Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [369]

"Just a little bit..."

Lance turned to look out at the battlefield, where Leon was clearly suffering under the torment of Cynthia's relentless tactics. He stayed silent for a long moment before suddenly muttering:

"Just promise me you’ll make it quick tomorrow, all right?"

August blinked in confusion. "Huh? What are you talking about?"

I really only gave Cynthia a suggestion, that’s all!

...

The battle had finally come to an end.

Under Garchomp’s ruthless hit-and-run strategy, Charizard was ultimately brought down by a barrage of [Stone Edge].

Referee: "Charizard is unable to battle. The winner is—Cynthia!"

“Leon... lost?”

Even though many had expected it, seeing it actually happen still sent ripples of disbelief through the crowd.

Especially those from Galar.

In Galar, Leon was a living legend—the undefeated Champion! To see him lose to Cynthia… even if Cynthia was a top contender and internet favorite… was hard for many to accept.

But while his fans struggled to come to terms, Leon himself was gracious in defeat.

Sure, Cynthia’s dragging tactics were... okay, not just a little irritating—they were mind-breakingly frustrating.

But a loss was a loss.

Leon wasn't one to make excuses.

“Too bad I didn’t get to battle August…” Leon muttered.

“Actually…” Cynthia’s voice drifted to him, calm and direct. “That strategy I used? It was inspired by August. If your Charizard had been able to [Dynamax], it wouldn’t have worked.”

Leon paused and looked up at her, stunned. After a beat—

“Ahahaha! So that’s how it is?” He burst into laughter, genuinely hearty.

“Be sure to pass this on to August: if he ever gets the chance, he has to come to Galar!”

“And—congratulations on making it to the finals.”

With that, Leon turned and walked off the field, leaving behind his usual dashing cape—and a full spread of sponsor logos.

Commentator: "Let’s all congratulate Cynthia on reaching the finals!"

Commentator: "Tomorrow brings the second semifinal—August versus the Dragon Tamer, Lance. Don’t miss it!"

...

Later that day, when August met up with Cynthia—

After hearing what she’d said to Leon, he frowned. “So that’s what he said...”

Cynthia nodded.

August: “.....”

Maybe it was just his imagination, but he could feel the killing intent laced in Leon’s parting words.

When I finally get to Galar, Leon won’t be calling for a match—he’ll be summoning five hundred [Gigantamax] Charizards to roast me alive...

Beside him, Lance burst into laughter at the look on August’s face.

Serves you right for suggesting that plan.

But then August turned his gaze.

Lance immediately raised both hands in surrender.

Setting that aside, when Cynthia offered to help him practice for his own match, August shook his head. “The finals are coming up soon. We’re both finalists. Probably best we avoid any... conflicts of interest.”

At that—

“Hey, hey, hey! I’m standing right here, you know!” Lance protested.

...

When August returned to the villa, he found Mew curled up with a bag of potato chips, watching a comedy show on TV with a carefree grin.

Latias actually managed to cheer her up? August was genuinely surprised.

But—

Where was Latias?

He searched the entire house but couldn’t find her. Finally, he turned to Gardevoir.

“Gardevoir, have you seen Latias?”

At his question, Gardevoir lifted her hand with a graceful wave—and a letter appeared in her palm, which she handed to August.

Perplexed, he took it.

It was a farewell note from Latias.

In it, she explained that she was worried her brother, Latios, would be concerned if she stayed away too long, so she had gone home. She promised August she’d convince her brother, and that if he ever needed to find her, he just had to play the [Eon Flute].

“Sigh…”

Her sudden departure left the house feeling strangely emptier.

As that thought passed through his mind—

BAM!

Eevee headbutted him right in the chest and leapt into his arms.

Right. I still have Eevee and the others…

August’s heart warmed—until—

“Bui!”

Eevee dropped a phone into his lap, eyes shining expectantly.

It was... the payment screen.

August: “......”

He took it all back.

“Starting today, you’re getting a monthly allowance cap.”

“Buiii—!!”

Eevee collapsed as if struck by lightning.

August ignored the theatrics and looked around at Mew, Celebi, Mewtwo, and Lugia Jr.

“Which of you wants to battle with me tomorrow?”

Even Mew, who had her entire head stuck in the chip bag, immediately turned toward him.

August stared at the crumbs falling from the bag slits.

Could you maybe take that off your head first?!

...

Battle Frontier Central Stadium

The much-anticipated second semifinal of the Masters Eight Tournament was about to begin.

Today, either August or Lance would earn the right to face Cynthia in the grand finals.

Although neither of them had quite the fame or massive fanbase of Leon, the stands were packed with spectators.

“Let’s go, August!”

As August entered the arena, his supporters erupted in cheers.

Up in the VIP box, Cynthia, Blue, and Sabrina were among those cheering for him.

Lance received just as warm a welcome when he entered.

“Go, Dragon Tamer with No Dragons!”

That meme had completely exploded online.

The moment he heard it, Lance—looking all suave in his cape—stumbled mid-stride and nearly tripped.

That nickname...

Iono, who was watching from the media booth, shrank back instinctively at the sight.

[Iono.Nervous.gif]
[Don’t worry, Iono. We’ll all throw you under the bus together <3]

Reading the flood of chat comments, Iono clenched her teeth and looked like she might cry.

But Lance—soon to be Johto’s Champion, after all—adjusted his state of mind quickly and composed himself.

He walked out under the stadium lights with steady steps.

“Lance,” August greeted, “we finally get to meet in an official match.”

“No matter what happens, I’ll give it everything I’ve got,” Lance replied.

He’d joked before about August going easy on him, asking for a quick defeat.

But in truth, Lance had his pride—and he wasn’t going down without a fight.

August raised an eyebrow, but then smiled.

“That’s the Lance I know. In that case, I’ll give it my all too!”

Lance: “.....”

I said I’d go all-out—I didn’t ask you to!

---

T/N: HAHAHAHAHAHA sorry ur not a grl

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!