Fourth Match
"Little Mu, use Dragon Tail and finish the battle!"
With a single, fierce strike of Dragon Tail, the opponent's Pokémon was sent flying, landing unconscious on the ground. Another easy victory. This was how all of the battles had gone in the past three days. The Beast Trainer License Selection Tournament was turning out to be way too simple.
Gabriel sighed helplessly, unable to hold back a sarcastic thought.
How did Dad even manage to lose in a tournament like this? He didn't even qualify for a Beast Trainer License… That's some serious lack of talent.
Oh well, at least I passed. Might as well take a picture and rub it in his face.
Stepping down from the stage, Gabriel snapped a quick selfie and posted it on their social media feed. Although their friends list wasn't large, the comments started rolling in fast.
"No way, you actually passed? Is the Beast Trainer Exam really this easy?"
No need to check who wrote that—it was obviously Dad.
"The Beast Trainer assessment is the easiest one out of all of them. As long as you train your Pokémon properly, you can pass. But still, congrats! By the way, Antonio, did you not pass?"
Sister phoebe left a congratulatory comment, but at the same time, hit Dad with a devastating question that scared him into going offline immediately.
"I had my doubts when Antonio said he was going for it. Honestly, only he would think this exam is hard. But since Gabriel already made up their mind, I won't object. When you come home, show me your Beast Trainer License."
Seeing Mom's comment Gabriel chuckled while replying with a quick "Sure!" But as for when they'd be going home… that was another story. Mom's talkative nature was unbearable, and once she started, it was almost impossible to escape.
Even Elle had seen the post. Their usual cold personality showed through with a simple "Congrats." That level of understatement was just so typical of them. How can someone with such an icy personality even be a maid?
Then, an annoying notification popped up.
"Ha! So slow! You're really not fit to be my rival at this pace! If you're in this tournament, you'd better win. If I don't see you in the finals, I'll be seriously disappointed! But the champion title belongs to me and my Growlithe!"
Huh? When did Rafael become my friend? Checking the friends list… he was actually there.
Big talk for a kid…
Blocked. No need to listen to a brat's cringe monologue. If he wanted to prove himself, he could do it on the battlefield. The championship title belonged to me and Little Mu!
Finally, some well-earned rest!
Gabriel stretched their arms. After adjusting their schedule for the competition, they hadn't had a proper night's sleep in three days. Now, with one day left before the official tournament, it was time to finally relax.
Just as they were about to leave the venue, a referee suddenly stopped them.
"Are you contestant 666? Could you come with us for a moment?"
"Huh?"
Confused, Gabriel followed the referee. No idea what this was about, but if they were being called over, it had to be something important.
"Alright, this is the room. Someone inside will explain everything to you."
"You"? So I'm not the only one who got called here?
Pushing open the door, Gabriel was instantly blinded by a barrage of flashing camera lights. They had to squint just to see.
"This is the eighth seeded contestant! Could we get your name and age?"
"Hey! I got here first! How is he cutting in line? Referee, someone's breaking the rules—kick him out!"
"Move, move! Don't grab my belt!"
As their vision adjusted, Gabriel realized that an army of reporters had cameras aimed right at them, all of them eagerly shoving microphones and recording devices forward.
Even Little Mu, who was usually fearless, got startled by the overwhelming scene and quickly retreated into its Poké Ball.
What… what is this situation?! A seeded challenger? Me?!
"Alright, alright, everyone step back! Let the kid through first. We'll explain everything, and you'll get your interview time later."
A small elderly man with a cane walked over, looking at Gabriel with a warm smile.
"You're Gabriel, right? Contestant 666?"
Still bewildered, Gabriel nodded.
"Good child." Looks naïve enough. Maybe I can lure them into Jindu Academy.
This old man was Roland, the host of the tournament. Since he was in charge of selecting seeded contestants, the final picks had to go through him. These elite challengers would also be given offers to enroll in Jindu Academy.
Unfortunately, most of the selected contestants already had their sights set on different academies—either due to family arrangements, like Rafael, or because they had already made up their minds about their future. The only one who had chosen Jindu Academy so far was his own granddaughter.
Roland's goal was to recruit more top-tier talent for the academy, and seeing a seemingly clueless kid like Gabriel, he was determined to rope them in.
"Come with me, child. Let me introduce you to your fellow seeded contestants—they're all just like you!"
Still feeling completely lost, Gabriel was dragged into the room. Sure enough, seven other contestants were already inside.
So that's why I'm the eighth seed.
Sweeping their gaze across the room, Gabriel didn't recognize any of them… except for one extremely irritating presence.
"Hah! Knew you'd be here. If my rival hadn't made the cut as a seeded contestant, I'd have been seriously disappointed!"
Rafael, hands on his hips, stood right in front of Gabriel, spouting yet another overly dramatic monologue. His Growlithe mimicked his energy, puffing out its chest proudly.
With Rafael causing a scene, the entire room turned to look at them.
Being in the spotlight on a battlefield is one thing… but this? This is awful.
"Hah! You nervous? Don't worry, I'll make sure you get an honorable defeat!"
Is this kid a social extrovert on steroids? How is he not embarrassed by this?!
Of all people to be stuck with, why him?
Feeling the weight of everyone's stares, Gabriel wanted nothing more than to disappear into a hole.
Or better yet—just shrink down and hide inside a Poké Ball like Little Mu.
"Haha, so you two know each other? Perfect! You two can sit together while we wait for the others. I'll explain everything once everyone is here."
Just like that, Roland forced Gabriel to sit next to Rafael.
As the stares from the other contestants lingered, a single thought ran through Gabriel's mind.
Great. My entire reputation is ruined.
--------------------------------------------------
Do you want to read more chapter of "This is Definitely Dragon" ?? Go visit my patreon for more advance and amazing chapter.
patreon.com / Enelym