John stayed at Riverstone University for three days.
John rested on Trial Island while Garchomp went through intensive training in the dragon cemetery of the Dragon's Nest.
Waiting for Garchomp to pass the test and become a true King.
John deliberately didn't provide MEGA Evolution support, so Garchomp had to claim the crown through his own strength alone.
That's why it took three days.
For three days, Garchomp ate, drank, and slept in the Dragon Cemetery. Not only did he become completely used to this powerful dragon aura pressure, he even began trying to absorb the dragon aura and make it his own power.
When John went to get Garchomp, he found him sitting on his father's skeleton with dragon aura turned into solid streams flowing into him from all directions like water through pipes. A ray of light fell from above, lighting up both Garchomp and the crown. Though not yet crowned, he already had the ability to claim it.
"So every cemetery has great opportunities?" John looked at his Garchomp in amazement.
Taking away the crown, the sacred treasure, and even the Sky Melodica wasn't enough, he was also absorbing the surrounding dragon aura.
It was actually a little cruel and greedy.
But John liked it!
His "ordinary" Garchomp had finally become something special.
As the surrounding dragon aura was absorbed, the pressure John could feel grew smaller and smaller.
Until it disappeared.
No, it couldn't be said to have disappeared.
Dragon aura pressure still existed around them, but this pressure no longer affected John—because now this pressure belonged only to Garchomp!
Therefore, it hadn't disappeared, but transferred!
"It's like giving Garchomp an additional intimidation ability that's been deeply developed," John thought.
However, it wasn't as powerful as what Garchomp had faced.
Also, after absorbing the dragon aura, Garchomp's Dragon-type moves would naturally increase in power, but without numbers showing the enhancement, John had no way of knowing the exact amount.
"The crowning ceremony can begin," John said to Garchomp, who had absorbed the power and stood uncertainly on the ground.
Garchomp felt his whole body filled with power, creating almost uncontrollable discomfort.
John wasn't prepared to let Garchomp get used to his power before the crowning.
Being crowned would also increase his power, so after the ceremony, he could slowly control his body's strength.
Garchomp slowly raised his head toward the crown.
Reaching out his claws and tapping the crown lightly, golden light splashed out like sparks, scattering across Garchomp's body.
The golden light exploded.
A new King rose to the throne!
John activated his Gameboy at the right moment to view Garchomp's current status.
[Garchomp (Type-Ground/Dragon) (King)]
[Level: 96]
[Ability: Rough Skin (when attacked by contact moves, the attacker loses part of their HP) Royal Presence (all stats increased by 20%, Dragon and Ground-type move power increased by 20%, gains special field "Dragon King Domain")]
-Dragon King Domain: Within the field, all stats of allied Dragon-type Pokemon increased by 50%. At the same time, enemy Pokemon are suppressed, all stats reduced according to level difference. Effect on enemy Dragon-types doubled, effect on enemy Garchomp increased tenfold.)
[IV's: HP (31), Attack (31), Sp. Attack (31), Defense (31), Sp. Defense (24), Speed (31)]
[Moves: Sand Tomb, Tackle, Sand Attack, Dragon Breath, Bulldoze, Bite, Slash, Dragon Claw, Dig, Quick Attack, Cut, Strength, Rock Smash, Earthquake, Sandstorm, Dragon Dance, Precipice Blades]
[Held Items: Dragon King's Scale]
"Dragon King Domain. This effect is quite targeted," John couldn't help but whisper upon seeing that the effect on enemy Dragon Pokemon was doubled, and the effect on enemy Garchomp increased tenfold.
'Ten times suppression effect, impressive.'
As long as opponents didn't use sneaky tactics, John couldn't imagine how future Pokemon wanting to challenge his Garchomp's throne could succeed.
Beyond amazement, John felt somewhat lucky.
If the previous Garchomp King hadn't died, how could his own Garchomp have challenged the throne against ten times the pressure and finally become master?
From the skeleton left after the previous Garchomp's death, John could conclude it definitely had legendary Pokemon-level strength.
Moreover, it was probably even stronger during its lifetime.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting so long, Mentor" John said apologetically to Saul.
Their original plan had been to leave for the S-class sanctuary "Floating Island" two days ago to explore the ruins where the Lustrous Orb was found, but they'd ended up staying several extra days for Garchomp's training.
"What are you apologizing for? I should thank you instead. I've only seen a new King's rise once in my life, this is the second time," Saul looked at Garchomp with interest. During these days of discussion with John, he'd slowly learned some inside information.
"It doesn't matter. You can start over when you're free, and I'll help with the groundwork in advance," Saul waved his hand dismissively, he planned to begin the research himself first.
"You can try, but I may not have much time recently," John replied.
Xerneas had once said that not every Pokemon was blessed with power given by Arceus. John wasn't sure if all his main Pokemon could become Kings.
Moreover, even if his main Pokemon had the potential to become Kings, finding them wasn't easy.
Therefore, Saul was now very interested in King Pokemon.
John didn't refuse right away, but thought carefully.
If they tried studying the power of "Kings", that is, studying Arceus's gifts, might they eventually create artificial "Kings".
"Are you interested in studying this in depth? Maybe we can develop something that changes the world's balance," Saul suggested.
Even if he didn't live to see this research succeed, let this research be his final gift to his student John.
Saul was already old, but John was still young.