Chapter 88: Knowing the Gligar's Face, Not Its Heart
"Their growth speed is faster than I expected," Alan nodded, watching the group approach. The other Pokémon on the grassland automatically parted, making way for them. Clearly, Charizard and the others had become the new bosses of the academy.
"Roar ha?"
"Gligar."
"Roar."
The Pokémon stopped a short distance away, loudly discussing who this new, familiar-feeling creature was. Finally, it was Ryuuki's Gyarados that guessed Alan's identity. It wasn't because she was familiar with him, but because she was familiar with Ryuuki. The only one Ryuuki would ever act so clingy with was Alan.
"Roar ha?!" Charizard opened his mouth in surprise, looking him over.
"What? Don't recognize your big brother anymore? Getting cocky, are you?" Alan crossed his arms, putting on a stern face. The feeling of authority immediately reminded Charizard of how he felt as a little Charmander.
"Roar ha~" After confirming it was him, Charizard charged forward and gave him a big hug.
"Alright, alright, you're such a big dragon, still wanting hugs," Alan said, pretending to be disgusted, but the corners of his mouth curled into a smirk. He had expected Charizard to become arrogant after evolving, but his personality was completely unchanged. Charizard then took to the sky, showing off his flying ability for his big brother.
"Amazing. You did great," Alan said, rubbing Charizard's head when he landed. The 3.4-meter-tall Charizard only reached his belly.
"Perfect. While there's still time, all of you, attack me together. I'll test your current levels."
The Pokémon exchanged glances and immediately attacked, eager to see how much stronger their big brother had become.
Five minutes later, they were all lying on the ground, completely humbled. If Alan hadn't been holding back, a single Surf or Hurricane would have cleared the field.
"Hmm, I didn't expect the strongest to be Gligar. This really is knowing the Gligar's face, but not its heart," Alan mused, raising an eyebrow.
The two Gyarados were only Lv. 32. Xatu was the lowest at Lv. 30. Charizard, who he had the most expectations for, was a respectable Lv. 37. But the unexpected star was Gligar, who had reached Lv. 40, putting him in a league of his own.
'He must have secretly put in a lot of effort. Does he want to pass the Gliscor's challenge on his own?' Alan thought, looking at the Gligar.
"That's enough. I didn't hit you that hard," he said, splashing them with a bit of [Chilling Water]. The cold shock made them all jolt awake.
"Gligar, tomorrow I'll take you to that isolated island to find the Gliscor leader and get the Razor Fang."
"Gligar!" The Pokémon shook his head and patted his chest. Just as Alan suspected, he wanted to earn it with his own strength.
'What happened to him in the past two years?' Alan wondered. A drastic change in a Pokémon's personality meant something major had occurred.
For the rest of the afternoon, Alan taught the others new skills. As evening approached, they all flew home together. Their return flight caused quite a stir in the Royal Capital, as the residents finally got a look at the new, chubby Lord Alan.
Back at the Royal Palace, Alan found he had so many things to do he didn't know where to start. Recalling his own skills, helping Gligar, understanding the political situation... he decided to start with the most important thing. He would go to Liz's study and get a briefing.
"Alan~"
Before he even reached the palace, Liz's voice came from the courtyard below, where she was waving at them. As he landed, she naturally threw herself into his arms.
"Auntie! I want to stay and sleep at the Royal Palace tonight!" Ryuuki rushed over and hugged Liz's leg.
"You'll have to ask your mother about that," Liz said, stroking her head. Suddenly, she froze. She looked up at Alan, then down at Ryuuki, and a contemplative, determined look appeared in her eyes.
"Auntie~" Ryuuki whined.
"Okay," Liz agreed suddenly, much to Ryuuki's surprise.
"Liz?" Alan looked at her, confused by her sudden decision. But Liz didn't hear him. Her gaze was fixed quietly on the street outside the palace, her eyes firm, as if she had just made a monumental decision.
[Inorin Note:
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