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Ariel's words contained both the reckless ruthlessness of a Trainer struggling from the bottom and a kind of indomitable persistence.
These two qualities, blended in a young man, were in themselves a most moving talent.
In Drake's eyes, which had seen too many storms, Ariel's shadow was truly reflected for the first time.
Ariel did not pause; following his own line of thought, he asked the question that had been lingering in his heart for a long time.
"Why?"
"Why does the Ever Grande Conference, or rather the League, tacitly allow such malicious behavior to exist? Doesn't this undermine the fairness of the competition?"
His voice was not loud, but it was clear, and every word carried his confusion.
Drake laughed.
This laugh was completely different from his previous scrutinizing and testing smiles.
He didn't answer immediately, but instead raised a rough hand and pointed toward the endless azure sea.
"Ariel, look at this sea."
"When it's calm, the water and sky are the same color, and any ship can sail upon it, appearing fair and gentle."
"But when the storm comes and the waves tower high, those ships that aren't sturdy or strong enough will be torn to shreds and sink to the bottom. Only the strongest ships and the most experienced sailors can survive."
Drake withdrew his hand, his gaze falling back onto Ariel's face, his cloudy eyes flashing with the sharp light of worldly wisdom.
"The League is that sea. And the Ever Grande Conference is a storm that everyone knows the timing of."
He paused, seemingly giving Ariel time to digest these words.
Ariel's mind was racing.
Drake's words were like a key, opening a long-sealed door in his mind.
He used to think the League should be the embodiment of rules, the guardian of order, like a lighthouse guiding the way for all Trainers.
But now it seemed the League was more like a cold-eyed screener.
It established rules, yet beneath those rules, it left a wide enough gray area.
"Do you think the League's high-ranking officials are fools?"
Drake's voice rang out again, carrying the playful tone of someone who had seen it all.
"Those children raised in great families, fed with countless resources—their Pokémon might be strong, and their theoretical knowledge might be solid, but their hands are too clean."
"Clean hands cannot handle many thorny issues, and their hearts are too upright—so upright that they cannot see the dangers hidden in the shadows."
Drake's tone became earnest and meaningful.
"An Elite or a Champion has to face more than just honorable challenges; they face prying eyes from the dark, conspiracies, betrayals, and dirty work that can't be brought to light."
"How can you expect someone who has never rolled in the mud to handle these things? By relying on a burst of passion and so-called justice? That will only make them die faster."
Ariel's heart jolted violently.
He thought back to his journey so far.
From his initial ignorance to later having to use some schemes to protect himself and his Pokémon, and his ruthlessness when facing enemies.
Looking at it now, these seemed to be the excellent qualities the League valued!
"So, the Ever Grande Conference is essentially a large-scale election, a public showcase."
Drake continued his "League Dark Theory."
"It's not just about selecting the strongest Trainers; it's about screening for talents who have both strength and methods, whose hearts are dark enough and whose hands are ruthless enough."
"Of those who can fight their way up from the bottom and stand at the end by stepping on the shoulders of countless others, which one isn't a shrewd fox? Which one doesn't have a few tricks up their sleeve?"
"The League needs such people. It needs them to handle things that children of great families can't or won't deign to handle. It needs them to act like catfish, stirring the waters to keep the League's entire ecosystem maintaining a wild vitality."
"As for those underhanded struggles... Heh."
Drake let out a meaningful chuckle.
"As long as you don't go too far—like directly killing or crippling someone—the League will at most symbolically fine you some money or give you a few warnings."
"What is that small price compared to an opportunity to reveal your capabilities?"
"Of course,"
Drake changed the subject,
"No one dares to easily touch the children of the truly top-tier families. Firstly, their backgrounds are too solid to provoke. Secondly, these underhanded tactics are only useful in the first half of the conference."
"Once you reach the top thirty-two or the top sixteen, everyone is a tough nut to crack. At that point, any Nasty Plot is pale and powerless before absolute strength."
"If you want to achieve a good rank, what it ultimately comes down to is the raw strength of your Pokémon."
After the speech was finished, Ariel fell into a long silence.
Drake's explanation peeled back the glamorous skin of the Ever Grande Conference and even the entire League, layer by layer, revealing the truest and most cruel parts underneath.
Ariel had never thought about things from this perspective.
No wonder...
Ariel's thoughts drifted far away.
No wonder that in the League, especially for top positions like the Elite Four, not everyone came from a prestigious family.
Some of them even had certain "stains" on their resumes.
Ariel understood now.
Those so-called "stains" might be precisely the shining "medals" in the eyes of the League's high-ranking officials.
This was a screening mechanism, a more efficient and colder selection of talent.
It acknowledged the complexity of the world and the gray areas of human nature.
Ariel let out a long breath, and the frustration in his chest dissipated without a trace along with it.
He felt as if his meridians had been cleared; his entire outlook and vision had been elevated to a new level.
He looked at Drake, his eyes filled with gratitude.
These words wouldn't be spoken by a teacher or a friend.
Drake viewed him as one of his own, which was why he broke down these hidden rules and explained them to him.
This was more precious than any rare item or powerful skill.
Watching the change in Ariel's expression, Drake knew the young man had fully understood his meaning.
The wrinkles on his face smoothed out as he revealed a truly joyful smile.
"Understand now?"
"Yes."
Ariel nodded vigorously.
He was already prepared to show his skills at the Ever Grande Conference.
"Good."
The smile on Drake's face vanished, and his entire aura changed instantly.
His tall frame cast a shadow, enveloping Ariel within it.
The salty smell in the air seemed to grow heavy, carrying a rusty pressure.
"The reasoning is over; next, it's time to get serious."
Drake clapped his hands, making a crisp sound like a signal.
"Understanding the theory is useless; in this world, ultimately, fists do the talking."
"I know your ruthlessness and your persistence; now, let me see if your strength is worthy of your ambition."
His voice was not high, yet it carried an unquestionable power.
Ariel felt his blood begin to heat up and boil at this moment.
He knew the true test was only just beginning.
Drake stared at him and asked word by word:
"Combat training begins now."
"Ariel, are you ready?"