Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit Chapter 29 - 029:Is This Too Cheap?

Novel: Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit Author: NovelExplorer Updated: Jun 05, 2026

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Now reading: Chapter 29 - 029:Is This Too Cheap? from Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit, a Action novel by NovelExplorer.

[Player 'Cabbage Ice Cream' has sent you a friend request. Accept/Decline.]

Without a second thought, Natsu clicked "Decline."

"Haha, you think you can add just to trash-talk ? Not a chance!"

Back in the day, when Natsu-sensei was still a naive young lad, his favorite deck in Hearthstone was the infamous "Dirty Priest."

After winning with his Dirty Priest deck, opponents would often send him friend requests.

Natsu, thinking it was for friendly banter and strategy sharing, would accept.

But instead, he'd get bombarded with insults from salty players who would then block him after venting their frustration.

The ssages usually went sothing like: "Stop playing that XXX Dirty Priest!" or "Pirate Warrior is the best!"

Ever since then, Natsu had been extrely cautious about accepting friend requests.

After all, his playstyle was just too dirty…

It was understandable that opponents would be salty after losing.

Even Gold had been so upset after getting swept by Natsu's Venusaur that he couldn't eat for three days.

Natsu had seen it all!

"Kid, you're still too green!"

Natsu couldn't help but pat himself on the back for his quick thinking.

Three seconds after declining the friend request, the opponent sent another ssage.

[Cabbage Ice Cream: ?]

You're really sending a question mark?

Natsu was amused and imdiately replied.

[Natsu-sensei: My friend slot is very expensive.]

[Cabbage Ice Cream: How much?]

[Natsu-sensei: I'd say it's worth at least 1,000 Pokémon Coins!]

[Cabbage Ice Cream: What's your account number?]

Natsu: ?

Wait, are they actually serious about sending money?

It's not uncommon for people to trash-talk their opponents after losing, or even bla their teammates.

But sending money to the opponent after losing? That's a first!

If you can't beat them, join them?

Staring at this unfamiliar ID, Natsu felt like he'd stumbled upon a new path to riches.

[Natsu-sensei: No rush, let's break it down.]

[Natsu-sensei: If you get into my friend list, not only will I provide strategy tutorials, but I'll also be your free sparring partner. 1,000 Coins is a fair price, right?]

[Cabbage Ice Cream: That's a good deal.]

[Natsu-sensei: Plus, I'm ranked 7th in the world, and my schedule is packed. Adding another 500 Coins isn't too much, is it?]

[Cabbage Ice Cream: Sure.]

[Natsu-sensei: You know how expensive things are in Touran. Factoring in utilities and labor costs, how about this…]

[Natsu-sensei: I'll give you a friends-and-family discount—3,000 Pokémon Coins!]

There was a brief pause on the other end.

[Cabbage Ice Cream: …Isn't that a bit too low?]

Cynthia did so quick math based on her own experience. A league match usually lasted about two hours, and her appearance fee was around 2 million Pokémon Coins.

The opponent was clearly skilled with the Perish Song team.

If he really could provide free sparring sessions as he claid, then this was an incredible deal.

After all, professional Trainers charged tens of thousands per hour for sparring.

Given the command skills of this "Natsu-sensei," 3,000 Coins wasn't just cheap—it was practically an insult to his worth.

[Natsu-sensei: Too… too low?]

Natsu spat out the water he was drinking.

Gulping, he typed back with trembling hands.

[Natsu-sensei: Well, how much do you think is fair?]

[Cabbage Ice Cream: For the friend slot, I'll send you 10,000 Pokémon Coins for now. When you have ti, we can spar, and I'll pay extra then.]

[Cabbage Ice Cream: I'm logging off now. Send your account number. See you later.]

The sudden stroke of luck left Natsu's head spinning.

Did I just… run into a sugar mommy?

Not only did she not trash-talk after losing, but she's also giving 10,000 Pokémon Coins?!

After accepting Cabbage Ice Cream's friend request, Natsu nervously checked her profile but still couldn't be sure.

Judging by the ID and Pokémon, it was highly likely to be Cynthia.

But is the Sinnoh Champion really this free? Not only does she have ti to play gas, but she also uses a chibi character?

Then again, Caitlin, the "legal loli," is also blonde and close to Cynthia, so it could be her too!

Or worse, it could be so middle-aged dude using a cute avatar!

Natsu shuddered and pushed that terrifying thought out of his mind.

"Let's just assu it's Cynthia," Natsu muttered. "At least that gives sothing to look forward to when we spar."

Buzz—

[10,000 Pokémon Coins have been deposited into your account ending in XXX. Balance: 23,500.00 Pokémon Coins.]

"Woohoo, we're taking off!"

Raising Pokémon required a lot of money, and Natsu was just laying the foundation for his future.

In a few days, his earnings from live streaming and Nico Dou would co in, totaling around 30,000 Pokémon Coins.

For a freshman with no background, Natsu was doing pretty well for himself.

But when it ca to Trainer expenses, a few thousand Coins wouldn't even make a dent.

"That's why I don't want to be a Trainer," Natsu sighed, calling out to Gastly, who was busy studying. "Kid, today Daddy's taking you out for a feast! Hahaha!"

"Gastly!"

Gastly flew over excitedly but suddenly realized sothing was off.

Wait, did I just get scamd?

Whatever, free food is free food!

To treat themselves, Natsu and Gastly headed to a high-end restaurant on the waterfront.

For the main course, Gastly got a vegetable salad, while Natsu ordered a sirloin steak.

"Don't look at like that," Natsu said, stuffing a piece of steak into his mouth. "This is the restaurant's signature dish, specially designed for Pokémon!"

"Gastly~~~(T ^ T)"

Gastly's eyes turned into wavy lines as it sadly chewed on the lettuce, drawing so attention from nearby diners.

Natsu smiled apologetically at the neighboring table, causing a young girl to blush and whisper sothing to her friend.

"Isn't he that Trainer from the Piplup Cup…?"

"Yeah, I think so. He was on TV."

Natsu had always been low-key.

But talented people shine no matter where they go.

Just as Natsu was lost in thought, Gastly suddenly darted onto the table and gobbled up the entire steak in one bite.

"Gastly(*⊙~⊙)!"

"…Are you sure you're not going to choke?"

Looking around the restaurant, Natsu noticed the décor was full of Pokémon-thed elents.

According to the website, this was a branch of a restaurant owned by Siebold, a top Kalos chef and Water-type Elite Four mber.

The main branch was in Lumiose City, Kalos, with a three-Snorlax rating.

This Tokyo branch had a one-Snorlax rating.

The crystal chandeliers, amber lighting, and wooden bar in the center gave the place a classy vibe. A stage with a piano seed reserved for live performances.

As Natsu glanced around, the sound of high heels clicking against the floor caught his attention.

Sakurako, now wearing a blue sleeveless dress and stylish heels, greeted him politely. "Classmate Natsu."

She seed to be here with her parents. A well-dressed couple in the distance was watching Natsu with warm smiles.

"Hey," Natsu said, surprised. "What a coincidence?"

"I wanted to apologize again for what happened before," Sakurako hesitated. "If you don't mind…"

At that mont, a sharp microphone feedback noise grabbed everyone's attention.

A waiter stood on the stage and announced with a smile, "Ladies and gentlen, it's ti for the highlight of 'Siebold's Restaurant'!"

"The Battle Dining Challenge!"

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