-046- Rookie of the Year Title

“Beep beep……”

Electabuzz released its grip and turned away.

“Ninetails has lost the ability to battle. The winner is Kirito and Electabuzz,” the referee announced, his eyes half-closed.

To be honest, he hadn’t expected the match to unfold in such a dramatic way. Electabuzz’s sudden combination of Quick Attack and Brick Break was simply overwhelming. Compared to yesterday’s repeated use of these two moves, today’s combo had shocked every spectator present.

Electabuzz jumped down from the arena and picked up the magnet, handling it with utmost care. This was a precious gift from Kirito. When Ninetails had snatched the magnet earlier, Electabuzz was furious and had prepared to take it back by force. But to its surprise, Ninetails dared to toss the magnet off the field. Electabuzz’s anger reached its peak, leading to the explosive combo—Lightning Fast Brick Break! This was possible thanks to Electabuzz’s unique ability to use two moves simultaneously.

Kirito stepped down from the stage, his expression somewhat complicated. He had originally planned to win this match using Electabuzz’s ultimate move, Volt Attack, but hadn’t expected such a dramatic victory.

[Beep·Boop]

[Congratulations, Host. You have received the title of Best Rookie, awarding you five hundred thousand points.]

The system’s rewards always arrived as delightful surprises. Kirito had never imagined that even the Best Rookie title would come with half a million points.

As Kirito and Electabuzz celebrated their victory, thunderous applause and cheers erupted around them. Electabuzz, after these three battles, had instantly gained countless fans. Whether at the venue or watching on television, viewers silently wished to catch an Electabuzz of their own.

“Electabuzz is so cool! I have to catch one myself…”

“No, that’s my plan. I’ll be the one to catch it.”

“After this Rookie King Tournament, Electabuzz eggs are bound to skyrocket in price. Wild Electabuzz are probably going to be caught out of existence!”

“….”

A fierce discussion broke out among the spectators.

Every year, once the Rookie King competitions across various regions concluded, the winning Pokémon would inevitably become the most sought-after catch of the year. Many trainers would make it their goal to obtain one. This year, Kirito and his Electabuzz had claimed the title for Jiahua City. That meant wild Electabuzz in the surrounding forests would soon become a rarity. Electabuzz eggs would also become highly valuable, nearly impossible to find.

“Congratulations, Kirito, on earning the title of Jiahua City’s Best Rookie,” Zhang Shanji strode onto the battlefield to congratulate him.

This title was jointly awarded by four Pokémon battle clubs, not officially by the Pokémon Association. However, for most rookie trainers, the title was widely recognized. Kirito’s prowess was evident—each of his three battles was more impressive than the last. Even the skeptics had to admit his skill.

“Thank you,” Kirito nodded to Zhang Shanji.

“Kirito, soon the media will be swarming to interview you, as well as club managers hoping to recruit you. Before all that, I’d like to make you an offer,” Zhang Shanji glanced around; the media was already approaching.

“Two million League Coins! That’s my endorsement offer. I hope you’ll stay with our Golden Dawn Club. I’ll give you a club Black Card, usable for life. Regardless of whether you’re physically at the club, I’ll pay you a daily wage of ten thousand League Coins. If you take on the role of club battler, you’ll receive an additional wage—starting at fifty thousand League Coins per day. As your strength grows, your salary will increase as well.”

Zhang Shanji looked at Kirito sincerely. He had long planned these terms. As soon as Kirito won the Best Rookie title, he would invite him to become the Golden Dawn Club’s spokesperson. Even if Kirito hadn’t won, Zhang Shanji would still have offered him a permanent spot as a club battler, though perhaps with slightly less generous terms.

“Shanji, I didn’t expect you’d make such an enticing offer,” Kirito pondered for a moment before continuing, “I imagine other clubs will offer at least as much, if not more… Still, I’ll accept, but the contract will be for one year. If we renew after that, the terms may change. You’re probably looking forward to seeing how I grow and what I can bring to the club in that year, right?”

Zhang Shanji was taken aback by Kirito’s words; he hadn’t expected him to be so shrewd. Despite his youth, Kirito negotiated contracts with a cunning that belied his age.

“Deal!” Zhang Shanji extended his hand, and Kirito slapped it in agreement.

Truth be told, the terms Zhang Shanji offered were excellent. Two million League Coins as an endorsement fee, plus a daily salary of ten thousand—over a year, Kirito could earn more than five million League Coins without ever setting foot in the club. If he took up battling as well, fifty thousand per day would make him one of the highest-paid professionals in Jiahua City.

Kirito knew that the other three clubs’ offers would likely match or surpass Zhang Shanji’s. But since he was already acquainted with Zhang Shanji, he decided to give him priority—a personal favor. The future could be discussed when the year was up.

Next came the award ceremony. Kirito earned the title of Jiahua City’s Best Rookie and received a prize personally presented by the CEO of the Qixi Altaria Group—a Pokémon egg of Gym Leader-level potential, along with a Black Belt for Pokémon.

As he accepted the prize, Kirito couldn’t help but glance at his backpack. Carrying a Pokémon egg every day was hardly ideal; he wondered when it would finally hatch. He scanned the newly acquired egg as well—it was a Gym Leader-level Swablu. Kirito wasn’t interested in this Pokémon and planned to sell it at the JOJO Breeding House when the time came.

After the ceremony, there was a barrage of media interviews. The reporters mainly asked how Kirito had trained Electabuzz and why his Electabuzz was so powerful. Kirito responded briefly, then took the opportunity to promote the JOJO Breeding House. To build the brand’s reputation, advertising was essential—he wouldn’t let this free publicity slip by.

After the interviews, as expected, managers from the other three clubs approached Kirito, hoping to recruit him. The Star Dawn Club’s offer was rather modest—not for lack of enthusiasm, but because, like Golden Dawn, it was simply poor. The Sun Dawn and Moon Dawn Clubs, however, were much wealthier and offered highly attractive terms. Sun Dawn’s offer was nearly one and a half times what Zhang Shanji had proposed.

Yet Kirito ultimately declined them. He had already given his word to Zhang Shanji and wouldn’t break his promise. Kirito was a man of integrity.

… (To be continued)