Join my p@treon for more chapters
[email protected]/Tempest_29
Under Tapu Lele's detailed explanation, the guardian spirits gradually understood the complete situation and its implications.
Learning that the special person mentioned by Tapu Koko was actually the trainer that Cosmoem now recognized, they felt both shocked and that it was somehow inevitable.
Although Cosmog before evolution possessed no real power and was filled with endless curiosity, as a 'divine larva,' it was born with the inherent arrogance of godhood.
While it showed curiosity toward everyone and displayed friendliness to anyone who offered food—appearing trusting and naive—when considered from another perspective, wasn't this actually a form of treating all beings equally, showing no concern for potential danger?
Of course, this mentality was hardly worth emulating.
Because Cosmog was genuinely vulnerable to harm...
After evolving into Cosmoem, with its vastly improved defensive capabilities, there was no longer any need to worry about basic survival. However, the difficulty of achieving this evolution was extremely high.
Without protection from legendary Pokemon and following nature's principle of survival of the fittest, creatures like Cosmog would definitely face extinction.
The disconnect between their mental attitude and actual strength was the primary reason why the Cosmog species had such a low survival rate.
Only an exceptionally outstanding trainer who had truly devoted their heart to caring for one could gain their recognition and approval.
The guardian spirits had also learned about Roy's experiences and achievements as a trial challenger, and they were indeed impressive.
"Koko!" Tapu Koko spoke seriously.
Since this was the case, Roy the trainer was not suitable to become an Island Kahuna.
The other three guardian spirits also agreed with this assessment.
What exactly was an Island Kahuna? They were 'champions' chosen by the guardian spirits themselves. In other words, they served as spokespersons and subordinate representatives of the guardian spirits.
Meanwhile, Cosmoem, once fully evolved and following the ancient covenant, would become their leader.
Roy was a trainer approved by Cosmoem—making him essentially the leader of their leaders.
Although Pokemon didn't typically operate under concepts of 'seniority,' much like wild animals, the hierarchical relationships between superior and subordinate positions were very clearly defined.
"Bulu!"
Tapu Bulu asked how they should arrange Roy's situation.
They couldn't simply drive him away and refuse to let him participate in the trials, could they?
Or perhaps he could invite Roy to his Ruins of Abundance to rest together? Surely Roy would be able to appreciate the beauty of peaceful rest!
Hearing this suggestion, Tapu Lele's eyes immediately lit up. "Lele! (Then I want to invite him to be my playmate!)"
"Fini~"
Tapu Fini made a lazy sound, asking if Roy could simply do whatever he wanted.
Looking at these three unreliable partners, Tapu Koko developed a headache.
In the end, it fell to him, as their leader, to make the final decision.
They would maintain the current status quo and allow Roy to continue participating in the trials. However, all of his trials would be switched to inheritance trials instead of regular challenges.
Roy, still unaware that he had been stripped of his qualification to become an Island Kahuna, continued accompanying Mimikyu as she worked to master the 'flowing dominance' technique.
The island pilgrimage trials required traveling across all four major islands, seeking out Totem Pokemon, and completing various assessment missions—this was definitely not something that could be accomplished overnight.
In fact, all trainers entering the dimensional realm had prepared themselves for a prolonged struggle.
During the first two days in the dimensional realm, trainers who couldn't adapt to the "high-intensity combat" environment of Alola's dimensional space were eliminated with corpse-like efficiency, resulting in extremely high mortality rates.
From the third day onward, those who managed to survive were either naturally strong individuals or trainers whose mentality had transformed and whose combat awareness had improved significantly.
The death rate dropped sharply as the elite quickly adapted to their environment.
New challenges immediately arose in response.
Violent Pokemon were essentially impossible to communicate with, making it extremely difficult to gather useful information.
However, the trial challengers soon discovered that Totem Pokemon could maintain their rational thinking abilities.
Therefore, they began using various methods to extract information about the "Four Totems" from these Totem Pokemon.
Since the rules didn't permit direct combat, they couldn't threaten the Pokemon's lives, and other aggressive approaches would trigger the Pokemon's 'violent' states. The trial challengers could only rack their brains to establish positive relationships.
One particular trainer, in order to gain the favor of a Totem Bewear, accompanied it for an entire day of tea parties and role-playing games. In the end, he emerged from the den with his pants stripped off and limping badly.
Shortly afterward, that trainer developed PTSD specifically related to Bewear-type Pokemon.
To this day, no one knows exactly what happened between Bewear and him during that day.
It wasn't until the fourth day in the dimensional realm that people began locating the first of the 'Four Totems' one after another.
The flower field on Akala Island also welcomed its first challenger.
Takeshi Aihara rode on his Emboar with a serious expression, studied Totem Ribombee carefully, and received his trial assignment.
Totem Ribombee no longer displayed the cute, sweet demeanor she had shown in front of Roy.
At this moment, she appeared completely indifferent, describing the actual trial task with the tone of an aloof goddess announcing she was "going to take a bath."
Totem Ribombee would be hiding somewhere within this massive flower field, and Takeshi Aihara had to find her within thirty minutes.
During this period, Totem Ribombee wouldn't move from her hiding spot, but her subordinates would actively hinder Takeshi Aihara's search efforts.
It was essentially an elaborate game of hide-and-seek.
The number of attempts allowed was three!
Takeshi Aihara's first challenge attempt ended with him choosing to forfeit halfway through. One of his legs was broken and his shoulder had been pierced.
During his second challenge, he finally understood the key points of this assessment.
Takeshi Aihara's main Pokemon formed a coordinated battle formation, simultaneously dealing with the Pokemon legion while breaking through the critical regions that the Pokemon legion was defending!
Violent Pokemon had their rationality suppressed—in other words, they were operating with somewhat impaired judgment.
The direction they focused their defensive efforts on must be the direction where Totem Ribombee was hiding.
After confirming the correct direction, the difficulty level dropped significantly.
Relying on his "mind's eye" combat skills, Takeshi Aihara successfully located Ribombee.
The trial tasks of Totems didn't merely test raw strength—they also included assessments of wisdom, skill, and luck.
At the same time, Caroline also passed the first Totem test on Poni Island, which was filled with abundant rivers and lakes.
The Totem Pokemon there was Wishiwashi.
Wishiwashi was an extremely unique creature. Individually, they were very weak—even more fragile than Magikarp.
However, once their 'Schooling' ability activated, hundreds of Wishiwashi would fuse together to form a gigantic predatory fish.
This particular Totem Wishiwashi was even more special. Under the enhanced application of Totem aura, it could coordinate as many as 9,999 individual fish.
When gathered into a school, they became extremely massive and terrifying—up to forty meters in length, resembling a colossal Wailord, with absolutely astonishing strength.
The test from Totem Wishiwashi required the challenger to find its true core body among the 9,999 fish comprising the school.
Caroline completed this assessment almost instantly.
Without relying on wisdom, skill, or luck, she broke apart the Totem Wishiwashi formation with absolute brute force and located the main body directly.
"Garde~" Gardevoir stepped gracefully on Wishiwashi's form, raising her head proudly like a beautiful queen surveying her domain.
Caroline showed no joy about passing the examination. Instead, flashes of confusion appeared in her eyes from time to time as she contemplated something deeper.
Similar events were occurring on Ula'ula Island.
Oak Xuehui also easily passed the trial of Totem Lurantis.
Amora followed closely behind with his own successful completion.
In contrast, 'Morey Ivan,' who was regarded as the strongest trial challenger, hadn't appeared at any of the trial venues. Instead, they encountered Noah Reginald on a remote coastline, where the two were engaged in serious discussion about something important.