Pokemon: Skybound

Chapter 639 639: 639. Three Ribbons

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From the man's tone alone, it was clear that he was no ordinary passerby.

At the very least, he had a deep understanding of Pokémon Contests perhaps he was even involved in the field professionally.

Before Kai and the others could ask anything, the man introduced himself with a smile.

"Ah, I almost forgot to introduce myself. My name is Ryan. I live nearby, and I used to be a Pokémon Coordinator who competed in Contests."

A Coordinator?

Ryan?

Kai thought carefully, but neither the name nor the man's appearance rang any bells.

It seemed that even among Coordinators, Ryan must have been one of the lesser-known competitors.

Beside him, May, Misty, and Ash also introduced themselves in turn. When it came to Kai, he simply nodded toward Ryan as a greeting.

Ryan laughed softly. "I was drawn here by the sound of your battle. I didn't expect to witness such a wonderful performance. Especially that Taillow its moves had real flair and rhythm."

As for what Ryan meant by "flair," none of them fully understood, but it was obviously meant as praise.

Speaking of which, although both Ryan and Drew were Pokémon Coordinators, their personalities couldn't have been more different.

One was warm and approachable, while the other was cold and sharp-tongued. Aside from looks and age, where Drew clearly had the advantage, Ryan was far more likable.

Hearing that Ryan was also a Coordinator, May couldn't help but ask,

"Um… if you don't mind me asking, how many Contest Ribbons have you won?"

It wasn't exactly a polite question after all, asking something so personal upon first meeting could easily touch a sore spot.

Fortunately, Ryan didn't seem to mind at all. Instead, he replied proudly, "I've won three Contest Ribbons."

Three!?

For most people, and especially for a beginner like May, that was already an impressive achievement.

Unlike Gym Badges, which could be earned by challenging Gym Leaders directly, Contest Ribbons required competing against other Coordinators and winning through judges' scores. The competition was fierce.

Winning three Ribbons was proof that Ryan was genuinely skilled.

After her surprise faded, May's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Mr. Ryan! Could you tell me if there are any tips for participating in Contests?"

Her enthusiasm was completely understandable.

Unlike Kai and Ash, who, as Pokémon Trainers, were both rivals and companions, May didn't have any other Coordinators around her. Everything she knew had come from trial and error.

Some basic knowledge that others took for granted was still unclear to her.

Now that she had met someone who had earned three Contest Ribbons, how could she not be excited?

Ryan glanced at May's Beautifly, then back at her, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"For a Coordinator, the most important thing is learning to stay calm. I watched your match just now you were nervous and rushed. That's a major mistake in Contests."

He continued seriously, "That kind of mindset affects your Pokémon directly. It disrupts their rhythm and confidence, and even moves they can normally perform flawlessly are far more likely to fail."

These were sincere words.

Just from listening, Kai could tell that Ryan truly knew what he was talking about and that he was genuinely willing to guide May.

Kai had noticed these issues himself, but since his path differed from May's, it hadn't felt right to comment as an outsider. Now that an experienced Coordinator was offering advice, it couldn't have been better.

May frowned slightly, replaying her performance in her mind. Sure enough, she realized just how many mistakes she had made.

Encouraged, she asked Ryan several other questions that had long troubled her.

Ryan showed no impatience at all, explaining each point carefully. As May listened, a sense of clarity washed over her as if a fog had finally lifted.

Standing straight, she bowed deeply.

"Thank you so much! These problems have been bothering me for a long time. I finally understand now!"

Seeing confidence gradually return to May's face, Kai and the others exchanged smiles.

After all, while both involved Pokémon, Contests and standard battles were entirely different disciplines. True expertise required guidance from someone who truly understood the field.

Perhaps moved by May's sincerity, Ryan decided to help her further. Reaching into his pocket, he took out a rectangular box resembling a candy case and handed it to her.

"To become an excellent Coordinator, training alone isn't enough. You also need to pay attention to your Pokémon's diet and nutrition. That's how they stay healthy and beautiful."

"These are Pokéblocks, made from blended Berries. They enhance a Pokémon's condition. You can give one to your Pokémon regularly."

"Th-this… I really can't accept something like this…"

"It's fine," Ryan said with a wave of his hand. "I've made plenty, and I hardly need them anymore. Don't worry about it."

May hesitated at first, but seeing how firm Ryan was and knowing she truly needed them she eventually accepted the gift.

At that moment, everyone could tell that May had met a genuinely kind person. Even Max, who often bickered with his sister, couldn't help but feel happy for her.

However, something Ryan had said earlier caught Max's attention. "Mr. Ryan, you mentioned that you used to be a Coordinator. Does that mean you don't compete anymore?"

Ryan nodded with a gentle smile.

"I'm getting older. I can't perform on stage the way I used to. These days, I work as a fireworks craftsman."

"A fireworks craftsman!?"

"That's right the kind you're imagining. My job is to create fireworks shaped like Pokémon."

Honestly, this was far beyond what May had expected.

She never imagined that someone who had earned three Contest Ribbons would change careers entirely.

But that didn't shake her resolve in the slightest. She bowed deeply once more and said loudly, "Mr. Ryan! Could you please help me train from now on!?"

Ryan stared at her in surprise. He truly hadn't expected such a request.

Perhaps it was May's earnest expression that moved him. After thinking for a moment, he sighed softly.

"…Alright. My work's finished for today, and there's still time before tomorrow's Contest. I'll guide you for a bit."

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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter

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