"Although it's hosted by the Sinnoh Alliance, the entire League is paying quite a bit of attention to it. If we can achieve good results there, it will certainly be beneficial for our future development in the League," Lance said over the phone.
Natsuhiko pursed his lips.
He just wanted to say that he already knew.
It's just....
"So, are you going to participate?" Natsuhiko confirmed.
"It's not just me. Quite a few people I know will be participating. Natsuhiko, you're going to join too, right?"
"....Hehe... Maybe." Natsuhiko's expression was a bit stiff.
"Join in. I'll count you in as one spot,"
On the other end, Lance "took charge" and decided on Natsuhiko's participation.
"A spot?"
Natsuhiko was startled.
"Yes, to showcase better performance in this competition, the four major regions of Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh have collectively decided to allow us participants to enter an Alternate Space that the League confirmed not long ago, for a two-week trial period," Lance said excitedly.
An Alternate Space by the League, a trial?
This indeed exceeded Natsuhiko's expectations.
Involving four regions?
Kanto and Johto together is natural, Hoenn and Sinnoh being involved is understandable, but why not Unova and Kalos?
Natsuhiko was also unsure of the current situation within the League.
The only thing he was sure of was that such a trial must have considerable benefits.
Perhaps.
If he could showcase his potential and talent in this trial and be noticed by the League, he might not even need to participate in the Lily Youth Congress to qualify for the Gym Leader assessment.
But why didn't Hilona tell him from the start?
Is it because she thought he was from the Kanto Region and that people from his region would naturally inform him?
"Hey, Natsuhiko, are you listening?"
Lance's voice pulled Natsuhiko back from his thoughts.
"Oh, oh, I'm listening, I'm listening."
"I heard from the elders at home that this Alternate Space was just recently discovered by the League and hasn't been thoroughly explored. Although there will be dangers, there are also considerable opportunities.
Even if you don't participate in the Lily Youth Competition, you could try joining this trial. It will definitely be beneficial for both you and me."
As a friend, Lance spoke from the heart.
Regardless of whether Natsuhiko joins the competition, such an opportunity is rare.
In fact.
The League controls quite a few Alternate Spaces, big and small. Some are semi-open for League Direct Lineage Trainers to freely access, while others are completely sealed and confidential, requiring significant permissions to know of their existence.
These Alternate Spaces, some have been passed down from ancient times or even the Super Ancient Era. After all, the developmental history of the Pokémon Realm exceeds a billion years.
During this period, various big and small Pokémon, including Divine Beasts and Phantom Beasts, must have appeared or been born. With the abilities of these Pokémon, creating a space of their own isn't difficult.
However, with time, some Alternate Spaces have disappeared, becoming impossible to locate, while others have been discovered and opened gradually through intentional exploration by the League.
Like Regigigas's Alternate Space, it currently remains undiscovered.
As for those the League has found, it's estimated that one would need a certain level of authority to know all of them.
Natsuhiko took a deep breath, "When does it start?"
"In three days. After all, we need to leave some time for final preparations upon returning for the competition."
"Got it."
Indeed, as Lance said.
Such an opportunity is not to be missed, and if he can participate, he should try to do so.
Having just returned from Regigigas's Alternate Space, Natsuhiko naturally has a lot to say about these Alternate Spaces.
However, entering an Alternate Space known to the League is definitely not the same as entering one known to only one person; the League's presence would certainly be a constraint on his performance.
Yet, with his tricks, he might still be able to deal with it.
Besides, without the League, such opportunities might not exist.
Three days, however, seems too short.
Natsuhiko just barely had time to digest what he gained from Regigigas's Alternate Space, converting it into his own strength or his Pokémon's potential.
But now, if he doesn't want to waste this great opportunity, he might have to move this process into the League's Alternate Space.
"So, should I sign you up for a spot?" Lance confirmed.
"You have to register me?" Natsuhiko was somewhat puzzled.
"Don't worry, just leave these things to me."
With that, Lance didn't say much more to Natsuhiko, and directly hung up the phone, seemingly eager to get busy with other matters.
Listening to the dial tone, Natsuhiko rubbed his temples somewhat wearily.
He had a feeling this might not entirely be a good thing.
Just then.
Before he even put away his phone, it rang again.
"It never ends, does it..."
He took out his phone to see that this time it was showing Hilona.
Exhaling a breath to adjust his mindset,
He pressed the answer button.
"It's me, Hilona."
From the other end, Hilona's familiar voice, slightly cold, but not intentionally distant, quickly came through.
But this is just her personality, not an aversion to anyone.
"I know," Natsuhiko replied.
"I couldn't get through to you earlier when I called."
"Uh... A friend happened to call me too," Natsuhiko explained with an awkward laugh.
"Oh."
Oh?
Hilona's response left Natsuhiko momentarily at a loss for words.
But soon, Hilona remembered the main purpose of her call.
"So, a notification just came in. The four regions of Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh will offer a special favor to those participating in the 'Lily Youth Competition.' The League will open an Alternate Space for these contestants to enter and undergo trials..."
What Hilona said next was almost identical to what Lance had said earlier.
Natsuhiko came to realize.
It was the latest news; he had thought Hilona hadn't mentioned it to him earlier.
As soon as the news came through, she called Natsuhiko.
"So, I suggest you participate. It will be good for you."
"Okay." Natsuhiko replied directly.
"Even if you don't join the competition, you could.... Hmm? Okay?" Hilona seemed a beat behind in reacting.
"Yes, I understand, so I'm joining," Natsuhiko replied while rubbing his temples.
"Where are you right now?"
At this, Natsuhiko looked around before saying after a moment of silence, "In two hours, I should be in Blackgold City."
"Understood. Beep... Beep.... Beep..."
The call ended.
Staring at the phone that was beeping incessantly, Natsuhiko pursed his lips.
For some reason, he felt as though he'd gotten himself into something big this time.
Indeed.
Just as he anticipated, shortly after ending the call with Hilona, his phone rang again.
This time, the phone displayed a special note Natsuhiko had given it...
The eternal support, the only herald of wealth—
Zfuchi Flint.
Looking up.
Facing the sky.
"Such a busy schedule."
"Baluya——" Dragapult's somewhat impatient urging could also be heard at this moment.
Luckily, he only knows a few people.
Yet now a question faced Natsuhiko.
If both Kanto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh are inviting him, which side is he on now?
——————
A bit late but here's the fifth update today! Please vote for me!