I am Giovanni

Chapter 42: An Audience with the Boss

A moment after the last body fell, Miyamoto's figure reappeared on the high platform. She looked down at Giovanni standing amidst the carnage, her expression revealing little surprise.

As an Elite Four-level trainer and Madame Boss's second-in-command, she had seen everything. The "Insect King" project had been carried out with her and Madame Boss's tacit approval— she knew what kind of power could be born from such a crucible.

"That Beedrill of yours is impressive," she called down. "A true monster. Unlike those other two little ones. Petrel has already ruined their starters by pushing them too hard."

Giovanni patted Beedrill's hard, sharp stinger. "It's a start. Still a long way from catching up to yours."

Miyamoto chuckled. "How long have you been a trainer? To have raised this Beedrill is already remarkable. It won't be long before you surpass me." She glanced at the Poké Ball at Giovanni's waist. "And this Pokémon..."

Giovanni took Katsu's Poké Ball from his belt. "You can keep it for now. I'll get it back from you when I'm strong enough."

Miyamoto gave him a deep, appraising look. She flicked her hand, and her powerful Houndoom was released. It leaped down, gently took the Poké Ball from Giovanni's hand in its mouth, and bounded back to her side.

Miyamoto took the ball and said meaningfully, "I know a certain grunt named Archer who has shown great initiative lately. This will be a fitting reward."

So, she knows about that too, Giovanni thought. Since she didn't expose his network, he wouldn't bring it up. He just nodded.

Miyamoto then turned to her Houndoom. "Go on, boy. Clean up these human corpses."

The Houndoom looked at her with a hint of resentment, as if annoyed she hadn't given the order earlier. But it obeyed. It opened its mouth, and a torrent of hellfire erupted, washing over the chamber.

The flames incinerated the corpses in an instant, leaving nothing but drifting ash. Giovanni and Beedrill were completely unharmed; a Pokémon of that level had perfect control over its flames.

Beedrill, however, stared intently at the Houndoom, a flicker of fighting spirit in its crimson eyes. The Bug King's aura of suppression was useless against a creature of this caliber. The Houndoom returned the look with one of pure disdain.

Even a Pokémon that could defeat twenty others was nothing to it— a single breath of fire would be enough. After its task was complete, the Houndoom recalled itself to its Poké Ball, as if to save Miyamoto the trouble.

Giovanni tapped Beedrill's stinger. "Don't worry," he said. "One day, you will surpass it. And that day won't be too far away."

"BZZT!" Beedrill affirmed, its eyes filled with unshakable confidence.

The large door to the chamber slowly opened. A team of grunts ran in to collect the Pokémon of the fallen. Among them was Archer. When he saw Giovanni standing as the sole victor, a look of pure elation flashed across his face before he quickly suppressed it.

Miyamoto extended a hand to Giovanni. "Come with me. As the winner of this class, you and the other two will have an audience with the Boss."

"Beedrill," Giovanni commanded. His partner flew up, allowing Giovanni to grab onto its legs, and carried him up to the platform. He then recalled the powerful Pokémon.

Led by Miyamoto, Giovanni officially concluded the third stage of the selection.

"Aren't you curious who the other two are?" Miyamoto asked as they walked.

"No," Giovanni replied. "No matter who they are, it's all the same to me."

Miyamoto laughed and clapped him hard on the shoulder. "Only those with real strength can talk like that!" The slap nearly sent him stumbling. "Let me tell you, you're the first one out. The other two battles are still ongoing."

"Who do you think the other two will be?" she asked. "Arina and Arui?"

Giovanni shook his head, the image of the thin, quiet ninja boy flashing in his mind. "I think Koga will win."

Miyamoto slapped her forehead. "That kid who knows ninjutsu? If you hadn't mentioned him, I would have completely forgotten about him."

They descended several floors, finally arriving outside Madame Boss's private quarters. Someone was already waiting there. Miyamoto frowned, her voice turning cold.

"What are you doing here?"

Petrel smiled gently. "Why can't I be here? I am an executive. Isn't it normal for me to see the Boss?"

"Hmph," Miyamoto snorted, clearly displeased.

Petrel's gaze fell on Giovanni, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "Oh, you actually won. Truly unexpected."

"Lord Petrel," Giovanni said with a slight nod. "It was merely luck."

"Haha, luck?" Petrel took two steps towards him. "If other children said that, it might be possible. But you saying it? Heh, their deaths are a joke to you, aren't they?"

Miyamoto immediately stepped in front of Giovanni. "Petrel, what do you think you're doing?"

Petrel paused. "Don't get so excited."

"You'd better not," Miyamoto said, her hand already on the Poké Ball at her waist.

Just as the tension escalated, Madame Boss's voice came from inside the room. "Come in, all of you. What is all the noise about?"

"Yes, Boss," Petrel was the first to reply. He smiled at Miyamoto and walked in.

"Tsk. Annoying bastard," Miyamoto muttered, then led Giovanni inside.

The room was lavish, adorned with red and black decorations. Madame Boss sat on a central sofa, her slender frame exuding an aura of absolute dominance. Not far behind her, her Alakazam floated in mid-air, meditating.

Miyamoto and Petrel bowed respectfully. "BOSS."

Giovanni, however, simply looked at the woman on the sofa. He remembered her warning and Petrel's. He knew what was expected. He slowly opened his mouth and spoke the single word that sealed his fate.

"Mother."

Madame Boss nodded, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and pointed to a sofa nearby.

"All of you, sit."