Chairman Edward continued,
"Aaron's award will be delivered discreetly by Champion Brutus, who will travel to Sealine himself."
"To keep him safe, all information about him summoning Darkrai has already been sealed."
"Other regions have always kept a close eye on Hualis's top talents. Drake alone has survived six targeted attacks, and nine members of the Dragon Protectors have been lost because of it."
"So anyone who enters the Hidden Dragon rank will be placed under confidential protection."
He finished in one breath, his expression firm as he looked across the room.
Everyone was already stunned.
The Highest National Honor.
Rank 1.
Either one alone would be enough to shake the entire region.
Since Hualis was founded, only one person had ever received it. Now, a second would join that list.
That person was Aaron.
Anyone who holds this medal is treated on the same level as the region's top authorities, with access to high-level council meetings and the ability to directly influence major decisions.
Along with many other privileges, it stands as the highest honor in Hualis.
Not even Drake had ever received it.
As for the Hidden Dragon Rank, there were only five members in total, including Aaron. They were known as the most exceptional talents in Hualis.
Each of them had enormous potential. Given time, they would at least reach the level of someone like Drake.
The ranking is based on both strength and potential. The closer to the top, the greater the potential.
And Aaron had been placed directly at Number 1.
That alone says everything about his potential.
It also shows just how highly Chairman Edward—or rather, the Protector of Hualis—values him.
...
A few days passed.
During that time, Aaron took his Pokémon out to roam the wilderness.
That idiot Yuri heard about it and immediately insisted on tagging along, hoping Aaron would help him catch something as strong as his Beedrill.
Aaron didn't mind and let him come.
Out on the outskirts, Aaron released all his Pokémon.
He rode on Gyarados as it flew through the sky.
The wind brushed against his face, cool and refreshing, instantly lifting his mood.
He glanced down at Yuri sprinting below, yelling over-the-top "praise" as he tried to keep up, and couldn't help but grin.
"You bastard, Aaron! Why didn't you take me with you!?"
"Are you even human!?"
"Wait up!"
"You piece of trash—I'm posting your childhood photos and ruining your reputation!"
...
Aaron lounged on Gyarados's back, taking in the view while Yuri kept yelling below.
It was actually pretty relaxing.
"Tch…"
A sharp cry cut through the air.
Aaron turned.
A bird Pokémon swept into view.
Its crest flared bright red, feathers around its eyes dark as a mask. Its back burned crimson, its belly a pale gray with streaks of red. Its tail split clean down the middle, marked with three V-shaped patterns, and the edges of its wings looked like flickering flames.
Its eyes locked onto Gyarados—sharp, challenging.
Like it was saying, This sky's mine. You don't belong here.
That set Gyarados off instantly.
"ROAR!"
Aaron recognized it right away.
Talonflame.
Fire and Flying-type.
Rare.
Aaron's gaze sharpened as its data appeared in front of him.
[Name: Talonflame]
[Gender: Male]
[Nature: Bold]
[Types: Fire, Flying]
[Ability: Gale Wings]
[Base Stats: 485]
[Level: Advanced (Mid Stage)]
[Potential: Champion-Class]
[Moves: Ember (Mastery), Peck (Proficient), Quick Attack (Proficient), Flare Blitz (Proficient), Flame Charge (Proficient), Acrobatics (Proficient), Agility (Proficient), Aerial Ace (Basic), Tailwind (Basic), Feint (Basic), Growl (Basic)…]
[Description: Talonflame, the Fire Pokémon, is the evolved form of Fletchinder. When excited during battle, it releases sparks from between its feathers…]
...
Aaron's eyes lit up.
Champion-class potential—and it even had a hidden Ability.
Gale Wings, a solid Ability.
At full HP, its Flying-type moves get priority. Fast enough to go first.
Like Tailwind.
Boosts the whole team's Speed for a while. Useful in both travel and battle.
Aaron glanced down at Yuri, still scrambling below, and got an idea.
He didn't really need a Pokémon like this.
But it'd be perfect for Fishball.
"Gyarados, Thunder Destruction."
No hesitation. Straight for the finish.
"ROAR!"
Gyarados had been holding back. The moment it got the order, it unleashed a furious roar. Dark clouds rolled in.
Lightning ripped across the sky, bolts crashing down one after another.
BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.
Talonflame froze—then panicked.
"Kree!"
It cried out in panic, pushing itself to the limit to evade the storm of lightning.
But no matter how fast it was, it couldn't outrun lightning.
BOOM.
A bolt struck it directly.
"Kreee!"
Talonflame let out a miserable cry. Its body blackened and smoking, it fell straight from the sky. It landed right in front of Yuri.
BOOM.
The impact blasted a crater into the ground, kicking up dust everywhere.
"Holy shit!"
"Why did a roasted bird just fall out of the sky!?"
"Aaron… did you drop your bird!?"
Startled out of his wits, Yuri rolled aside and shouted.