Chapter 30: If I Don’t Feel Awkward, Then It’s You Who’ll Be Embarrassed

The entire day’s matches had finally come to an end. Bathed in the golden rays of the sunset streaming through the window, Tang Yi stretched his limbs with a deep sigh of relief. At last, it was over. Though the beginning had been somewhat unfavorable, the subsequent rounds turned out to be surprisingly smooth.

“Ralts, you did well! Once tomorrow’s matches are finished, I’ll take you out for a big meal!” Tang Yi was in high spirits. After Ralts received a bit of treatment and emerged, the two made their way together toward the lounge.

“I want cake,” Ralts piped up.

“No problem. When we get back, I’ll tell Gu Qingyue to prepare some cake.” Tang Yi hadn’t forgotten the bet he’d made with Gu Qingyue a few days ago: if he advanced, she would treat.

Ralts shot him a sideways glance, thinking that her trainer was being generous for once.

Most people in the lounge had already left—it was getting late. But Tang Yi couldn’t leave just yet. He had to wait for the staff to record and confirm his information; soon, the drawing for the final match would begin.

There were eight classes in the senior year at Tianying High School, and today’s eight winners each waited their turn. The school only had four spots for advancement, so tomorrow, they would randomly battle again, eliminating half of them. The remaining four would then qualify for the Qingjiang City selection tournament a month later.

On the big screen, the roster soon began to flash again. After a dozen seconds, the match chart gradually settled. The remaining contestants widened their eyes, anxiously searching—no one wanted to be the one eliminated at this stage.

This time, the random draw used real names, so Tang Yi quickly found his opponent and murmured, “Lin Tian? I don’t know him.”

“He’s the vice class leader of Class One. Quite handsome, too,” said Jiang Chen, running over.

“You’re still here?” Tang Yi asked.

“Well, I was gathering intel for you! No one else was useful, and you actually made it to the end.” Jiang Chen handed over a notebook, evidence that she’d visited every arena to collect information.

Tang Yi laughed heartily. “Then I’ll accept this generous gift on behalf of everyone else.”

He flipped through the notebook with a cursory glance. Though it was called intelligence, it mostly listed which skills each contestant’s Pokémon had mastered.

Only one opponent mattered—Tang Yi went straight to Lin Tian’s profile.

Poochyena: Skills mastered—Sand Attack, Tackle, Bite.

Tang Yi felt a headache coming on.

Jiang Chen glanced over and sympathized, “Looks like your luck ran out today. I heard your Ralts hasn’t learned any Fairy-type skills yet.”

Tang Yi looked around, searching for Lin Tian, though he couldn’t tell who he was. But he was sure that the intel on his matches today would reach Lin Tian’s ears.

“I originally planned to try out Dazzling Voice, but it failed. Anyway, I won’t keep you. I’m heading home now—while I still have some time tonight, I want to train hard and hopefully master Dazzling Voice for tomorrow’s match.”

After bidding Jiang Chen goodbye, Tang Yi left first with Ralts.

Several pairs of eyes watched him as he departed the hall.

“A battle between Ralts and Poochyena is subtle. If Ralts doesn’t know Dazzling Voice, she basically doesn’t stand a chance.”

“I called Qin Donghai just now—he said the Ralts in the match did try to use Dazzling Voice but failed. Didn’t seem like she was faking.”

“You know Qin Donghai?”

“No, I got his number from someone else. But Qin Donghai was very polite. Seems he and Tang Yi have some history. He wouldn’t lie to me.”

“Then you’re basically set.”

“Not necessarily. Didn’t you just hear? He’s going home to train tonight.”

“Even if it’s her own type skill, learning it overnight seems unlikely.”

“Hah, who knows.”

…

Outside the hall, Tang Yi held Ralts’ small hand as they walked slowly along the clean street, bathed in the golden afterglow of sunset.

“Aren’t we taking the bus?” Ralts raised her little face, crimson eyes blinking.

“If we take the bus, you’d have to go back into the Poké Ball. Why don’t we walk home together? I checked, it’s not that far.” Tang Yi feigned generosity, acting as if it was all for her sake.

Ralts pursed her lips and glanced sideways every so often. If it weren’t for Tang Yi’s unyielding grip, she might almost believe his nonsense.

Annoyed, Ralts looked at the endless stream of people and cars along the street, suddenly feeling her trainer was rather unconventional.

It was rush hour, and most people, to save time, kept their Pokémon in their Poké Balls. The few who let them out hurried by, busy and intent on their destination.

This feeling—wasn’t so bad.

After crossing three intersections and gradually leaving the bustling city center behind, Tang Yi stopped beside a commercial plaza, gazing at the crowd coming and going. He released the girl’s hand.

“What’s wrong?” Ralts, already used to being led by the hand, was surprised.

Had he grown a conscience?

That didn’t seem like her trainer’s style.

Tang Yi stroked his chin and smiled, “I did say earlier I’d train you tonight for Dazzling Voice, didn’t I?”

Ralts gave him a look that said she wasn’t fooled. “I know—it was just a lie to confuse the other contestants.”

“Uh, actually, it wasn’t.”

Ralts sighed in distress. Humans were so complicated.

“In fact, you’ve already mastered Dazzling Voice. The reason you failed to use it today wasn’t because you didn’t know how, but because you were shy and didn’t dare sing in front of others, right?”

She lowered her head, dejected, and nodded gently.

Ralts had only just learned Dazzling Voice and wasn’t fully proficient yet. For now, she had to sing to channel Fairy-type energy and activate the skill.

If she couldn’t sing, the skill couldn’t be used.

Tang Yi patted the red horn atop her head, comforting her. “I don’t blame you. I understand how that feels. I used to be afraid to sing in front of people, thinking my voice was awful. I couldn’t open my mouth until I learned a trick.”

“To improve your singing?”

“No, something simpler. Just this: if I’m not embarrassed, it’s others who are!”

Ralts immediately sensed trouble, realizing what this villain was about to do.

Tang Yi strode to the center of the plaza. There was no microphone, but that didn’t matter. Clearing his throat, he shouted, “Friends, brothers, today my Ralts and I want to perform a few songs here. Hope you don’t mind if I sing badly—please cheer us on!”