile, sending the dark-type Pokemon back towards the encirclement in one punch.
"Weed out the weak and just take care of the slightly stronger ones. It seems the only thing problematic for this Pokemon Riot is getting in and out of the encirclement."
Dante whispered as he absentmindedly scratched Eevee's head.
After some time, their group reached the outside of the ruin. Trainer-grade tents were scattered about, while a group of construction workers and their Pokemon were erecting large metal pillars at the center.
The soldiers stationed at the entrance greeted Mavuika with a salute as she led their team inside. They didn't stop to set-up their own tent. Instead, she headed towards the largest tent at the center.
During this period, Barry and the others had already recovered from the shock Dante gave and begun to take the environment in. However, no one stepped up to talk to him.
It's not that they want to alienate him. In fact, he could even feel their curious gazes from time to time. They just probably don't know how to approach him right now.
Under normal circumstances, Dante would have come over and closed the distance between them himself. After all, he had nothing to gain from forming a bad relationship with these guys who were the strongest in their age group.
But these were not normal circumstances.
In addition to checking what the inside of a ruin looked like, he had another goal on this trip- to approach and seduce Cynthia.
And on the way here, he had been concocting plans on how he could do that. He hadn't thought of a complete process yet. However, he knew. The more contact he has with her, the more likely he will succeed.
So therein lies the question. How can he increase his chances of interacting with her? Without even needing to think, he got the answer almost instantly.
That is, to join the vanguard team.
Obviously, this was very improbable to succeed. His age itself was a great barrier, not to mention his 'inexperience' in the eyes of others.
Fortunately, his strength was already renowned. He just needed to let them know some other things about himself, to further persuade them.
When they have time later, he'd find a chance to talk to Mavuika privately about this. She already saw what he was capable of with Eevee. And as an Elite, she had the necessary authority to approve his joining.
Though if she doesn't allow it, he can also directly go to Alder. He may have more chances of persuading the carefree, older Champion.
However, as they entered the large tent, Dante realized he needed to change his plans. Their Team Leader just led them directly to his target!
"Mavuika! Hahaha, you've arrived. Oh? Is this your little sister and her team?"
"I-it's a pleasure my honor to meet you, sir! No! I-I mean-!"
Alder laughed good-naturedly, interrupting Hine whose face had turned red like a cooked lobster. Mavuika smiled warmly and patted her sister's back in comfort.
"That's right. I want to introduce them to everyone before you get busy. I hope you don't mind."
Mavuika turned to Alder, Cynthia and Kaeya, as well as Shenhe and Ganyu. At this point, the three Champions and two Elites were having a casual discussion as they waited for the other members of the vanguard team to get ready before setting off.
Except for Shenhe who just nodded expressionlessly, the others smiled and assured her they didn't mind it at all.
They knew Mavuika did this mostly for her sister's sake. After all, before they set off, she explained the reason why she couldn't go with the vanguard team. And with her status as an Elite, this request wasn't so excessive.
Hine and the others were overwhelmed at having the opportunity to meet their idols face-to-face.
Some, like Kinich and Roxanne, were still able to mask it and politely greet them back. However, there were others like Barry and Varesa, who couldn't stop gushing about how much they admired them and even asked for an autograph.
Then there was Dante. He walked up to Alder with a firm expression, gaining the Champion's attention.
"Sir Alder, how can I join the vanguard team?"
"Hahaha, that's a nice dream, young man. I'm sure you can achieve it after training a few years more."
"No. I mean, I want to join now."
"Huh?"
Alder intoned, his eyebrows raised. He scrutinized Dante for a moment. And when he noticed the Pikachu on his shoulder, he suddenly exclaimed.
"Ah! No wonder you look familiar. You're that Dante kid, right?"
Alder's shout attracted everyone's attention. Mavuika came over with a puzzled look and asked.
"What's the matter, Sir Alder?"
"Haha, it's nothing serious. This kid just said that he wanted to join the vanguard team. What do you think? As his team leader, I think you can make a better decision about this than me."
Alder said, a hint of teasing in his voice. Mavuika frowned and turned to the white haired member of her team.
