37 Chapter 37: Reunion in Petalburg Forest

The next day, early morning.

Rex had already purchased the necessary supplies yesterday, so he planned to set off for Petalburg City now. After all, Oldale Town was just a small town, and there wasn't much to see.

"Fortunately, I'm not too late."

Just as Rex was about to leave after checking out with Nurse Joy, he heard a familiar voice.

He saw Officer Jenny from Oldale Town walking towards him from outside, apparently having something to discuss with him.

"Good morning, Officer Jenny. Is there something you need from me?"

Rex was somewhat puzzled as to why Officer Jenny was looking for him at this time.

"Well, you see, our town had issued a reward for the person who save our Oldale Town's reputation. Yesterday, after I brought those few individuals back for questioning, they confessed to their crimes, so I'm here to give you the medal and reward."

Officer Jenny from Oldale Town explained the situation to Rex.

Afterwards, Rex received a medal representing the title of Honorary Resident of Oldale Town, along with a reward of 50,000 Alliance Coins.

Although with the current income of Rex's farm, this amount of money wasn't much, but anyone would be happy to receive free money, and he was no exception.

After bidding farewell to Officer Jenny from Oldale Town, Rex continued his journey to Petalburg City. However, after this episode, his mood improved significantly, feeling a sense of lightness as he walked.

"Groyvle, use Leaf Blade!"

Today marked the fourth day since Rex departed from Oldale Town. As he walked through the forest, he suddenly heard the sound of a trainer commanding Pokémon in battle.

Following the direction of the sound, Rex walked a distance and saw a trainer commanding a Groyvle and a Roselia in battle.

Rex was afraid of interrupting their battle, so he simply observed from a distance.

However, after watching for a while, he realized that the trainer was none other than Rina, who had battled with him for a few days at the Pokémon Center in Oldale Town.

"Go, Poké Ball!"

After a fierce battle, the Roselia lost to the Groyvle. After being hit by the Groyvle's Leaf Blade, it lost its ability to battle and was captured by Rina without surprise.

"Haha, I captured Roselia!"

Rina struck a rather pretentious pose and exclaimed loudly.

Obviously, she didn't notice Rex, otherwise, with her introverted personality, she wouldn't dare to make such a pretentious pose.

But now the pressure was on Rex.

He thought if he went out now, would Rina, who was probably embarrassed, kill him out of anger?

Just as he was about to slowly retreat and then find an opportunity to pretend to bump into her, he accidentally stepped on the tail fin of the Poliwag next to him.

"Poliwag, Poliwag!"

The Poliwag, stepped on by Rex, instantly teared up, crying loudly and accusing Rex of wrongdoing.

"Oops, I didn't mean to, Poliwag!"

Rex quickly moved his foot away and comforted the Poliwag.

However, his voice was apparently heard by Rina, and their eyes met.

"Nice to see you again, Rina!"

Rex greeted Rina first.

"When did you arrive?"

Rina, thinking of her pretentious behavior just now, blushed suddenly, her face turning red all the way to her neck.

Rex could feel that Rina seemed to be emitting smoke.

"I just arrived. I didn't see the process of you capturing Pokémon at all!"

Oops, as soon as Rex said this, he knew he had said the wrong thing.

"Ah, Peeping Tom, perish!"

Rina covered her face and said.

"You listen to my explanation, no, clarification!"

Rex, seeing that Rina seemed to be somewhat defenseless, hurriedly said.

But the effect was not very good.

"Rina, calm down. I really just happened to see you capturing Pokémon. I was afraid of disturbing you, so I didn't speak."

It had been an hour since Rex and Rina met. During this time, Rina walked forward without saying a word, while Rex apologized and explained while following her.

This incident did make him feel a bit guilty for sneaking a peek.

Although he had no ill intentions, it was indeed a bit unjustifiable, especially when he saw the scene that he felt was his black history in Rina's heart.

This also made Rina unable to face Rex now. She felt embarrassed by her behavior just now, and it was seen by someone she knew.

But, in fact, such behavior was not a big deal in Rex's eyes. Everyone had a phase of being pretentious!

Finally, when it got dark, the two set up a campfire. At this point, Rina had calmed down a bit, and they could finally communicate.

"Why did you come to Petalburg Forest alone?"

Rex asked.

"I failed to challenge the Petalburg Gym half a month ago, so I decided to train myself in the forest before challenging Uncle Norman again."

Rina also said with some disappointment.

When she challenged the Petalburg Gym last time, she was defeated miserably. Norman, who was in charge of the Gym, defeated her with just two Pokémon.

Although Norman recognized her strength afterwards and wanted to give her the Balance Badge, Rina didn't want to accept such a gift. She planned to challenge the Petalburg Gym again after she became stronger.

"I see. Don't be disheartened. As far as I know, the Petalburg Gym is one of the most difficult Gyms to challenge in the Hoenn Region. Being recognized by Mr. Norman is already quite good!"

Rex comforted her.

Of course, this was also his genuine opinion.

In his past life, every time he cleared the Petalburg Gym, he was brutally defeated. Without specially training a Fighting-type or Ghost-type Pokémon, it was difficult to pass this challenge.

"What about you? Why are you not busy on your farm and come here instead?"

Rina asked.

Before, when Rex contacted her, he introduced the situation of his farm, so she knew that Rex would not leave his own farm under normal circumstances.

Rina also planned to challenge Rex to a Pokémon battle after she obtained the Balance Badge, washing away her previous failures.

"I'm going to Petalburg City to purchase a batch of Miltank Pokémon eggs to raise."

Rex answered truthfully.

"Not bad. It seems like your farm is doing well!"

Rina didn't expect that in just a few months, Rex was already planning to raise Miltanks, because raising Miltanks required a considerable investment.

In addition to providing high-quality fodder, Miltanks also needed enough energy to support them.

Therefore, raising Miltanks was actually no different from raising Pokémon used for battles, and it even required more investment.

"By the way, how is your training going now? How long do you plan to stay here?"

Rex asked.

"I've already finished training, and I'm on my way back to Petalburg City!"

"That's great. We can go to Petalburg City together!"

"Hmm, I haven't forgotten your despicable behavior, but as long as you accompany me in a 3V3 Pokémon battle tomorrow, I'll forgive you!"

"Okay!"

In the end, Rex succumbed to Rina's intense gaze and agreed to have a Pokémon battle with her tomorrow.

"Come out, everyone!"

After finishing their conversation, Rex first prepared dinner for his Pokémon, then started cooking for himself and Rina.

"Why isn't your Taillow here?"

Rina looked at Rex's Pokémon and found that the powerful Taillow was not among them.

"Taillow has evolved into Swellow now. I left it on the farm to guard the safety of the farm."

Rex replied.

"If you lose tomorrow, don't say you let me win!"

Seeing that Rex's main force, Swallow, was not here, Rina thought she could defeat the guy in front of her tomorrow. Then she could find another opportunity to have her Groyvle and Swellow battle.

"Don't worry, I won't."

Rex, seeing Rina's team, thought that he should be able to win. He could see that Rina was quite proud of her Pokémon. She even said that she would participate in the Ever Grande Conference held by the Hoenn Alliance and win the championship.

"Well done, you've captured so many Pokémon in just a few months!"

Rex couldn't help but admire.

"Of course, I'm going to participate in the Ever Grande Conference held by the Hoenn Alliance and win the championship!"

Rina proudly stated her dream.

"Well, I wish you success in achieving your desired results!"

Rex wished her luck.

Your support is my motivation for creation!

(The end of this chapter)