Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [176]

August had been waiting at the estate for two whole days before Gary finally returned.

And at this moment… Gary’s appearance…

“What happened to you? It’s just a Gym challenge—this is a bit much, isn’t it…?” August looked at Gary, who was limping as he walked.

Hearing August’s words, Gary looked like he was about to cry.

He had no idea why things had turned out this way.

All he did was casually mention during his battle with Agatha that he was about to take on the role of temporary Gym Leader at the Viridian Gym. And the moment those words left his mouth, Agatha suddenly cranked up the intensity.

“....”

After hearing Gary’s explanation, August was speechless.

I told you before—Agatha and your grandfather have an incredibly complicated history. Why couldn’t you be a little more discreet?

If you had just said you were an ordinary rookie trainer challenging the Gym, at most, Agatha would have tested you at an elite trainer’s level.

But no, you had to announce that you were going to be a substitute Gym Leader. Of course Agatha was going to turn up the difficulty—she had to make sure you were qualified so you wouldn’t embarrass Professor Oak!

“So, did you get the Soul Badge?”

Hearing August’s question, Gary immediately straightened his back. “I did.”

“Looks like you really have improved a lot in this time.” August raised an eyebrow. “Well then, no more delays—let’s head to Viridian City.”

“Right now?” Gary was a little surprised.
Isn’t this a bit too soon? He’d at least wanted to stop by the barbershop to tidy up his handsome hairstyle first.

“Of course. The trainers in Viridian City have been waiting long enough.” August smiled at him.

Hearing this and seeing August’s smile, Gary suddenly had a bad feeling.

Before he could protest, August had already released his Salamence.

“Blue, take care of the house!”

With that, August grabbed Gary, and the two of them took off toward Viridian City on the back of Salamence.

---

Outside the Gym—once a barrier that had blocked countless rookie trainers from reaching the Indigo League—a massive crowd of trainers had gathered.

“Excuse me, why are you all gathered here?” August pulled aside a trainer to ask.

“You don’t know?” The trainer looked at him in confusion before explaining, “The previous Gym Leader was removed, right? Word is that the League has recently assigned a new, temporary Gym Leader, so everyone’s here to try their luck.”

“See? These are all trainers who lost to Giovanni before.”

Following the direction the trainer was pointing, August saw at least a hundred trainers lined up outside Viridian Gym, all waiting to challenge the so-called ‘easy target.’

Beside him, August clearly heard Gary gulp.

“August, is it too late for me to back out now?”

Gary was completely stunned.

He had thought this temporary Gym Leader role would be an easy and prestigious job.

But who would have guessed that so many challengers would show up?

August, on the other hand, remained calm. “What’s there to be afraid of? These people are just here looking for an easy win. As long as you prove you aren’t an easy target, you’ll be fine.”

“Have some confidence—you’re Professor Oak’s grandson, recognized even by Agatha herself.”

“Besides, Lance is already waiting inside for us.”

With that, August grabbed Gary’s arm and, under the stunned gazes of the surrounding trainers, nodded at the League staff at the Gym entrance before walking inside without any obstacles.

“Wait… the person I was just talking to—was that the new Viridian Gym Leader?” The trainer felt like he was dreaming.

Realizing this, he immediately rejoined the line.

Who knows? Maybe the guy would go easy on him since they’d just spoken.

...

Inside Viridian Gym, Lance was sitting in a chair, reviewing a document.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw August. Setting the document aside, he said, “You’re finally here.”

“What’s up?”

August made himself comfortable on the sofa, picked up the teapot on the table, and poured himself a cup.

“The trainers outside are all gathered to challenge the Gym. It’s a lot of pressure on me, too,” Lance said before turning to look at Gary. “You’re Gary, right? Agatha has already told me—you passed her test. Well done.”

Hearing Lance’s praise, Gary instantly put his previous suffering behind him. “It wasn’t that bad.”

Lance chuckled at his reaction before shifting into a more formal tone. “Well then, on behalf of the Kanto League, I officially appoint you as Viridian Gym’s temporary Gym Leader.”

As he spoke, he handed Gary an appointment letter.

Along with it, he also gave him a box containing Viridian Gym’s official Gym Badges.

Now that the matter of the Gym Leader had been settled, Lance sighed in relief and turned to August. “About the thing you asked me to look into—I have news.”

August raised an eyebrow. “Which one?”

He had asked Lance to investigate several things.

Like information on Blue’s parents, leads on that mysterious Togepi from before, and—of course—news about Silver.

“It’s about that boy named ‘Silver,’” Lance said. “My subordinates spotted him in Johto, but he was extremely wary—he injured my men and fled.”

August wasn’t surprised by this.

When he had first met Blue, she had been just as cautious. If not for the fact that he was stronger, she would have escaped as well.

“Where was he seen?” August asked.

“Near Azalea Town,” Lance replied.

“Please have your people keep an eye on him. I’ll head over in the next couple of days.” August said.

“Alright.” This was a simple task for Lance.

However, he added a word of caution. “Things in Johto are pretty chaotic right now—Team Rocket and the Masked Man’s faction have been clashing more and more intensely.”

“I know. The colleagues I had stationed in Johto have mostly been taken out. The headquarters is sending me there to handle the situation.” August sighed.

After all, the one pulling the strings behind the scenes was Pryce…

Even with Mewtwo at his side, August wasn’t entirely confident that he could win against Pryce.

Hopefully, Giovanni would step up and give Pryce a nice surprise.

Lance wasn’t aware of August’s thoughts. He only felt that everyone was struggling right now.

Over in Hoenn, Steven was having a tough time dealing with Team Magma and Team Aqua.

In Sinnoh, Team Galactic was reportedly working with Pokémon Hunters, scheming to capture Legendary Pokémon. The situation was tense across all regions.

“Just be careful.”

With that, Lance took his leave.

The Indigo League Conference was fast approaching, and he had a lot to take care of.

That left only August and Gary inside the Viridian Gym.

August patted Gary on the shoulder. “Good luck, Gym Leader of Viridian—I believe in you!”

And before Gary could say a word, August turned and left.

He needed to return to Saffron City, pick up Blue, and head to Johto to find her younger brother.

Leaving behind a completely dumbfounded Gary.

League Staff: “Gym Leader, should we open the doors now? The trainers outside are getting impatient.”

Gary: “.....”

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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!