Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom-Chapter 625 - 624: It’s Best to Grab a Strong Leg Early!

Cynthia experienced the same feeling Steven once had.

Winning felt so uncomfortable...

Why does winning seem more annoying than losing, while the person who loses is so happy?

The entire battle ended when Cain surrendered, and after the referee announced the result, the crowd in the stands had yet to react.

How did the battle end without actually finishing?

In reality, these were doubts only ordinary people had.

Trainers who understood a bit about Pokémon would think surrendering was a very wise decision by Cain.

Cain's Slowking was at a significant disadvantage against Garchomp, and there was no need to force the fight to the end. After demonstrating its skill and being unable to defeat Garchomp, the best choice was to surrender.

It was a smart decision.

Cain slowly walked toward Cynthia with his injured Slowking.

Before the battle, they hadn't exchanged words—just a few glances.

Now Cynthia felt rather awkward.

However, Cain didn't dwell on it. He pulled out a light blue badge from his pocket.

It was an official badge approved by the League, issued after his gym opened, called the Droplet Badge, quite different from the Rain Badge of Sootopolis City.

The Rain Badge featured three water droplets forming almost a triangle, while Cain's Droplet Badge was very simple—a single light blue water droplet.

Holding the badge in his hand, Cain smiled and said to Cynthia, "Your strength is incredible; this badge is yours."

This was the first time Cain was awarding a badge, and the recipient was none other than the future Champion of the Sinnoh region, making it even more memorable.

Although Cynthia felt uncomfortable, she greatly respected Cain's skills, especially his unique battle techniques.

"Thank you," she said, accepting the Droplet Badge and placing it in her pocket.

Cynthia had been challenging gyms primarily to gain battle experience, not paying much attention to the badges themselves.

Since Cain offered it, she accepted it without hesitation. Perhaps in the future, she might participate in the Hoenn region's tournament and enjoy more thrilling battles then.

Cynthia's Garchomp stood beside her. It had also suffered significantly during the battle, especially from the repeated use of Ice Punch by Slowking, which left it quite uneasy.

Cynthia might seem cold, but she wasn't truly aloof. Her years of battling had accustomed her to maintaining composure, which also influenced her speech, making her seem distant.

Additionally, Cynthia wasn't very skilled at interacting with people. While she was an expert at dealing with Pokémon, engaging with people made her feel awkward.

After accepting the badge, Cynthia prepared to leave with her Garchomp.

But Cain stopped her: "Cynthia, your Garchomp has also taken considerable damage. Why not treat it alongside my Slowking?"

After all, this was the future Champion of the Sinnoh region.

And Cynthia was one of the most outstanding Champions, capable of directly facing Legendary Pokémon.

Wouldn't it be a good idea to hold on to such a powerful person while they were still on their rise to greatness?

Hearing Cain's words, Cynthia, who was about to leave, paused.

Although the Pokémon Center wasn't far, she had heard that Cain was a prodigy breeder whose mentor was the president of the Hoenn Breeders Guild—a veteran advanced breeder.

Finally, Cynthia accepted Cain's invitation to see how he treated his Pokémon.

Under the gaze of all the spectators, Cain left with Cynthia.

No one objected, not even those waiting for their turn to challenge the gym.

After witnessing the battle between Slowking and Garchomp, none of them felt confident in defeating Slowking.

It was better to challenge the substitute gym leader; at least there was some chance of winning.

Besides, Cain's Slowking had taken significant damage, so it wouldn't be able to battle immediately.

As the two strong trainers departed, cheers for Cain and Cynthia didn't subside.

Once they left the gym, Cain let out a slight sigh of relief. Though he had lived two lives, he had never been in a situation like that. The first time was truly something he wasn't used to.

The audience was too enthusiastic.

Cynthia noticed Cain's expression and suddenly asked, "Is this your first time as a gym leader in an official battle?"

Cynthia had already acknowledged Cain's strength, considering him on her level.

After all, she had heard quite a bit about Steven and Cain since she arrived in the Hoenn region

Unbeknownst to Cain, the Hoenn League had already promoted him alongside Steven as the "Twin Stars" of the Hoenn region, with titles such as prodigy trainers and talented breeders.

There were so many titles that even Cain blushed hearing them.

"Yes, it was my first time. I'm still getting used to it, haha," Cain said, scratching his head awkwardly.

After a brief conversation, both fell silent.

Cain led Cynthia to his backyard, now home to several Pokémon. The entire Slowpoke group resided there.

Nowadays, the pond developed by the Slowpoke was quite large, and several water-type Pokémon also lived there.

Some had even evolved.

At some point, Cain planned to select the Pokémon in the pond, transferring those with more common aptitudes to an artificial lake outside and leaving only those with higher potential in the private pond.

Then, using his breeding skills, he would gradually optimize the Pokémon's quality in the pond, aiming to turn it into a sanctuary for water-type Pokémon, similar to the Stone family's mine.

He hadn't released the other Pokémon—not even with Steven—and certainly not now, given it was his first time meeting Cynthia.

Cain called out to his Floette, which was planting flowers, and said, "Floette, use Grassy Terrain."

"Fleett~~" Floette was thoroughly enjoying life, planting flowers every day, training her moves, free from worry about danger or food.

"Is it a Pokémon from the Kalos region?" Cynthia was surprised to see Floette. It was her first time seeing such a Pokémon.

Moreover, no matter how tough a trainer might be, any woman would feel charmed by such an adorable Pokémon.

Even the "Battle Queen" was still a woman.

Cain smiled and nodded. "Yes, let Slowking and your Garchomp stay in the Grassy Terrain."

Cynthia nodded and released her Garchomp from its Pokéball.

Garchomp and Slowking stood in the area Floette had created with Grassy Terrain, and their wounds began to heal rapidly.

"Your Floette's Grassy Terrain is truly impressive," Cynthia remarked, impressed by the move's healing effect.

(End of Chapter)