Chapter 136: Even the League Can’t Meddle in Family Affairs
The video continued playing.
On the battlefield, Miori was participating in a practice match against one of the Gym’s resident Trainers.
Her opponent had sent out Magmortar, while Miori was once again battling with Luxio.
"Luxio, use Quick Attack!"
Luxio transformed into a blue blur, evading Flamethrower before circling around behind Magmortar.
"Wild Charge!"
Golden electricity enveloped Luxio’s entire body as it slammed directly into Magmortar, knocking it beyond the boundary of the battlefield.
"That’s enough."
Elesa’s voice came from the side of the field.
Miori accepted a towel and wiped the sweat from her forehead.
"Mommy, I completed everything on today’s training schedule."
"I can see that."
Elesa opened her folder.
"Starting today, you won’t only be completing your training schedule. You’ll also officially begin participating in the Gym’s daily operations."
Miori’s eyes lit up.
"Does that mean I can participate in Gym Battles?"
"Don’t be so eager to battle."
Elesa didn’t raise her head.
"First, learn how the reservation system works. Last week, a challenger called to complain that he waited for three hours after successfully making a reservation, but no one came to receive him. You were the one assigned to the reception desk that day."
"Well... that wasn’t my fault."
Miori lowered her head and stared at the tips of her shoes.
"He made the reservation at the last minute. I never received his information..."
"But the challenger waited outside the Gym for three hours. He only called to complain because he had no other choice."
Elesa closed the folder.
"Remember, managing a Gym involves more than fighting people. Do you understand?"
Miori straightened her back.
"I understand, Mommy. I’ll go study immediately."
Elesa then turned toward Asher, who was sitting beside the training field, basking in the sun with a cup of tea in his hand.
"Honey, the Gym is hosting an interregional exchange event next week. Could you help prepare the reception plan?"
Asher pointed at his face.
"Darling, does this look like the face of someone who knows how to write proposals?"
Elesa crossed her arms.
"I heard that the Devon Corporation is still using the mineral-trade analysis report you wrote for them last year."
"That’s because Steven’s intelligence drops to an incomprehensible level whenever stones are involved, not because my report was particularly good."
"I don’t care."
Elesa shoved the folder into Asher’s hands.
"Mio is learning how to manage the Gym. As her father, you need to set a good example."
Asher accepted the folder and weighed it in his hand.
"Mio, Daddy will teach you an important lesson."
"What lesson?"
"When someone asks you to handle some work, first tell them you don’t know how. Then say you’ll give it a try. Finally, submit something that barely passes. That way, they won’t ask you again next time."
Miori blinked.
"But Mommy said every proposal you submit receives full marks."
Elesa approached from behind, wrapped her arms around Asher’s neck, and kissed him on the cheek.
"That’s just how he is. His mouth says no, but his actions are always honest. That’s why I’ll continue asking him next time."
"Darling, this is labor exploitation."
"So what if I’m exploiting you? Go complain about me to the League."
"The League can’t meddle in family affairs."
"Then behave yourself and write the proposal."
Asher sighed before extending a hand toward Miori.
"Mio, do you see this? This is what marriage is like."
Miori tilted her head.
"But Mommy said the luckiest thing that ever happened to her was marrying you."
Asher’s hand froze.
He turned toward Elesa.
Elesa looked away, but the tips of her ears visibly turned red.
[VIP Chat Group]
[Bianca]: Aaaaaah! This family’s interactions are so sweet! (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)
[Jasmine]: What kind of magic does Asher possess? How did he make Elesa fall for him this deeply?
[Steven]: Brother Asher’s charm has no weaknesses from any angle. His appearance, strength, intelligence, and emotional awareness all receive perfect scores.
[Wallace]: I’ve noticed that Steven possesses some kind of incomprehensible faith in Asher. It might even exceed his love for stones.
[Siebold]: The Hoenn Champion’s mental state will forever remain a mystery.
[Iris]: Wasn’t Miori being trained to become a Gym Leader? Why does she have to personally work at the reception desk?
[Skyla]: Because her parents are unreliable.
[Elesa]: ...
[Diantha]: This is giving me Cynthia déjà vu.
[Cynthia]: Diantha, could you stop dragging me into everything?
[Diantha]: No. You’re my best friend, and best friends exist to be dragged into things.
[Professor Carolina]: Little Cynthia is currently busy preparing to give birth to Tiana, so she doesn’t have time to argue with you. Isn’t that right, grandson-in-law? @Asher
[Asher]: ...
[Misty]: Cynthia’s grandmother is far too impatient, isn’t she?
[Professor Carolina]: Grandma is already getting old. If I’m not direct about it, I might not live long enough to see my great-granddaughter born.
[Cynthia]: Grandma!
The video continued playing.
A dessert shop in central Nimbasa City.
Asher and Elesa sat side by side on a bench. Two cups of ice cream rested on the small stone table before them.
Elesa scooped up a spoonful of strawberry ice cream and placed it in her mouth.
"Honey, Mio has been improving very quickly lately. Once she’s a little older, I’ll put her in charge of the training field’s daily management. After that, she can begin training for her head-referee certification in Gym Battles..."
"And then you’ll be completely free."
Asher finished the sentence for her.
"I’m doing this for her own good."
Elesa spoke with complete righteousness.
"Allowing her to gain experience early will help her when she takes over the Gym in the future."
"How much actual management work have you done between last year and today?"
Elesa lowered her gaze toward the ice cream in her hand, then looked at Asher.
She pushed her cup toward him.
"I’ll give you half."
"Are you bribing me?"
"It isn’t a bribe. Weren’t we always like this when we were dating?"
Asher smiled, shook his head, and accepted the ice cream.
"By the way..."
Elesa wrapped her arms around Asher’s arm.
"Has anything happened at Dragonspiral Tower recently?"
Asher’s movements paused for an instant before he continued scooping up the ice cream.
"Why are you suddenly asking?"
"Mio asked me a few days ago whether she could accompany you."
Elesa looked into his eyes.
"Are you truly planning to take her?"
"Yes, but not yet."
Asher placed the spoon inside the empty cup.
"The situation at Dragonspiral Tower really has changed. The energy fluctuations from the two dragons are stronger than before, and their periods of dormancy are growing shorter."
Elesa’s expression became serious.
"Is it dangerous?"
Asher put down the empty cup and leaned back against the bench. He remained silent for a moment before speaking.
"The seal on Dragonspiral Tower was left behind by the previous guardian. At present, I’m merely filling that position."
Elesa stirred her ice cream without interrupting him.
"When Ideals and Truth fall out of balance, the twin dragons will awaken simultaneously, follow the heroes they have each chosen, and clash once again. Their previous battle occurred thousands of years ago. Now that the seal is weakening, it means that the time is approaching."
"Why does it have to be our daughter?"
Elesa’s voice became quieter.
"And when that happens... how old will Mio even be?"
"There’s nothing we can do about that."
Asher put down his cup.
"Even if we continually prevent Mio from going there, the other hero will most likely come looking for her instead. When the seal is renewed, the power of both dragons will simultaneously reach its peak. Who they choose isn’t something I can decide."
Elesa wrapped both arms tightly around Asher.
"Mio won’t be harmed, will she?"
Asher gently stroked Elesa’s soft hair and smiled.
"Don’t worry. I can ensure that nothing goes wrong at Dragonspiral Tower before the seal is renewed. Everything else can only be left to time—and to Mio herself."