Not Being a Trainer This Time

A dazzling spark of electricity erupted instantly, ultimately forming into a yellow, spherical glow enveloping the two Pokémon within it.

Immediately following, a fierce explosion occurred on the battlefield.

The intense shockwave forced Pawmot and Electivire to retreat, but neither lost their ability to continue fighting.

”What a powerful strike!”

Seeing the scars on Electivire, Lono couldn’t help but widen his eyes.

Naoki smiled and said, ”It seems your Electivire has mastered it. Let’s consolidate this for now. There’s no need to continue this battle further.”

”Got it!” Lono nodded.

Lono’s older brother Indeedee brought some Life Sheep Milk to restore the Pokémon’s energy.

Due to the battle, combined with the weather, both Pokémon had sweated quite a bit.

Seeing this, Naoki invited them to rest in the living room.

”How do you feel?” Naoki asked with a smile.

Lono nodded, praising, ”As expected of Naoki!”

”Once you return, you can use this method to train Bellibolt and the others. If all your Pokémon master it, the strength of the Levincia Gym will surely become even more formidable,” Naoki said.

”Yeah, I got it!” Lono listened very attentively.

Looking at the powerful Pokémon surrounding Naoki, Lono suddenly became curious about his past.

According to the leader, Naoki had arrived in the Paldea Region three years ago. Before that, he had traveled to various regions.

Thinking of this, Lono asked, ”By the way, Naoki, where did you travel before coming to the Paldea Region?”

Naoki was slightly taken aback, not expecting Lono to ask this question.

He pondered for a while before answering, ”A lot of places! Like Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Kalos. I’ve been to them all.”

”Wow!” Lono exclaimed, ”I’ve never left the Paldea Region.”

Naoki smiled gently, ”When you have the time, you can explore other places. Each region has its unique culture and Pokémon habitats.”

Lono nodded and asked, ”And don’t you live with your parents?”

”Parents?” Naoki shook his head, ”They’re both gone. I lived here in the Paldea Region as a child. Later, I moved with them to the Hoenn Region for their treatment. After they passed away, I traveled to other places.”

”After getting tired of traveling, I returned to my hometown, Porto Marinada Town, and inherited this ranch from my grandfather.”

Hearing this, Lono opened her mouth, apologetic, ”I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring this up.”

Naoki grinned, signaling Lono not to worry, ”It’s alright, it’s all in the past.”

They looked at each other, Lono’s eyes glimmering as she earnestly nodded, ”Yeah, Naoki is a very strong person!”

Naoki didn’t continue the topic, instead asking, ”And what about you?”

”Me?” Lono pointed to herself, seeing Naoki nod, she spoke, ”I grew up around Levincia City like any other normal kid. After turning ten, I left home to attend Paldea Academy.”

”Then, I met Bellibolt and Mismagius. We challenged gyms together, collected badges, and eventually joined the Paldea League, becoming the Gym Leader of Levincia City.”

”City life must be lively, right?” Naoki asked.

Lono paused, unsure how to answer, ”I’ve never lived in the countryside.”

”That’s too bad, isn’t it?” Naoki chuckled, ”Though the countryside isn’t as bustling as the city, the life here is wonderful.”

”In spring, you can see hills covered with flowers, with many wild Floette dancing among them.”

”On summer nights, you can see many fireflies gathering on the riverbanks, like stars. Some Water Type Pokémon will even peek out from the water to watch the fireflies.”

”In autumn, the hills turn golden. If you go into the mountains, you can find a variety of mountain goods: mushrooms, hazelnuts, berries, and occasionally, you see wild Pokémon storing food for the winter.”

”In winter... it’s too cold to go out much, but sometimes I build snowmen and stargaze with the Pokémon on the ranch.”

”During those times, the night sky is clear, every star and the moon are visible.”

These words left Lono looking forward eagerly.

”Sounds wonderful!”

”Right?” Naoki also began to look forward to this year’s summer.

Just then, he suddenly remembered something.

”Hey, it’s already summer. There should be fireflies tonight. Would you like to see them?”

Lono was slightly startled, ”Eh? Can I?”

Naoki nodded, ”Of course, there’s a room upstairs. You can stay the night and head back to Levincia City tomorrow.”

It’s a guest room meant for hosting visitors.

Alder, Professor Oak, and others have stayed upstairs before.

”Hehe!” Lono chuckled shyly, ”Then I’ll impose on you!”

”Indeed~” Naoki’s little sister Indeedee happily offered to prepare the room for their guest.

*

By early evening, as dusk was approaching, the hills behind echoed with cicada chirps, distant yet near.