The afternoon Gym Challenge in Hulbury progressed quickly. Especially at the start, Raihan and Leon both crushed Lina's team using only a single Pokémon each, overwhelming her six one after another.
That forced the TV producers to quietly remind the remaining challengers like Marvin to drag things out a bit. The entire day's program had been planned around Hulbury. If the matches ended too soon, there would be nothing left to air except scenic shots and snippets of challengers' daily travels.
Once Marvin's battle began, Shiro left the arena. He didn't care to waste time watching what he saw as little more than staged performances.
Lina's Pokémon had already been through several rounds of intense matches. By now, they were just putting on a show. The later challengers knew it too, and their Pokémon were clearly cooperating in the act.
It reminded him of the father-and-son match back in Spikemuth. Pointless.
Accompanied by two staff members from the company, Shiro made his way to the bridge on the outskirts of the town.
The view there was wide and open. The weather was fine, and from where he stood, he could see the tide swelling against the distant shore. With no one else around, it was an ideal spot for Pokémon training.
The two staffers leaned against the railing to rest while Shiro released his team.
His Corviknight had been through plenty of battles that day, yet thanks to his careful direction, it looked uninjured. Its feathers gleamed darker and richer than before, and the steel plates across its body shimmered faintly under the sun.
"Coorv!"
The bird Pokémon flapped its wings once and stood tall at the edge of the bridge. Its fierce presence made the nearby Wingull flock scattering into the sky in panic.
Shiro observed his partner as its data appeared before his eyes:
[Name: Corviknight
Type: Flying/Steel
Level: 47 (Gym)
Ability: Mirror Armor
Held Item: None
Moves: Steel Wing, Leer, Peck, Screech, Metal Sound, Iron Defense, Hone Claws, Power Trip, Fury Attack, Pluck, Taunt, Scary Face, Drill Peck, Swagger, Aerial Ace, Air Cutter…]
After reaching the Gym-level, Corviknight's growth had slowed noticeably. Still, thanks to a strong foundation, it hadn't hit a true plateau after evolving. With more battles and steady training, it should soon reach Level 50, the peak of the Gym-level, and begin working toward the Elite-level.
'By then… I probably won't be in Galar anymore,' Shiro thought, 'If I run into Professor Oak, I'll ask him about the process of advancing beyond the Elite-level.'
After all, Oak was a former Champion himself. His strength must have long surpassed the Champion-level.
With that thought, he released the rest of his Pokémon.
Growlithe leapt out of its Poké Ball full of energy. The moment its paws hit the ground, it dashed to the railing, reared up on its hind legs, and peered out toward the sea.
It had never seen the ocean before, only large lakes at best.
This coast was nothing like Lake of Outrage. The shoreline stretched endlessly, the waves shimmered in the sun, and the wind carried the scent of salt and freedom.
Growlithe stared, completely captivated.
"Haunnn~"
The mischievous Haunter floated up beside it, trying to tease the little pup. It made faces, tugged on Growlithe's fluffy tail, but no matter what it did, the dog didn't look away from the beach and surf.
"Hauun…"
Haunter scratched its chin with a dark purple claw, finally realizing what its little friend was staring at.
With a sly grin, it swooped down, grabbed Growlithe gently by the scruff of its neck, and lifted it into the air, gliding toward the shining sea.
"Draak!"
Drakloak was instantly drawn to the scene. It zipped toward the railing, resting its tiny claws on the cool metal, its eyes filled with curiosity.
"Dree! Dreee!"
The smaller Dreepy perched atop its head waved its little claws and pointed eagerly toward the ocean, its arrow-shaped head bobbing as it urged Drakloak to go take a look.
"Drak?"
Letting out a soft cry, Drakloak glanced back at Shiro. After it got his nod of approval, it shot forward like a dart, quickly catching up to Haunter and Growlithe.
Behind them, Vibrava wasn't interested in the ocean at all. It already disliked water, so it simply stayed where it was, lying lazily in the sunlight scattered across the bridge, half-dozing as it soaked in the warmth.
Corviknight, meanwhile, continued preening its wing tips with its beak, its crimson eyes glancing toward Bewear that had waddled slowly up to the railing. The big bear cautiously extended a paw to touch it, as if afraid its strength might bend or break the metal.
At this time, Haunter had carried Growlithe far over the water. The sunlight shimmered so intensely that their silhouettes almost vanished in the glare.
Bewear stood motionless, its furry black body straight as a post, like a guard on duty. Its white muzzle was slightly open, and its black nose twitched as it sniffed the cool, salty breeze.
It, too, was seeing the ocean for the first time.
Though its plush-like face showed little emotion, the glimmer in its clear black eyes betrayed a quiet wonder.
Leaning casually on the railing, Shiro turned toward Corviknight.
The steel bird paused mid-groom, lifted its head, and met his gaze. It immediately understood the meaning.
With a powerful beat of its wings, Corviknight kicked up a gust that twisted the air beneath it, then lunged forward, hooking its claws under Bewear's arms and lifting it off the bridge toward the dazzling sea.
Watching them go, Shiro rested both hands on the railing, took a slow breath, and murmured to himself, "I was going to train today... guess not."
Out on the ocean, Growlithe had already conquered its fear of the waves. Even when Haunter dipped low enough for its tail and hind legs to brush the water's surface, the dog didn't flinch.
"Growwl… growwl…"
It barked twice, excited and free. Haunter chuckled and flew back to set it gently onto the beach.
Further away, at the edge of the bridge's shadow, two fishermen in ragged clothes stood together, watching everything.
"What kind of Pokémon are those? Never seen 'em before."
"Of course you haven't. You only ever see Water-types out here. Those two clearly aren't."
"Wait, look, another one's coming..."
Their voices stopped as Drakloak streaked overhead, slicing the air with terrifying speed. Even from a distance, its aura made them tremble.
They froze, unable to move. After a moment, one whispered, "Must be another of the Gym Leader's guests."
"Yeah... let's head back. If they spot us, we're done."
The two disappeared into the damp wooden shacks.
Soon after, Corviknight landed softly on the beach and set Bewear down.
"Growl! Growl!"
Growlithe barked happily and ran over to greet them, but Corviknight barely glanced its way before taking off again toward the bridge, wings gleaming against the sun.
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