"But the one who wins will definitely be me!"
Ash said this as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Faced with Ash's confidence, Diantha showed an expression that said "I knew you'd say that."
She then smiled indulgently and ended the topic, shifting the conversation to Farfetch'd instead.
"Sir Wikstrom happens to be staying in his castle lately. Rest for the night, and tomorrow I'll take you to see him."
"That's great! Farfetch'd and I have been waiting for this forever!"
Once the topic turned serious, Ash's spirits instantly lifted.
Under Diantha's guidance, the conversation quickly shifted entirely toward Farfetch'd.
After carefully observing Ash's Farfetch'd, Diantha—the five-star Champion of Kalos—gave a highly affirmative evaluation.
Whether it was its mental state or its level of training, Farfetch'd was top-tier.
It really lived up to Ash's reputation.
After all, he was someone capable of raising monsters like Pikachu and Greninja.
Since they had arrived in Kalos in the afternoon, it obviously wasn't suitable to visit Wikstrom at that time.
After a simple dinner, the two agreed to go to Wikstrom's castle the next day.
Late at night.
Diantha, wearing a nightgown, leaned against the balcony railing.
Her gaze occasionally drifted toward the neighboring room.
Even in the middle of the night, the lights in the next room were still on.
From time to time, she could hear voices like:
"Tomorrow we finally get to meet Uncle Wikstrom, I'm so happy!"
"I wonder what Farfetch'd will look like after it evolves!"
Hearing this, a smile unconsciously appeared on Diantha's face.
"Youth really is wonderful."
The night breeze brushed past her hair under the moonlight.
Diantha lightly sipped the red wine in her glass, a faint blush coloring her face.
Behind her, Gardevoir gently draped a coat over her shoulders.
After finishing the wine in one go, Diantha stretched lazily, her fiery figure revealed in full.
"Time to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be an important day."
With that, Diantha turned and went back into her room.
[Drasna: It really feels like Diantha's feelings toward Ash aren't ordinary. Those looks alone could write a whole book.]
[Wallace: The way Diantha looks at Ash is different from how Cynthia looks at him. Cynthia feels like familial affection gone astray, while Diantha's has always been tenderness.]
08
[Diantha: That's nonsense! I… I don't feel that way at all!]
For some reason, after seeing the complex emotions she displayed toward Ash on the light screen, a strange feeling welled up in her heart.
It was as if she suddenly possessed memories from five years in the future.
Ash's face—once slightly blurry—now became vividly etched into her mind.
Why was that?
(What else could it be! The Champion wanted to help a rookie, nearly got beaten senseless by him, and ended up with psychological trauma! Almost getting turned into a world-famous painting, seriously!)
Rubbing her slightly heated cheeks, Diantha couldn't help but think about Drasna's words.
Would there be a love battlefield between her and Cynthia in the future?
That scene!
Just imagining it was kind of exciting!
...
On screen—
Early the next morning.
Ash got up at the crack of dawn and began another day of training with Farfetch'd.
Ten thousand swings of the leek every day!
Even Ash and Pikachu each grabbed a leek and trained alongside Farfetch'd.
"Come on! Youth is about sweating it out! One thousand more, Farfetch'd!"
"Ga!"
"Pika!"
One human and two Pokémon swung their leeks full of enthusiasm.
But Diantha suffered for it.
There was no way she could sleep in that environment.
Only after counting up to eleven thousand did Diantha finally pull open the curtains.
As sunlight poured into the room, she let out a tired yawn.
Not sleeping well all night was bad enough, and now she'd been woken up early by Ash.
Looking down at Ash training together with his Pokémon, Diantha's irritation instantly disappeared.
Youth really was wonderful.
After collecting herself, she washed up, changed clothes, and went downstairs.
Kalos — the Knight's Gym.
Calling it a gym was an understatement—it was more like a battle castle standing deep in the forest.
Led by Diantha, Ash stared in shock at the castle that occupied nearly half a mountain.
"Is this really a Gym?"
Not only Ash—viewers watching the livestream were dumbfounded as well.
Whose Gym was this luxurious?!
"That's right, it's definitely a Gym. Sir Wikstrom's family has always been nobility, and even now that hasn't changed. But Sir Wikstrom has always called himself a knight. Compared to being a noble, he prefers the title of knight."
"Hahaha, as expected of Miss Diantha—you know me well."
At that moment, accompanied by the creaking roar of rotating wooden mechanisms, the massive castle doors slowly opened from within.
Inside stood two figures.
