Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [90]

As the official referee of Cerulean Gym, she may have been on their payroll…

But she had to admit—the gap in strength between the three Gym Leaders and this examiner wasn’t just a little—it was an abyss.

"Is this really all you’ve got?"

August glanced at his Mudkip, which was just shy of evolving, and felt a tinge of disappointment. Cerulean Gym was even worse than expected.

The Cerulean Sisters had no way to refute his words.

At this moment, the only thing they felt was fear.

They had failed the strength assessment. The audit results were bound to be just as bad.

The only outcome that seemed to await them was Cerulean Gym losing its official status.

And if that really happened under their watch, how were they supposed to face Misty when she returned?

Terrified, the three sisters followed behind August as he led them toward the reception room where the audit team was waiting.

The moment August and Blue walked in with the sisters, every Gym staff member and audit team member in the room turned to look at them.

The staff, desperate for good news, gazed at the three Gym Leaders with hopeful eyes.

But when they saw the uneasy, anxious expressions on their faces, their hearts sank. A feeling of impending doom loomed over them.

The auditors, on the other hand, remained indifferent. Whatever happened to Cerulean Gym was irrelevant to them—their duty was only to report to August.

"Sir, we’ve finished compiling the audit results," an auditor announced.

"In the past year, Cerulean Gym has illegally issued 137 Badges, all of which are documented. Here are the related records."

"The League has received 372 complaints against Cerulean Gym. After investigation, 203 of them have been verified as legitimate."

"Additionally, we have reviewed Cerulean Gym’s financial records. There is no evidence of misusing League funding."

August turned toward the three sisters, who were visibly on edge. He took the documents handed to him and skimmed through them.

This was about what he had expected.

Cerulean Gym never lacked funding.

Despite their laughable skills as Pokémon Trainers, the Cerulean Sisters were undeniably talented in water ballet—and made a lot of money from it.

With the profits from their performances, they had no problem sustaining Cerulean Gym.

Unlike Pewter Gym, which had to apply for extra subsidies from the League every year just to stay afloat, Cerulean Gym could survive just fine even without League support.

After a brief moment of contemplation, August turned around.

The sisters knew the moment of judgment had arrived. They looked at him with pleading, anxious eyes.

August’s voice was heavy as he spoke.

"I was sent by the League Council to assess the Kanto Gyms, and I chose Cerulean Gym as my first stop because I heard it was considered the weakest Gym in Kanto."

"I prepared myself mentally for this—I thought, No matter how bad it is, there has to be a minimum standard for a Gym, right?"

"But this result…"

"It’s absolutely appalling."

His gaze swept over the three sisters.

"Look at you. As Gym Trainers, your Pokémon are weaker than rookie trainers’ Pokémon."

August’s voice was filled with frustration.

"A Gym’s strength determines the overall level of trainers in its region. If you’re this bad, then the entire Kanto region is doomed!"

"Even Lt. Surge—Lt. Surge, who’s currently rotting in a League prison—would be shaking his head in disappointment right now!"

The Cerulean Sisters trembled under August’s scolding, too afraid to say a word.

After exhaling sharply to calm himself down, August spoke again.

"Apologies—I got a little carried away just now. Now, I will announce the League’s ruling on Cerulean Gym’s assessment."

At these words, everyone in the room held their breath.

Every staff member of Cerulean Gym watched August with tense anticipation.

But August remained indifferent to their gazes, his expression calm as he delivered his verdict.

"Due to failure in the Gym Trainer strength assessment and a high volume of unauthorized Badge distributions, the League has decided the following:"

"Effective immediately, Cerulean Gym will be temporarily closed for a remediation period of 60 days."

"During this time, if Cerulean Gym wishes to dispute this ruling, you may submit an appeal to the League."

"Sixty days from now, I will conduct a re-examination at League Headquarters."

"If you pass, your Gym status will be reinstated."

"If you fail, I will formally submit a request to the League Council to permanently revoke Cerulean Gym’s official status."

"I trust that’s not the outcome you want."

His final words carried a weight that pressed heavily on everyone in the room.

"The League is not here to destroy Gyms. Our goal is to correct mistakes and guide you toward improvement."

"That’s why we’re giving you a 60-day grace period instead of immediately shutting you down."

"But you must take this seriously."

August’s voice was solemn.

"I hope that when I see you again at League Headquarters in sixty days, you will not be as embarrassing as you are today."

"That is all."

The Cerulean Sisters had been on the verge of despair.

But they never expected August to give them another chance.

As they reflected on his words, their hearts were filled with both gratitude and shame.

They were grateful that August had given them an opportunity to redeem themselves.

But they were ashamed—ashamed of how they had allowed themselves to slack off for so long, bringing disgrace to the League.

He was right.

If Gym Trainers across Kanto were all as negligent as they were, how could the League ever hope to stand against the increasingly rampant Team Rocket?

It wasn’t just the sisters.

Everyone in the room fell into deep thought.

August let out a sigh.

"I’ve said everything that needed to be said."

With that, he turned and walked out of Cerulean Gym, leaving behind the deeply shaken Cerulean Sisters and their staff.

Blue, her expression unreadable, followed him.

The League auditors, whom August had temporarily borrowed for this assessment, were preparing to return to the League.

Before leaving, the audit team leader looked at August with deep respect.

"Specialist August, your words truly resonated with us."

"In past years, the League conducted Gym audits, but most of them were just for show."

"But today, you didn’t just go through the motions. You spoke the harsh truths that needed to be said."

"Today, you’ve proven yourself to be the conscience of the League."

After finishing, the audit team collectively bowed slightly to August as a sign of their deep admiration.

They completely failed to notice August’s complicated expression.

…I was just venting my frustration. How did I suddenly become the 'conscience of the League'?!

Meanwhile, Blue, who had been listening to the audit leader’s words, fell into deep thought.

Could it be…?

Was August’s previous advice about slacking off and getting expenses reimbursed all just an act?

Could it be that, deep down, he truly cares about the League?

Otherwise, why would these elite auditors respect him so much?

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This is a fan translation of 人在实教，一之濑你会后悔的 by 作者：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!