Baron Cass's Rhydon threw a disdainful glance at the opposing Rhydon. With a snort, it dropped the stone in its hand and stepped confidently to the center of the field.
It was all too familiar with battles—its strength forged through countless fights!
"You two just have a little sparring match," said its trainer.
Hearing its knight's words, Baron Cass's Rhydon nodded and let out a roar as energy began to gather around its body.
"Rhydon, your turn!"
Aven's Rhydon, already eager to fight, gave a nod in response. Energy surged in its hands as well.
Soon, both Rhydons had finished charging their attacks. At the same time, they unleashed Rock Slide, hurling massive rocks at each other!
Boom!
In midair, the two attacks collided.
Then, to Baron Cass's astonishment, his Rhydon's Rock Slide was effortlessly shattered! As the incoming attack roared toward them, the scar-faced Rhydon's eyes narrowed. It raised a mighty fist and smashed the falling rocks into dust!
Fragments shot out in all directions, kicking up a massive cloud of dust!
"RHY!" Another deafening roar followed.
Through the smoke, the scar-faced Rhydon charged forward with heavy strides, its fist brimming with energy. The scar on its face made it look even more menacing.
Seeing the opponent charging, Aven's Rhydon responded, gathering rock-type energy into its fists. It was preparing Rock Tomb.
Boom!
The two Pokémon clashed at the center of the field with overwhelming force.
After a brief stalemate, a thunderous explosion erupted—Baron Cass's Rhydon was sent staggering backward. It had clearly been overpowered in the head-on exchange!
Baron Cass's expression changed completely. He had never imagined that his well-trained Rhydon could be bested by one that had only recently evolved!
"This… This can't be!"
The surrounding attendants and butler all wore looks of disbelief.
No one knew better than them how powerful their master's Rhydon was. They had never seen it get overwhelmed like this before!
"RHYDON!"
Aven's Rhydon roared excitedly after suppressing its opponent.
Earth-type energy began to surge from its body once again as it unleashed Earth Power!
A massive spike of earth shot from the ground, forcing the scar-faced Rhydon to dodge in frustration.
In this world, a lack of move variety is one of the biggest limitations to a Pokémon's strength.
Facing Aven's Rhydon, which had been trained to master a wide array of techniques, opponents of the same level struggled to compete.
"Rhydon, finish it off! Use Drill Run!"
At Aven's command, Rhydon let out a loud roar. The drill on its head began to spin rapidly as earth-type energy gathered around it.
The energy swirled around its spinning drill, forming a brownish-yellow vortex that took on the shape of a drill.
When Baron Cass saw this, his face fell. He quickly shouted, "Rhydon, use Double-Edge!"
In response, the scar-faced Rhydon roared and charged forward, glowing white with energy.
This was its ultimate move—the one that allowed it to tear through enemy lines in countless battles!
The two Rhydons lunged toward each other, clashing again in the center of the field.
Rhydon's Drill Run collided with the white glow of Double-Edge.
With a cracking sound, the white energy fractured, then shattered completely!
Boom!
Drill Run landed a direct hit on the scar-faced Rhydon, sending it flying!
It crashed into a wall of earth that had risen behind it and let out a thunderous crash.
Aven's Rhydon followed up immediately—its fist wrapped in grayish-brown energy as it charged forward.
BAM!
Its punch slammed into the opponent's stomach, sending it crashing into the ground. A shockwave of force erupted outward.
CRACK CRACK CRACK!
Spiderweb-like cracks spread from the impact site in all directions!
At the center of the shattered battlefield, a large crater had formed. The scar-faced Rhydon lay unconscious in its center.
"Looks like the battle's over," Aven said, clapping his hands as he turned to the stunned Baron Cass.
Baron Cass forced a smile and said, "As expected of Earl Aven's Rhydon."
But inside, he was in turmoil. He couldn't understand how this Rhydon was so absurdly powerful.
And Aven's attitude—was this some kind of show of dominance? In a social setting, there was no need to defeat an opponent so harshly as to knock it unconscious.
"Petilil, heal the two Rhydons."
At Aven's command, Petilil reluctantly nodded and skipped over to the crater, summoning life energy to heal both Pokémon.
Thanks to Petilil's treatment, the downed Rhydon quickly regained consciousness. Feeling the pain surging through its body, it instantly recalled the battle and its eyes widened in shock.
"This Petilil knows healing moves... As expected of Earl Aven's training."
Baron Cass was more confused than ever about Aven's intentions. First the stick, then the carrot—it left him completely uncertain of what was coming next.
"It seems you don't know me very well," Aven said with a smile. "But don't worry, you'll understand soon enough."
The cryptic comment left Baron Cass no choice but to laugh along and agree that they should interact more in the future.
Soon, Baron Cass led Aven into his manor, where the dining room had already been set with food.
Aven sat down without hesitation and scanned the dishes. His eyes narrowed slightly when he spotted something familiar—Cherubi Berries.
Clearly, Baron Cass didn't know him well at all.
If he had, he would've known not to serve these berries as a delicacy for guests. Fortunately, there were no dishes made from Pokémon meat.
"Actually, I came here today because of my clerk, Mr. Fessen," Aven finally revealed his purpose.
Baron Cass was surprised.
Though he had guessed something earlier, he didn't expect Aven's visit to really be about his son.
And the role of clerk wasn't a low position—it meant Fessen was a trusted member of Aven's inner circle.
"Well done, Fessen. Make sure you continue to serve the Earl faithfully."
Baron Cass gave Fessen a proud nod. His face lit up with joy at having raised such a capable son.
"Baron Cass, do you know where Fessen's mother is?" Aven asked with a smile. "He's been thinking about her constantly."
Baron Cass tensed. As expected, the topic had come up. Fortunately, he had prepared for this in advance.
Meanwhile, in the manor's back courtyard, Mary—dressed in a maid's uniform—was doing laundry when she was suddenly summoned to the lady's chambers.
Confused, Mary was surrounded by the lady's personal maids who began dressing her in elegant gowns and doing her makeup.
In their conversation, she finally understood—her son Fessen had returned to see her!
Overjoyed, Mary was beside herself. She hadn't heard from Fessen in five years since he left.
"Remember what I told you," The lady warned coldly. "You know what you can and cannot say."
"If you say the wrong thing, this will be the last time you see your son."
"I understand, Madam," Mary said respectfully, though her heart was already with her son.
The wait was unbearable for Mary. But finally, the butler came to escort her to the front hall.
As she walked quickly down the corridor, her mind replayed Fessen's face. She wondered if he had grown taller, if he was thinner or fatter now.
At last, she saw her son. His appearance hadn't changed much, but he was taller and more mature.
Tears filled Mary's eyes instantly, and she found herself unable to move.
Fessen's gaze also locked onto her, and after a moment's pause, he stood and rushed to embrace his mother.
Aven, watching this reunion, wore a gentle smile. A wistful image of his own mother floated in his mind, and he sighed softly.
"Fessen, don't just stand there—help your mother take a seat," Aven said.
Fessen nodded quickly and guided his mother to the table.
But Mary didn't sit down right away. Her eyes fell on the Earl's insignia on Aven's chest, and she instinctively tried to bow.
"Auntie, Fessen and I are close like brothers. No need to stand on ceremony with me."
Aven stood and helped her up, even pulling out her chair personally.
Fessen was stunned by what he just heard.
Brothers… Like brothers…
That phrase echoed in his mind.
(End of Chapter)