"Jagras!"
Seeing his partner gradually being sealed in ice—
Su Yi's voice tightened.
"Rr…gh…"
Jagras's roar weakened.
The freezing cold—
Was numbing its senses.
Layer by layer—
Ice spread across its body.
Until—
It stood completely encased.
…
"…Is that the end?"
Leon said calmly.
"But still—"
"That was a remarkable battle."
…
Su Yi exhaled slowly—
Raising the Poké Ball.
"You've done enough."
"Come back—"
Just as he was about to recall it—
CRACK.
The sound echoed sharply through the canyon.
…
"ROOOOAAARRR!!"
A violent roar exploded outward.
Dark energy surged—
BOOM!!
The ice shattered.
Fragments blasted in every direction—
Clinking violently against Inteleon's body.
"Ta—?!"
Inteleon raised its arms—
Blocking the flying shards.
…
Leon's eyes widened.
"Oh?!"
"What incredible fighting spirit!"
…
Jagras stood there—
Panting.
Its limbs trembled from the cold.
Breathing heavy.
It had already—
Reached its limit.
One more hit—
And it would fall.
…
But Su Yi didn't smile.
Instead—
He stepped forward.
"…Still want to fight?"
"Rrr…"
Jagras growled—
Low.
Stubborn.
But its body betrayed it.
…
"…That's enough."
"You've already become stronger."
"Losing to a Champion isn't shameful."
Su Yi gently brushed the ice off its body—
Then released Chansey.
"Chansey—heal it."
Soft light spread across Jagras's wounds.
The battle—
Was over.
…
"Rrr…"
Jagras lowered its head.
Unwilling.
Frustrated.
…
Su Yi suddenly laughed.
"What's with that face?"
"You haven't even beaten a rival Great Jagras yet—"
"Or taken down an Anjanath…"
"And you're already thinking about defeating a Champion?"
"The journey's just begun."
He patted Jagras's massive head.
Its eyes—
Slowly regained their light.
"ROAR!!"
It nodded.
The fire returned.
…
Leon walked over.
"That was impressive."
"If I'm not mistaken—"
"You've only recently become a trainer, right?"
Su Yi nodded.
"No point hiding it."
…
Leon smiled.
"You already have strong instincts."
"Good command sense."
"Quick reactions."
"And most importantly—"
"Your partners trust you."
He paused.
"But…"
"You still lack refinement."
"Their movements—"
"Still carry wild habits."
"And those don't work well in structured battles."
…
Su Yi listened quietly.
…
"That said—"
"If you refine your teamwork…"
"And sharpen your battle awareness…"
"You'll grow fast."
Leon extended his hand.
"I'm looking forward to our next battle."
…
Su Yi smiled—
Shaking it firmly.
"It won't take long."
…
— Later —
Su Yi returned to his room.
Locked the door.
Then—
Switched worlds.
…
Sunlight.
Warm breeze.
The New World.
…
The Ancient Forest.
Near the coastal camp—
Jagras lay in the sun—
Digesting a freshly hunted herbivore.
Kulu-Ya-Ku rested lazily in the shade.
Chansey and Lushui ran off—
Exploring nearby.
…
Su Yi lay back on a warm stone—
Thinking.
"Monster companions gain power through Pokémon mechanics…"
"Moves… enhance combat ability."
"Expand tactical options."
"If they learn buffs…"
"They can challenge stronger monsters."
He paused.
"But…"
"They also inherit Pokémon rules."
"Type matchups."
"Stat drops."
"Status effects…"
"…Even rule-based mechanics."
He exhaled slowly.
"Still…"
"The benefits outweigh the drawbacks."
…
"The problem is—"
"They're not natural Pokémon."
"Their mastery over moves is shallow."
"And their battle awareness is lacking."
He recalled the fight.
"Jagras tanked over ten Snipe Shots…"
"Only fell to Ice Beam."
"That physical strength…"
"…is a huge advantage."
"But—"
"Large body means poor mobility."
"Easy target."
…
He suddenly laughed.
"…I've only been a trainer for a few days."
"And I already pushed a Champion's ace this far."
"…What am I even complaining about?"
…
He stood up—
Patting Jagras.
"The journey's long."
"ROAR!!"
…
— Back to Galar —
The dojo.
Su Yi's room—
Now filled with ingredients.
Fruits.
Meat.
Wild produce.
All gathered by Lushui and Chansey.
"…If I'm cooking…"
"Better start now."
…
— Kitchen —
"Su Yi?"
Blissey stood beside Honey.
"What's all this?"
"These are specialties from my world."
"I'd like to cook dinner."
…
Honey blinked.
"…You can cook?"
Su Yi scratched his head.
"Frying, roasting, stewing…"
"Baking, boiling…"
"…A bit of everything."
"Some are… theoretical."
…
Honey laughed.
"Then let's make a feast."
"Leave it to me."
…
— Evening —
The aroma spread throughout the dojo.
Mustard paused his game.
"What is that smell?!"
Leon stepped in—
Then froze.
"…Su Yi?"
…
Su Yi stood at the center—
Cooking confidently.
"Battle-wise, I'm behind you."
"But cooking?"
"I'm confident."
…
Leon laughed.
"I'm looking forward to it."
…
— The Feast —
A table overflowing with food:
Grilled meat.Seafood skewers.Cheese potatoes.Mushroom soup.Egg rolls.Steamed fish.Cream stew.
…
"…This is insane."
Leon whispered.
…
"Hunter meals."
Su Yi grinned.
"Basic survival skill."
"…Basic??"
…
Mustard laughed.
"Let's take this outside."
…
— Outdoor Banquet —
Pokémon filled the field.
Leon's team.
Mustard's team.
Honey's team.
And Su Yi's companions.
The atmosphere—
Came alive.
Chansey chatting with Blissey.
Jagras observing Charizard.
Kulu-Ya-Ku staring obsessively at egg dishes.
Even Dragapult's Dreepy joined in.
…
Laughter.
Warmth.
Connection.
…
Su Yi sat quietly—
Watching everything.
…
Leon sat beside him.
"…Beautiful, isn't it?"
Su Yi nodded.
"The best part of a journey—"
"Is moments like this."
…
Leon's expression turned serious.
"I won't question your origins."
"Hunter. New World. Whatever it is."
"I trust what I see."
"And I hope—"
"You're someone who brings sweetness to milk."
…
Su Yi blinked—
Then laughed.
"Think less."
"You'll lose your hair."
"I'm just a traveler."
"A wanderer."
"I want to see the end of the world."
"Not schemes."
"I'd rather fight monsters."
…
Leon looked into his eyes.
Freedom.
Curiosity.
A pure heart.
…
"…I believe you."
…
— After Dinner —
Leon spoke casually:
"I leave tomorrow."
"Busy man."
Su Yi replied.
"Can't help it."
"There's a match coming up."
"Galar vs…"
"…Paldea."
…
Su Yi froze.
"…Paldea?!"
The future—
Was getting closer.