Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [455]

"Since everything’s settled, it’s time to let you go," August said lightly.

Upon hearing August’s words, Xerneas stared at him incredulously.

Although it had known August only briefly, every observation it had made suggested this man wasn't someone who'd casually release a Legendary Pokémon he'd already captured.

Even Sabrina stood nearby, stunned by August’s unexpected words.

She glanced suspiciously at August and suddenly reached out, trying to pinch his cheek.

Fortunately, August swiftly dodged her grasp, looking exasperated. "What are you doing…?"

Sabrina's expression was completely serious. "You’re not August! Who are you, and why are you disguised as him?"

August stared blankly. "…Are you feeling alright?"

"The real August would never release a Legendary Pokémon he’d already caught!" Sabrina insisted, pulling Blue over as an ally. "Right, Blue?"

Blue nodded vigorously in agreement.

August: "…"

Just what kind of person do they think I am? Is it that unbelievable I’d let Xerneas go?

August was a trainer who always emphasized voluntary choice. He’d never once forced any Pokémon to stay with him!

Ignoring Sabrina’s accusations, August turned back to Xerneas.

"So, what’s your answer?"

Unexpectedly, Xerneas shook its head.

August blinked. "?"

I’m trying to let you go!

He repeated himself once more, but Xerneas still stubbornly shook its head.

This thoroughly confused August. Aside from Arceus, this was the first Legendary Pokémon he'd seen eager to remain captured.

For the first time in his life, he’d failed to release a Legendary Pokémon.

"Can you tell me why?" August asked curiously.

Xerneas hesitated. "Now that Yveltal won’t trouble me for a while, I’d like to explore freely. And…"

Xerneas met August’s gaze but stopped speaking.

However, August easily understood the intent behind its eyes.

Xerneas had sensed Cogita’s aura on him—it clearly wanted to meet Arceus.

"Alright…" August finally agreed.

If Xerneas insisted on following him, August certainly had no reason to refuse. Besides, he'd always thought the Kanto Branch's garden was missing a centerpiece—perhaps a beautiful "ornamental tree"?

Congratulations, Xerneas, you've officially been appointed as our branch’s new landscape attraction!

...

Having finished things with Xerneas, August took Sabrina and Blue to find Serena, who was busy helping her mother return frightened wild Pokémon to the forest.

"Serena!" August called out.

Serena turned around, slightly surprised to see them. "Mr. August, did you need something?"

"Nothing urgent," August said, smiling. "Just wondering—I’m returning to Kanto soon. Would you like to join us?"

Serena’s eyes instantly widened in shock. "Eh?"

August’s smile deepened. "You’ve always wanted to see Ash again, haven’t you? It just so happens I’m heading to the Silver Conference soon…"

Serena’s eyes lit up, but she hesitated slightly. "Can I really?"

Her gaze flicked nervously toward her mother, Grace.

Clearly, Serena desperately wanted to visit Ash, but she also had to consider Grace’s approval.

Grace gave Serena a resigned look, then turned gently toward August. "Mr. August, you wouldn’t mind taking Serena along?"

"Not at all," August replied cheerfully.

How could it be trouble? He wanted to see Ash navigate a battlefield surrounded by Chikorita, Misty, and Serena. Just imagining the chaos made August’s smile widen even further.

Seeing August’s mischievous grin, Sabrina and Blue exchanged knowing looks. They could already tell August was plotting something again…

Only Grace and Serena remained oblivious.

After hearing August’s reassurance, Grace sighed and nodded slightly. "Then I'll trouble you to take care of her, Mr. August."

"It’s no trouble at all!"

"Yes!" Serena shouted happily, momentarily forgetting her usual polite demeanor as she ran straight home to pack her bags.

"No rush," August called after her. "I still have some business to finish. Once you’re ready, meet me at Meowscarada’s Psychic Café in Lumiose City!"

Grace nodded tiredly, watching Serena’s energetic retreat into the house.

…

After bidding farewell to Grace, August, Sabrina, and Blue returned to Lumiose City.

The city felt markedly different now. Large screens throughout Lumiose were reporting Lysandre’s arrest, describing his grave crimes.

Pedestrians gathered in shock, staring at the screens.

The investigation against Lysandre had previously been kept at a high level, so the public was only now learning of it.

People were astonished, unable to reconcile how Lysandre—the supposed visionary of Kalos—had suddenly become a criminal plotting the region’s destruction.

But confronted by irrefutable evidence and Lysandre’s own confession, they had no choice but to believe it.

"It’s crazy… If even Lysandre could be a criminal, who can we trust now?" the ice cream vendor sighed as he handed August three cones.

August accepted them, passing two cones to Blue and Sabrina.

But before he could taste his own, August suddenly felt the cone lighten in his hand.

He glanced down—his scoop of ice cream was gone, leaving only the empty cone behind.

August immediately turned suspiciously toward Mew. "…Mew!"

Only Mew would pull such a prank.

Mew protested her innocence frantically—she really hadn’t stolen the ice cream this time!

August raised an eyebrow skeptically.

At that exact moment, the cone in his hand became even lighter.

Looking down again, he saw half the cone had vanished too, neatly bitten off.

August’s eyes narrowed slightly…

"What’s wrong?" Blue asked, noticing August lagging behind.

"Nothing!"

August casually handed the remainder of the cone to Gengar, lightly patted Mew’s head as an apology, and caught up with Blue and Sabrina.

But as he walked, he discreetly opened the container of Special Pokéblocks in his pocket.

One by one, Pokéblocks quietly fell from his pocket onto the ground as he moved forward.

Moments later, a small hand quickly reached out, grabbing one of the dropped Pokéblocks and darting away.

Soon, all the dropped Pokéblocks along the path mysteriously vanished, as if never there.

A hidden smile tugged at August’s lips as he continued onward, feigning ignorance.

---

This is a fan translation of 我，宝可梦称号大师！ by 落唯 白良. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!