Lucas stepped onto the stage and approached the young boy.
"Congratulations, you are the Champion."
The boy grinned, scratched the back of his head, and laughed shyly.
Meanwhile, the audience below erupted in their warmest applause for the young boy.
"Please wait, I will give you a precious pokémon egg."
"Um, store manager boss."
Lucas turned his head to look at him, frowning in confusion.
"Do you have a Gligar pokémon egg? I really want a Gligar. Of course, if it's too precious, I can buy it with money. I really, really want a Gligar."
Listening to the boy's shy voice, Lucas smiled.
"Please wait."
With that, he returned to the Breeding House's incubation room, selected a Gligar pokémon egg, checked its condition, then cradled it in his arms and walked out.
Back on the stage, Lucas handed the pokémon egg in his arms to the young boy in front of him.
"This is the Champion's reward, a Gligar pokémon egg. I checked it, and it's very healthy."
Seeing the gentle smile on Lucas's face and looking at the pokémon egg in his arms, the boy's eyes couldn't help but well up.
He kept saying thank you.
After he calmed down, Lucas looked at the other two and asked them to step forward.
"Additionally, the top three winners of this arena challenge will receive discounted shopping opportunities at our Breeding House, including purchasing items, purchasing pokémon eggs, boarding Pokémon, and teaching Pokémon specific moves, with discounts of 50%, 30%, and 20% respectively."
"The same applies to us here."
"We too."
The stall owners below also seized the opportunity to shout out.
The three on stage heard this and all smiled happily.
Lucas looked at the crowd below, and the microphone's voice rang out again.
"Everyone, the Breeding House's arena challenge, the 'Gengar Cup,' has concluded. However, there's another event coming up: the 'Day of Breeding,' jointly organized by our Breeding House, Twinleaf Town, and Sandgem Town. We hope you all have a wonderful time in the hours to come."
"I also received news that there will be an unprecedented grand fireworks display tonight."
A burst of enthusiastic cheers immediately erupted from the crowd.
Seeing such a lively atmosphere below, Lucas knew there was no need to say anything more.
"Well then, everyone, the first 'Day of Breeding' officially begins!"
The crowd below cheered again, then scattered to stroll around.
Just then, a young boy put his arm around the Champion's neck.
"Didn't you say you'd wait for me after you were eliminated so we could explore this place together? Didn't you say you had a clear understanding of your own strength?
So, could you please tell me if your 'understanding' means you won the Champion title?"
The Champion laughed shyly.
"I don't care, you just got a discount today, you have to treat me to food."
"Okay."
Meanwhile, in the Breeding House's lounge area, Gary was lying on a chair.
"Manager, I'll never help you again next time."
Looking at Gary, who looked utterly exhausted, Lucas couldn't help but feel remorse for a second.
"I'll make you a delicious meal tonight to make up for it."
"At least three meals."
"Fine."
"That's more like it."
Just then, Gengar floated in.
"Kou jye — — — — —"
(In a weak voice)
"Oh, our great judge Gengar is back? Really, it's so hot, you must be tired, Gengar."
Lucas quickly walked over, helped Gengar sit on the chair, personally handed it a cup of honey water, and then slowly massaged its shoulders.
"Kou jye ~"
Gengar comfortably narrowed its eyes.
"Kou jye —
Left side.
"Kou jye
Right side.
"Kou jye —"
Further left.
"Kou jye —"
"Getting greedy?"
Gengar finished the honey water in its hand, then pounced towards Lucas behind it, extending its Lickitung.
"Kou jye —"
Watching the scene turn into Gengar massaging Lucas, Gary laughed.
He seemed to have unconsciously grown fond of this atmosphere.
Looking at the Umbreon beside him, Gary bent down to groom its fur.
After resting for a while, Lucas stood up and walked out with Gengar.
He wanted to take a good stroll himself.
Gary also followed, bringing his Umbreon.
Walking to the entrance, Lucas felt his trouser leg being tugged.
Lucas looked down and saw it was Roselia.
"What's wrong, Roselia?"
Roselia gestured towards the backyard.
Lucas went to the backyard and found many forest Pokémon gathered at the entrance, curiously looking outside through the fence.
However, without Lucas's permission, most of them dared not go out.
Only a few dared to venture out.
Lucas pondered for a moment, then smiled.
"Alright, you can go out and play too. Just remember to come home when it's time."
The Pokémon cheered.
"And don't harm anyone else, understand?"
Lucas had Gengar open the fence, and immediately a large group of Pokémon ran out.
Lucas followed behind them, taking the megaphone from Gary's hand.
"An announcement: the Pokémon from the forest will also participate in our 'Day of Breeding.' They are all very cute and friendly Pokémon, so please do not harm them. They are good friends of our Breeding House. If you like them, you can team up with them to play and explore."
The crowd heard this news and then looked at the extra group of Pokémon.
A girl in an elegant long dress bent down and extended her hand.
A bold Pachirisu climbed up her arm and stood on her shoulder.
This immediately drew laughter from the girl and envious glances from those around her.
Then, more and more people went to find their temporary partners.
For many families without Pokémon, this was also a very good strategy.
They could temporarily find a Pokémon as a temporary companion, and if possible, even take it home.
But clearly, some Pokémon were still quite mischievous.
For example, the mayor of Qiyi Town's wig was snatched by an Aipom. Seeing the reflective head run past him, Lucas looked at the mayor of Qiyi Town's back with a touch of heartache.
Lucas looked back at the Pokémon still at the entrance of the Breeding House, all of whom had suffered trauma.
"If you want to go, you can go. Don't worry, they are all very good people."
"If you still can't take that step, it's okay. Gengar and I will be here with you."
Lucas looked down and saw Roselia staring intently at Shauna and her companions.
He squatted down and patted its small head.
"It's okay, go on. They are waiting for you too."
"Ni?"
Roselia looked at Lucas, then turned its head to continue looking towards Shauna.
It saw her, along with Chingling and Petilil, stop and stare intently in their direction.
Seeing the hesitant Roselia, Lucas gently pushed it with his finger.
It was as light as if blown by a gust of wind.
Roselia ran forward with the wind.
"Ni~"
"Roselia, you came too."
"La ji~"
"Lingling~"
"Shu~"
"Mime Jr.~"
"Goth~"
Seeing this, some other hesitant Pokémon gritted their teeth.
They also rushed out.
Like Heracross.
Seeing them successfully take that step.
"That's great, Manager."
"Yes."
Lucas looked at their retreating figures and smiled with relief.
Once the first step is taken, the rest becomes easier.
Gary looked at the backs of Lucas and Gengar, and the figures of that group of Pokémon.
He seemed to have already understood how to train Pokémon and build deeper bonds with them.