Beside Ethan, Primeape suddenly snarled and hammered a fist into his trainer's arm, eyes blazing, muscles twitching with the familiar onset of rage. Ethan, calm until now, moved instantly.
"Grandpa, the test is interrupted," he said toward the screen. "Let me handle this first."
In one smooth motion, Ethan pulled a thick set of cotton-lined clothes from his pack and slipped them on. At the same time, he recalled Munchlax into its Poké Ball, securing the capsule in his belt before Primeape lost all sense. Within seconds, Ethan was fully suited in the reinforced ghostweave gear.
His speed stunned the old man in the tuxedo on the other side of the video call. It was the fastest he had ever seen anyone dress in protective wear. He didn't understand why Ethan did it—until Primeape erupted.
"Primeape!"
The monkey Pokémon roared and went berserk, launching punch after punch at Ethan, who stood shielded in his black misted suit. The old butler flinched as Primeape hurled its trainer overhead, slamming him down with an earth-shaking throw, then stomped after him with another barrage of blows. The scene looked so brutal that the butler's chest ached just watching.
The black fog that seeped from Ethan's clothes made it worse—he feared for a moment that the boy had died.
"Grandpa Butler."
The voice came from behind him. A young man stepped forward, dressed in a tailored blue suit. His hair, a striking shade of blue, shimmered in the light, and at his heel waddled a tiny Caterpie.
At once, the old man straightened and bowed deeply. "Young Master James. Have you finished your piano lessons?"
James heaved a sigh, his aristocratic poise slipping for a moment. "Yes, finally. But I still have etiquette classes later. A nightmare."
He waved it off, eyes turning toward the screen. "How is the interview going? Is that the instructor I picked from the forum?"
The butler hesitated, embarrassed. "Master James, the instructor you favored is… currently enduring something of a life-or-death crisis."
James blinked, confused, and stepped closer. His eyes widened as he saw the video feed: Primeape thrashing about in a storm of fury, Ethan buried in a cloud of black mist, while Charizard calmly practiced Flamethrower on the lake's edge as if nothing unusual were happening.
"The instructor is in that black fog," the butler explained quietly.
James swallowed hard. "You mean that boy… is in there? And he's still alive? Quick, do you know where he is? Send him a doctor!"
"I'm afraid not, Master James," the butler said, shaking his head.
James could only stare, horrified, as Primeape continued its rampage—grabbing Ethan, tossing him sky-high, and slamming him again and again. For five long minutes the brutal display continued. Then, finally, Primeape sat down heavily, chest heaving, its anger drained.
The black fog cleared. Ethan unzipped his coat, pulling it off casually, revealing himself unscathed.
James gasped. "You're not dead?! And you look perfectly fine!"
Ethan blinked in mild surprise at the blue-haired youth on the other side of the screen. Blue suit, noble bearing, a Caterpie by his feet… and a butler fussing about his etiquette. Ethan's lips quirked. James. It really is him.
"Master James," the butler scolded softly, "mind your words. Rudeness is unbecoming of your station."
James flushed and ducked his head. "Sorry, Grandpa Butler. I'll be careful." Then he turned back to Ethan eagerly. "That Primeape just now… it's yours? Why was it attacking you like that? I thought it was going to beat you into the ground permanently!"
Ethan shrugged, reaching down to pat Primeape's head. The Pokémon, now calm, leaned into his hand with a rare moment of peace. "Yes, it's mine. When it gets angry, it loses control. So I had a suit designed by Silph Co.—lets it vent without hurting me. Works every time. Intimacy's climbing too. Just a few points off the first milestone."
James' eyes sparkled with admiration. "That's incredible. You're incredible. Please—come to my estate and train my Growlithe! Be my instructor."
The butler cleared his throat sharply. "Master James, his evaluation test is not yet complete."
"No need!" James insisted, waving a hand. "I've already read every review about him online. I trust him. I don't need a test." He leaned forward, gaze imploring. "Come to my place. Where are you now? I'll send someone to pick you up."
Ethan shook his head at once. "Sorry. I don't do house calls. My schedule is tight. Door-to-door lessons waste too much time, and my time is valuable."
James blinked, thrown off. "But then… why did you even agree to this test?"
"Because your butler said you'd pay," Ethan replied dryly. "Five rounds, quick evaluation, easy money. But traveling to your house? That's another story."
The butler frowned. James' brows furrowed—then, suddenly, his father's words echoed in his mind: Everything has a price. His face brightened.
"Two hundred thousand Alliance Coins," James said firmly, holding up two fingers. "Four sessions a month."
Ethan's pupils contracted.
James mistook it for hesitation. "Five hundred thousand."
Ethan coughed, nearly choking.
"One million," James tried, then caught himself, shaking his head. "No. Just because I'm rich doesn't mean I'm stupid."
Ethan smirked despite himself, though his thoughts raced. This kid really is as rich as the rumors say… He'd pay more than eight Gym Leaders combined just for training sessions.
"Half a million Alliance Coins," James concluded, meeting his gaze. "Four visits a month. That's my final offer."
Ethan's mouth twitched. It was absurd, but undeniably tempting. He forced a grin. "One million, and maybe I'll 'condescend' to visit. But not now. I have other priorities first."
James blinked, then laughed, accepting the stalemate. "Fair enough. I'll wait. When you're ready, you'll come. Money is no object."
Ethan chuckled inwardly. Spoiled, loaded, and eager… That's James, alright.
Primeape leaned against him, purring softly for the first time since they'd met. Ethan glanced at his bond meter: just three points shy of the first reward tier. Progress.
Across the screen, James still looked at him with awe, a Caterpie wriggling at his feet. For all the world, it looked like the beginning of a strange friendship.