Chapter 6: The Trial

[Shiroe POV]

"Honedge, finish it with Aerial Ace!"

Hearing my orders, Honedge disappeared in an instant before appearing right in front of the wild Shinx.

And with a single swift slash, the wild Shinx cried out in pain as it got knocked back, crashing on the ground before its eyes twirled into a spiral, ending the battle.

[Your Honedge had gained Experience Points!]

"Good job"

- Shing~ Shing~

I smiled, feeling satisfied before taking out a pokéball and throwing it at the wild Shinx, capturing it successfully.

With this, I now have three Pokemons captured and only seven more to go until I complete this trial.

"That's really something! Not only can you catch Pokémon — you can lead them in battle as well!"

I turned my head slightly just to see Akari walk up behind me with Rei following beside her, looking impressed and awed at my skills.

"Haha, thanks"

I chuckled, feeling embarrassed as it wasn't every day that I get to be complimented by a girl.

As for the professor, he seems to have stayed back at the base camp located at the entrance of Aspiration Hills which was just created a few minutes ago.

And this makes a whole lot of sense now since I didn't see a camp when I was heading toward the village.

Or I was just too dumb and missed it on the way but I doubt that, I quite have a sharp eye after all.

Though it begs me the question...

How far was I sent back in the past?

I mean, from what I remember, that base camp had already existed in the beginning when the game started.

So, does that mean that I went back to when the village was just in its early phase?

"Hey... Akari and Rei, I got a question"

"...?"

"How long has the village existed?"

Hearing my question, the two were confused as I could somewhat imagine question marks appearing all over their faces.

And I could see hints of suspicion and doubt in their eyes as they stared at me as if I was some sort of alien.

"...It's been 'bout half a year since the village was created"

"...!"

Hearing Rei answer, I felt surprised before calming down and nodding my head in understanding.

I see, so that's how it is...

Perhaps, I could use this information to my advantage.

And just as I was lost in my thoughts, Akari coughed and cleared her throat, snapping me out of my state.

"Er... Shiroe, can I also ask you a question?"

"Sure"

"How did you know about the Pokedex?"

"Uh..."

Hearing Akari's question, I couldn't help but twitch my eyebrows a bit as even Rei started looking interested in our conversation.

Though I know Rei is more focused on what my answer is rather than the conversation itself.

But still, how am I even supposed to answer this?

There's no way I can just say that I actually came from another world and I knew about it because this world was based on a game.

If I were to say that then I would immediately be treated as a lunatic and be locked up inside a prison... maybe.

"Hah..."

I sighed, feeling a small migraine appearing in my head as I tried brainstorming an answer.

Though truthfully speaking, that stunt of mine earlier at the village was just a spur of a moment, I didn't actually mean to do that but I was a bit desperate to get into the village so I had to do what I needed to do.

Luckily commander Kamado didn't press on too much or the consequences would have been dire for me.

It was then, I saw Akari looking doubtful and skeptical as she stared at me with a hint of confusion in her eyes.

"In fact, the survey corps was just recently established a few weeks ago"

"..."

"Not many people should know about the grand mission of the corps..."

"Ah..."

Hearing her words, I couldn't help but form a helpless smile and facepalm myself internally.

If I had just known about this information then I wouldn't have been so bold and played safe with my actions instead.

Oh, well... what's done is done.

Now that I think about it, maybe the village's motive for giving me such a "difficult" task was so that I could not succeed.

I mean, imagine if some stranger suddenly walks up to you and told you your most kept secret.

Would you feel safe?

Of course not, I would get the fuck away as far as possible and even call the police on them.

And the village must think the same way as well, they likely believe that I have some ulterior motive or something.

Which is why they perpetrated this so that I could not pass and be allowed inside the village.

Or I could be overthinking things and everything was not as bad as It seems.

But it doesn't matter anyway since I'm passing this trial whether they like it or not.

Now back to the situation...

I cleared my throat, trying to ease the tension in the air as I stare at the two with a mysterious smile.

"Ehem... the truth is..."

I saw as both Akari and Rei slightly leaned their heads close to me, wanting to get a better earshot in which I just chuckled at this sight.

"I'm actually a prophet"

"..."

I whispered to the two, acting mysterious and mystic as I could feel Honedge's deep stare at my back.

As for Akari, she looked at me with a strange look while Rei just looked away, shaking his head as he looked a bit disappointed.

"Cough... well, enough about the questions... there's still a trial going on"

I coughed, snapping them out of their thoughts as I tried to change the subject which worked.

And I could see the two of them glance at each other before shrugging their shoulder and nodding at me, expressing their understanding.

"Okay then, let's go"

...

"I can't believe it... you've managed to catch nine Pokemons"

Akari commented, staring at me with an indescribable expression while Rei looked like he had seen the almighty Sinnoh.

"Haha..."

I just chuckled at their reactions before turning my head toward an orange-skinned creature in the distance, observing it with narrowed eyes.

Although I forgot its name, I do remember that it was a pure water-type Pokemon and quite an aggressive one as well.

"Hmm..."

Now then, how shall I deal with this?

I brainstormed for a bit, forming a plan in my head before nodding and smirking in satisfaction at my idea.

And with a signal through my hand, my partner Honedge saw it as he floated and headed toward me.

"Okay... Honedge, I'll lure it here with Oran berries while you wait there in the bushes"

- Shing! Shing!

"When I give my signal, you ambush it with a Quick Attack then follow it up with Aerial Ace for the finish"

- Shing!

"Oh... and use Autotomize in advance as many as you can, just to be safe"

- Shing~ Shing~

Akari and Rei who had just heard my order, turned to look at me with a disbelieving look.

