The simulation concluded.
The rewards for this session materialized before his eyes.
----
Fixed Reward: TM ×2 (Attribute of your choice)
Fixed Reward: Aroma Lady's Essence Crafting Memories — Refreshing & De-stressing Edition (Repeatable)
...
Selectable Reward 1: Level up any Pokémon by two (Must be below Lv. 70)
Selectable Reward 2: Clue to an obtainable Pokémon (Attribute of your choice)
Selectable Reward 3: Move — Weather Ball (Can be taught to a chosen Pokémon)
Selectable Reward 4: Carry the [Kindhearted] Talent over to the next simulation
----
Since he had placed in the Top 4, he could choose two rewards.
Kashiwagi didn't hesitate to pick Option 1 and Option 3.
He already had plenty of clues and didn't need to stack more.
As for Weather Ball... looking at his current team, no one could actually learn it yet. He'd have to shelf that until he recruited a compatible teammate.
Regarding the two levels, he thought it over and gave one to Aggron and one to Mawile.
Aggron had just hit Level 69 yesterday, so this maximized the efficiency.
Giving the other to Mawile was a strategic move; while one level wouldn't cause a massive power spike, every bit of extra confidence helped.
Finally, Kashiwagi's gaze fell on the Essence Crafting reward.
He hopped online to look up the "Refreshing and De-stressing" effect described.
There were plenty of brands, but only one carried the Verdant Manor trademark.
It was priced at 5,000 Poké Dollars for a box of five incense sticks. One stick burned for about eight hours, and the listing specifically noted the essence content was only 30%.
He stared at the screen, stunned. He never expected incense to be so expensive, especially with such a low concentration.
If I can craft pure essence by hand, wouldn't I make a fortune?
Wait, no.
Technology doesn't just stall for decades. There had to be a reason—production costs or something else.
Whether for sale or personal use, he needed to take it slow. He'd have to verify the effects and the process against modern standards first.
He didn't want to accidentally break any regulations or "industry taboos."
Besides, tomorrow was his debut on the Pokémon Contest stage. He needed to clear his head.
Yawning, he finished his nightly routine and climbed into bed, drifting off to sleep as he hugged the already snoring Deino.
...
The Next Day: The Contest Hall
Since registration closes at 9:00 AM, Kashiwagi headed out at 7:00 AM to beat the rush.
Even so, the lobby was already packed.
People with every hair color and outfit imaginable occupied every inch of space with their Pokémon.
Some were coordinators, others spectators, all buzzing with a mix of excitement and nerves.
A line of about a dozen people had already formed at the front desk. Judging by their attire, they were all contestants.
"Good thing we got here early. Look at this crowd",
Kashiwagi muttered.
Beside him, Mawile was visibly tensing up from the sheer number of people.
Just like its first battle against Aggron, the little Pokémon was feeling the pressure.
"Steady now. I'm right here; nothing's going to go wrong."
He reached out to pat Mawile's head, but it immediately covered her hair with her hands, glaring at him in protest.
Don't mess up the hair I just brushed!
With its attention diverted, Mawile's nerves settled, and its expression softened.
She knew that her trainer was right—they had practiced their routine countless times for this very day.
...
...
Registration finished soon after.
Because the lobby was becoming suffocating, Kashiwagi and Mawile slipped outside to a more secluded spot to wait for the start.
"To be honest, I still think yellow petals suit you better", he said, holding Mawile's Luxury Ball.
A pink sticker was affixed to the seal.
These were Ball Capsules and Seals from the Sinnoh region.
They released various visual effects when a Pokémon popped out, helping to make a strong first impression on the judges.
Kashiwagi thought yellow petals matched Mawile's color scheme, but Mawile insisted that pink petals better complemented the "Fairy Wind" theme of their opener.
Of course, the decision was already made; he was just chatting to keep Mawile relaxed.
"Mawile!"
Mawile firmly rejected the suggestion one last time, then suddenly narrowed its eyes, staring at a bush by the side of the road.
Kashiwagi sensed it too.
As the bushes rustled violently, they both jumped back.
A menacing Pokémon—a cross between a shark and a dinosaur—burst out of the greenery.
"Gar-chhomp!"
It let out a low roar and charged straight toward Kashiwagi.
"Mawile!" Mawile's face darkened as it prepared to strike, but Kashiwagi held it back with one hand while swiftly thumbing a Poké Ball.
Flash!
A beam of white light erupted, and Aggron slammed into the oncoming Garchomp.
BOOM!
The two titans collided, locking eyes with mutual ferocity.
They looked ready to tear the place apart.
But just as Aggron was about to seize the initiative, a pink-haired girl with twin tails burst from the bushes, gasping for breath.
"Garchomp, stop! Don't attack!"
she screamed.
Only then did the snarling Garchomp back down.
"Is this your Pokémon?"
Kashiwagi signaled Aggron to stand down, his brow furrowed as he looked at the girl.
She looked to be about twelve or thirteen, but Kashiwagi didn't mince words.
"If you can't control your Pokémon, don't let it out in crowded areas. You're causing trouble for everyone."
"I-I'm so sorry!"
the girl stammered, startled by his harsh tone.
"It's usually not like this!"
"I don't know why it just bolted... "
"maybe it smelled food? It's a bit of a glutton."
"Gar-chhomp!"
Garchomp grumbled, held back by its trainer but still looking defiant.
"Don't make excuses...wait."
Kashiwagi paused, feeling his pocket. He pulled out a half-eaten snack that Deino hadn't finished.
His lip twitched.
Seeing Garchomp's eyes glued to the treat, he considered tossing it over, but decided against it—he didn't want her thinking he was feeding it something suspicious.
"Whatever. Just watch it next time",
Kashiwagi said dismissively, recalling Aggron and leading Mawile away.
"Others might not be as patient as I am".
Seeing that he was done scolding her, the girl let out a sigh of relief.
She called out to his retreating back,
"Are you a contestant too?"
"My name is Ursula!"
"Kashiwagi. See you on stage."
He waved without looking back.
Once he was out of sight, his expression turned strange.
Ursula...
He hadn't recognized her at first, but the Garchomp and the name clicked.
She was one of Dawn's rivals!
Usually portrayed as a bit of a "mean girl" antagonist—always picking fights or making excuses when she lost.
A few years have passed, I guess. Her Gabite evolved into Garchomp, and her temper seems... slightly better?
Did life humble her, or did she just grow up?
Probably both.
Still, having a veteran Coordinator in the mix meant his debut wasn't going to be a walk in the park.