With the help of Altaria, Terrance's progress accelerated instantly. Upon arriving at Saffron City again, Terrance chose not to contact Mr. Sam, Sabrina's father. Instead, he directly visited the Saffron Gym, going on Gym challenge mode.
In conversation with Mr. Sam, Terrance had gathered some information. He learned that appealing to Sabrina through familial bonds wouldn't work, as she was a proud individual. However, by showcasing the strength required to defeat her, there was a high likelihood that the agreement to help Ralts evolve would be honored by Sabrina.
This will be a very difficult challenge. It may not completely be unfounded, so Sabrina's strength is likely really terrifying.
"A challenger, huh..." A psychic apprentice, quite different from last time, welcomed Terrance with a contemplative gaze.
"Do you... possess psychic powers?" The other person scrutinized Terrance, "If you don't, it's impossible for you to defeat Miss Sabrina. I advise you to turn back."
Terrance responded, "No need to worry. Please take me to the Gym arena."
The psychic apprentice shrugged, having done his job of giving advice to the challenger. It was no longer his concern; these Trainers couldn't possibly defeat the goddess in his heart….
"Miss Sabrina... she's the strongest," the psychic apprentice closed his hands in prayer, his gaze devout and fervent.
"Cough..." Following this, the psychic apprentice led Terrance through the passage. "Before you arrived, another challenger was having a Gym Battle with Miss Sabrina. You might have to wait for the battle to end before continuing your challenge."
"Alright." Terrance nodded, taking a few quick steps. The apprentice, however, was too slow, dashing Terrance's hopes of swiftly arriving there to watch the battle.
As a result, when they reached the battle arena, the fight had already concluded.
A Trainer sat defeated on the ground, dazed and dejected, looking like he had lost very badly.
"Is this a new challenger?" Sabrina, who was focused on the defeated chubby Trainer, shifted her gaze to Terrance and others as they entered. Their eyes instantly met.
Terrance looked towards the elevated platform where the Gym Leader stood. He would carefully observe characters from the original work that left an impression on him, reinforcing those memories.
Sabrina was wearing white pants and a short lavender shawl coat, showcasing her excellent figure. Her slanted bangs just brushed past her eyelids, allowing a clear view of her stoic expression. Her shoulders were exposed just enough, and her skin had a soft, radiant glow. Unusual devices resembling wristguards and belts adorned her wrists and waist, with sparkling gems intermittently shimmering, adding an extra allure to this psychic girl.
"This feeling..." Terrance gritted his teeth. He could only give one evaluation: "Classy."
This evaluation, he had only given to Cynthia among the Trainers he had encountered.
Terrance remembered Candice, the child he met at Snowpoint Gym during his first visit to Sinnoh. Now, she too was undergoing her father's test to inherit the Gym Leader position. But comparing their auras, Sabrina seemed to possess the qualities of a true powerhouse. It was a strange feeling, a presence molded by confidence and experiences that made people involuntarily marvel.
"I am the challenger, Terrance from Hoenn Region's Fallarbor Town. Miss Sabrina, would you be willing to engage in a Gym Battle with 'other conditions' as the stakes?"
Terrance took a step forward, his gaze fixed on Sabrina, observing the psychic girl. At this moment, Terrance couldn't accurately guess her thoughts, but he had no choice but to brave it.
Perhaps Sabrina now possessed the capability to defeat most of the seasoned Trainers.
"Hey... you—" Hearing that, the expression of the psychic apprentice who brought Terrance changed.
This wasn't someone here for a Gym Battle; it seemed more like an attempt to cause trouble.
"Thud, thud."
Simultaneously, the chubby Trainer who had lost the challenge gulped, gloomily got up from the ground, cast a fearful glance at Sabrina, and scurried away.
"Is that not allowed?" Terrance's forehead broke out in sweat. Was this chubby guy some actor hired to scare him?
"Nonsense, of course not. We run a legitimate Gym here and the 'Marsh Badge' is..." The psychic apprentice interrupted Terrance, glaring angrily.
But before he could finish, a cold voice interjected, "I accept."
"Huh?" The psychic apprentice, who intended to say something, instantly froze. He looked somewhat embarrassed as he glanced at Sabrina. However, in his hesitation, reason prevailed, and he dared not dispute Sabrina's decision.
The apprentice's face turned crimson, embarrassment causing him to lower his head as he silently retreated.
Terrance, witnessing this scene, gained a deeper understanding of Sabrina. The influence she held over her subordinates was incredibly strong.
"Challenger, what's your stake?" Following Sabrina's words, Terrance released Ralts from its Poké Ball.
"Can you do it? Use your psychic power to make it evolve." Ralts stood nervously in front of Terrance, hands clasped tightly together, glancing fearfully at Sabrina.
"My Ralts can't evolve on its own due to certain reasons. It needs the assistance of psychic power to evolve successfully."
Terrance was also a bit anxious. While psychic power might lead to Ralts successfully evolving—a fact affirmed by Mr. Sam—he couldn't be sure whether Sabrina possessed that ability. He dared not assert that she could definitely accomplish it.
Master Victor and Professor Oak immediately thought of Mr. Sam, indicating his considerable expertise. In this situation, Terrance couldn't help but worry for Ralts.
"Um..."
Um...?
Hearing this strange sound, Terrance paused. Could it be that this sound came from Sabrina, whose face had been expressionless and cold from the beginning?
Terrance opened his eyes wide, trying to see clearly. Suddenly, Sabrina vanished from the elevated platform, reappearing next to Ralts.
"Ralttss~~~"
Seeing Sabrina suddenly appear, little Ralts was naturally startled. Subconsciously, it tried to use "Teleport" to escape. However, for the first time, Ralts' Teleport failed. At this moment, Sabrina's eyes emitted a peculiar white light, her arm extending as if floating, touching Ralts' forehead.
Teleport failed...
Watching the panic in Ralts' eyes, Terrance saw this emotion for the first time. As a Feeling Pokémon, Ralts had always been able to sense the emotions of those around it. Even when facing Mr. Sam, it didn't show any particular emotion. However, facing Sabrina...Terrance felt that Ralts' perception might have encountered its first failure. It couldn't discern anything about Sabrina; she appeared before it like an enigma, shrouded in the unknown.
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