"Why do you want to join them? Haven't I already said that we would also go to the deepest layer of the ruin?"
"Miss Mavuika, you know that's very much different from being part of the first discoverer. And you've already seen my Pokemon's strength. I'm not afraid to tell you- Eevee is the weakest member of my team. I have 6 more Pokemon stronger than her."
"Veeu!" (That's because you're older! Just wait, I'll definitely catch up soon!)
Dante patted Eevee to calm her down and stared at Mavuika. At this time, the red-haired Elite had a look of incredulity on her face. And not only her. Barry and the others who were eavesdropping also started to whisper in disbelief.
Cynthia and the others in the tent didn't understand. Isn't it just an Eevee? So what if it was the weakest member of his team? With its low racial limit, before it evolves, Eevee is just considered as a household pet.
"E-even so, that's not enough. Becoming part of the vanguard team needs more than a strong Pokemon team. A strong physique and mental toughness- a Trainer must also possess these if they are to face the unknown dangers in a ruin."
Mavuika tried her best to mask the disbelief in her voice. She must stand her ground and not let Dante risk his life needlessly on a youthful decision.
"I don't know about mental toughness, but as for physique? No one in this room can compare to mine."
"Oho? Is that right?"
Suddenly, Alder butted in. There was a smirk on his face, as if knowing something Dante doesn't.
"Yes, I have the strongest physique among all the TRAINERS in this room, not including the Pokemon."
Dante said, clarifying his previous statement. He didn't want Alder to take advantage of the loophole in his words.
"Hohohoh, I like your confidence, young man. Tell you what. Why don't we put that to the test? If you pass, I'll allow you to join the vanguard team."
"Sir Alder-!"
"It's fine, Mavuika. Do you really think he'd be stronger than 'her'?"
Mavuika opened her mouth, but finally chose to remain silent. Her eyes glanced subconsciously to the corner of the room- to the person they were talking about.
Dante noticed and followed her gaze. There, at the end of her sight, was China's Champion looking over disinterestedly.
"Shenhe?"
"So you've noticed. Kid, I'll tell you this. In all my years of being a Trainer, I have seen no one who has come close to reaching her in terms of physical strength. If you manage to do so, then I believe there would be no problem for you to survive any dangers we encounter in the ruin."
At this point, everybody in the tent had gathered around him and Alder. And when the older Champion finished speaking, Dante immediately noticed Cynthia and Kaeya smile in amusement.
…was it because of Alder's statement about Shenhe being the physically strongest? Or is it due to the challenge he posed?
Dante wasn't sure. What he is certain of though, is that no matter how strong Shenhe is, he is confident he would be stronger. After all, his stats had already exceeded those of weaker Legendaries.
"...what's the test? And should we even talk about this without getting Miss Shenhe's permission first?"
"That's not my problem. You're the one who wanted to join us. So in this test, you have to think of a method that shows you are stronger than her, and convince her to agree with said method. The time limit is until we head out."
Staring at the smug smile on Alder's face, Dante had the urge to sock this old guy. This was the laziest method of examination he had ever heard!
Still, the older Champion was right. He was the one who wanted to join in the first place.
So with a determined gaze, he swept past the drama-watching expression of everyone in the room. He paused a little on Cynthia's amused yet curious face, before honing in on his target.
Unlike the others, Shenhe still had her usual blank look. And his emotional sensing didn't pick up any emotions from said girl…that didn't help him make a decision, at all.
"Miss Shenhe, are you interested in arm-wrestling?"
Well, since he had no clue how to proceed, then the direct method it is.
Dante stared at Shenhe and focused on her reaction. Shenhe raised her head and met his eyes.
Seconds ticked by without her saying anything. Just as it seemed this stalemate would last forever…
"Where should we place our elbows?"
The white haired Champion tilted her head. Her tone was confused, as if questioning Dante how they could have an arm-wrestling without a platform for their arm.
"Here!"
Although caught off guard, Dante wasted no time and pulled out a metal table from his space bag. Then, he placed his right elbow and made an inviting gesture for Shenhe on the other side.
"Junior sister, remember not to overdo it, ok?"
