Chapter 39: I Will Win!

Stare...

Marnie's expression remained as cold as ice. Her emerald eyes, so similar to N's, were locked onto him with mechanical intensity. Her slender fingers, tipped with black nail polish, tapped rhythmically against the sofa. The blatant look of defiance on her face left N at a total loss for how to respond.

"Sorry about that, N. My sister is a bit shy. She doesn't talk much," Piers said apologetically.

"It's fine."

N waved it off with a casual air. This kind of personality was actually less of a hassle; he'd have a much bigger headache if she were the type to start a fight the moment she took a dislike to someone.

"Little Marnie will also be participating in the Charizard Cup here in Nichiyo City. You two might just cross paths during the tournament," Daisy Oak remarked, resting her chin on her hand with a relaxed smile.

N wasn't particularly surprised to hear she was competing. Traveling all the way from the distant Galar region at this specific time made it ten to one that they were here to register for the Charizard Cup.

Nichiyo City had always been a core hub of the Japan League, and tournaments held here drew the attention of the entire region. The annual Charizard Cup was strictly limited to young Trainers under the age of eighteen.

Consequently, almost all the participants were the elite youth from across the Japan region. Winning this tournament was, in a sense, a declaration of becoming the representative of the new generation. Under these circumstances, it was perfectly normal for talented youths from other regions to visit for experience, and to test the strength of a foreign League.

"Miss Daisy, we need to head over to the registration office to finish the paperwork. Then we'll likely head back to Galar for a bit. The next time we meet will probably be when the tournament officially begins."

"Mhm, I'm looking forward to seeing Marnie's skills!"

Daisy waved goodbye to Piers naturally. Piers nodded with a smile toward N before taking his leave. The girl named Marnie followed coldly behind him.

As she brushed past N on her way out, a crisp, melodious, yet entirely emotionless whisper reached his ear, causing a ripple of surprise to stir in his jade-green eyes.

"I will win."

As if acting on a stubborn competitive streak, the girl threw down that declaration and marched out of the office, leaving N and Daisy Oak alone in the room.

"Phew... Daisy, what was that all about this time?"

"Hmm? What was what about?"

Daisy's eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled, answering his question with one of her own. She was clearly playing dumb.

"I'm sorry, Daisy. I shouldn't have gone so long without coming to see you."

"Hmph! That's more like it!"

Only then did Daisy nod with a satisfied smile. She reached under the desk, pulled out an exquisitely wrapped gift box, and placed it gently on the table with a mysterious grin.

"Here. This is a little personal gift from your big sister. Want to open it?"

"No, I'd rather rely on my own—"

"Hmm?"

The woman's smile turned subtle. Her "closed-eye" smile made N's expression stiffen, and the refusal he was about to utter was swallowed right back down. Finally, he let out a long sigh and reached out to accept the somewhat heavy box.

"You can consider this something you earned; it's not an official sponsorship from the Oak family. Besides, gifts aren't free, you have to represent the academy in the Charizard Cup!"

"And one last thing: we're siblings. Why are you being so formal with your sister?"

"I understand."

N could sense a powerful life force emanating from the large box, a presence as searing as a flame, yet filled with warmth. Holding it in his arms, he could almost feel a rhythmic thumping from within.

"N, if you run into little Marnie during the tournament..."

"You want me to go easy on her?"

"No. Go all out! Give her a proper lesson!"

Daisy said something quite terrifying with a gentle smile, making N marvel once again at how quickly a woman's face could change.

"The tournament officially starts in about two months. You're representing the prestige of the Oak family this time! You better give it your all and take a top spot!"

"Isn't that a bit demanding?"

N's face remained unperturbed. Though he spoke words of discouragement, there wasn't a trace of "retreat" in his eyes. He didn't know the exact level of the other participants, but they were mostly the younger generation of the Japan League. He had the confidence to handle them, even though he had only debuted as a rookie Trainer two weeks ago.

"Just don't hold back. With your talent, it shouldn't be difficult. You've probably guessed that this gift is a Pokémon Egg, right? It can serve as one of your trump cards."

"Oh?"

N looked at the box with a hint of surprise. Upon opening it, a bright red Egg with pure white stripes sat quietly inside a specialized incubator. He could feel the slight vibrations of a heartbeat through the casing.

"This is a prize I 'extorted' from the Principal of a prestigious academy in Unova! It's a descendant of one of Mr. Alder's lead Pokémon..."

Though Daisy felt a bit of a sting in her heart over the cost, she maintained a breezy exterior. A simple bet wouldn't have secured something this high-quality; she had spent a fair amount of her own savings and called in several favors from the Oak family to get her hands on it.

"Alder?"

N's tranquil expression finally shifted. If she was referring to the Champion of the Unova League, then this red Egg was the offspring of a Champion's ace.

That meant it was very likely a...

Volcarona!