https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-123-Target-the-Umbreon-and-the-Swift-Blizzard-Pony-/12537134/
Chapter 122: Spring Horse Racing, Let's Begin!
Chapter 122: Spring Horse Racing, Let's Begin!
On the 25th of March, a clear Wednesday in the year 198 of the Pokemon League, Naoki decided to take a break from his ranch and witness the excitement of the spring horse races held outside town. It was a perfect opportunity to learn about the rules and prepare for future participation.
The venue for the spring horse races was a vast grassland just outside the town. By the time Naoki arrived, a sizable crowd had already gathered. There were passing trainers, young couples on vacation, a boy who had come to watch with his father, elders tending to their horses, and more.
The grassland was festively decorated with colorful banners bearing the words "Spring Horse Racing Festival of Shichi Town" hanging at the entrance. Nearby were stalls selling race tickets and an array of small prizes and props that could be redeemed with those tickets.
The racecourse had already attracted several participants. Naoki stood at a distance, his eyes sparkling with envy as he took in the scene.
Among the competitors, he spotted a Rapidash, its body engulfed in fierce red flames, looking exceptionally majestic among the other horses. There was also a Galarian Rapidash, its body snow-white with a colorful mane that resembled mystical clouds, adding a touch of fantasy to the event.
Alongside the Rapidash were other impressive Pokemon, including a Zebstrika surrounded by crackling electricity, a robust and powerful Mudsdale, and surprisingly, a hippopotamus-like Quagsire that seemed a bit out of place.
"Hmm, something seems amiss there," Naoki thought to himself.
Quagsire wasn't exactly a horse Pokemon, so why was it allowed to participate in the horse-racing competition?
Just then, Naoki heard a familiar voice behind him. It was Ivan, the postal worker, calling out to him.
"Hey, Naoki! You made it too?" Ivan approached with a wide grin.
Naoki nodded. "Yep! I finished up some work at the ranch and thought I'd come take a look."
Ivan led Naoki to the edge of the racecourse, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Come on, let's pick the Pokemon we want to cheer for! Who are you rooting for?"
To be honest, Naoki hadn't decided yet. But he did have a question.
As he watched the Quagsire spitting sand, he asked, "Can that kind of Pokemon really join a horse-racing competition?"
Ivan chuckled and explained, "Well, there aren't enough horse Pokemon, so the town decided to allow any Pokemon with the character for 'horse' in their name to participate!"
Naoki was speechless.
"It's actually better this year," Ivan continued. "Last year, someone brought a Seashorse to compete!"
Naoki couldn't even begin to imagine that scene. A tiny Seashorse certainly wouldn't be able to carry a human rider, much less one that was significantly larger than itself.
"So, which contestant are you cheering for?" Ivan asked.
Naoki's gaze shifted to the group of horse Pokemon, finally settling on a particularly well-built Rapidash. "That Rapidash over there seems to have the potential to win."
Compared to the Rapidash, the Zebstrika looked a bit too bulky, and the Mudsdale's physique didn't seem built for speed.
As for the Galarian Rapidash... its physique was equally sleek and graceful.
Naoki's gaze shifted back and forth between the two Rapidash, indecision clouding his face.
Ivan, on the other hand, was practically buzzing with excitement as he stared at the Mudsdale. "I'm going for that Mudsdale! Just look at how strong it is!"
"Shouldn't a bulky build make it slower?" Naoki asked, perplexed.
Ivan seemed to understand Naoki's confusion and quickly explained, "No, no, no! This isn't your traditional horse race!"
Naoki raised an eyebrow.
Ivan pointed at the Mudsdale, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. "During the race, Pokemon moves are allowed. Take that Mudsdale, for example. If it uses Earthquake while running, then—BOOM!—the other contestants will lose their balance and fall behind!"
Naoki was taken aback. "What?!"
"Wait, do the trainers ride on the Pokemon's back during the race?"
"Of course!" Ivan explained. "But the trainers wear protective gear to minimize the impact of the Pokemon moves. Even if they're hit, they won't get hurt too badly."
Naoki was speechless once again.
Indeed, everyone in this world seemed to have superhuman endurance.
If that was the case, he would have to reconsider his choice of Pokemon to support.
Earthquake could help the Mudsdale make up for its speed disadvantage against the other horse Pokemon.
