Alex and Maria found a quiet place to talk but didn't start the discussion straight away.

Without a moment's hesitation, Alex pulled Gardevoir out of her Pokéball and said, "Can you watch out that no Ghost-type Pokémon is present, eavesdropping while hiding in a shadow?" ​​

Although it was very, very unlikely for something like that to happen, Alex didn't want to take any risks if he can prevent it.

Maria, who saw that Alex had called out a Psychic-type Pokémon, realized his constant vigilance and understood the reason behind it.

She said with a solemn expression, "Well, now that we can talk, I wanted to ask you what you think about this meeting with the Boss."

"Hmm... Hard to say. I don't know any more than you that it's about a special position."

"Yes, I also heard that. As far as I know, at least Marco and Janine will also come. Although I don't know 100% for sure, it wouldn't make sense otherwise."

Alex looked curiously in the direction of Maria as he said, "And, why did you called me here to meet to talk about it today?"

Maria looked at Alex for a few seconds and said placidly, "Although we haven't known each other for long, I would like to say that we have built up at least a little bit of trust."

Alex interrupted Maria with a knowing smile, "You want us to work together on the test?"

"Not necessarily. I don't know what the test is about yet, but I think it would be good if we keep this option open beforehand."

She paused for a moment before saying, "I just recently became an Elite trainer and only have two Pokémon at LV 40. Although I'm not sure how strong you are, having seen your Gardevoir, who I assume is at LV 42, your Scizor and Crobat should also have a similar level. But even if you still have a bit of strength hidden, you are a good deal weaker than Marco and Janine."

Alex had to admit that he had underestimated Maria a bit. The fact that Maria was already on the Elite rank at her age is quite impressive.

She has the same talent as a weak Gym leader at this age which is really amazing. Maria shouldn't have a problem becoming a powerful Elite trainer after a few years and later, an Executive.

Alex, who knew how to separate his professional and personal life, showed a deadpan face when he said, "Why are you telling me that? Why are you choose to tell your opponent your strength, whether true or false?"

Maria, looking at Alex with a poker face, couldn't help but show a faint smile. She felt that Alex was looking a little handsome right now.

"Wait, I'll explain exactly why. At the Team Rocket Rookie tournament almost 4 months ago, both Marco and Janine were already Elite trainers. So I think it's fair to say that they both have a great level advantage over you."

"The reason I am telling you this is because I know that I can't win this test, but I can help you win this test."

Alex showed a slightly suspicious expression when he said, "This sounds too good to be true."

Maria showed a slight smirk that looked a bit creepy with her cold, sharp eyes. But to Alex, it looked very cute.

"We can talk more about what you can give me as a reward later. But I can tell you now that it won't be cheap."

Alex understood what Maria was going for and why she had brought the strength of other competitors beforehand.

'Smart,' thought Alex as he saw through Maria's tactics.

He gave a warm smile as he said, "Maria, of course, I would be very delighted to get your help. Don't worry, if we have the chance to work together, I'll come up with an appropriate reward for your help."

Maria looked at Alex for a few seconds with scrutinizing eyes. "Alex, the only reason why I came to you and not to the other two participants is that we already know each other a bit, and I trust you more than them."

After a short pause, she gave a threatening glare as she said, "But if you try to deceive me, I'll make you end up like the last person who tried that."

Alex didn't show a fearful expression but a curious one. "Oh... So, what did you do with the other person?"

Maria showed a playful expression when she said, "Hmm, Sure. I don't mind telling you."

"After I was kicked out of the orphanage, I tried to find a job and met this one disgusting man. Long story short, he tried to turn me into a prostitute. And he was almost successful because I was alone and weak at that time."

After she said that, her eyes started to glow with madness when she said, "But he picked the wrong person for this. When he tried to put a disgusting part in my mouth, I bit right through it and made sure that it will never work again. I just made him pay for what he tried to do with me. I thought he was going to kill me for it, but I overestimated this man."

"He screamed loudly and didn't move at first. Then started wailing and flailed around while covering the damaged part."

"I took advantage of this chance and jumped out the window and ran for my life. After hiding in the garbage, I escaped my late pursuits."

Alex, knowing that Maria was willing to tell him such a personal story, felt her trust in him.

He knew that Maria didn't want pity and if he guessed it right, she thinks this situation is nothing misfortunate. The strong eat the weak. And as the weak one, she defeated someone stronger than her, which made her very proud. Since she said this was the last person who tried that, this encounter might have motivated her to join Team Rocket.

Maria and Alex talked together for several hours about different personal experiences. This led them to understand the other person better.

Both had a kind of madness and cold character, but neither was really crazy or sadistic.

*****

[EN]: remember guys, CONSTANT VIGILANCE!!!

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