Early the next morning, Luke Rhodes arrived at the Verdant Gym cafeteria. He was there for two things: a final free breakfast and to officially ask Hauk for a leave of absence.
Since he was still registered as an intern, he wanted to follow proper procedure despite already being recognized as an "Outstanding Intern" by the Leader himself. However, the situation turned slightly awkward when he found Hauk sitting at the same table as Master Silas and Chloe.
Silas sensed Luke's hesitation and chuckled. "What's the matter, Luke? Now that you've got the egg you wanted, you can't stand to spend another minute in my Gym?"
"Master Silas, please don't tease me," Luke replied with a sheepish smile. "Something came up at home. My sister asked me to return for a visit. I'll come back to finish my paperwork once things are settled."
Silas waved a hand dismissively. "Do you honestly think you'll learn anything more by staying here?"
Luke pondered for a moment. He saw no point in lying to a man of Silas's caliber. "To be honest... no, sir."
He was being conservative. Given his knowledge from his previous life and the clear strength gap between him and the other interns, Hauk's basic lessons were no longer useful. He had come to the Verdant Gym for a high-potential Grass-type, not for a remedial education.
Silas nodded. "I thought as much. Your priority now is finding a high-purity Moon Stone for Arno. I've promised to help, and I'll mail it to you as soon as one is sourced. Secondly, you need to bring your Corvisquire up to Arno's level. We specialize in Grass-types here; staying would be a waste of your potential. Go home, handle your business, and when you're ready for the Zenith Conference, come back and challenge me for a badge."
"Thank you, Master Silas," Luke said sincerely. "When I come for that badge, you'd better go easy on me!"
"Nonsense!" Silas feigned a stern look. "I'm going to give you everything I've got!"
The men laughed, but the atmosphere was suddenly pierced by the sharp clink of a spoon hitting a plate. Chloe stood up abruptly, her face a mask of cold fury.
"I'm full," she snapped, walking out of the cafeteria without a second glance.
The three men shared a look of utter dismay.
"What... is wrong with her?" Silas asked. Hauk and Luke stayed silent. If her own father didn't know, how were they supposed to have an answer?
"I'll go check on her," Luke sighed. He put down his half-eaten toast and hurried after her.
He found Chloe in the back courtyard, sitting on a lounge chair and aggressively hugging an Oddish she had clearly plucked from a nearby flowerbed.
"Can I sit?" Luke asked, approaching cautiously.
"No. Stand," Chloe muttered.
Luke leaned against a nearby planter, complying. "Why are you so angry?"
"Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?"
"I was just saying it back there—"
"You were telling my dad. Did you tell me?"
"Just because of that?"
"Just that."
"Then I'm sorry. Is it too late to say it now?"
Chloe stopped talking and looked up. Her eyes were rimmed with red. She was trying to hide how aggrieved she felt, but she was failing.
Having lived two lives, Luke understood her perfectly. Chloe probably didn't even understand why she was so upset. But for a girl who had been the "undisputed genius" her whole life, having a boy her own age appear and defeat her six times in a row was a seismic shift. Her feelings were a messy cocktail: seventy percent jealousy, a dash of dislike, a heavy dose of reliance, and a lot of admiration.
"Hey, don't look at me like that," Luke teased gently. "I'm going home, not to the afterlife. You're looking at me like you're planning my funeral."
Chloe glared at him, unable to find the words. She had no logical reason to stop him from going home, and that realization only made her more frustrated.
"I just... I think it's unfair," she finally whispered. "You win six times and then just... leave?"
"That's why we'll have a rematch later," Luke said. "By then, Arno will be a Nidoking, and I'll have a full team. We can do a three-on-three, or even a full six-on-six. You're entering the Zenith Conference next year, right?"
Chloe nodded slowly.
"Then it's a deal. I'm going to aim for the championship. Chloe, let's meet on the big stage."
Luke extended a fist. Chloe wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, brushing away the tears, and bumped his fist with her own. Her hand was cold—the same temperature as her tears.
"Fine. I'm okay now. You can go." She turned her head away, pretending he didn't exist anymore.
Luke waited a few minutes until her breathing steadied, then gave a final goodbye. He returned to the cafeteria to bid Silas and Hauk a final farewell before heading straight for the Ocre City Air Terminal. If he didn't hurry, he'd miss the noon airship back to Riverport City.