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# Chapter 5
The estate gates loomed high and heavy, gilded with ironwork shaped like wings. For as long as Adrian could remember, they had never once opened for him. His world had been the gardens, the training fields, and the echoing marble halls of the Liora mansion. That morning, however, the great doors groaned wide, spilling sunlight into the courtyard like a promise.
Adrian stood in the middle of the cobblestones, dressed in the family's deep-blue training robes, his small figure straight-backed despite the weight of expectation pressing down on him. Absol stood at his side, taller now, her once-clumsy steps sharpened into predatory grace. The sunlight caught her sleek fur, and her crimson eyes reflected the world beyond the gates.
Selene crouched in front of Adrian, smoothing a stray strand of his dark hair. Her Gardevoir lingered behind her, silent as always, but Adrian caught the faint shimmer of psychic energy wrapping protectively around them both.
"You are ready," Selene whispered, her voice carrying the warmth of both mother and teacher. "Today you meet the world outside these walls, Adrian. Remember: our family name carries weight. Walk with pride, but also with respect."
Adrian nodded. "Yes, Mother."
Damien appeared next, his steps sharp, his presence commanding enough to make even the attendants draw back. He studied Adrian and Absol with a gaze that stripped away every weakness. "The town will watch you," Damien said flatly. "Every word, every step, every glance. Show them that a Liora does not falter."
Adrian swallowed but stood his ground. "I understand."
Damien's lips curved slightly, the closest thing he ever gave to approval. "Good. Then let us go."
The family's black carriage waited at the foot of the stairs, drawn by two Mudsdale whose hooves thundered softly against the cobbles. As they climbed inside, Adrian felt Absol brush against his hand, her presence steadying his heartbeat.
The carriage ride was long, winding through forests and hills before the first glimpse of Crescent Town came into view. Adrian's breath caught at the sight.
Houses sprawled in neat rows, their rooftops gleaming red and brown. Children ran through cobbled streets, laughing as their Pokémon companions darted beside them—Pidgey fluttering overhead, Shinx chasing after rolling hoops, a small Lotad splashing in the river that cut through the heart of the town. Shops lined the main square, their signs painted with Poké Balls, berries, and training gear.
It was nothing compared to the grandeur of the Liora estate, but to Adrian, who had never left its grounds, it felt alive in a way he had only imagined.
"Beautiful," he whispered, leaning against the window.
Absol pressed her nose to the glass, ears twitching at the sound of street chatter.
Selene's gaze softened as she watched her son's wonder. Damien, however, remained unmoved, his attention fixed on the road ahead.
The carriage stopped before the largest building in town—the Trainer Academy. Its tall stone walls bore banners of deep green, and its entrance was guarded by statues of Arcanine. Children Adrian's age streamed through the gates, their chatter filling the air.
"This is where it begins," Damien said as he stepped down, his cloak sweeping the cobblestones.
Adrian followed, Absol padding loyally at his side. The academy courtyard was alive with energy—students sparring, teachers calling orders, Pokémon practicing moves. Adrian's eyes widened as he spotted a Machop breaking a line of wooden boards with a single strike, while a girl commanded her Hoothoot to dodge incoming stones with fluid grace.
The system's chime rang in his mind.
> \[Quest Issued: First Academy Day.]
> \[Objective: Attend your first lesson. Make an impression.]
> \[Reward: +100 Points, Knowledge Fragment.]
Adrian smirked faintly. Even the system wanted him to shine.
Inside, the academy's halls smelled of parchment and polished wood. Banners depicting legendary Pokémon lined the walls—Lugia soaring across an ocean, Ho-Oh blazing above a mountain peak. Adrian's fingers itched as he thought of standing beneath such wings someday.
They were greeted by Headmaster Rowan, a tall man with silver hair and eyes that seemed to weigh every soul he looked upon. His Alakazam stood behind him, arms folded, spoons gleaming with psychic energy.
"Lord Damien. Lady Selene. And young Adrian." Rowan bowed. "It is an honor to host the heir of House Liora."
Damien's expression remained cool. "Honor is unnecessary. Ensure only that my son learns."
Rowan's eyes flickered toward Adrian. "Learning requires will, not just guidance. Tell me, boy, do you have it?"
Adrian met his gaze without flinching. "Yes."
Rowan's lips curved faintly. "We shall see."
The first lesson took place in a wide training hall where young trainers and their Pokémon gathered. Adrian felt dozens of eyes on him, whispers spreading like wildfire.
"That's the Liora kid…"
"He brought a Pokémon already?"
"Is that… a Shiny Absol?!"
The attention prickled against Adrian's skin, but he kept his chin high. Absol stood firm beside him, her presence like a shield.
Rowan addressed the class. "Training is not simply giving orders. It is understanding your partner, guiding them, growing with them. Today, we begin with fundamentals—commanding a basic move under pressure."
Pairs stepped forward one by one, showcasing Scratch, Tackle, Ember. Some succeeded, some fumbled, some were met with laughter.
When Adrian's turn came, Rowan's voice carried across the hall. "Adrian Liora. Step forward."
The crowd hushed. Adrian walked to the center, Absol at his side. He met her eyes and whispered, "Quick Attack. Show them."
She vanished in a blur of motion, streaking across the floor before reappearing with claws slashing through the practice dummy. Wood splintered, shards scattering across the arena. Gasps echoed through the hall.
Adrian exhaled, his heart pounding, but Absol returned to his side with calm precision.
Rowan's eyes gleamed. "Controlled. Efficient. Impressive."
The whispers grew louder. Some voices carried awe, others envy, but none could deny what they had seen.
The system chimed.
> \[Quest Complete. Reward Obtained: +100 Points, Knowledge Fragment.]
Adrian bit back a grin. This was only the beginning.
The rest of the day blurred into lessons—tactics, Pokémon care, type advantages. Adrian absorbed everything with hunger, his sharp mind racing ahead of his peers. The tutors took notice, exchanging whispers about his grasp of concepts far beyond his age.
By evening, as the family carriage carried them home, Selene leaned close, her hand resting gently on Adrian's shoulder. "You did well. I am proud."
Damien remained silent, but Adrian caught the faintest curve of his lips reflected in the window.
That night, as moonlight bathed his room, Adrian sat on his bed with Absol curled at his side. The system pulsed again.
> \[Knowledge Fragment (1/3) Obtained.]
> \[Special Function Unlocked: Move Analysis.]
> \[Description: Host can now analyze the effectiveness of a move, predicting potential strengths and weaknesses in real time.]
Adrian's eyes widened. He clenched his fists. With Absol's growing power, his own sharpened instincts, and now the ability to dissect battle strategies… he was no longer just a boy fumbling in the dark.
The path stretched wide before him. The academy, the system, his family's expectations—they were all pieces of the puzzle. And he would fit them together, no matter how heavy the weight.
He glanced at Absol, her breathing soft and steady, her fur glowing silver in the moonlight. He reached out, brushing her head gently.
"Soon," he whispered. "Soon we'll show them all."
The Absol stirred in her sleep, her tail curling tighter around him as though she understood.
And somewhere deep within his chest, Adrian felt it again—the fire of destiny, bright and unyielding, burning hotter with every step forward.
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