"This is my residence. That wooden house over there was built by my own hands when I was young."
Drake's voice carried on the wind, tinged with a hint of pride.
Salamence landed steadily on the open ground in front of the wooden house, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Ariel jumped down from the dragon's back. His legs were still a bit weak, but his gaze was firmly captured by everything before him.
That Salamence, which had been so fierce and domineering in the sky, softened its expression the moment it touched the ground.
Several round Bagon hatchlings wabbled out from the shadows of the wooden house, affectionately pouncing on Salamence's legs and letting out soft Growls.
Salamence lowered its massive head, gently nuzzling the hatchlings' bodies with its nose. In its vertical pupils, there was a kindness that Ariel had never imagined.
The other side of the strong was actually so gentle.
Ariel took a deep breath. The air was filled with the fragrance of vegetation and the scent of the ocean.
He looked at everything before him, his heart filled with an incomparable sense of shock.
He turned his head to look at Drake, just about to speak.
"Senior Drake, are we going to start training now?"
He still voiced the doubt in his heart; after all, the Ever Grande Conference was imminent.
Hearing this, Drake burst into loud, hearty laughter, the sound so resonant that it startled several Dodrio in the forest, sending them flapping their wings and running off.
"Hahaha, young man, don't be so impatient. Don't be too diligent!"
Drake patted Ariel on the shoulder with considerable force.
"There are still a full two weeks until the Ever Grande Conference. What's the rush?"
Ariel's mouth couldn't help but twitch. A full two weeks?
Isn't that coming up very soon?
Drake winked mysteriously.
"Today, I have invited some old friends."
"Ariel, kid, can you drink?"
Ariel was stunned for a moment and nodded subconsciously:
"I can drink a little."
"As long as you can drink!"
Drake seemed very happy. With a wave of his hand, he pushed open the door made of a single massive log.
"Come on, get in!"
A rich aroma wafted toward them.
The space inside the wooden house was much larger than it looked from the outside, with simple yet tasteful furnishings.
A huge wooden table stood in the center, piled high with various kinds of food.
Large chunks of smoked meat sizzled with oil, golden-roasted Magikarp emitted a charred fragrance, and there were fresh vegetable salads and brightly colored fruits. Beside them sat several jars of wine that looked quite aged.
Though it wasn't some expensive delicacy, the boldness and heartiness of it made one's mouth water.
Four old men were already seated around the table.
One was burly with hair as red as fire and a scorching aura; it was the Former Fire-type Elite Four Member, Mr. Moore.
One had a refined expression, with eyes that seemed able to see through people's hearts; it was the Former Psychic-type Elite Four Member, Katsuya.
One had an elegant temperament, like the quiet deep sea; it was the Former Water-type Elite Four Member, Juan.
The last one was the Former Flying-type Elite Four Member, famous for his speed, Dan. He was currently gripping a roasted chicken leg, his mouth covered in grease.
These four, along with Drake, were all legends who once shook the world and stood at the pinnacle of the region!
Ariel's heart skipped a beat again.
It wasn't just the shock of seeing this group of Elite Four Level powerhouses, but even more shocking was that he actually knew three of the four!
Drake was clearly satisfied with Ariel's reaction. He led Ariel inside, preparing to clear his throat and introduce this junior he favored in the most grand manner.
"Come, come, stop eating. Let me introduce you. This is..."
Before Drake could finish, Mr. Moore suddenly put down his wine cup and stood up abruptly.
His gaze shot straight at Ariel, carrying a hint of surprise, a hint of scrutiny, and finally turning into a strange sort of confirmation.
"Ariel?"
Mr. Moore's voice wasn't loud, but it caused the entire wooden house to fall silent instantly.
Dan, who was gnawing on a chicken leg, stopped his movements. The refined Katsuya pushed up his glasses, and the calm Juan also looked up.
The reactions of the remaining three were identical to Mr. Moore's. Their gazes focused in unison on Ariel, their eyes clearly saying—we know this guy!
This time, it was Drake's turn to be bewildered.
His mouth hung open as he looked at the standing Mr. Moore, then at the other three with their various expressions, and finally at Ariel, who looked equally at a loss.
What's the situation?
What's going on?
Aren't these the old friends I invited to give him some face?
How come every single one of them seems to know this junior already?
Countless question marks flashed through Drake's mind in an instant.
Could it be... this kid's connections are even stronger than mine, an old man's?!
Why do all these old geezers look like they know this kid?
He had gone through all the trouble of calling people over, thinking he'd introduce them first, only for them to be old acquaintances?
Drake didn't get to speak; instead, Ariel moved first.
Without the slightest awkwardness, he bowed slightly to Mr. Moore, his attitude respectful but not humble.
"Senior Mr. Moore, hello. Thank you for your care back in Lavaridge Town."
He paused, turning his gaze to the old man beside Mr. Moore who was resting with his eyes closed and a calm aura.
"And this senior, I had a brief encounter with you when I was delivering something for Senior Mr. Moore."
The old man slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was calm and rippleless, yet it seemed capable of seeing through one's soul.
"I am Katsuya, Former Psychic-type Elite Four Member."
His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.
"Your mental strength is quite good, kid."
Ariel nodded and naturally shifted his gaze to the next person.
It was a man with a refined face and meticulously groomed long blue hair. Although he was of the grandfather generation, sitting with these old geezers, he looked like a young man. It was the Former Water-type Elite Four Member, Juan.
"Senior Juan."
Ariel's tone became a bit more familiar.
"Didn't you go to travel the world after stepping down as the Sootopolis Gym Leader? Why are you here?"
Juan picked up his wine cup and took a sip, glancing at the already petrified Drake with a playful smile at the corner of his mouth.
"Well, you'll have to ask the one beside you. He insisted there was good wine and a good show to watch, so he dragged me back from the Kalos region."
Drake's eye corner twitched.
A good show? Who is the show for now?
The last one was the most burly old man, wearing a flight jacket. Even while sitting, he exuded an air of boldness.
Ariel indeed didn't know him, but the way the other looked at him was full of appreciation.
Before Ariel could speak, the old man laughed heartily.
"Kid, we haven't met. But my worthless disciple has talked about you quite a bit in front of me."
He patted his chest.
"I am Dan, Former Flying-type Elite Four Member. Regarding that time in Fortree City, thank you for saving the research personnel there."
A flash of inspiration hit Ariel's mind, and he understood instantly.
"You are Gym Leader Winona's master!"
"Hahaha, exactly!"
In an instant, the atmosphere in the wooden house became lively. The old men chatted away, completely leaving Drake, the host, out in the cold.
Drake stood at the door, his mouth half-open, feeling as if his jaw was about to dislocate.
He looked at Ariel, then at his group of old buddies.
His head was buzzing.
So in this whole circle, there wasn't a single person who didn't know him?
Drake felt like an actor who had worked hard for a long time to set up the stage and prepare to sing, only for the gongs and drums to sound and the protagonist not to be himself.
A breath was stuck in his chest, and his face turned red.
Watching Ariel over there talking and laughing with the former Elite Four members with such ease, Drake completely lost his spirit.
He opened his mouth, and finally, only one sentence squeezed out from between his teeth.
"So... you've said all the words! What am I supposed to say!"
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