Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [423]

Accepting the Poké Balls from the two professors, August said his goodbyes and prepared to leave Area Zero.

He’d rescued everyone, reached an agreement with the professors, and now needed to let Geeta—the host here—know how things had wrapped up.

Before leaving, August also took the chance to collect some Area Zero specialties—Herba Mystica!

Deep in Area Zero, these ingredients were everywhere.

Obeying August’s orders to keep its distance from Suicune, the Paradox Suicune brought a stick of Herba Mystica and dropped it in front of Suicune.

But nothing could stop it from wanting to make friends.

Suicune eyed the seasoning, tempted, but was held tightly in Gary’s arms.

Mew was hugging a whole bundle of seasoning, already dreaming of a future filled with endless gourmet Pokéblocks.

Gardevoir let out a sigh.

With August making these new Pokéblocks, who knows how many Pokémon will end up following him?

She felt she had to do something.

But August, completely unaware of Gardevoir’s plotting, was still basking in the joy of a bountiful harvest.

As the group made their way out of the lower levels of Area Zero and headed upward, August suddenly felt like something was watching him from behind.

But when he turned around, the sensation vanished.

“What’s wrong, August?” Iono asked.

“It’s nothing,” August replied with a smile.

Then—

August glanced at Mew on his shoulder. Mew, who’d been lazily counting the hairs on August’s head, immediately understood.

A mischievous grin spread across Mew’s face, and in the blink of an eye, she vanished.

Moments later, a startled cry rang out from behind them. The group turned to see Mew triumphantly dragging a Flutter Mane back through the air.

Mew was smug, proud of her catch. Flutter Mane struggled wildly, but couldn’t break free from Mew’s grasp.

Iono peered closely and recognized the Flutter Mane as the very one they’d defeated in the lab below Area Zero.

“This thing… it’s been following us all this way?” Iono exclaimed, eyes wide. “Does it want revenge?”

Was Flutter Mane really that petty?

Mew, mimicking someone’s old trick, pulled out a potato chip and tried to tempt Flutter Mane.

But Flutter Mane was having none of it. Its hair-wings swatted Mew’s hand aside and it turned its head away.

I won’t accept charity!

“Mew!”

Mew was thoroughly scandalized by Flutter Mane’s wasteful attitude.

“Let her go…” August told Mew.

Mew pouted but obediently released Flutter Mane, who immediately flitted away, keeping her distance.

Flutter Mane’s eyes locked on August, letting out a cry and waving her hair-wings in his direction.

Listening to her voice, August’s expression grew strange. “You’re saying… you want to come with me?”

Flutter Mane nodded vigorously, eyes sparkling with admiration.

Ever since she’d been subdued by this trainer’s Pokémon the moment she arrived in this world, Flutter Mane had admired strength—and August was now the object of her devotion.

When was the last time a Pokémon asked to join me of its own accord? August wondered, stroking his chin.

He couldn’t quite remember.

He’d originally planned to catch a Flutter Mane for the Paradox Pokémon Paradise once it was built, but since she wanted to join now, August certainly wasn’t going to refuse.

He took out a Poké Ball and tapped it gently against Flutter Mane’s head. She was drawn inside without a struggle.

Gary: “.....”

Why did Pokémon never come to him on their own?

Sensing Gary’s gaze, August clapped him on the shoulder. “Wanna learn how? I could teach you, you know.”

...

By the time they reached the Area Zero gate, Geeta was already waiting.

After checking on the previously missing investigators one by one, Geeta led August and the others into her tent.

“August, thank you for your help on behalf of the Paldea League. Please accept this badge as a symbol of Paldea’s friendship.” Geeta presented August with a badge. “With this, you’ll have access to free services at all League-owned facilities in Paldea.”

Watching her smooth delivery, August had the feeling he wasn’t the first to get this badge from her.

Free services weren’t all that useful to August, anyway. He spent most of his time in Kanto and had more money than he could ever spend.

But Geeta’s courtesy was flawless, her words perfectly chosen, making her a pleasure to deal with—no wonder she was both League President and Top Champion.

All these thoughts flashed through August’s mind in an instant, but his hands didn’t pause as he accepted the badge. “Thank you, President Geeta.”

Geeta took a breath, then finally asked the question that had weighed on her mind: “What really happened in Area Zero?”

August sighed. “After entering Area Zero, I discovered that Professors Turo and Sada… had passed away.”

Geeta’s composure finally cracked. “How could that be…”

As the developers of the [Tera Orb], the two professors were irreplaceable in the project. Their loss would be a major blow to the League’s new [Terastalization] initiative.

She was about to press for more, when August added:

“But fortunately, both professors left behind AI to carry on their research.”

Geeta relaxed, if only a little.

“The bad news is, the AIs mistook us for intruders and activated the Paradise Defense System.”

Her anxiety returned.

“The good news is, I beat them.”

And again, relief.

“But then, the defeated professors wanted to use the Time Machine to travel to the Paradox Pokémon world.”

Geeta’s tension spiked yet again.

“But I talked them out of it—they’ve decided to stay.”

Geeta was left numb.

Can you not pause between every good and bad news?

“Any more bad news…?” she asked, exhausted.

“Bad news? Of course not. In fact, I have more good news: the Aether Foundation will be funding the professors to build a Paradox Pokémon Paradise in Area Zero.” August gestured toward Lusamine.