One wore a full suit of silver standardized armor, exuding a strong medieval knightly aura.
The only thing that felt out of place was the star-shaped tuft of yellow hair on his head.
Still, Wikstrom looked undeniably cool.
The bulky armor somehow gave him an overwhelming sense of power.
The pressure he emitted was terrifying!
Beside him stood another figure.
Aegislash possessed a massive, thick blade. Its hilt, guard, and spine were prominent, with the spine glowing golden.
Its scabbard was gone, replaced by a round shield.
The blade was wider at the tip than at the center, with serrated edges.
Two ribbon-like arms extended from the guard.
Its eyes were deep purple, its arms black, and its hands dark violet.
In legends, Aegislash was said to have used psychic control to dominate an entire kingdom.
Of course, that was only legend.
In reality, Aegislash was simply an outstanding battler.
With both attack and defense forms, Aegislash had no weaknesses in the hands of a powerful Trainer.
And Wikstrom was exactly the kind of Trainer who could fully unleash its potential.
Kalos Steel-type Elite Four — Wikstrom.
He had already received Diantha's message early that morning, saying she would personally come to visit.
That was why he was waiting here.
And upon seeing Ash, he instantly understood why Diantha had come in person.
So that's how it is~
A look of realization appeared on Wikstrom's face.
Their Champion thought very highly of this boy.
During the Lumiose Conference, he had personally heard Diantha say that Ash would become the champion.
Yet somehow, on the finals stage, Greninja—like a miracle incarnate—lost to Mega Charizard X.
That puzzled him deeply.
But victory and defeat were absolute. A loss was a loss.
Still, the way Ash accepted defeat had left a deep impression on him.
"Ash, long time no see."
"Long time no see, Uncle Wikstrom!"
Wikstrom looked serious, but was actually quite easy to get along with.
After exchanging brief greetings, Ash explained why he was here and released his Pokémon—Farfetch'd.
The moment Farfetch'd appeared, it demonstrated its strength.
With a swing of its leek, a sharp gust of wind erupted.
However, the gust was instantly blocked by the Aegislash beside Wikstrom.
In King's Shield form, Aegislash possessed a terrifying 140 in both defenses!
Not to mention it was one of Wikstrom's aces—Farfetch'd's current strength wasn't even worth considering.
Yet Wikstrom was very satisfied with Farfetch'd's performance.
"You're very good. Having the courage to challenge strong foes is a necessary trait of a knight. You already meet the standards to become one."
Wikstrom showed admiration for Ash's Pokémon right away.
Challenging his Aegislash the moment it appeared—what courage!
However.
Farfetch'd's expression stiffened slightly, though its resolute eyes betrayed no weakness.
It loved battling and challenging strong opponents.
But that didn't mean it was stupid.
It knew exactly its own level.
That Aegislash clearly wasn't something to mess with!
Still, being praised made Duck-duck very happy.
"Ga~"
Farfetch'd nodded proudly, fully accepting Wikstrom's praise.
Wikstrom stepped forward and slapped his chest armor with one hand, making it ring loudly.
Then he declared righteously to Farfetch'd:
"I am Wikstrom, the Man of Steel. I firmly believe that the path of the knight is the true road to strength—this belief is why I founded the Knight's Gym! Only Pokémon who uphold the knight's path can become the strongest in the world!
Your name is Farfetch'd, correct? Come! You have the qualifications to become a true knight! Train with me, and let me witness your resolve!"
"Wen~"
Aegislash echoed its Trainer's words in support.
Such passionate words made Farfetch'd abandon its hesitation and nod without delay.
It had come here precisely to pursue the knight's path and awaken its own knightly spirit.
Wikstrom clearly looked like a professional in this field!
Professionals handle professional matters!
That was professionalism at its finest!
[Wikstrom: My lifelong dream is to spread the path of the knight and allow everyone to experience its charm. Anyone who wishes to learn the knight's path is welcome to my Knight's Gym in Kalos. I await you all here.]
[Grant: Damn, I really have to say—using the barrage to advertise, you're the first one!]
[Matori: Ahem—Team Rocket once again sincerely invites all ambitious individuals to join us!]
[Lance: Aren't you being a bit arrogant? Not afraid I'll come looking for trouble?]
[Matori: Heh, do you think Team Rocket would be scared?]
Lance thought about it carefully—Team Rocket really wasn't afraid.
In terms of strength, Giovanni's Team Rocket had once been swept by Red alone.
Yet the Kanto Elite Four couldn't even last half an hour against Red.
So really, they were about even.
