Chapter 296: I Don’t Have Time for Your Nonsense Anymore, I’m Joining Quaxmen

[VIP Chat Group]

[Caitlin]: The "Arceus Region"... How is Asher’s excuse any different from telling a three-year-old, "If you make a wish at the lake, a Legendary Pokémon will appear"?

[Johanna]: The Arceus Region... I can’t believe he actually had the nerve to say that. And Dawn really believed him.

[Brock]: Damn it! The person being fooled looks so happy, while I’m suffering this much just watching it. Why?! Why is the world so unfair?!

[Lillie]: If you look at it from another perspective, perhaps Mr. Asher didn’t tell Dawn about something involving the creator deity because he wanted to protect her?

[Lusamine]: Sweetheart, you’re too kind. He just made something up on the spot. He simply happened to make the lie sound surprisingly convincing.

[Raihan]: So how exactly did Dawn manage to believe something like "the Arceus Region"?Even my Duraludon couldn’t keep a straight face.

[Lorelei]: Love-brain. What else could it be?

[Dawn]: I’m not a love-brain! (??﹏??)

[May]: I don’t think Dawn is exactly a love-brain either. She just selectively believes Asher.

[Dawn]: May, that actually makes so much sense! So I’m just selectively believing him! Thank you! I feel better again! (≧ω≦)

[Zoey]: ...The meaning didn’t change at all, but she’s happier now. I guess that’s fine.

[Shauntal]: This material is incredible! I’m putting it in my next novel. The title will be The Girl Who Believed the Arceus Region Was Real.

[Grimsley]: I’d wager every chip I own that every single word Asher just said was a lie. Including the punctuation.

[Steven]: None of you understand! Brother Asher was simply being humble! He doesn’t want his true identity exposed!

[Wallace]: Steven’s dancing genuinely hurts the eyes. Forget everything else—could you at least consider how Metagross feels?

[Metagross]: Meta~ (I’m fine. Spinning is my natural state.)

[Raihan]: Metagross seriously has an incredible mentality. It’s been forced to dress like a reflective disco ball and it’s still comforting itself.

The video continued playing.

The black Quaquaval’s moonwalk continued.

With every sliding step—

The motes of the Power of Viridian spread another ring outward.

Those points of light landed upon the unconscious Pokémon like spring rain soaking into parched soil.

Their breathing gradually stabilized.

The tension in their faces slowly faded.

One.

Two.

Five...

More and more Pokémon opened their eyes.

Their first reactions upon waking were almost identical.

They searched for their companions.

Held one another close.

Then, together they turned toward the black figure gliding beneath the moonlight.

Within seconds, life returned to the entire mountainside.

Every Pokémon that had lost control had returned to normal.

Hina watched it all.

The corners of her lips curved upward slightly.

Then her body went limp, and she began falling backward.

"...Thank goodness."

"It really is."

Dawn caught her and held her tighter.

"You worked hard, Hina."

"Get some sleep."

"Mom..."

Hina closed her eyes.

Then completely lost consciousness.

[VIP Chat Group]

[Phoebe]: So Hina’s Power of Viridian really was amplified? Just by dancing?

[Lorelei]: I’m shocked too, but the effect was undeniable. The range of Hina’s power more than doubled...

[Piplup]: Piplup, piplup! (Quaxmen is invincible!)

[Dawn]: Piplup, when did you become a Quaxmen fan too?!

[Piplup]: Piplup, piplup, piplup! (I want to join Quaxmen! Now! Immediately! This instant!)

[Acerola]: Quaquaval’s moonwalk under the moonlight was almost unrealistically beautiful~ I’m starting to want to join Quaxmen and learn how to dance too.

[Flint]: I’m interested too.

[Volkner]: Get in line.

[Alder]: That dance awakened the Champion spirit inside me! Looks like it’s finally time for me to return to the world and rediscover the passion and hot-blooded excitement of my youth!

[Lorelei]: Mr. Alder?!

Haven’t you been looking forward to retirement for years?!

[Alder]: To witness the summit of Quaxmen, making one exception won’t hurt. So... I want to join Quaxmen too!

[Lance]: No... I... This...

[Bruno]: Hahahaha! If all of you go learn the Quaxmen Dance, are League meetings going to start with everyone moonwalking through the doors? I can already picture Lance sliding into the conference room while wearing his cape.

[Lance]: ... I am absolutely not joining.

[Raihan]: I don’t have time for your nonsense anymore. I’m going to become Quaxmen’s First Official Disciple! Who’s in favor, and who’s against?

[Leon]: I’m against it! Raihan, can your Duraludon even moonwalk?! My Charizard is obviously far more suitable! I should be first!

[Flint]: What a joke! When it comes to body type, my Infernape is obviously the perfect candidate for learning the moonwalk!

[Raihan]: In that case, there’s nothing more to discuss. Take out your Poké Balls!

[Steven]: Fight all you want. With the relationship between Brother Asher and me, I can at least secure myself an the position when the time comes.

[Wallace]: You’d be lucky to qualify as the gatekeeper.

The video continued playing.

When Hina opened her eyes—she found herself lying in her own bed at home.

The blanket was pulled up to her chest.

A cooling patch was stuck to her forehead.

The curtains were open.

Warm sunlight streamed into the room, so bright that it was difficult to keep her eyes open.

"Awake?"

Asher was sitting beside the bed with a cup of warm milk in his hand.

"Dad..."

Hina blinked.

"What about everyone?"

"They’re all fine."

"You slept for sixteen hours straight."

"S-Sixteen hours?!"

Hina abruptly sat upright.

Because she’d risen too quickly, her vision instantly went black—

And she collapsed straight back onto the pillow.

"Easy."

"Your mom went to make you some porridge."

"Rest properly first."

Asher handed her the warm milk.

"After you collapsed, the Power of Viridian fed some of its energy back into your own body."

"How do you feel now?"

Hina flexed her fingers.

"It feels like..."

"My body is a little lighter."

"And..."

"I can hear Pokémon talking from really far away..."

"That’s exactly what should’ve happened."

Asher smiled.

"Your Power of Viridian leveled up."

"Leveled up?"

Hina’s golden eyes widened.

"Consider it a blessing in disguise."

Asher straightened the edge of her blanket.

"But don’t get too excited."

"Now that your power has grown stronger, your body will need some time to adjust."

"For the next two days, you’re staying home."

"You’re not going anywhere."

"B-But the Grand Festival..."

"I already spoke with Wallace."

"The competition has been postponed."

"You have plenty of time to recover."

"Besides—"

Asher rubbed her hair.

"You’ve got this many adults here helping you get back into shape."

"What are you worried about?"

Hina lowered her head.

Her voice became soft.

"Thank you, Dad."

"What are you thanking me for?"

Asher ruffled her hair once more.

"Go wash your face."

"Come downstairs and eat when you’re done."

...

TL: I have no idea whether I updated yesterday or two days ago... so here are three Chapters.