And the Quagsire could kick up sand to obscure the vision of its competitors.
However, with the horse race about to begin, Ivan pulled Naoki aside to purchase some betting tickets.
The owner of the stall was a balding man with glasses who looked rather shrewd. On the table in front of him was a sign stating that each person was limited to purchasing 200 betting tickets, and each ticket cost 50 Pokedollars.
Behind him, a cabinet displayed various props and items.
The most basic items were special Poke Balls, such as Dive Balls and Nest Balls, each costing 50 betting tickets.
More expensive items were props for Pokemon to hold, including an Electirizer to boost Pikachu's Attack and Special Attack, a Hard Stone to increase the power of Rock-type moves, and a BlackGlasses to boost the power of Dark-type moves. These items required 250 betting tickets each.
Additionally, there were the Evolution stones that Naoki desired the most.
He quickly scanned the selection and noticed that all stones except for the Sun Stone and Moon Stone were available—the Ice, Fire, Water, Leaf, and Thunder Stones.
These were priced at 300 betting tickets each.
"Fifty tickets per ticket, that's only 10,000 for 200. I'm in!"
With a grand gesture, Naoki bought two hundred tickets from the owner.
Ivan did the same and bought an equal number of tickets.
Just then, a loud trumpet sounded, signaling that the first round of the race was about to commence.
The owner reminded them from behind the counter, "Would you two like to place your bets now?"
As he spoke, he took out a chart listing the odds for each participant.
The highest odds belonged to Quagsire, an astonishing 1/57.
Rapidash, Galarian Rapidash, and Zebstrika had similar odds, all at 1/1.5.
Mudsdale hovered around 1/3.
"Looks like most people are betting on Rapidash, just like me!" Naoki thought.
Ivan, on the other hand, boldly placed all his betting tickets on Mudsdale.
Naoki hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided to trust his instincts and bet on the majestic Rapidash.
After placing their bets, Naoki, accompanied by Gulardon, followed Ivan to the spectator stands.
Ivan's Pokemon was a petite Milirion, which he playfully perched on his head as they watched the race together.
The audience continued to gather, filling up the stands.
The participating Pokemon in the race donned their protective gear and mounted their steeds, ready to begin.
With a whistle, all the horse Pokemon on the track dashed forward simultaneously.
Watching them gallop below, Naoki couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.
In that moment, he made a decision: one day, he would own a horse of his own!
Just like Reikuang-wang's Spirit Horse and Blizzard Horse! Speaking of the Spirit Horse and Blizzard Horse, Naoki suddenly thought of visiting the Galar region.
After all, Reikuang-wang wasn't doing so well lately. Not only had he been forgotten by the world, but his two horses had also run away.
Images of the Crown Tundra flashed through Naoki's mind, and he wondered if he could bring back Reikuang-wang's horses and perhaps even the Pokemon itself.
Then he could borrow a horse from Reikuang-wang to participate in future races.
But...
His ranch was still in its developmental stage and relied heavily on his presence. If he left, his Pokemon would go hungry.
Moreover, even if he ventured to the Crown Tundra, there was no guarantee he would be able to find Reikuang-wang.
However, Naoki suddenly recalled something about Reikuang-wang—according to the legends, it was said that Reikuang-wang could see everything from the past, present, and future.
This raised a question: if Naoki did something beneficial for Reikuang-wang in the Partea region, would Reikuang-wang be able to perceive it?
For instance, what if he built a shrine for Reikuang-wang? That might increase Reikuang-wang's favorability towards him, and when he eventually traveled to the Galar region, Reikuang-wang might even come to meet him.
With this in mind, Naoki decided that he would build a shrine for Reikuang-wang back at his ranch as soon as possible.
Whether Reikuang-wang would truly be able to sense it or not was another matter, but it was worth a shot.
Small Theater: Reikuang-wang's Diary
Day 1: I sensed the presence of the only believer of mine in this world. I took a peek to see what kind of person they are.
Day 20: I witnessed the believer building a shrine to worship me. I am deeply touched, and I look forward to the day when the believer comes to seek me out.
Day n: Still waiting for the believer...
Day n+1: Oh believer, where art thou? Come quickly and help me plant carrots. I wish to use the carrots to lure back my beloved horses.
Day n+1+18: O my believer, why hast thou not come to find me yet?
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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