Steven and Alex were relaxing in one of Steven's many private rooms.

The room was spacious and quiet, with tall windows that allowed soft natural light to spill across the polished stone floor. The walls were decorated with dark wooden panels and several glass displays containing rare stones, fossils, and polished minerals that Steven had collected during his travels.

A large bookshelf stood against one wall, filled with books about geology, Pokémon biology, and ancient history. Some of the books looked old and worn, while others were clearly expensive academic volumes.

Near the center of the room was a comfortable seating area with two wide sofas and a low stone table between them. The table itself was made from a single slab of polished granite, its surface smooth and reflective.

Despite the luxurious materials—stone, polished wood, and metal—the room didn't feel overly flashy. Instead, it had a calm and refined atmosphere, more like the private study of a researcher than the lounge of a wealthy heir.

It was clearly a place where Steven liked to relax, read, and think.

Alex sat comfortably on the sofa, glancing at the glass of iced tea the butler had placed on the table in front of him. As he picked it up, he couldn't help but feel a bit envious about the loyal butlers and maids of the Steven family, who handled everything so smoothly that life around them almost seemed effortless.

Even though Alex now had more than enough money to hire his own staff, he still felt uneasy about doing so. He only had staff who cleaned once a week for a few hours, and he didn't allow any staff to live in his villa.

The reason was simple.

Alex secretly planned to build a large underground organization in Hoenn, and secrecy during the first few years would be absolutely critical. The fewer outsiders involved in his life, the safer those plans would remain.

Only when he had strength comparable to someone like Giovanni would he feel secure enough to loosen that caution.

Giovanni was most likely a mid- or even high-level Champion trainer.

(Low Champion: Level 60–64Mid Champion: Level 65–69High Champion: Level 70–74Top Champion: Level 75+)

Even with Mega Evolution as his trump card, Alex still couldn't be considered a Low Champion trainer. To reach that level, a trainer usually needed at least three Pokémon at the Low Champion stage.

Alex wasn't there yet and with his current strength, he couldn't risk anyone discovering the organization he intended to build.

Alex took a slow sip of his iced tea before glancing at Steven. "So, now that you don't have the guts to bet with me, can you finally tell me your surprise?"

Steven ignored the jab without even reacting. "Alright, why not. My surprise is that I not only found four more stones you've been searching for, but one of my Pokémon reached Champion level yesterday."

Alex blinked in surprise. "What?"

Steven's grin widened immediately. "You heard right. One of my Pokémon, with my help, managed to reach a level that a certain mediocre trainer is still very far from reaching."

For a moment Alex looked genuinely stunned. But after a few seconds of thinking, his expression returned to normal.

Originally he had estimated Steven's Metagross to be around level 59. So reaching level 60 wasn't impossible—especially if it had only happened yesterday.

Alex slowly looked up at Steven's extremely smug smile and shook his head slightly.

he said calmly. "Mediocre trainer, huh? Then you must be a pretty substandard trainer, considering you lost to that mediocre trainer."

Alex looked at Steven's smug, shit-eating grin and said, "Mediocre trainer, huh? Then you must be a substandard trainer, considering you lost to this mediocre trainer."

Steven immediately shot back, "What kind of nonsense are you talking about? I've beaten you far more often than you've beaten me. If I remember correctly, you only have about a forty percent win rate against me."

Alex waved his hand dismissively. "You're counting the thirty training sessions and sparring matches? Come on, you know those don't count."

Steven raised an eyebrow and replied with heavy sarcasm. "Oh, they don't count because they make your win rate look worse? Wow, Alex, your shamelessness has improved again. I'm almost impressed."

Alex met Steven's gaze calmly for a moment before speaking again. "Alright, jokes aside. Do you want to test who's actually stronger right now?"

Steven smiled slightly, but instead of answering directly, he leaned back in his chair. "I have a better idea. Alex, are you planning to participate in the Hoenn Champion Tournament? It starts in a little over two months."

Alex shook his head. "No, I haven't really thought about it yet."

But as soon as Steven mentioned it, Alex began thinking more seriously. If he participated this year, he might actually have a good chance of winning.

The prize money alone was enormous, especially when comparing a Top 8 finish to the champion's reward. And beyond the money, becoming the winner carried another opportunity.

The winner earned the right to challenge a member of the Elite Four within a year, if they wanted to fight for their position.

Steven's expression turned serious. "Alex, let's both participate in the tournament. I'm sure we'll meet in the finals. Then we'll finally find out who's stronger."

Alex looked at Steven quietly. The man sitting across from him would eventually become the future Hoenn Champion.

Feeling a sudden surge of ambition, Alex remembered the dream he had when he first arrived in this world—to become the strongest trainer of all.

Winning the Hoenn Champion Tournament wouldn't make him the strongest trainer in the world. But it would definitely be a step in that direction.

Alex nodded slowly, his expression now serious. "Alright, Steven. I'll participate too."

For a few seconds, the room was filled with a quiet, intense silence.

Then Alex suddenly added, "Although we probably shouldn't be too arrogant… it would be pretty embarrassing if neither of us even made it to the finals."

Steven stared at him for several seconds without saying a word.

Alex shifted slightly and added in a lower voice, "That was… half a joke." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Steven rubbed his forehead and sighed.

"Shut up, Alex."

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