"That... ain't that a bit too much?"

"Nope, not at all"

"..."

"And you guys told me how terrifying Pokemons are... so I am just playing safe, that's all"

"..."

Plus, there's a chance that this wild Pokemon could be a high-level one or I could be wrong.

But it wouldn't hurt to play safe than recklessly charging ahead.

I mean, I already made a mistake once by underestimating that wild Stantler from yesterday.

There's no way, I'll make the same mistake twice.

Though, it'll be great if this appraisal function of the system didn't require contact cause it would have made my life so much easier.

Too bad... can't do anything about it, I'll just make do with what I have.

"Honedge, hide now"

- Shing!

I waved at both Akari and Rei to hide as well which they did. After all, I don't want them to become collateral if some random moves hit them during the battle.

And seeing everything in place, I crouched down and quietly hid in the tall grass, observing the wild Pokemon.

With Oran berries in my hand, I threw one as they rolled on the ground before stopping not too close but not too far away from the wild Pokemon.

- Bruii...?

I saw the wild Pokemon's nose twitch ever so slightly, seemingly smelling the aroma of the Oran berry as it turned its head towards it.

And just as according to Keikaku, the wild Pokemon cautiously headed toward the berry, oblivious to the trap that I set up.

- Bruii

It was then, I saw the wild Pokemon nudging the Oran berry, seemingly checking for abnormalities before finding nothing as it started nibbling on it.

"Now, Honedge!"

Hearing my shout, Honedge came out of the bushes and flickered, disappearing instantly before appearing unsuspectingly behind the wild Pokemon.

And in an instant, I saw Honedge unsheathed himself before giving out a mean slash at its back.

- Bruii?!

The wild Pokemon howled from the sneak attack but my Honedge wasn't done yet and followed up with another move Aerial Ace.

Slash!

This time, the wild Pokemon cried out in pain as I saw it get knocked back into the air from the follow-up attack.

But rather than it panicking, it flipped its entire body in midair as I watched the wild Pokemon land on the ground with its feet gracefully.

"Well, that was impressive"

It was then, that a familiar ding chimed in as a system window appeared at the corner of my eye.

[Ding]

[Wild Buizel Lv.28]

I smiled and glanced at it, not feeling surprised at all as I had already expected it.

Though, I did raise my right eyebrow slightly after looking at its level since It's five stages higher than my Honedge's level.

But this did not dampen my mood at all as I trust Honedge enough to be able to handle it.

『Water Gun』

"Honedge, dodge then counterattack with Shadow Sneak"

I saw at which Honedge easily avoid the beam of water by sidestepping or more accurately, float-stepping.

Then Honedge turned shadowy and dived down the ground, appearing just right behind the wild Buizel and giving it a slash at its back.

But instead of being attacked, the wild Buizel leaped up as I saw it easily dodging the Shadow Sneak and raised its tail before pounding down on my Honedge.

『Double Hit』

"...!"

I watch as two heavy slaps were struck on my Honedge but I knew it wasn't a problem since I remember that this move was a normal type.

And with my Honedge being a steel type, this move wouldn't be that effective.

- Bruii?!

Just as I expected, Honedge tank the move to the point that he didn't even budge away from his position.

Though, It would be great if my Honedge original ghost type wasn't changed to a dark type instead cause he'll be immune to normal and fighting types.

But it's fine since I've become quite fond of my Honedge Hisuian form.

"Honedge, Quick Attack!"

Hearing my shout, Honedge moved and flickered away, reappearing right in front of the wild Buizel with its blade ready to slash.

But the wild Buizel had calmed down and reacted just in time, initiating a move just before Honedge showed up in front of it.

『Aqua Jet』

I step back as both mine and the wild Pokemon attacks collided with each other, creating a small explosion.

Boom!

I couldn't help but squint my eyes as the dust and dirt flew everywhere.

"Tch..."

I waited as the dust cloud faded away to the sky before seeing one Pokemon floating in the air with a few scratches on its body and another one lying down on the ground with its eyes twirling in a spiral.

[Your Honedge had gained Experience Points!]

- Shing~ Shing~

Seeing my Honedge looking fine, I let out a small sigh of relief as I felt a bit worried there for a second even when I knew he was gonna win in the end.

I mean that was such an intense fight that I actually felt my blood boil in excitement.

"Hah..."

I calmed down before taking out a pokéball and throwing it at the wild Buizel, capturing it successfully.

And with this, I now have ten Pokemons and completed the trial.

"Great job, Honedge"

- Shing~

I walked up toward Honedge and smiled, patting its handle as it wiggles its entire body in elation.

[Ding]

_____________________

[Name]: Honedge (Hisuian)

[Nickname]: None

[Species]: Sword Pokemon

[Gender]: Male

[Level]: 25

[Type]: Steel/Dark

[Abilities]: No Guard

[Status]:

- HP: 73

- Attack: 69

- Defense: 68

- Sp. Atk: 50

- Sp. Def: 51

- Speed: 71

[Moveset]:

- Shadow Sneak, Tackle, Slash, Fury Cutter, Block, Quick Attack, Autotomize, Aerial Ace, Metal Sound, Assurance, Night Slash

_____________________

"Very, very nice..."

- Shing! Shing!

"Haha... yes, yes, you're very strong now"

I chuckled before turning my head around at the two survey corps members who had their mouths wide open from the incredible fight.

Hmm, I guess they have never seen such an intense Pokemon battle before, huh...

Oh well... it's time to go back to the village and surprised everyone... hehe.