Ganyu said as she worriedly looked at Dante. Based on Alder and Mavuika's behaviour, this young man should be a promising newcomer to their country.
Shenhe slightly nodded and continued walking forward. She stood opposite Dante, and after getting into position, clasped her hand with his.
Before Dante could ask Alder to act as the referee, a feeling of resentment and bloodlust overcame him.
He didn't know why. This Champion, who always maintained an air of indifference, was actually hiding such a whirlpool of negative emotions…a whirlpool that threatened to consume even him.
He quickly steadied his mind, and muted the ability to perceive emotions. However, he couldn't completely stop it.
In the back of his head, feelings of resentment and malice still assaulted him.
Dante was confused. Did she really hate arm-wrestling with him so much? That this emotionless woman suddenly became so full of malice?
"...your hand."
"Ah! Sorry!"
Dante took back his hand out of worry. Because of the surprise, he had subconsciously tightened his grip.
He inspected Shenhe's hand and sighed in relief when he found she could still move it normally.
As expected of the woman whom Alder praised as the strongest. If it was a normal human's, it would have most likely fractured.
Dante noticed something at the same time. When he took back his hand, the emotions of resentment he felt suddenly disappeared. And when he grabbed her hand, it appeared again.
He tested it a few times more, and confirmed that he could indeed only sense her resentment when they made physical contact.
"Hahaha, you have balls, kid. Using this opportunity to flirt with Shenhe, tsk, tsk, tsk."
Alder's voice brought Dante out of his contemplation. However, he ignored his teasing and just asked him to act as the referee. After getting his approval, he and Shenhe once again held the starting position for the arm-wrestling match.
"Then on your marks! Get set! Go!"
The ground cracked beneath their feet as soon as the match started. The air vibrated as the two of them exerted force, their free hand holding onto a corner of the table to stabilize themselves.
Their arms swung slightly back and forth, sometimes in Shenhe's favor, and sometimes in Dante's. However, no side was yet to emerge as the clear victor.
It's not that they were equal in strength. After all, no matter how strong Shenhe was, she couldn't possibly reach Dante's level.
Instead, when he felt the negativity in the white-haired Champion's body, Dante suddenly had an idea.
Hisuian Zorua and Hisuian Zoroark had a signature move: Bitter Malice. He thought he could learn it when he reached the sufficient level in the PMD world. But until now, at level 54, there was no sign he could do so.
From its name, he knew the move had something to do with the use of malice. So he used his experience with Burning Jealousy and other moves that make use of emotional energy to try recreating it. But in the end, he did not succeed.
But when he felt the malice exuded by Shenhe, Dante got an inspiration- maybe the reason he failed is because he wasn't as familiar with malice?
So he just exerted a similar level of strength as hers, and while they were in a stalemate, he studied the resentment and bloodlust being exuded by her.
Dante scrunched his eyebrows as he faced the negativity head-on. This wasn't natural. Even among the dungeon Pokemon he faced, not one had exuded a near similar level of malice. Of course, that may also be because Pokemon are much more good-natured than humans.
Even so, Dante expected this level of negativity from something like a deranged serial killer- not a country's Champion. Even Hunter J's wasn't as exaggerated as this.
But he also found a clue as to how this could happen. With how he wasn't able to detect her emotions normally, and her usually blank face, Dante deduced that she may be using something to contain this negativity within. And also…
Why does it feel like he can absorb her resentment?
Dante wiggled his arms back-and-forth to show signs of struggling while he thought of what to do. Then, with a determined expression, he pushed it back into a stalemate as he absorbed a little bit of her negativity.
Whatever he was expecting, it definitely wasn't a refreshing sensation to suddenly sweep past his body. The energy he spent on the way here, as well as in maintaining a stalemate with Shenhe, recovered.
He raised an eyebrow in doubt. After waiting for a while, he absorbed another bout of negativity and confirmed that yes, it did recover his energy.
That…had some interesting implications.
He was just about to study it further, when the feeling of resistance on his hand suddenly disappeared. With a thud, the back of Shenhe's hands crashed against the metal table.
Dante raised his head in doubt. Then, he found the white-haired Champion staring back at him, a look of interest flashing in her opal-colored iris.