Outside Rongcheng Gym, Lu Ming and Yinuo watched Oliver leave.
Lu Ming sighed.
"How have I never heard of someone like him? That young, yet he's raised such a bizarrely durable Gabite. There aren't many people in Rongcheng with a Gabite. Shouldn't be hard to figure out who he is."
Yinuo's expression turned slightly strange.
Only a month had passed—
And that Gabite had already grown to rival Lu Ming's ace Pidgeot.
And its durability?
Completely outrageous.
After a moment of hesitation, she said:
"Southwest High School Tournament. That's why you should pay attention to current events."
Lu Ming slapped his forehead.
"That's right! The MVP used a Gabite. But can a high school competition really have Pokémon at that level?"
"…If I remember correctly, that person's name was Ye Chen… Ye Chen!"
He froze.
"The genius researcher? You know him?"
Yinuo nodded.
"He's been here before. Don't spread his identity around. Otherwise he won't come back."
She wasn't betraying Oliver's trust.
She simply knew—
Lu Ming would investigate anyway.
Better to tell him now and secure his promise.
Sure enough, Lu Ming covered his mouth.
"Don't worry! I won't leak it. I still want him to keep coming for challenges!"
Back Home
Oliver released Gabite and began healing him with Viridian Power.
Once he confirmed there were no hidden injuries, he withdrew the energy.
After prolonged use, he had noticed something:
The more he used Viridian Power and Aura—
The stronger they became after recovery.
Back in the Fierce Forest Secret Realm, healing just two Senior-level Pokémon had nearly exhausted him.
Now?
His Viridian Power reserves had increased at least fivefold.
Even if Milotic were injured—
He could fully restore her.
Aura had grown significantly as well.
Yet no new abilities had manifested.
It still only allowed:
Direct telepathic communication.
Object perception.
"Roar!"
Gabite nudged Oliver's palm affectionately.
"Your internal balance is better now, huh?" Oliver murmured.
Flying-type absorption increased strength only slightly compared to Electric-type.
But balance mattered more than raw gain.
Nearby, Kubfu trained alone, smoothly executing ancestral martial techniques under double gravity.
Oliver retrieved the move-learning disc from his system storage.
Dragon Rush.
A Dragon-type ultimate move.
The disc looked exactly like those from the games.
No detectable energy signature.
No strange composition.
Every instrument showed it as a normal manufactured object.
In the end—
He attributed it to the System's mysterious power.
Directly granting a move?
Absurd.
Only the System could manage something that defied natural law.
He activated it.
Gabite suddenly froze mid-training.
Eyes unfocused.
Moments later—
He snapped back.
No fear.
Only excitement.
He wanted to try it immediately.
Oliver stopped him quickly.
"Absolutely not."
Dragon Rush wasn't a joke.
If unleashed here—
The courtyard might not survive.
From the pond nearby, Milotic slowly lifted half her head above water.
Her gaze alone carried warning.
Gabite coughed awkwardly and suppressed the half-formed draconic energy.
The Next Day — Rongcheng Gym Again
After school, Oliver returned.
This time, Lu Ming was ready.
He led Oliver directly into a private battle room to avoid attention.
"You're Ye Chen, aren't you?" Lu Ming said bluntly.
"Yes. Keep it quiet."
"Of course."
Lu Ming scratched his head.
"Still don't get why a research genius is so obsessed with battling."
Oliver only smiled.
In others' eyes—
Research was his main path.
Battling was a hobby.
Only he knew—
Every paper he published…
Was for the sake of training his Pokémon.
"Let's start," Lu Ming said eagerly. "Yesterday's match helped me a lot."
Round Two — The Method Continues
Battle began.
Gabite faithfully upheld the core principle:
Absorb.
Do not retaliate.
Occasionally he threw a Rock Tomb or stray stone—
Just enough to look like he was trying.
When Pidgeot's stamina ran dry—
Gabite collapsed dramatically once again.
Flawless acting.
Expression.
Body language.
Even the screams.
Award-worthy.
Lu Ming wiped sweat from his brow.
That Gabite—
Was truly the perfect sparring partner.
Durable.
Reliable.
Consistent.
Meanwhile—
Gabite's internal storm grew more balanced.
Electric and Flying energy now circulated smoothly.
And deep inside—
The newly learned Dragon Rush stirred quietly.
Waiting.
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