It looked like the trio of company employees had lost. Facing defeat, the one in the lead shouted fiercely, "Just you wait—we'll be back!!!"
Having been beaten, all they could do was toss out that line and then flee in embarrassment. Pei Guang didn't bother to chase after them: after all, in Pokémon-style stories, waiting for Team Rocket to return for another round was tradition.
Once those people ran off, March 7th turned to the little boy in front of them. "Alright, those bad guys have been chased away. Are you okay?"
Eric: "I-I'm fine. Thank you, big brother and big sister Trailblazers!"
Pei Guang looked at the boy curiously and asked, "By the way, why were they targeting you? Did you pick up something super rare and they decided to go after you for it?"
Eric shook his head and took out an Aether Coin. "I don't know either. I just happened to find this coin by chance."
Looking at the coin, Giovanni said, "Judging from the appearance alone, there's no telling what it really is—or who might've lost it. Did they say anything else? Like... something related to Topaz?"
March 7th: "Huh? Miss Topaz? This has something to do with Miss Topaz?"
Stelle: "No way, right?"
Eric suddenly seemed to remember something and hurriedly said, "Oh! I remember now: they said they were members of the Topaz Support Squad, and that they're collecting the strongest Aether Spirits in the entire universe to gift them to Topaz—so she can win back-to-back championships at the festival."
March 7th was shocked. "Huh? Miss Topaz would go that far?"
Pei Guang shook his head. "I don't think Topaz would stoop to something that petty. This sounds like fan behavior to me."
Stelle picked up the Aether Coin to examine it. "So this coin doesn't belong to Topaz? Then does that mean it's ours now?"
Giovanni spoke from the side. "This Aether Coin doesn't carry any information related to its previous owner. Returning it would be difficult."
Eric looked at the Aether Coin and hesitated for a moment before saying, "Then I'll give this coin to you, big brother and big sister Trailblazers! I believe you'll know how to make good use of it."
Pei Guang: "No problem! We'll take good care of it—and use this coin to win the Aetherium Wars championship."
March 7th whispered to Pei Guang, "Huh? Is this really okay? Mr. Giovanni, is this allowed?"
Giovanni: "I have no objections. Trading and development are all part of the Aetherium Wars game. You should make the most of this coin."
Hearing that, Eric breathed a sigh of relief. "In that case, I'll head back now." With that, he left on his own.
Watching his back, March 7th spoke with concern. "Ah Guang, Stelle—should we walk him back? What if he runs into more company employees…"
Giovanni: "There's no need to worry. Most company staff still have professional standards—they wouldn't do something that damages the company's reputation. Besides, their target was the Aether Coin. Now that it's with you, they won't go after the kid anymore."
Then Giovanni turned to Pei Guang and Stelle. "Now, I suggest the three of you summon the Aether Spirit from the coin. After all, this is the first one you've truly earned. It's a good time to get acquainted."
Pei Guang nodded and started operating the Aether Coin. After some fiddling, a Warp Trotter appeared in front of everyone.
March 7th blinked in surprise. "Huh? A Warp Trotter?"
Stelle crouched down and poked its butt. "Its butt is so plump…"
For some reason, Stelle found the creature's butt incredibly alluring—plump and round. She felt like it'd be a shame not to poke it a few more times.
Sensing Stelle's thoughts and actions, the Warp Trotter turned its head in protest. "Hmph hmph!!"
Giovanni looked at the Aether Spirit and was surprised. "A Warp Trotter? That's a very rare Aether Spirit—but it's not particularly strong. Why were those company guys after it?"
Pei Guang crouched down and poked the other side of the Warp Trotter's butt. "Maybe they just thought its butt was too perfect?"
Hearing that, the Warp Trotter trembled in fear. Pei Guang patted its side. "Don't be scared! From today on, you're with me. I like the look of you, piggy—let's become Aether Spirit masters together in Aetherium Wars."
Giovanni: "Oh? So you've decided to bring it to the festival?"
Pei Guang: "Of course! Just look at its butt—so glorious. I want the whole universe to witness its perfection."
Stelle: "Totally! That butt is amazing!"
Sensing the two of them's unhinged thoughts, the Warp Trotter—shaking just moments ago—was now puffing up with pride from Pei Guang's enthusiasm. It hmphed smugly: "Hmph hmph!"
March 7th laughed watching the scene. "Then let's bring this one to the festival. Like Miss Topaz, let's give our little buddy a nice name. Ah Guang, Stelle—what should we call it?"
Stelle: "Ah Guang? What do you think?"
Pei Guang: "Oh, I've got tons of ideas—White Devil, Chunky, Piggy Hero, Bank God… so many options! Ahhh, I'm having decision paralysis."
Hearing his suggestions, March 7th couldn't help but remark, "Why do all of those names sound like they have weird hidden meanings? But whatever, your call. We can take our time."
Pei Guang nodded. "Exactly! Each name has its own little meme in it. As much as I want to use one, they all feel like they're missing a little something. How about this—let's call our Aether Spirit 'Piggy Hero'?"
Stelle: "That name's great!"
March 7th: "Tch, that name… kinda feels off, but whatever. You two decide."
She didn't care too much about the name, but when Pei Guang said it, the piggy on the ground wiggled its body in satisfaction.
Seeing that, March 7th smiled. "Oh? Look, it's reacting! Looks like it really likes that name!"
Pei Guang: "Of course! Believe in my naming talent. Piggy Hero! Let's go out there and win the championship together!"
Stelle looked at Pei Guang. "Ah Guang, why didn't you say that to me…"
Pei Guang looked back at her. "I'm just trying to pump up our new member—what, are you jealous of the pig now?"
Stelle: "Yes, I am! Look, you openly poke Piggy Hero's butt, but you don't dare poke mine. What does that say? That you're treating me differently!"
Pei Guang: "?"
March 7th: "Tch—Stelle, I didn't realize your thoughts were that… unique."
Pei Guang grumbled, dissatisfied. "And you have the nerve to call me weird? You poked Piggy Hero first! I only did it because I saw you doing it. If anyone should be jealous, it's me!"
March 7th gasped. "Damn, Ah Guang—your logic's even more twisted."