In reality, Cain's test was unnecessary. Just as Steven did not believe that someone could impersonate a member of the Sacred Church, they likewise could not conceive that someone from the League might replace them; they did not even consider that possibility.
In Number Four's mind, the thought was the same one Bartram had before encountering Cain: a group of youngsters barely sixteen or eighteen years old, no matter how talented or strong they might be, how far could they really go?
When they themselves were young, were they not also unparalleled prodigies?
Geniuses?
They were as well!
The difference was that they had already fully realized their talent. Otherwise, would it really be so easy for just anyone to reach the champion level?
Without any intention of belittling them, all members of the Sacred Church, including Number Four and Bartram, looked down on the young League members present on that continent.
They might become very strong in the future, their talent might be excellent, but that future had not yet arrived, had it?
Bartram was simply Bartram!
After fighting for some time, Cain confirmed that Number Four had no doubts whatsoever about his identity, even though there were clear differences between him and the real Bartram, and also between their Gengar and Weavile.
Because of that, Cain fondly recalled a sentence from a detective named Sherlock Holmes that he had read about on Earth: "When all possibilities have been eliminated, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
After eliminating the impossible, Cain impersonating Bartram was the truth.
But not everyone thought that way. Preconceived ideas were the hardest to eradicate, which was why first impressions were so important.
If Cain put himself in Number Four's place, he would not have noticed anything strange either, since preconceived notions completely dominated his judgment.
With his heart slightly tense, Cain began to gradually increase the intensity of the battle.
Since both assumed it was merely a friendly exchange, Cain used only Gengar and Weavile, while Number Four employed Crobat and Nidoking.
That's right, Number Four was a trainer who specialized in Poison-type Pokémon. However, his approach differed greatly from that of the famous Poison-type user Cain knew, Koga.
For Koga, the goal was to achieve the ultimate poison, so lethal that a single poisoning would be enough to end the opponent. It was an extreme approach, but if achieved, Koga could become the king of assassins in the Pokémon world.
Number Four, on the other hand, preferred unpleasant and tortuous methods. His toxins were not as potent as Koga's, but his combat style was completely different: Koga sought to kill with a single strike; Number Four took pleasure in slowly wearing the enemy down until they were completely consumed.
The battle between Cain and Number Four did not put Cain at a disadvantage.
It was Number Four who ended up surprised.
"Bartram, when did you become so strong?"
The tactics were the same, but with a change of Pokémon and trainer, the overall increase in power was evident.
Cain's Weavile was especially effective against Poison-type Pokémon and exerted strong suppression over Number Four's Crobat. However, the real key was Gengar.
That Gengar had already surpassed the first barrier of the champion level. Although it did not openly display it, it was still clearly stronger than Bartram's Gengar.
Even so, Cain knew that Number Four's strongest Pokémon were neither Crobat nor Nidoking. As a member of the Sacred Church, even if he did not use Psychic-type Pokémon, he should have at least one or two capable of Mega Evolution.
However, even for them, divine stones were not an unlimited resource. Each month they received a fixed amount, and aside from occasional mission rewards, they remained limited. Moreover, many of them had subordinates in the Pokémon world whom they also needed to reward.
Because of that, using Mega Evolution in a simple practice battle was practically impossible.
After fighting for a while, neither of them insisted on pushing it to the end.
Not long after, the two sat down in front of a campfire. The atmosphere was not as distant as expected, mainly because Cain had made an "accidental mistake" and lost due to a move.
By not forcing the battle, that loss counted as a real defeat. Number Four was in a good mood and, satisfied, invited Cain to stay and eat.
"Bartram, don't you find it strange that sir is forcing us to search day and night for someone called Cain, just to retrieve that so-called Leafeon? What do you think the barrier is really hiding?" Number Four asked as they chatted.
According to Cain's memories, it was not the first time they had brought up that topic, and as always, they had reached no conclusion.
Cain slowly stretched. Although going a night without sleep did not affect him, it still felt somewhat uncomfortable.
"Who knows. In any case, it surely doesn't have much to do with us. Let's just do our job well," Cain replied lazily, completely immersed in the role of Bartram.
"Tsk..." Number Four clicked his tongue. "It's just that we risk our lives, and in the end most of the benefits go to others. Look at the subordinates of that other leader: they don't work seriously at all and seem to be freeloading, yet they probably won't get fewer rewards than we do."
As he said that, the resentment was evident.
Both he and Bartram were subordinates of the dark-faced man and had no choice but to work hard, while that other group clearly did not give their all.
"And what can we do about it? Their boss doesn't get along very well with ours," Cain said calmly. "Although I do have an idea on how to obtain more benefits... it just depends on whether you're interested in taking part."
Upon hearing that, Number Four's eyes gleamed behind the psychic cloak. He clearly wanted to know what Cain had in mind.
"Oh? Go on, tell me."
"If you dislike them that much, why don't we take care of them? Wouldn't it be much better than us working hard while they receive the same rewards? Besides, the fewer of us there are, the larger the share of the spoils."
Although the psychic cloak hid his face, one could still feel the excitement and temptation burning in Number Four's eyes.
(End of chapter)