That afternoon, news of Julian's challeo Kaide had pletely spread throughout Imperial Uy. Thanks to the i, even many outsiders had caught wind of it.

  "Who is Kaide? Is he really that strong?"

  For those outside Imperial Uy, the name Kaide was unfamiliar. It certainly didn't carry the same weight as Julian's.

  "He must be strong. Otherwise, why would the King Julian challenge him?"

  "I'll expin—Kaide is the Prince of Gallia and the first in lio the throne. He's sidered the stro among Gallia's younger geion."

  Someone quickly provided an expnation.

  Some people even searched Kaide's name o, and sure enough, there was information about him.

  There were even old battle videos of him.

  When they saw that Kaide had defeated Elite Trainers while still at the pseudo-Elite level and that, at 22 years old, he was now a full-fledged Elite.

  His talent, strength, and family background were in no way inferior to Julian's.

  This revetion only made the situation more heated.

  Even the officials of both Drakoria and Gallia became aware of the challenge.

  However, her gover made any statements. They khat they couldn't get involved—if they did, what started as a personal challenge would immediately escate into an iional diplomatic issue.

  Besides, the Gallian gover had full fiden their Prince's strength.

  This erfect opportunity for him to put Julian in his pce—to show everyohat the so-called stro young Trainer of Drakoria was nothing but a joke in front of their prince.

  And on top of that, they could take back Honedge. A win-win situation.

  With certain people fueling the discussion, the event quickly exploded across the i.

  The people of Drakoria overwhelmingly supported Julian. Though a few dissenters appeared, they were quickly shut down by the majority and ended up leaving the discussion.

  Uionally, Julian and Kaide's battle had already beeed into a matter of national pride.

  If Julian won, it would prove that Gallian Trainers were not as good as Drakorian Trainers, and vice versa.

  Since Julian was the one who issued the challehe question remained—would Kaide accept?

  Given how things had escated into a hotly debated topic between both nations, if Kaide refused to battle, Drakorians would see it as an admission of defeat. In their eyes, that would mean Julian had already won.

  Even the people of Gallia hoped their Prince would accept. Even if he lost, fighting would be far more honorable than bag down.

  Uhese circumstahere was no way Kaide could refuse.

  Soon enough, he gave a clear response.

  He posted on his personal GEEK at: "Tomorrow at 10 AM."

  He accepted the challenge.

  As the one who had started this whole mess, Richard was still lying in a hospital bed, staring at the news on his phone. He had never expected things to blow up this much.

  "Why hasn't Brother Kaide e to see me?"

  Richard turo the tall blonde woman tending to him.

  He and Kaide were both members of the royal family. Their retionship wasly close, but it wasn't bad either.

  "The Prince is preparing for tomorrow's battle," the woman replied.

  Richard was slightly taken aback before sneering. "Brother Kaide is being too cautious. There's no way that guy could be his match."

  Then, a look of deep rese fshed across his face. "Tell Brother Kaide to 'kill' that guy's Pokémon."

  The woman shot Richard a mog gnce, but he was too ed by his ao notice.

  "Richard, the Prince's orders are that ohis matter is over, you are to return to Gallia."

  If not for his royal status, Richard was worth nothing in her eyes.

  "What did you just call me?!"

  Richard looked at her in disbelief.

  "Richard. Was that not clear enough?"

  She tio mock him.

  "You b**ch! I am a royal! Who do you think you are?!" Richard roared.

  "I serve the Prince."

  She remained unfazed as she tinued, "Because of your recklessness, thied to this point. Of course, Cole pyed a role too."

  Cole was the one who led a group to block Julian's vil the day, making the situation even worse.

  But the one who started it all was Richard.

  Richard burned with fury, but there was nothing he could do. Despite being a royal, he was just a marginal member of the family. He couldn't pare to the Prince, who was the first in lio the throne and possessed both extraordinary talent and strength.

  If there weren't any ued events, Kaide would bee the King of Gallia and its national symbol iure.

  And as someone uhe Prince's and, this woman was pletely untouchable to him.

  Seeing Richard's face twisted with rese, yet uo do anything, filled her with satisfa.

  "Get out! Get out of my sight!"

  Richard roared, hurling the cup beside him.

  The woman rose to leave but paused at the door. She said in a calm tohe Prince wants you at the battle tomorrow to receive Julian's apology."

  With that, she walked away.

  Under different circumstances, Richard might have been grateful to Kaide for standing up for him. But now—

  "Julian... Kaide... Hehe..."

  Back at the uy, many students from the Special Recruitment Css had already started messaging Julian, asking about the situation.

  Since everyone else was still out pleting the assigasks, Julian was the first to finish aurn to campus.

  Celebi hovered in front of Julian, holding a phone. "A lot of people online are saying you're fighting him tomorrow."

  Julian g his phone and gave a slight nod.

  Celebi: "Do you need my help? I'm really strong!"

  It waved its tiny fists, though the slight jiggle of its belly fat made the gesture less intimidating.

  Julian: 彡(-_-;)彡

  "No need. An oppo like him isn't worth your time. Just stay home and keep ranking up with Slowking."

  Celebi pced its hands on its hips and nodded in agreement. "You're right. But ime you meet a strong oppo, I'll ha."

  Julian: "Mm"

  "Luca~"

  Lucario, who had beeating, suddenly opes eyes.

  A sed ter, the doorbell rang.

  Julian g Celebi, who pouted in frustration before flying upstairs.

  "You? What brings you here?"

  Seeing that the visitor was Nicole, Julian raised an eyebrow. "Is this about tomorrow?"

  Nicole: "Tomorrow? What about tomorrow?"

  Judging by the fused look on her face, she genuinely had no idea.

  "I've been in the b all this time."

  "Oh, then why are you here?"

  "I've nearly finished my resear your Steelix. There are still some data points I haven't figured out, but they seem to be reted to your trainihod."

  "Although I'm curious, but I doubt you'd tell me how you trai."

  "Get to the main point," Julian said.

  Ding-dong!

  The doorbell rang again.

  When Julian ope, Hannah walked in.

  *****

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