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Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 388: Professor Johan, the Love Expert?
Chapter 388 - Professor Johan, the Love Expert?
"I can't believe Professor Johan actually won in the end."
"He must have been holding back, lowering his opponents' guard before seizing victory at the last moment. This guy is terrifyingly strategic!"
"Did you see that flight harness? Now that's what I call professional!"
"..."
During the final sprint, aside from the commentator, the entire audience had held their breath in silence. It was only after Johan crossed the finish line that they erupted into cheers and discussions.
After the awards ceremony, Winona personally delivered the prizes to Johan and the others on behalf of the competition organizers.
As the champion, Johan received the item Sharp Beak as well as a complete Feather Set.
Although Dragonite was both a Dragon-type and a Flying-type Pokémon, it actually didn't know that many Flying-type moves.
And, well...
A beak for Dragonite? That just felt weird.
"Whatever, something is better than nothing. I'll just let Dragonite play with it."
Johan thought to himself while smiling at Winona. "Thank you, Miss Winona."
"And also this."
Winona handed him a badge that looked like a delicate white feather. "This is another prize for the champion."
The Feather Badge from the Fortree Gym!
Winona continued, "I heard that Professor Johan enjoys collecting Gym Badges. I figured this would be a nice fit for your collection."
Johan: "???"
Since when did I get labeled as someone who likes collecting Gym Badges?
I mean, yeah, I do have a few more than usual, but...
"Of course, there's this as well," Winona added, handing over a Technical Machine.
It was a TM for Roost.
[Roost]: The user lands and rests its body. It recovers nearly half its HP but temporarily loses its Flying-type attribute.
"Then I won't say no."
Johan happily accepted the prize.
The badge? Whatever, it could go in Gengar's collection of trinkets.
But the TM was definitely useful.
Roost was a fantastic move for keeping Dragonite in peak condition.
And in certain strategic situations, it could even be used to negate quadruple weaknesses to Rock- or Ice-type attacks.
Lance, as the runner-up, and Winona, who placed third, also received their respective rewards.
As for Cynthia, although she didn't place in the top three, she still earned a prize.
"Here, take this."
Cynthia handed Johan the TM she had received.
"Hmm?"
"I don't need Flying-type moves for now," Cynthia explained.
The TM she got was Air Slash.
[Air Slash]: Base power 75. Has a 30% chance to make the target flinch.
Johan immediately thought of Serene Grace Togekiss + Air Slash flinch chains—a true nightmare for anyone on the receiving end.
If a Pokémon had Serene Grace, the chance of secondary effects happening would double. Meaning... Air Slash now had a 60% flinch rate.
The ultimate flinch-hax strategy.
For non-lucky players? Well...
"Serene Grace Togekiss, Air Slash, Missed five times in a row."
Johan shook his head. Let's not talk about that.
But still, this move was absolutely deadly for lucky trainers.
In his memory, Cynthia was supposed to catch a Togekiss at some point.
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But at this stage, she didn't have one yet.
So for Johan and Dragonite...
If they added Air Slash to their moveset, considering Dragonite's special talent for luck-based battles...
Could this be a budget Serene Grace Togekiss in the making?
"Hmm..." Cynthia murmured thoughtfully, then casually said, "What should we have for dinner tonight?"
Johan instantly understood her meaning.
"Leave it to me!"
—
With the Flying Race finished, Dragonite proudly flaunted its champion medal in front of the other Pokémon.
Flint rejoined the group, shaking his head regretfully.
"Such a shame... I almost won."
If not for the fact that his face was bruised and battered, Johan might've believed him.
This guy had single-handedly ruined the takeoff for nearly half the competitors and nearly caused a forest fire.
The fact that he made it back alive was honestly a miracle.
Still, Flint did manage to make a name for himself. After today, many Flying-type trainers would have a tough time holding their heads high.
—
That evening.
Johan once again prepared a feast, and Cynthia took the opportunity to invite Wallace and Winona.
However, throughout the meal, Wallace and Winona exchanged fewer than three sentences.
And those three sentences?
All initiated by Wallace.
And all completely ignored by Winona.
Faced with this awkwardness, Wallace looked completely helpless.
He would've asked for help...
But seeing that Johan had zero romantic experience, Lance was a steel-hearted battle freak, and Flint was... well, Flint...
He decided to give up.
—
After dinner, Flint suggested another round of battles.
This time, everyone gladly agreed.
Most took part in one or two friendly matches, except for Johan, who preferred to sit out and watch.
Then came an interesting matchup—Flint vs. Winona.
"Holy crap—Flint is really going all out!" Clair murmured under her breath.
Flint was always reckless in battles, sometimes going too far.
But to be fair, Winona wasn't weak either.
"I think he's doing great," Lance said, completely serious.
"Going all out is the greatest form of respect for your opponent."
