Chapter 312: A Senior from the Weather Bureau
"You are..."
Basalt looked at the man, completely bewildered. He had no memory of ever meeting him.
But when the others saw the man, they all respectfully made way. Even the Roba youths who had been clamoring to challenge Basalt fell silent, their eyes filled with reverence.
"Big Brother Adil!" Amuyar recognized the man.
Adil was the most outstanding trainer of the Roba Tribe in the last decade, the most likely successor to the Tribal Chief, and the idol of countless Roba youths.
Adil didn't pay attention to the tribesmen. He walked straight up to Basalt and extended his hand with a smile. "My name is Adil. I'm a fourth-year student at Capital University. And I'm also a member of the Weather Bureau."
"Huh? The Weather Bureau?"
Basalt was stunned. He had considered a thousand possibilities, but he'd never guessed that this man was also a member of the Weather Bureau.
But after thinking about it, it made sense. The Roba Tribe were desert people with a long-standing tradition of training Sandstorm Pokémon. It would be weirder if the Weather Bureau didn't recruit their geniuses.
"A senior! Hello, hello!" Basalt quickly bowed and shook his hand. "Please take care of me in the future!"
The fact that he was also a student at Capital University meant his status was definitely not low.
"How could I dare to take care of you?" Adil laughed and shook his head. "In the future, it's more likely you'll be taking care of me."
Although it hadn't been widely publicized, the news of Basalt defeating the Life Energy Bureau's genius, Mortimer, had already spread like wildfire within the Weather Bureau. It was a huge morale boost. Basalt's potential was clear for all to see.
"Bro, aren't you being a little too humble? You're a top-tier Pro-level trainer. He's Advanced-rank at best. The gap between you is still massive!"
A young woman popped out from behind Adil. Although her skin was dark, it couldn't hide her stunning features. Paired with the traditional Roba clothing, her exotic charm was even more pronounced.
The moment she appeared, all the young men in the crowd, including Amuyar, instinctively puffed out their chests, trying to show their best side.
Unfortunately, the young woman's gaze was fixed solely on Basalt.
"Reya, Basalt has that. Your brother doesn't."
Adil pointed at Larvitar, his face full of envy. It was a pseudo-legendary. A Pokémon that countless people dreamed of but could never obtain. Adil had applied for one himself, but his qualifications weren't high enough, and the Bureau had rejected him.
This was despite the fact that Adil was a member of the Capital University school team.
Hearing this, Reya pouted. "That's just because he has connections. Unlike you, bro, you earned everything you have with your own two fists."
In Reya's eyes, Basalt was just a pretty boy, in the most literal sense.
"Anyway, were you all just sparring?"
Adil looked at the quicksand-covered field, a shocked expression on his face. That level of Sand Tomb... was created by a Larvitar?
But as far as he knew, Basalt was only a freshman, right?
"Big Brother Adil, we just wanted to prove that Hippowdon is the strongest Sandstorm Pokémon!" one of the Roba youths shouted, and the crowd roared in agreement.
But Adil just rolled his eyes. "You wanted to prove Hippowdon is the strongest, so you decided to challenge... a Larvitar?"
Hearing this, all the Roba youths froze, speechless.
The logic... didn't really hold up. If they wanted to prove that, they should be challenging a Tyranitar.
"Well... he's a warrior acknowledged by the Desert God. We can challenge a warrior, can't we?"
"Yeah, yeah, we're challenging the warrior!"
The crowd's agreement was deafening. The core idea was simple: We want to fight Basalt!
"Basalt, is it? Don't get too cocky. The Roba Tribe has plenty of warriors who are definitely stronger than you," Reya said, glaring at Basalt.
"When was I being cocky?" Basalt threw up his hands, pleading his innocence.
I'm surrounded by a mob of people all chanting "We want to fight him." How could I possibly dare to be arrogant?
"You weren't, but your Pokémon was!" Reya pointed at Larvitar.
Seeing that the battle had been interrupted, the little guy was very unhappy. It was scowling and "Yuji"-ing nonstop, clearly taunting the Roba youths.
Larvitar had used Taunt.
The Roba youths had fallen for it. They all had their Pokéballs out, ready to go. If Adil hadn't been there to keep order, a brawl would have already broken out.
Seeing this, Basalt's face darkened.
"That's enough!"
Just then, Adil shouted, his voice booming, and instantly quieted the scene.
"Basalt is an honored guest of the Roba Tribe. Is this how you treat our guests?"
Adil's eyes narrowed, and he glanced at the crowd. "Besides, the Tribal Gathering is in three days. You can challenge Basalt as much as you want on that day. But before the gathering, you will not!"
Although Adil seemed affable, when he was angry, he had a powerful authority. It was very effective.
Not just the youths, but even some of the adults and minor chieftains in the crowd didn't dare to defy him.
Adil had earned that right.
"Alright, then. We'll challenge him at the gathering."
With Adil's final word, the crowd dispersed.
But the "daggers" in their eyes were impossible to hide. As the Roba youths left, every single one of them shot Basalt a final, sharp glare. If looks could kill, he would have been sliced to pieces.
"Thanks for that," Basalt said, clasping his hands in gratitude. Adil just waved it off.
A massive wave of challenges had ended just as it began. This should have been a good thing, but one little guy was not happy.
"Yuji~" o(≧口≦)o
Larvitar was on the verge of tears. Don't go! We were just about to fight! How can you just break it up?
They were such good training dummies! And they were all lining up to get beaten by me!
"Yuji!" (╬◣д◢)
Larvitar glared at Adil. This is all your fault!
"And you say you're not arrogant?" Reya pointed at Larvitar. "You hide it well, but your Pokémon has completely exposed your intentions."
"I have no idea what you're talking about!" Basalt said, sweating. He was being framed.
Watching Basalt try to explain himself to Reya, Adil couldn't help but smile.
Hey, you know what? Basalt and my little sister actually look pretty good together. A talented guy and a beautiful girl.
Of course, Basalt was also very handsome.
But just then, Adil felt a cold gaze on him. As a top-tier Pro-level trainer who had been through life-and-death situations, his senses were extremely sharp.
He scanned the surroundings and his gaze quickly landed on a person completely wrapped in a black robe, their face hidden.
Their eyes met, and the black-robed person quickly left.
Adil frowned. What a strange person.
But he didn't think too much of it. Ever since he had become a "warrior acknowledged by the Desert God" and had risen from a common boy to one of the most prominent figures in the tribe, he had gained respect, but also a lot of jealousy. He was used to such looks.
"Come on, Basalt. I'll take you to my home. I'll treat you to a good meal tonight."
Adil clapped Basalt on the shoulder, his voice full of warmth.
Basalt and Amuyar exchanged a look. Before he could even agree, Alim chimed in cheerfully, "That sounds great! We've never been to Big Brother Adil's house either!"
His plan to ride Basalt's coattails was already going well. But now it looked like he could also get on Adil's good side? This was a double win!
Of course, he had to make sure no one realized that he and Basalt weren't actually in the same group.
"In that case, you can all come along."
Adil wasn't bothered by the small details. As long as Basalt came, that was all that mattered. He had a favor to ask of Basalt, so he had to treat him well.
As for this Alim kid, having him around to liven up the atmosphere wasn't a bad idea.
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