Tiger Mountain Secret Realm.
Surrounded by layered hills and mineral-rich mountains, the area was famous for its rare ores, jade, and specialty metals. The market even had a name for its products—Hushan Stone—a trusted brand among collectors and craftsmen alike.
This was precisely why Chen Ran chose Tiger Mountain.
If Larvitar was going to relive its lost childhood—eating soil, absorbing minerals, forging its body and will—there was no better place.
Three days had passed.
And now—
Larvitar was about to break through.
---
"Roar!"
Charmeleon set down the skewer in its claws, staring at the rumbling patch of earth.
"That's where it's coming from."
"Oulu!"
Riolu leaned forward, eyes shining.
Under everyone's expectant gaze—
The ground suddenly collapsed inward.
Dust and debris flew into the air.
A gray-green head burst through the surface.
"Kira—!"
It was Larvitar.
It emerged completely, waving its claws excitedly. But this time—
The sharpness in its eyes was unmistakable.
No longer timid.
No longer dull.
There was pressure in that gaze.
---
Chen Ran quickly assessed the changes.
Its physique had improved dramatically.
Height: nearly eighty centimeters.
A normal Larvitar was around sixty centimeters.
Before this training, his had barely reached fifty.
Now—
It had truly grown.
And the silver-white armor covering its body shimmered faintly under the sunlight.
Cool.
Powerful.
Reborn.
"Good… good!"
Chen Ran's chest swelled with pride.
This wasn't just physical growth.
Its static talent.
Its mental fortitude.
Its spiritual presence—
All had undergone a complete transformation.
Charmeleon roared in approval.
Riolu nodded firmly.
Jirachi clapped happily in the air.
Everyone could feel it.
Larvitar had changed.
---
Chen Ran immediately opened its status panel.
What he saw stunned him.
---
Larvitar (Flash)
Level: Lv.29
Attribute: Rock / Ground
Ability: Guts (Boosts Attack when affected by a status condition.)
Individual Values:
HP (31)
Attack (31)
Defense (31)
Sp. Atk (31)
Sp. Def (31)
Speed (30)
Talent: Champion Level
Moves: Tackle, Leer, Rock Throw, Payback, Bite, Scary Face, Rock Slide, Stomping Tantrum, Screech, Smack Down, Crunch
---
Level 29.
Just one step from evolution.
And its talent—
From a flawed 2V foundation—
To 5V, with Speed at 30.
Champion-level potential.
"This is what a true quasi-legendary should look like."
Chen Ran couldn't contain his excitement.
He bent down to lift Larvitar—
—and nearly threw out his back.
"I rely on (‵o) convexity—!"
He forgot.
This wasn't some lightweight rookie Pokémon.
Larvitar now weighed around 100 kilograms.
Chen Ran staggered.
Jirachi covered its mouth and laughed.
"Chen Ran, you're too weak."
"Weak?" Chen Ran coughed awkwardly. "It just grew too strong."
Charmeleon and Riolu didn't notice.
But Jirachi definitely did.
---
Chen Ran quickly packed up.
Larvitar had eaten through nearly half the mountain. If the structure destabilized further, it could collapse.
Before leaving, he rewarded Rhydon with a premium energy cube.
"Roar!"
Rhydon happily accepted, chewing contentedly.
Chen Ran returned it to its Poké Ball.
---
Soon after, they settled in a quiet clearing.
"Larvitar, have some barbecue first. I've got something even better afterward."
For three days, Larvitar had eaten nothing but dirt and stone.
Even if it loved minerals—
Variety mattered.
"Kira!"
Its eyes sparkled at the sight of the sizzling skewers.
Charmeleon handed over the meat.
Larvitar devoured them enthusiastically.
At the same time—
Chen Ran sprinkled Soft Sand over the skewers like seasoning.
"After you absorb this Soft Sand, you might start evolving."
Once Larvitar evolved into Tyranitar, its Ground typing would be replaced with Dark.
Soft Sand wouldn't be as effective anymore.
Now was the optimal time.
"Kira!"
Understood!
Larvitar continued eating.
The meat was juicy.
The Soft Sand mixed in smoothly, like a mineral smoothie blended into the flavor.
After days underground—
This was heaven.
Chen Ran sat quietly, watching.
Charmeleon and Riolu finished the remaining skewers.
The atmosphere was warm.
Peaceful.
Larvitar devoured over a dozen skewers in one go.
Its mouth was shiny with oil.
Then—
A notification echoed in Chen Ran's mind.
Ding! Larvitar has reached Level 30!
A white light burst forth.
Brilliant.
Blinding.
The unmistakable glow of evolution.
Chen Ran stood up instantly.
"It's coming."
"Larvitar is evolving!"