Clair shot him a glare.
So that's why you never hold back against me, huh?!
In the end, the battle ended just as expected—Winona lost.
Not that surprising, considering she was using a Skarmory against Flint's Fire-types.
Flint, completely oblivious to the tension in the air, turned around with a grin.
"Alright! Who's next?"
Everyone exchanged glances.
Then Wallace stood up, smiling.
"I'll go next."
Johan, sitting nearby, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
He turned his head—only to immediately sense an overwhelming killing intent directed at Flint.
Wallace was out for revenge.
Even Clair unconsciously shrank back a little.
But she still muttered, "...That's kinda manly, though."
Meanwhile, Winona simply frowned.
And then—
Gengar suddenly appeared beside Johan, holding a bucket of popcorn from who-knows-where.
"Ka-kah~"
This is gonna be good.
Gengar turned and offered the bucket to Cynthia.
Cynthia chuckled. "Thanks."
"I want some too!" Clair ran over excitedly.
At that moment, Flint was still blissfully unaware.
Then—
"Gyarados, Hydro Pump!"
Wallace immediately called out his attack without hesitation.
Even a Physical Gyarados finishing with Hydro Pump?
Yeah.
Flint never stood a chance.
—
Before Wallace could call for the next challenger, Winona silently stepped forward, releasing her Altaria.
From an outsider's perspective, it looked like Wallace was avenging Winona.
But in Winona's eyes, Wallace was showing off his strength—which was exactly why they had broken up in the first place.
She had never wanted to be seen as "Wallace's girlfriend" or respected because of him.
She wanted to earn that respect herself.
The entire group instinctively went silent.
Even Flint and Lance, who weren't the most perceptive, could feel the tension.
In the audience, only Gengar continued crunching on popcorn.
"Winona..." Wallace frowned.
"Please take this battle seriously, Wallace," she said flatly.
It was the first time she had spoken to him all night.
Wallace took a deep breath.
"Alright."
Johan nearly fell off his chair.
Alright, my ass!
These two were about to fight to the death!
—
Cynthia gently tugged Johan's sleeve.
"We can't let them finish this battle," she whispered.
If they fought to the end, their relationship would be beyond saving.
Johan sighed.
"Okay. I have a plan."
Johan took a deep breath and said, "Cynthia, Lance, when I give the signal, step in and stop them."
"Got it!" Cynthia nodded.
"Huh?" Lance blinked. "Aren't they battling just fine—"
But after a sharp glare from Clair, he quickly shut his mouth and sighed. "...Fine, I got it."
—
On the battlefield, Altaria and Milotic clashed once again before separating.
That was the moment Johan called out, "Now!"
"Garchomp!"
"Dragonite!"
Cynthia's Garchomp and Lance's Dragonite instantly rushed onto the field.
In the stunned gazes of Wallace and Winona, the two Pokémon firmly blocked Altaria and Milotic from continuing the battle.
"That's it?" Clair asked, tilting her head.
Johan adjusted his glasses.
"No, now we move to the next step."
He stepped onto the battlefield and called out, "Gengar!"
"Ka-kah!!"
Gengar let out a mischievous laugh and raised its hands.
"Hypnosis!"
Wallace and Winona, caught completely off guard, were immediately put to sleep.
"You two keep saying you can't talk things out properly, right?" Johan muttered.
"Fine. Then you can talk in a dream."
He and Gengar were experts in dream manipulation, especially nightmares.
They would recreate the events of the Hoenn Crisis—when Team Aqua and Team Magma had held Winona hostage, forcing Wallace into a terrible dilemma.
And if that wasn't enough...
Well, if one nightmare wasn't enough, they'd make it two. If two weren't enough, they'd make it three.
Because deep down, Johan knew—
Wallace still loved Winona.
And Winona still loved Wallace.
That was the foundation of everything.
If that didn't exist, no amount of "shared experiences" would help.
To the rest of the group, only a few minutes had passed.
But for Wallace and Winona, inside the dream, they had gone through countless crises together.
When they finally woke up, both looked disoriented.
And yet, as soon as their eyes met—
They understood.
Everything was clear now.
Even if they weren't ready to get back together immediately, at least their relationship could start to heal.
Johan let out a long sigh of relief, motioning for Gengar to stop applying nightmares.
—
Back in the seating area, Clair suddenly approached Johan.
Her face was slightly red, and she hesitated before whispering, "Um... That thing you just did..."
Johan turned to her.
"Can you... do that to Lance too?"
Johan: "..."
Meanwhile, Flint, who had finally caught on, gasped in realization.
"Wait a second... Does this mean Professor Johan is actually a love expert?!"
—
Somewhere in Sinnoh—White Forest.
Under the hazy moonlight, a shadowy figure stood alone, gazing up at the night sky.
Its expression flickered slightly.
"Nightmares..."
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