At this, Geeta seemed to revive. “Welcome to Paldea, President Lusamine! We’re glad to have you invest!”

Lusamine, shifting easily into business mode, began discussing details with Geeta.

From what August gathered, Geeta wanted the League to take a share in the project, while Lusamine insisted on tax exemptions...

Their debate soon escalated into a back-and-forth of diplomatic barbs.

As for the outcome…

It was clear that Lusamine came out on top, forcing the Paldea League into a painful deal.

Geeta was clearly not in a good mood.

How could August tell?

Geeta: “Larry, get this month’s reports to me ASAP!”

Larry: “...Huh?”

...

After saying goodbye to Geeta (and to Larry, who went back to write those reports), August and company left Area Zero and returned to Naranja Academy. Out of Geeta’s earshot, Iono finally couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.

“August, you’re amazing! I’ve never seen Geeta look like that!” Her eyes sparkled with admiration.

August looked puzzled. “I was just telling the truth…”

Iono hesitated, starting to wonder if August really was that clueless.

But those who knew August well—Gary and Zinnia—could only look at him with open disdain.

Only Iono, who didn’t know him as well, would ever fall for August’s act!

Regardless, Iono was clearly relishing this small act of revenge after being bossed around by Geeta for so long. “So, where to next? Should we hit Levincia for some food, go snowboarding on Glaseado Mountain, or catch Ryme’s concert in Montenevera? I know Paldea like the back of my hand!”

August listened as Iono rattled off destinations. The first two sounded fine, but when she mentioned the third, his face twitched.

“Let’s skip the third one…”

Ryme’s infamous, soul-shaking death rap… August truly couldn’t appreciate it.

Gary, puzzled: “Why not? I’ve heard Ryme is a world-class rapper. I was planning to check it out!”

August sighed, seeing Gary’s eager face. “Trust me, don’t. You won’t survive…”

But that only made Gary more stubborn.

If August said not to go, then he had to see for himself! Rap music couldn’t be that bad. If she was world-class, it couldn’t be too terrible!

He was already off: “Anyone want to come with me to Montenevera?”

The group looked around at each other.

After a long pause, only the Paradox Suicune stepped forward.

Gary didn’t need to guess what was on its mind.

It was making heart eyes at Suicune!

Determined to protect his Suicune, Gary ignored it completely. “If you’re all staying, I’ll go alone!”

And so August and the others watched Gary fly off toward Montenevera on a Pidgeot.

Hope he survives, August thought.

Not long after Gary left, a sporty girl with a single ponytail and a Lycanroc at her side approached.

“Excuse me, have you seen a boy with spiky hair in green clothes?” she asked.

Before anyone else could answer, Penny recognized her—it was Nemona, the Academy’s student council president.

But true to form, Penny, the shy one, said nothing.

Everyone else looked to August.

He smiled, “The spiky-haired kid in green, always with his collar up, acting cool and messing with his hair?”

Nemona’s eyes lit up. “That’s him! Have you seen him?”

So focused on Gary, Nemona didn’t recognize August.

“Of course. He just left—flying on a Pidgeot, mumbling about a concert. He was headed for Montenevera.”

“Thank you so much!”

Without another word, Nemona jumped on her Lycanroc and dashed off.

Watching her vanish, August wore a look of satisfied accomplishment.

The others, seeing his expression, weren’t sure what had happened—but still offered a silent prayer for Gary.

What are you all looking at? August shrugged. “Come on, time for some well-deserved travel! And we still have Miraidon and Koraidon to find.”

...

Levincia
Restaurant

“So much for looking for Koraidon and Miraidon…” Zinnia grumbled, mouth full as she stuffed in a piece of fried fish.

August: “Work doesn’t interfere with eating.”

“Mew!” Mew nodded eagerly.

She looked on in anticipation as the waiter brought out a steaming bowl of soup, filled with Herba Mystica.

Sniffing the aroma, Mew hugged a bowl nearly as big as her head and gulped down the whole thing.

Her little belly visibly bulged.

August, unable to resist, gave it a poke and watched as her tummy jiggled.

“Mew~!” Mew glared at August in embarrassment.

August tried his most innocent look.

But Mew had been fooled too many times. With a leap, she landed on August’s head and began pulling his hair.

“Let go!”

“Mew~!”

“Okay, okay! I promise I won’t tease you for a whole week!”

“Mew!”

No sincerity at all, Mew thought, unmoved.

Finally, August had to pull out his trump card: “If you don’t let go, Zinnia’s going to eat all the food!”

Zinnia: “?”

That finally did the trick—Mew let go.

Watching Mew resume eating, while Psyduck received snacks from Iono and Cogita, August drifted into deep thought.

Could it be that I have some kind of aura that turns all nearby Pokémon into gluttons?

But when he glanced at Gardevoir, who ate with perfect poise and elegance, he dismissed the idea.

No way—it’s not my problem. Gardevoir’s always the picture of grace!

Comforting himself, August took out his phone and snapped a photo of the feast on the table.

He posted it in the group chat and tagged Gary.

[PsychicPrettyGirl]: Sneaking a feast while I’m gone!

[JigglypuffIsTheCutest]: Sneaking a feast while I’m gone!

[Gold]: Sneaking a feast while I’m gone!

[Akari]: Looks so tasty...

[CallMeMasterGary]: ??? I just left and you’re already having a feast without me?!

---

This is a fan translation of 我，宝可梦称号大师！ by 落唯 白良. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!