And after so many encounters, Lance dared to say this—
Giovanni, when standing on solid ground, was not someone he could defeat!
So Team Rocket really didn't need to fear them at all!
MMP!
The more Lance thought about it, the angrier he became.
All the bad luck lately kept piling up.
First he got beaten by Sabrina, then got crushed by Lorelei when challenging the Champion.
And now Team Rocket was trash-talking him right to his face!
Lance clenched his fists.
Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river!
Once I answer a few more questions and get the livestream rewards—
I'll show you what true cruelty looks like!
For now—
Lance pulled out a small red notebook and狠狠地 recorded a grievance against Giovanni and Team Rocket.
Alliance Calendar XXX, X Month, X Day, Clear.
Today, I was mocked by Team Rocket and humiliated live on stream.
This grudge is noted.
...
On screen—
The ones fired up weren't just Farfetch'd, but Ash as well.
"Let us together point our blades toward the knight's path! Feel the beating of your hearts!"
As he spoke, Wikstrom pointed straight at Farfetch'd.
Farfetch'd raised its leek in response.
Ash was even more excited, as if he himself were the one about to undergo knightly training.
"Uncle Wikstrom, let me join the knight's training too!"
"Yes! That look! Truly refreshing! The future of the young is always accompanied by glory—woohoo~"
Halfway through speaking, Wikstrom covered his face and burst into tears.
The sudden turn startled Ash.
"Uncle Wikstrom is really passionate, huh? Right, Pikachu?"
"Pika!"
Pikachu raised its paw in agreement.
Why did this guy suddenly start crying?
Diantha could only cover her face.
She knew this would happen.
If the most unreliable among Sinnoh's Elite Four was Flint, then among Kalos's Elite Four, it was Wikstrom.
Not only obsessed with the knight's path, but also prone to crying at the drop of a hat.
Just… absurd.
Diantha sighed. She couldn't let this continue.
Farfetch'd was already hugging its leek and crying.
Ash's eyes were also close to filling with tears.
It was clearly a cringe-inducing speech, yet everyone present had fallen into full-blown chuunibyou euphoria.
"All right. It's getting late. Let's begin."
With Diantha's voice, everyone snapped back to their senses.
They were already familiar with one another—no further introductions were needed.
At Wikstrom's request, Ash and Farfetch'd changed into knight uniforms.
Calling them uniforms was misleading.
They were suits of armor—custom-made.
Very heavy.
For ordinary people, even moving a little would be difficult.
Yet Ash was completely unfazed.
Wearing the armor barely restricted him at all.
Aside from being slightly inconvenient to move in—
It was actually pretty cool!
"What is our goal?!"
"The knight's path!"
"Pika!" "Ga!"
"How do we achieve our goal?!"
"Training!"
"Very good! Full of spirit!"
"Then now! Let us begin the special training to uphold the knight's path!
First! Run ten laps around the castle! Remember—no matter what, never remove the armor that represents a knight's honor!"
Wikstrom said solemnly.
This wasn't ordinary running.
It was running under increased gravity applied by Probopass!
That was why Wikstrom insisted they never remove their armor!
Even under enhanced gravity, Ash still moved with ease.
If not for waiting on Farfetch'd, Ash could've finished the first stage in half an hour!
But to accommodate Farfetch'd, they dragged it out until noon.
Seeing that even an exhausted Farfetch'd had completed all the training—
Wikstrom was moved to tears once again.
The second training stage followed!
Maze Exploration!
If the first stage trained a knight's physical endurance, then the second trained mental fortitude!
No matter how terrifying the enemy, one must never forget the spirit of drawing one's blade!
Compared to the first stage, the second tested courage and Pokémon-Trainer coordination even more.
But who was Ash?
The synergy between him and Farfetch'd needed no explanation.
As for courage—
Don't joke around! Ash had dared to wrestle with the creator god Arceus!
This maze wasn't even worthy of shining his shoes!
Charging straight through, Ash bulldozed the maze flat.
The speed left Wikstrom utterly shocked.
He couldn't help but call Ash and Farfetch's once-in-a-century genius knights!
And the most important rule of knighthood—
Was combat strength!
This was the third trial of the knight's path!
"Ash! Let's battle! 2-on-2! Aegislash and I versus you and Farfetch'd! Remember—this is a battle where humans and Pokémon fight together!"
Wikstrom declared passionately.
[Mustard: Are you sure you want to battle Ash? Who gave you the courage?!]
To read 30+ future chapters, head over to patreon:
patreon.com/ToastWizard