Chapter 24: Chapter 23: The Red Destiny of the "True Protagonist"
During breakfast, Ryuu and Shindou Aio sat at a cozy restaurant near the Gym.
Because the gym attracted constant traffic, the surrounding area was filled with hotels, cafés, and street food vendors.
In a way, Ryuu's family gym was the backbone of this district's economy.
After finishing their meal, the two headed toward the largest Pokémon trading center in the city.
This place was packed with Pokémon from various breeders, ranches, and farms—all carefully raised and officially assessed before being sent here for sale.
While not 100% accurate, their potential evaluation machines were fairly reliable.
That's how Ryuu's Bagon had been confirmed to have Champion potential, prompting Fujiwara Daiki to go all-in on training it.
Aside from Pokémon, the store also sold Pokémon eggs, which many trainers gambled on, hoping to hatch something powerful.
---
"Aio, have you decided what Pokémon you want?"
Aio tapped her lips with her slender fingers, deep in thought.
"Umm... I'm not sure yet."
"Then leave it to me."
Ryuu had been expecting this.
Aio was new to this, but that was fine.
With his system's data analysis, he could easily help her pick a high-potential Pokémon.
"Okay, I'll trust you, Ryuu," Aio said with a soft smile.
She had no reason to refuse his help.
Just as they stepped into the Pokémon trading center, a familiar figure suddenly blocked their path.
"Shindou Aio? What are you doing here?"
Ryuu narrowed his eyes.
This guy again.
Shun stood in front of them, his expression annoyingly smug.
"Shun? What do you want?" Aio frowned.
She had never liked him.
He wasn't just annoying, he was also constantly trying to provoke Ryuu.
Like a delusional fool who thought he was the main character of some story.
Ryuu: "..."
And yet, despite everything—
For the third time now, Ryuu saw a Red Destiny thread above Shun's head.
Another major stroke of luck waiting for him.
Seriously… how was this guy so blessed?
If Ryuu weren't here, Shun would have probably become a classic underdog protagonist—defying the odds, rising from nothing to an Elite-level trainer.
But now?
He had no chance.
Ryuu would make sure of that.
"Aio, if you're buying a Pokémon, let me get it for you," Shun declared proudly.
"…Are you sure you can afford it?" Ryuu asked with a smirk.
Shun froze.
A Pokémon—even the cheapest one—cost hundreds of thousands.
His family owned a chain of supermarkets, but their annual income was barely enough for Pokémon training.
He had already spent a fortune on his Torchic and its training items.
And after all that investment?
Torchic's potential turned out to be garbage.
If he had known earlier, he never would have wasted so much money on it.
Now, he was low on funds.
He couldn't afford to buy another Pokémon, let alone one for Aio.
Shun gritted his teeth.
"Aio, let's go."
Without sparing Shun another glance, Ryuu grabbed Aio's hand and walked into the store.
"Y-You…!"
Shun clenched his fists but held back.
He couldn't pick a fight here.
He could only watch Ryuu leave, feeling utterly defeated.
Ryuu, meanwhile, followed the Red Destiny thread—leading him to a single Pokémon egg.
A silver-white egg speckled with dark markings.
"I want this one."
"Sir, all Pokémon eggs here are unidentified.
"Each one is 300,000 yen, and their potential depends entirely on luck," the sales clerk warned.
They didn't want customers returning to complain later.
"That's fine," Ryuu said, pulling out his card.
Not like I need luck.
After swiping his card, he finally activated the Red Destiny scan.
[Name: Shun]
[Red Destiny: Originally destined to pick a Pokémon egg containing an Aron with Elite potential.]
"Damn, Shun is lucky…"
Ryuu had to admit—this guy had insane fortune.
An Aron with Elite potential?
Aron's final evolution was already a beast, but an Elite-tier one?
That thing could sell for tens of millions in an auction.
And now?
Shun had no idea he just lost his golden ticket.
Shun watched as Ryuu walked away with the egg, feeling a strange sense of regret—like he had just missed out on something massive.
"Aio, let's keep looking for your Pokémon."
Now that he had secured his find, Ryuu wanted to see if there were any other high-value Pokémon nearby.
But most high-potential Pokémon were already claimed long ago.
Breeders only sold Gym-tier Pokémon here.
The real treasures?
Those were found in Pokémon eggs—where potential had yet to be tested.
Otherwise, how could Ryuu have snatched an Elite-level Aron for just 300,000 yen?
Aio quietly followed, carefully studying each Pokémon.
But nothing seemed right.
Some had high potential but weren't cute.
Some were adorable but weak.
And if she was going to be Ryuu's personal Breeder, her Pokémon needed to be both strong and fitting.
Only then would she feel worthy of standing beside him.
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