Pokémon: The Path of Ascension

"Sceptile!"

Toshi turned around and saw, accompanied by Sceptile's loud shout, countless green crescent-shaped Leaf Blades condensing around Sceptile before shooting towards the Honchkrow in the sky.

Honchkrow had already seen it before Sceptile got close; before the Razor Leaf approached, it launched a Dark Pulse in retaliation.

The two Near Champions engaged in a fierce exchange, and the immense force created a storm that blew away the surrounding Wild Pokémon, like Murkrow, that had not managed to escape. Many with lower strength even lost their battle ability and fainted.

This massive battle storm also affected many Trainers, including Toshi. Many had to stop to adjust their stances while recalling their Pokémon into their Poké Balls to avoid being harmed by the aftermath of the Near Champion battle.

"This is not a place for you right now; if you don't want trouble, leave quickly."

Some people looked up in the direction of the voice and saw it was the Near Champion Trainer previously introduced by the train conductor, causing them to become much more respectful.

"Since it's a word from the Near Champion, we will leave immediately, leave immediately."

Toshi also looked up but could not see clearly since the Near Champion was standing on top of a Tropius. However, from the aura emanating from the Tropius, Toshi knew it was also a Near Champion.

"A Trainer with two Near Champions!"

Toshi looked up at the sky. This was his first encounter with such a powerful expert. In that moment, the emotion rising within him was not longing or envy but a pursuit.

This was his goal, the target he set for himself after gaining a deep understanding of this world! 

…

"Toshi, what are you looking at? Hurry up!"

Shoji noticed that Toshi was standing still, and he thought Toshi was scared stiff, so he kept tugging at his shoulder, trying to bring Toshi back to reality.

"Shoji, let go; I'm fine." Toshi brought his gaze back and said to Shoji, "Let's hurry; we'll leave this to the Near Champion."

After saying that, Toshi ran straight ahead, leaving Shoji confused, not knowing what Toshi was up to.

In fact, the reason Toshi was so eager to return was that he wanted to see if anything had happened at the train.

From the direction the Near Champion appeared, it was clear that he had been at the train all along and only came over after the Honchkrow appeared.

Toshi boldly guessed that something might have happened at the train, which is why the Near Champion had to stay there.

As Toshi ran back, he observed the surroundings and noticed that aside from a small number of Trainers still behind them, most Trainers had probably already returned. However, he searched around and did not see the Elite Trainer he had noticed earlier. Not just him, Toshi counted and found that the current number of Trainers was probably only around two hundred thirty or forty.

"How did so many people disappear at once?" Toshi furrowed his brow.

…

"Toshi, why are you running so fast?" As soon as Shoji stopped, he immediately began to complain.

"It's nothing; I just didn't want to get caught in the battle between the Near Champions," Toshi replied indifferently.

Shoji looked back at the battlefield, his eyes revealing envy: "Toshi, do you think I could ever become a Near Champion Strength Trainer in my lifetime?"

"That depends on whether you can work hard," Toshi patted his shoulder. "But I think you should focus on becoming a Ranger first. You have to take things one step at a time; if your dreams are too big, you might crush yourself."

"Toshi, don't look down on me. Even though I've been at the bottom of the Academy rankings for these two years," Shoji said defensively, "it was because those cultural classes were just too boring. I, Shoji, excel at battles; just wait and see! This year, the Academy's final assessment will include Battle points, and I will definitely catch up! Who knows, Toshi, maybe I'll drag you down with me, haha!"

Toshi smiled and said nothing; who really knows about such things? However, Toshi had already decided to secure first place this semester, and he wouldn't let it slip away.

Looking back, Toshi noticed that because the clash between the two Near Champions was so intense, many of the Wild Pokémon that had been around finally fled in fear.

At the same time, Toshi also saw that under the assault of the Near Champion's two Pokémon, Honchkrow was starting to falter and showed signs of wanting to escape.

"Quick, look! That Near Champion seems like they're about to win!"

Shoji tugged at Toshi's arm, filled with excitement as if he were the one about to win.

"Yeah, they're about to win," Toshi said, watching with a complex expression, unsure of what he was thinking.

Another ten minutes passed, and Honchkrow finally turned to flee, and the Near Champion did not stop it, allowing it to escape.

Furthermore, as Honchkrow fled, the other Wild Pokémon also followed suit.

Many people were excited by this scene.

"Haha, it's all resolved."

"Yeah, I didn't expect it to be resolved so easily."

"I wonder how much compensation we'll get; I'm really looking forward to it!"

Shoji, equally excited, said, "Toshi, how much compensation do you think we can get? I want to see if I can buy some Pokéblocks for my Taillow, hehe."

Toshi shrugged: "Don't get your hopes up. We're just a Novice Trainer and a Basic Trainer; our contribution isn't much. A few hundred at most."

"Ah, that little?" Shoji's expression fell.

"What did you expect? Use your little brain to think; with so many participants, including a Near Champion, how much money do you think the Train Company has to pay out? Do you think their money just grows on trees?"

"That's true," Shoji looked around. "Toshi, you're so smart."

Toshi smiled and looked again at the Near Champion that was flying back.

Similarly, the Near Champion did not land among the crowd but headed towards the back of the train, quickly disappearing from sight.

"Is it really over?" Doubts kept surfacing in Toshi's mind.

…

"Thank you to all the Trainers for your help; I sincerely appreciate it. Also, to not waste your time, the train will be restarting shortly. Regarding the compensation, you just need to go to the Task Hall in Petalburg City, show your ID card and the card in your hand to our staff, and you can collect it. Our staff is already waiting over there."

"What? I thought we could get it right away?" Shoji complained after hearing the train conductor's words.

"There's nothing we can do; that's the rule." Toshi didn't mind.

He thought to himself: Perfect, I can also check if there are any suitable tasks in the Task Hall to earn some money.

Toshi didn't have Pokémon before, so he couldn't take on tasks, and he still hadn't been there, so this time would be a good chance to take a look.