Now, all the family members had left the manor, leaving Julian alone in the entire estate. He released Dragonite and leaped onto its back in one swift motion.
"Let's head back to university," Julian said.
"Meta~"
Metagross: "Are we really going back to university?"
'What do you mean? Did you think I was joking about returning to university?'
Julian looked at Metagross, puzzled. As far as he could recall, there was nothing else that needed his attention.
Seeing that Julian had genuinely forgotten, Metagross said helplessly: "What about the ruins in the Hara Desert? Aren't we going there?"
Hearing this, Julian suddenly remembered and smacked his forehead. "If you hadn't mentioned it, I really would've forgotten!"
Back at the place where he had found the Glossy Ganoderma, Steelix had discovered the entrance to a Ruin there. At that time, because his grandmother's condition was urgent, Julian hadn't explored it, planning to return after her recovery.
But he ended up forgetting entirely. If not for Metagross' reminder, he really would've gone straight back to campus.
As for when he might've remembered—that would've been anyone's guess.
"Then never mind university. I'll book a flight first."
Due to the constant sandstorms, Hara City didn't have an airport, so he could only book a flight to a nearby city.
This time, there was no need to rush like last time, forcing Dragonite to fly nonstop for three days and nights—exhausting both himself and his Pokémon.
"Booked—flight at 3 p.m. tomorrow."
Julian then texted his grandfather, explaining that he had discovered a new Ruin at the site where he found the Glossy Ganoderma and was going to explore it.
Honestly, he didn't have to say anything. He could've made up a story—like he was entering a secret realm and might be out of contact for a while—and no one would've worried.
The reason he told him was simple: if he got trapped in the ruin, John would at least know where to find him.
If he hadn't said anything and ended up trapped, who would even know where to look?
Secret realms and Ancient Ruins above a certain level, once discovered, were strictly off-limits for private exploration. Later, the authorities would organize official teams to investigate them.
There were three main reasons for this:
1. Safety. These places might house sleeping First-class Legendary Pokémon. If someone disturbed them, they could be provoked into attacking and wreaking havoc on cities. Incidents like that had happened in many countries.
2. Private explorers were often driven by self-interest and might damage the Ruins or Secret Realms in search of profit.
3. The first to explore such places faced the most danger—but they also stood to gain the most. Naturally, the authorities wanted to keep that benefit in their own hands.
John stared at the message for a long time, speechless. His grandson had stumbled upon an undiscovered Ruin—right where the Tyranitar lived.
Hadn't that area been inspected before? Could it be that because of the Level 10 sandstorm, not only did the Glossy Ganoderma appear, but even a Ruin had emerged?
Previously, Julian had assumed that the reason the authorities hadn't discovered the Ruin beneath Tyranitar's lair was because the Ruin's energy signature had been masked by Tyranitar's own overwhelming aura.
But that wasn't actually the case.
Any loophole Julian could think of, the authorities had already considered.
The truth was, the Ruin had only appeared after the Level 10 sandstorm—it had emerged alongside the Glossy Ganoderma.
That's why the authorities hadn't discovered it yet—making it an unexpected boon for Julian.
"Be careful."
John only sent those two words to Julian.
He had actually considered entering the Ruin together with his grandson, but clearly Julian didn't want him tagging along—otherwise, he would've mentioned it back when everyone was still at the manor, not privately afterward.
Still, John didn't suspect Julian of being selfish; the most likely explanation was that if he tagged along, his grandson's secrets might be exposed.
"Good thing Grandpa didn't insist on coming along."
Julian let out a sigh of relief as he looked at the message.
---
A few days later.
Hara Desert–near the hill where the late-stage Champion-level Tyranitar resided.
Julian and Metagross carefully concealed their presence.
Pop.
A Poké Ball opened, and Julian's own Tyranitar materialized on the sand.
"Alright, Tyranitar, time to show off your masculine charm. Go flirt with it," Julian said, pointing toward a hill in the distance.
That Tyranitar was a female.
However, Julian's Tyranitar didn't seem to understand what he meant, staring at him blankly, face full of confusion.
"Just… release your aura. That'll do," Julian said helplessly.
'Oh… so that's what masculine charm means.'
"TAR!"
Tyranitar began to release its aura with abandon—a peak Advanced-level presence.
Meanwhile, deep in a cave within the hill, the slumbering Champion-level Tyranitar suddenly snapped its eyes open.
Tyranitar: 'A male? Wait… no, a weak male Tyranitar?'
In the Hara Desert, there were no other Tyranitar. Over a hundred years ago, when it was still a Larvitar, it had migrated here from another region.
Meaning—it hadn't seen another of its kind in over a century.
And now, a male had appeared?
The female Tyranitar quickly exited the cave, locking eyes toward the spot where Julian's Tyranitar stood.
Julian's Tyranitar seemed to sense something too, gaze turning curious as it looked around.
"Keep it up, Tyranitar. Just a minute—I'll have Metagross come pick you up."
As soon as he said that, Metagross used Teleport, taking Julian away from the original spot. In the blink of an eye, they appeared at the entrance of the cave the female Tyranitar had just vacated.
"Steelix—dig down. Find that Ruin Gate again."
Steelix gave a confident nod—this, it was familiar with. After all, it had uncovered the entrance once before.
As Steelix drilled into the ground, Julian handed Tyranitar's Poké Ball to Metagross and said, "When the time comes, recall Tyranitar back into the ball."
"That thing is way too strong. Even if Tyranitar is a Totem-class Pokémon, it probably can't handle… that."
Metagross: 'I have a feeling you're making innuendos.'
---
Meanwhile, the Champion-level Tyranitar finally laid eyes on one of its own kind.
A very tall one, at that.
Most Tyranitar stood around two meters tall, but this one, having reached Champion-tier, had undergone further growth—reaching three meters, towering over most of its species.
But Julian's Tyranitar?
It was a Totem Pokémon, standing a staggering seven meters tall—more than twice the wild one's size.
Champion-level Tyranitar: "From now on, you shall be my consort."
Just like that, it declared Tyranitar's fate.
Sure, this male was low-leveled, but its potential was outstanding—any offspring they had would undoubtedly be powerful.
Julian's Tyranitar: "Consort? What does that even—"
As the massive female slowly advanced toward it, Julian's Tyranitar suddenly felt a chill.
There was something in its gaze… something strange.
"T-Tar?!"
It instinctively took a step back, then frantically looked around—only to remember its trainer had already left.
"Meta~"
At this moment, Metagross teleported in.
Tyranitar: "BIG BROTHER, SAVE ME—"
It was practically on the verge of tears.
Metagross swiftly recalled it into its Poké Ball and vanished with another Teleport.
Champion-level Tyranitar: "MY CONSORT!! NO COME BACK!!!"
It let out a furious, earth-shaking roar, but Metagross was already gone.
*****
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