Not Being a Trainer This Time

Chapter 621: Chapter 338: Horseracing! (Part 2)

So, Naoki directed Koraidon to play with the two youths.

They seemed to have been traveling for some time, as the Fuecoco and Sprigatito by their side had both evolved to their second stage.

But even so, they were no match in front of Koraidon.

Naoki wanted to entertain them, so he didn’t rush to end the battle, turning real-time into a turn-based style you-go-I-go play.

Once both of their Pokemon were exhausted, Naoki stopped and bid them farewell, preparing to head to the registration booth.

Alder remained on the spot, patting his chest as he promised, ”Go ahead! I’ll take care of the Pawmots!”

Naoki smiled and nodded, then turned and walked toward the registration booth.

On the way, he encountered Allen, who was looking for him everywhere.

As soon as he saw him, Allen excitedly asked, ”Have you registered?”

Naoki: ”Just about to!”

Allen patted his shoulder: ”Good buddy, it’s all on you!”

Naoki: ”... How many horse race tickets did you buy?”

Allen chuckled: ”Not much, just ten thousand League coins’ worth!”

Naoki replied speechlessly, ”Aren’t you afraid of losing it all?”

Allen suddenly became serious: ”That’s because I believe in you!”

Then he said pitifully, ”You wouldn’t treat me that way, would you?”

Naoki: ”...”

He pushed Allen’s face away: ”Stop!”

Allen stepped back and laughed: ”So it’s settled. I’ll wait for you in the stands, do your best!”

After saying this, Allen hopped away.

Naoki sighed helplessly.

This guy...

He turned and walked into the registration booth.

”Name.” The white-bearded old man in charge of registration looked up.

”Naoki.”

”Which horse-type Pokemon are you participating with?”

”Spectrier.”

Upon hearing the name, the old man’s hand paused slightly, and he looked up in surprise, ”Spectrier? What kind of horse is that?”

”Uh...” Naoki wasn’t sure how to explain, so he thought for a moment and replied, ”It’s a Ghost-type horse Pokemon from the Galar Region.”

”Oh, so it’s a Pokemon from another region!” the old man realized. ”Can I have a look at it?”

”Of course.” Naoki nodded and took out Spectrier’s Poke Ball to release it.

With a flash of white light, a horse-type Pokemon with an entirely black body, blue mane, and light blue tail, with a misty vapor-like aura around its limbs, appeared in front of the registration booth.

Seeing this, the old man’s eyes widened, and he rushed forward, looking at Spectrier with excitement and murmuring:

”Such a strong body, such a graceful stance, such jet-black fur, what a perfect horse! In all my years of raising horses, I’ve never seen such a perfect horse-type Pokemon!”

Naoki thought to himself that of course, this one was once the ruler of the Crown Tundra, though later tamed by Calyrex. But Spectrier is incomparable to ordinary horse-type Pokemon.

”It’s called Spectrier?”, the old man asked.

”Yes.”

The old man nodded: ”Got it, I’ll remember its name. There’s still an hour before the event starts; you’re free to go! I hope you can ride it to a perfect performance in the event!”

”The holding area for participants is in the back; collect your attire and track number there and wait.”

”Alright, thank you.” Naoki politely expressed his gratitude and continued forward with Spectrier.

After passing through a tiered viewing stand, they arrived at an open field.

At this moment, many contestants had already gathered there.

They had also released their horse-type Pokemon, feeding them cubed sugar while gently stroking their heads.

Naoki first collected his number card and participant attire.

Both were number 06.

This meant they would be competing on track number six later.

Naoki led Spectrier to rest on a quiet patch of grass, casting his gaze toward the other contestants not far away.

Including himself, there were a total of eight contestants in this horse race event.

Each had a different horse-type Pokemon.

There was a fiery and majestic Rapidash with flames dancing across its body, a Zebstrika with black and white stripes, a tall and sturdy Mudsdale, and a sandy Hippopotas...

To Naoki’s surprise, there was even a relatively immature Ponyta among them.

The owner of the Ponyta was a young boy, and the little Ponyta seemed quite unimpressive compared to the tall and mighty horse-type Pokemon around it.

But compared to that sandy Hippopotas, a Ponyta was still considered a normal horse-type Pokemon.

But there was nothing to be done—horse-type Pokemon were incredibly scarce in the Pokemon World.

It was already impressive that these trainers didn’t bring a Horsea...

Time ticked away, second by second.

Gradually, all the seats in the stands were filled, and the sound of fireworks exploded, sweeping in like a tidal wave of cheers from the crowd.

Witnessing this scene, Naoki felt a tinge of surprise.

Because the horse racing event appeared to be much more popular this year than the previous year!

He clearly remembered that the stands were not full last year...

Times have changed, and it seemed that Porto Marinada Town was flourishing more and more.

Among the audience, there would surely be many who had come upon hearing the legend of Calyrex.

Just like how Kitakami used the ghost legend as a gimmick to attract tourists and develop tourism.

At the sight of this, even Spectrier, whose usual eyes were as serene as a still well, expressed a hint of excitement.

So many humans... so many Pokemon...

Soon, it would be crowned the King of Horses before the eyes of all these people and Pokemon!

”Are you ready?” Naoki asked, donned in protective gear as he turned around.

Spectrier let out a screeching whinny.

”Then, let’s go!”

Naoki mounted up and, along with the other participants, entered the field one by one on horseback.

”Welcome everyone to this year’s horse racing event in Porto Marinada Town! I’m Jinhei, this year’s event commentator!”

”Next, I’ll be your guide through this exciting race!”

”Now, everyone can see, our participants are all in position! First entering the field is our number one contestant!”

”The number one contestant’s partner is a Rapidash, oh wow, look at that Rapidash, how handsome and elegant! Those blazing flames, just like the enthusiasm of all you spectators!”

Once the number one contestant reached their position, the number two contestant followed closely.

”Next is our number two contestant; it looks like our number two contestant is quite unique! Their partner is actually a slow-moving Hippopotas! But since Hippopotas does indeed have ’horse’ in its name, let’s look forward to what this contestant and their partner will showcase!”

The stands erupted into laughter, clearly not optimistic about the slow Hippopotas.

Then, the third contestant, fourth contestant, and fifth contestant entered the field one after another.

Soon, it was Naoki’s turn to enter the field with Spectrier.

”Now... entering the field is our number six contestant, huh? What kind of Pokemon is that?”

The commentator was momentarily stunned, unable to recognize the Pokemon’s name.

Hearing this, the spectators in the stands turned their gaze below.

A majestic horse as black as night slowly emerged from the passage.

It had blue mane, with limbs shrouded in purple, mist-like fog.

Even more striking were its closed eyes.

Though its eyes were closed, it seemed to be able to sense everything around it, walking precisely to its destination.

Witnessing this, the audience was amazed.

”What’s going on? What kind of Pokemon is that?”

”This is incredible! Is that horse blind?”

”Its eyes are clearly shut; how does it see the way?”

”But that horse is so cool! I love its feet! They’re amazing!”

The commentator found the contestant information after a brief search and finally located the contestant’s registration details.

”This is so surprising! The number six contestant’s partner turns out to be a horse-type Pokemon that’s never been seen before!”

”Huh? Never been seen before?!” The audience widened their eyes, even more curious about that Pokemon.

Commentator: ”That’s right! According to the information provided by the number six contestant... Spectrier, that Pokemon is called Spectrier!”