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The meeting room inside the shelter buzzed with tension.
Several examiners had gathered together and, after listening to Roy's account, a heavy silence filled the air.
"No wonder so few students withdrew today..."
The speaker was a muscular examiner with a thick mustache.
Roy glanced at the name tag on the examiner's chest—Justin. The man cursed under his breath, "I should have known something was off. When did these kids suddenly develop such resilience?"
In previous days, there had always been students who couldn't persevere and chose to withdraw from the exercise. Today, the number of dropouts had been suspiciously low, and Justin had sensed something wasn't right.
"If only I'd noticed earlier," Justin said anxiously. "Enough talk—let's round up all the remaining students immediately!"
"No," Ivy objected, shaking her head firmly. "There must be spies watching the shelter. If all of us examiners suddenly rush out to collect students, we'll alert Team Illuminati that we've discovered their operation. They'll likely harm the hostages."
"So we just sit back and let them continue kidnapping our students?" Justin glared at her.
Ivy returned his gaze with calm resolve. "This is currently just a kidnapping situation—there's no immediate mortal danger and rescue remains possible. But if we provoke them... you and I both know how ruthless and decisive Team Illuminati can be. We need to leave this to the proper authorities. An international criminal organization like Team Illuminati isn't something that we professional Trainers can handle alone."
Justin slammed his fist on the table, his face contorted with frustration.
They had already notified officials before the meeting began. Now, all they could do was wait.
Despite knowing that students had been kidnapped and that Team Illuminati continued their operations in the snow-covered wilderness, they were powerless to act. This sense of helplessness was something the professional Trainers present hadn't experienced in a long time.
At this moment, Roy spoke up:
"I have a way to ensure the students' safety without alerting Team Illuminati's scouts."
"What?" Several examiners looked at him in surprise.
What could this freshman possibly suggest when all the professional Trainers were at a loss?
Ivy froze, suddenly recalling how Roy had commanded the Weavile family. Her eyes brightened with realization. "Wild Pokémon?!"
"Exactly," Roy nodded with a slight smile. "Team Illuminati is only watching for examiner movement. They won't be paying attention to wild Pokémon."
Ivy nodded excitedly, then frowned. "But the Weavile clan alone isn't enough in numbers."
"Actually..." Roy scratched his face sheepishly. "I haven't just befriended the Weavile family. More than twenty other Pokémon clans are also under my influence. The Weavile has a position similar to a... herald?"
Everyone: "..."
Justin stared in astonishment. "Why do I get the feeling that if we gave you a few more days, the entire safe zone would become your territory? Are you really here for wilderness survival training? And a 'herald'... What are you playing at?"
The others silently gave Justin a thumbs-up, sharing his sentiment.
How had this kid managed such a feat?
Although they wondered how Roy had gained the loyalty of so many Pokémon groups, now wasn't the time to question it.
The idea of utilizing wild Pokémon provided a crucial breakthrough in their current predicament.
"We'll have the wild Pokémon locate students in the field and bring them back to the Pokémon tribes' habitats," Ivy mused. "Team Illuminati would never imagine that students on a wilderness survival exercise could coexist with wild Pokémon tribes. They'll avoid wild Pokémon territories—it's a blind spot in their thinking."
Not only had Team Illuminati failed to anticipate this possibility, but even the examiners hadn't expected such a solution.
"You're something else, kid!" Justin looked at Roy with newfound appreciation. "He truly is Capital University's most gifted student."
Roy's approach couldn't defeat Team Illuminati, but it would minimize further losses and provide significant advantages.
No more students would fall into Team Illuminati's hands, preventing the enemy from gaining additional leverage.
Especially concerning Cade...
Team Illuminati's primary objective was kidnapping this Elite's son. If they succeeded, they would likely withdraw from the White Mountain area immediately. The fact that they were still operating suggested they hadn't captured Cade yet...
If they could ensure Cade's safety, Team Illuminati's operation could be delayed significantly.
"I'm leaving now," Ivy stood up and put on her coat. "I just need to speak with that Weavile?"
Roy considered briefly, and to ensure the full cooperation of the wild Pokémon, he grabbed a Poké Ball and released Wartortle.
"Take him with you."
"Huh?" Ivy looked at the turtle Pokémon radiating naïve charm, somewhat confused.
"They were all won over by Wartortle before it evolved," Roy explained.
Sensing everyone's amazement, Wartortle retrieved the sunglasses Roy had given it from inside its shell, put them on with flair, and gave a confident thumbs-up.
After Ivy departed with Wartortle, Roy remained with the other examiners, waiting in the conference room.
Not long after, there was a knock at the door.
"...Back so soon?"
Justin stood up in confusion, walked to the conference room door, and opened it.
"Who are you?"
Everyone turned to look simultaneously.
The visitor's face was concealed beneath a hat and mask, making it impossible to identify them clearly. They walked in and closed the door behind them. This strange behavior prompted the examiners in the room to reach for their Poké Balls, instantly on alert.
But soon, as the visitor removed their hat and mask, everyone present froze in astonishment.
"Why are you here?!"
"Mr. Frances?"
It was a refined man in his early thirties—a figure known to everyone in China.
Champion Frances.
A century ago, the Pokémon League had been established, led by the Five Great Nations.
Shortly afterward, countries decided to use the peaceful format of "Pokémon Tournaments" to determine their global diplomatic standing.
Only the Elite Four and Champions from each nation could participate.
These five individuals represented their country's honor, determining the nation's international status for years at a time and symbolizing the country's highest combat capability.
Military, science and technology, standard of living, foreign relations, economy... all were affected by these tournaments.
The title of Champion had thus become a nation's supreme glory.
In the past hundred years, China had produced only three Champions.
The first generation—a Fighting-type Champion.
The second generation—a Ghost-type specialist.
The third generation—a Dragon-type master.
The life of every Champion was legendary.
Frances was the youngest Champion among them and had set numerous brilliant records.
He had become a professional Trainer at 21, joined the Elite Four at 23, and claimed the Champion title at 30, a decade ago. His legendary record of three World Championships, two Continental Championships, and one Asian Championship remained unmatched by Champions from other countries.
These achievements remained unbroken to this day.
Although his recent defeat in the Asian Championship had led some to question whether Frances's strength was declining, it couldn't diminish his lofty status.
If asked which Trainer commanded the most respect among China's citizens, Frances would undoubtedly deserve that honor.