"Chikorita, the Leaf Pokémon. The leaf on its head emits a sweet, pleasant fragrance. It loves to bask in the sun."
"Chiko..."
Chikorita's tiny mouth seemed to form a smile, but it lifted its head proudly, seemingly indifferent to Eula and Amber in front of it.
"Huh?" Amber's enthusiasm seemed doused with cold water, her hand froze in mid-air, not knowing what to do.
Eula cupped her chin, narrowing her eyes as she studied the so-called Pokémon before her. Was it just a green melon with a leaf on top? And this green melon could move?
Takashi bent down, gently stroking the leaf on Chikorita's head. Since it had been under the care of Takashi and Xerneas, it was more familiar with him. Chikorita closed its eyes and leaned in, asking for a hug and to be lifted up.
"Good girl," Takashi held it in his palms, "be polite, okay?"
"Chiko, Chiko..." Chikorita showed goodwill towards Takashi, but as soon as it made eye contact with Eula and Amber, hostility inexplicably emerged.
Takashi couldn't understand why this Chikorita was so clingy until Xerneas spoke up, "This Chikorita is female."
Oh, now it made sense.
Well then, it seemed she was a very possessive girl.
Amber stared at Chikorita with wide eyes. Its appearance was cute, but its temperament was a bit strange. She wanted to approach it, yet she hesitated.
Eula watched Takashi and Chikorita the whole time, analyzing their interaction. It seemed like the relationship between a dog and its owner—nothing particularly special. Just like the hunters in Springvale taking their dogs out to hunt; if you gave the dog a piece of meat, it would act like that.
She couldn't understand why Amber's mind would work like this, spending money to buy it.
"Alright, alright, Chikorita, look at these new trainers," Takashi put Chikorita down on the floor.
As soon as Chikorita left Takashi's hands, it lifted its head and looked at Eula and Amber with an aloof expression.
"Chiko, Chiko..."
Chikorita muttered something in a language they couldn't understand.
Amber put her hands on her hips, asking curiously, "Takashi, what's it saying?"
Eula pinched her chin, "I think she's telling us to leave."
"Chiko, Chiko..."
Xerneas spoke, "She's saying, 'You are bad women trying to take away the kind store manager who takes good care of me.'"
Takashi facepalmed. Xerneas, my dear, your translation is just a bit too accurate.
Eula remained silent.
Amber awkwardly laughed, "This Chikorita sure has a strong sense of territory."
"Chiko, Chiko..."
Xerneas added, "Chikorita says that even if you praise her, she won't let you have your way."
Amber scratched her head, "Hahaha... what a funny kid."
"Chiko, Chiko..."
Xerneas translated again, "Chikorita says, 'If you want to laugh, laugh all you want now.'"
Takashi: →_→
Eula, raised in a noble family, had been immersed in noble etiquette and carried herself with elegance. Seeing Xerneas translating like that, she couldn't help but interject, "This little one seems to lack discipline."
"Chiko, Chiko..."
Xerneas: "Chikorita says, 'Do you think just because parents are strong, their children will obediently listen?'"
Eula's eyes narrowed, and she furrowed her brow, "Seems like someone needs some discipline today!"
"Chiko, Chiko..."
Chikorita took a few small steps forward, standing her ground against Eula.
Seeing that Xerneas was stoking the fire, Takashi tried to intervene.
Xerneas tilted her head, looking at him, "Should I translate this part or not?"
"What do you mean?"
"If I translate it, it'll get censored."
"How many words?"
"Three."
"Oh, then forget it." Takashi shook his head.
Amber stepped aside, watching the bold Chikorita. It had quite a personality. Was this the first time she'd seen a creature regard its trainer as an opponent?
She put her hands on her hips, showing off her bright smile, eager for something interesting to happen.
Eula could see it too—this little one wanted to challenge her.
According to her knight's creed, draw your sword, young one!
Eula raised an eyebrow, her right hand moving to unsheathe the greatsword on her back.
Takashi realized this was bad news. If this fight started, winning against Eula wouldn't make her happy, and she would definitely leave in a huff. Losing, on the other hand, would be a severe blow to Chikorita, given her personality.
There was no benefit either way.
He couldn't let this fight happen.
"Miss Eula," Takashi quickly called out, "Chikorita is still young, please don't take it too seriously."
Eula hesitated for a moment, but still took her greatsword down from her back, holding it with both hands, her voice solemn, "In my knight's creed, when an opponent initiates a challenge, it must be answered."
"Chiko, Chiko..."
Chikorita looked back at Takashi with determination in her eyes.
Xerneas tilted her head at Takashi, as if to say, Well, what now?
"Translate it."
"Chikorita says she is confident she can win."
Amber chuckled, "Wow, she's got spirit. But Miss Eula is one of the best swordfighters in the Knights."
Eula immediately added, "Take out 'one of.' I don't believe my swordsmanship is inferior to Jean's."
Takashi rubbed his forehead—was this ice-cold beauty secretly a feisty electric girl inside?
No wonder they got a certain voice actress for the dub; her personality was spot on.
However, if they fought in the shop, wouldn't that just demolish the place?
"Wait a moment," Takashi said before heading inside with Xerneas.
Takashi immediately used the system, spending ten million Mora to unlock the "Battle Simulation Space."
"Congratulations on successfully unlocking the 'Battle Simulation Space.'"
**Battle Simulation Space**
Current Level: C
Spectator Capacity: 1,000
Battle Platform Area (Currently Grass Terrain): 3,000 square meters
Upgrade Cost: Thirty million Mora
Takashi exhaled deeply, and suddenly an inconspicuous door appeared before him. When he opened it, an empty arena with bright spotlights on a grassy field appeared.
He still needed to explore its features, but first, he needed to let those two hot-headed individuals come in and cool down.
Takashi stepped out, saying to Eula and Chikorita, "Both of you, come in."
"Chiko, Chiko..."
Chikorita ran ahead of Eula, turning back with a proud look.
Eula gripped her greatsword, radiating blue light, and walked in slowly.
Amber followed beside her. She knew Eula's temperament well. Once she encountered a fight, she wouldn't rest until the opponent was defeated.
But this opponent was an adorable Pokémon. Though a bit haughty, Amber found it quite charming.
It was so cute. Hitting its head would probably make it cry for a long time.
Imagining Chikorita crying "Chiko, Chiko," Amber's heart almost broke.
"Miss Eula, maybe you should just let it go. It's so cute..." Amber was reluctant.
"This is its choice. If it dares to challenge me, it should be prepared for defeat. This is my knight's way." Eula's cold tone remained unchanged, her gaze sharp and determined.
Amber sighed. This wasn't going to end well.