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The first-place prize for this tournament was a Squirtle with Superior aptitude, one of Kanto's Water-type starter Pokémon. However, strangely enough, there were no additional rewards accompanying it, making its value seem only slightly higher than that of the second-place prize.
With that question in mind, Icarus, Airi, and Stone once again entered the Gym.
This was his third time participating.
"Wow! It's Icarus! He's finally here!"
"I heard he broke through to the Ordinary High-tier not long ago. I wonder if it's true!"
"Our commoners really do produce talented Trainers! Not long after Qi, another genius like Icarus has appeared!"
"Icarus! Go for it!"
Unlike the previous two years, after three years of hard work—and especially after news of his breakthrough to the Ordinary High-tier spread—he had become incredibly famous throughout the town.
The title Light of the Commoners had already been firmly attached to his name.
As soon as he entered, he received the same treatment Qi had enjoyed two years earlier.
"Hello, everyone. Thanks for the support."
Smiling politely, he greeted the Trainers crowding around him before leading Airi and Stone toward a quieter corner of the venue.
Strangely enough, being the center of attention wasn't nearly as satisfying as he had once imagined.
Not long after they sat down, a Gym attendant passed by and discreetly slipped a note into his hand.
There is a hidden risk to winning first place in this tournament.
The concealed reward is marriage to the legitimate daughter of the Arai Family's Third Branch.
Be careful not to get caught in the dispute between the Gym Leader and the Third Branch.
After reading the elegant handwriting, Icarus immediately knew who had sent it.
His secret source of information.
Looking across the arena toward the family-faction competitors, he found a familiar figure.
There, dressed in a fiery, form-fitting outfit, stood Aoi.
The moment she noticed his gaze, she gave the slightest nod.
That was right.
Aoi had become his hidden ally within the family faction—or perhaps more accurately, his hidden contact within Team Rocket.
More than a year earlier, after the two had ended their partnership on good terms, Icarus had unexpectedly encountered the girl while returning from a Team Rocket mission.
At the time, she had been fleeing desperately toward Team Rocket Headquarters after falling into an ambush.
Her Raticate had intercepted him first.
The Pokémon was covered in blood.
"Rati… Raticate…"
At first, Icarus didn't understand what it wanted.
Fortunately, his Pidgeotto recognized it immediately.
The two Pokémon had become acquainted during previous missions, and after a brief exchange, Pidgeotto explained the situation.
Aoi had been betrayed by members of her own family.
The six Trainers she and Icarus had previously deceived had joined forces and lured her into a trap.
Her newly raised third Pokémon had died during the battle.
Pidgeotto had fought desperately to buy time while Raticate carried her away.
Even then, she had barely escaped.
Following Raticate, Icarus eventually found her unconscious inside a hidden hollow tree.
For a moment, he hesitated.
Then he made a decision.
While Aoi was unconscious and unable to resist, he used a Mind Contract scroll on her.
It wasn't kindness.
Nor was it gratitude.
He simply needed someone capable of handling matters he couldn't openly manage himself.
Aoi, cunning, intelligent, and deeply connected to one of the town's major families, was the perfect candidate.
In many ways, she was a female version of himself.
And now, she belonged to him.
Raticate, of course, had no idea what had happened.
It only saw Icarus treating Aoi's injuries and feeding it Energy Cubes.
To the loyal Pokémon, Icarus appeared to be a savior.
Not long afterward, Aoi woke up.
Seeing Raticate safe and the familiar figure sitting nearby, she quickly pieced together the situation.
"Thank you for saving me, Icarus. I have no way to repay such kindness. In my next life, I'll gladly serve as your ox or horse."
Her words sounded sincere.
But Icarus knew exactly what kind of person she was.
Those words were worth nothing.
He touched the scar on his face.
"No need to wait for the next life."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Aoi… in this life, you already belong to me."
The hidden mark immediately activated.
A sharp pain exploded inside the girl's mind.
"You shameless bastard! Despicable! Taking advantage of someone while they're unconscious!"
She instantly understood what had happened.
Unfortunately for her, the contract had already been completed.
After a long struggle—and many painful lessons afterward—Aoi eventually submitted.
At least on the surface.
Three months later, a completely different Aoi emerged.
Outwardly, she remained the same confident and capable woman.
Inwardly, however, she had become one of Icarus's most valuable secret assets.
Only Luna and Airi knew the truth.
To everyone else, Aoi and Icarus were merely casual acquaintances.
Returning to the present, after reading Aoi's note, Icarus finally understood why the tournament rewards had seemed so strange.
The missing reward had never truly disappeared.
It had simply been hidden.
The First Branch Gym Leader and the Third Branch of the Arai Family were locked in a political struggle.
The Third Branch wanted to use the tournament champion to marry their legitimate daughter away.
Naturally, they couldn't openly announce something so embarrassing.
Those who needed to know were informed privately.
Everyone else remained ignorant.
As expected, the Gym Leader's opening speech was noticeably shorter this year.
To Icarus, there was even a hint of resentment hidden beneath the words.
Ordinary Trainers couldn't notice it.
But he could.
Through Aoi's information network, he had already learned that the Third Branch had paid an enormous price and persuaded one of the family elders to pressure the Gym Leader into surrendering control of this year's championship arrangements.
"Airi. Stone."
Icarus suddenly spoke.
"The moment the tournament ends the day after tomorrow, we leave for Pewter City overnight."
"Understood, Icarus."
"Got it."
Neither questioned him.
Both simply agreed.
Icarus had already made up his mind.
He would take first place.
He would take the Squirtle.
And then he would leave.
As for marrying the Third Branch's daughter?
Not a chance.
Once he passed through Diglett's Cave and entered Pewter City, the declining Third Branch would be powerless to stop him.
The Gym Leader certainly wouldn't help them either.
In fact, the man would probably be delighted to watch the Third Branch lose everything.
It was practically a free Squirtle.
There was no reason to refuse.
As he looked across the crowded arena, confidence filled his heart.
No High-tier family Trainers were participating this year.
Without secret cultivation methods, breaking through to the Ordinary High-tier wasn't easy.
That meant only one thing.
This year's champion was already decided.
The Light of the Commoners—
Icarus—
would claim first place.