Aoki smiled and gave a brief introduction to everyone. Only then did Lance realize that the person he was looking for was right in front of him, and seed to be quite familiar with Aoki.
In truth, Aoki was more interested in what would happen if Diantha and Lance battled. Would Lance still claim to be a specialist trainer of dragon-type Pokémon? Thinking of this, the smile on Aoki's face gradually beca sowhat peculiar.
At that mont, Lance began inquiring about Lysandre. "Mr. Siebold, I wonder if you could tell us what kind of person Lysandre is," Lance asked directly. Since Aoki had ntioned their identities and occupations during the introduction, Lance's question wasn't inappropriate.
However, when Siebold heard Lance's question, his smile faded. Wallace, sitting beside him, also fell silent, forgetting the friendly expression he had just shown Aoki. The atmosphere grew tense.
Lance glanced at Aoki with an embarrassed look, as if he had touched upon a sensitive subject. Wallace sighed quietly before Siebold took a sip of coffee and began speaking slowly.
"Lysandre... was once one of us. He was gentle, kind, and always willing to help others, especially those in poverty. His dream was to help the Pokémon world beco a perfect place. His talent matched ours, and he possessed a brilliant research mind. The Lysandre Labs were established back then primarily to gather resources to assist more underprivileged people."
Siebold recounted Lysandre's story, with Wallace occasionally adding details. An image of Lysandre quickly ford in Aoki and Lance's minds. While Aoki already knew about Lysandre, Lance was surprised. According to Siebold and Wallace's description, Lysandre sounded like a model trainer and philanthropist—so how had he beco what he was now?
Though Lance hadn't uncovered the deepest secrets of Lysandre Labs, what he had investigated so far painted a very different picture. The activities he had discovered existed in a legal gray area, and if more were exposed, Lysandre Labs might be classified as an underground organization.
"But people change. Even the kindest souls can be twisted by unfair treatnt or hardship. Still, I believe he wants to make the world better—he may just be going about it the wrong way." At this point, Lysandre hadn't yet reached his extre stance, but he was teetering on the edge.
Siebold and Wallace then explained what had led Lysandre down this path. After hearing their account, Lance fell silent. Sotis, the deeper the love, the harsher the thods. Lysandre adored this world and wanted to shape it into his ideal vision, but his approach wasn't accepted by most. Those who did agree with him saw him as great and chose to follow him—this was how Team Flare ca to be.
Currently, Team Flare was only in its early stages and hadn't fully erged. Aoki knew much of this already, so he wasn't shocked. Lance, however, found himself suddenly wanting to et Lysandre. With such conviction, even if Lysandre never reached Champion-level strength, his determination and hard work might have placed him among the Kalos League's leadership—perhaps even as its future president.
In truth, the Kalos League had once considered this very idea, but when Lysandre's views shifted, the plan was abandoned before implentation. After Siebold finished speaking, silence fell over the group.
"You didn't co here just to ask about this, did you?" Diantha finally broke the tension.
"No, we happened to run into each other. I'm here to challenge the Battle Castle," Aoki replied.
"Then you're a bit behind," Wallace said with a light laugh, producing his noble title dal—an Earl rank, just like Lance's. Diantha then showed hers as well, also an Earl.
Three of the four held Earl titles, leaving Aoki, who hadn't even reached Baron rank, slightly embarrassed. "I won't keep you any longer. I need to register and try to catch up as soon as possible," Aoki said, standing up.
"I'll go with you. It's your first ti here, and there's a lot to prepare," Lance offered, also rising. Despite being in the company of two remarkable trainers—Diantha and Wallace—Lance still felt awkward, especially after realizing the person he'd asked about was practically Siebold's childhood friend, now drifting toward opposition.
Aoki understood Lance's discomfort and nodded, exchanging glances with Siebold and Wallace before heading to the registration counter. Diantha and Wallace remained behind.
"That Lance is incredibly strong," Wallace remarked.
Diantha nodded. "And Aoki's no simple opponent either. Rest up and prepare for more battles. Try to reach Marquis rank quickly—don't let him surpass you. During the Sinnoh Conference, he was already formidable. After all this ti, he may have reached Champion level by now."
"Champion level? You only reached it recently, and I'm still not quite there," Wallace said with a hint of lancholy. Battling wasn't his true passion, but circumstances demanded it.
"I'm only speculating. We might face him in a few days. Given his status, the Battle Castle will likely accelerate his promotion," Diantha said calmly, sipping her coffee.
Without seeing Aoki and Lance battle, it was impossible to gauge their exact strength. But she had a feeling their paths would cross again soon. The higher the rank, the fewer the competitors—and the greater the chances of eting.
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