Not Being a Trainer This Time-Chapter 615 - 336: Rookie Trainers and the Grass Trial (Part 2)
Alder seemed to have thought of something amusing and said to Naoki:
"I really wonder what Lance’s expression would be when he sees this scene."
Naoki: "..."
Since Lance is originally from the Dragon Taming Clan, having Dragonite help deliver things probably isn’t surprising to him, right?
But as a trainer from the Paldea Region, Naoki was far from the Kanto Region, and Lance’s name couldn’t reach here.
Therefore, Naoki pretended not to know Lance.
As a result, seeing this expression, Alder grew more interested and began telling him about Lance’s exploits.
"Lance is the Champion of the Kanto Region, born into the Dragon Taming Clan in Blackthorn City, and he’s very skilled at using Dragon Type Pokemon."
"Among them, Dragonite is the representative Pokemon of the Dragon Taming Clan, though Dragonite is incredibly rare; there aren’t that many even within the clan."
"It’s said that initially, Lance used Pokemon like Gyarados, Charizard, and Aerodactyl, which have ’dragon’ in their names."
"If the elders of the Dragon Taming Clan knew that your ranch was home to so many Dragonite, they’d certainly be amazed. In comparison, your place is the true Dragon’s Holy Sanctuary!" Alder exclaimed.
Naoki: "..."
"Mr. Alder, do you know Lance?" Naoki asked.
Alder nodded: "He attended a banquet before, and I talked to him for a bit."
Naoki suddenly understood: "I see!"
Alder looked at the group of Dragonite and other Pokemon in the ranch and suddenly changed the topic: "But speaking of which, you’re a Champion, aren’t you?"
No, Naoki shook his head: "The Champion of the Paldea Region has always been Top Champion Geeta."
"Ah?" Alder was a bit surprised; did he see it wrong?
But then, Alder remembered that the Paldea League was different from other regions.
Aside from the regional Champion, there were many Champion-level trainers here.
And Naoki before him, was likely one of them once, who eventually grew tired of the Champion’s lifestyle and chose to retire, bringing his Pokemon to this place to run the ranch.
Alder instinctively felt he had discovered the truth, and he felt more and more that he was kindred spirits with Naoki.
In attitude and views towards Pokemon.
Not focusing on Pokemon battles, but on the happy times living together with Pokemon.
Just then, a new trainer holding a Pichu came to the ranch.
"Excuse me! Is this Naoki’s ranch?" The girl asked expectantly.
Naoki was a little startled, then glanced at her Naranja Academy uniform and nodded: "I’m Naoki."
The girl’s eyes lit up, and then she said with determination: "Great! Mr. Naoki, Pichu and I are here to participate in the Grass Trial at the ranch!"
For such scenarios, Naoki was not surprised, as students passing through would challenge, and the ranch’s trials gradually became known.
Therefore, he asked: "How many badges have you collected?"
The girl was a bit embarrassed: "Well... Pichu and I just entered school this year and haven’t started Gym challenges yet, but don’t worry Mr. Naoki! We’ve gone through hellish training at the academy, so there won’t be any problem!"
Naoki kept a straight face: "No, you do not qualify to participate in the trial."
The girl instantly wilted like a frost-beaten eggplant.
As early as last year, Naoki Ranch’s Grass Trial started gaining fame within the academy and rumors began circulating.
It was said that there was a place called Naoki Ranch in a remote countryside town.
The rancher there was a very strong Champion-level trainer, who set up extremely difficult trials at the ranch.
It was said the difficulty of these trials was even higher than the Champion League challenge of the Paldea League.
But unlike those, the purpose of the trials at Naoki Ranch was not to win but to train, to help Pokemon improve strength and hone battle skills.
Moreover, those who could pass the trials were said to receive a mysterious gift from the trial’s owner.
Many students came over to participate in the trials, but they were so hard that none had succeeded.
Later, Mr. Naoki even added conditions to the trials, stating that a certain number of badges must be collected to participate.
For this reason, everyone speculated whether Mr. Naoki was a mysterious Champion-level trainer.
To battle against a Champion-level trainer, many trainers came, and being able to participate in the trial became a point of pride for some students.
Like "I participated in the Grass Trial! Sustained for thirty seconds against that Gogoat!"
"Hmph, just a minute! I lasted a full minute!"
"Me too, I joined the Thunder Trial and successfully dodged several attacks from a Champion-level Pokemon, impressive right?"
Yet even so, some who came to the ranch to challenge were rejected by Mr. Naoki.
Because their skills didn’t meet the requirements.
Initially, these trainers were quite disheartened, but they worked hard to collect Gym Badges.
