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The Ignis Summer Camp was an outdoor training event organized by the League branch in Ignis City, held jointly with several local gyms.
Its purpose was simple:
Prepare Gym-raised Pokémon for the realities of the outside world.
Most of the Pokémon living in these Gyms had grown up within safe, controlled environments.
They trained hard, yes but there was still a big gap between "Gym drill sessions" and real missions alongside a Trainer.
So before they were officially paired with Trainers and sent out into the wider world, events like this were considered essential.
Ignis Summer Camp was one of them.
Of course, "the wild" in this case wasn't truly wild.
The camp would be set in a designated safe zone not too far from Ignis City.
Letting Gym Pokémon face actual Nightmare Pokémon at this stage would've been suicidal.
Their opponents would mostly be other Pokémon from different Gyms and types.
Kael leaned back against his chair as Haus explained all this, listening quietly, a glint of light in his eyes.
"Summer camp, huh…"
A few months ago, he would've scoffed at the idea.
He didn't lack real combat experience he'd fought Nightmare Pokémon before.
Going to some "camp" would've felt like a waste of time.
But now, Kael saw things differently.
Staying in the Fighting Gym any longer wasn't going to bring him the same growth it once had.
He'd already decided his next step was to leave Ignis City and explore the broken world outside.
Originally, he'd planned to hitch a ride out by getting chosen by a League Academy student after graduation.
But this sudden Summer Camp?
It might speed things up.
If the opportunity showed itself…
A sharp light flashed in Kael's eyes.
"So," Haus asked, hands resting on his crossed knee, "what do you think? You want to go?"
"I'll go."
Kael's answer flowed straight into his mind through Aura.
Haus blinked, surprised then nodded.
That was… unexpected.
In his view, Pokémon like Kael, who had come from the wild, should have been more than content with the relative safety and comfort of Ignis City.
He hadn't expected Kael to agree so quickly.
"…Not bad," Haus thought.
"Endless grinding isn't healthy. Some contact with the outside is good for him.
And with his wild experience, the others will probably learn a lot too."
He grinned widely at Kael, then stood up.
As Gym Leader, he had plenty to handle today.
Checking on Kael and asking his opinion about the Summer Camp had only been a quick stop along the way.
"Alright then. The morning after tomorrow, someone will come to pick you up."
"Got it."
Kael silently memorized the time and watched Haus leave the room.
His emotions stirred.
The people and Pokémon in the Gym had treated him well.
If his plan worked, there was no telling when he'd see them again.
A faint trace of reluctance rose in his chest.
"…Hah."
He exhaled softly.
But he couldn't stay here forever.
Standing still wasn't his style.
He buried the feeling deep inside and lay back down on the bed.
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Two days later—
Morning sunlight spilled in through the window, warm and gentle.
The faint scent of grass filled the air, soothing and fresh.
Knock, knock.
The sound broke the quiet peace of early morning.
Kael rolled off the bed and casually used Aura to twist the doorknob from a distance.
Standing outside was a young man in the Fighting Gym's trainee uniform.
He was sharp-looking and stood perfectly straight, full of energy.
Even under the loose training clothes, Kael could see the outline of a well-built body.
"Morning. I'm here to take you to the transport for Summer Camp."
Kael nodded, indicating he was ready.
Being a Pokémon had its perks.
No luggage.
No phone, no wallet, no ID needed.
If he wanted, he could literally just get up and walk out into an adventure.
Seeing Machop ready to go, the young man didn't bother with any small talk.
He simply turned and began walking.
Quick, efficient very fitting for the Fighting Gym.
After about fifteen minutes, Kael, following his guide, arrived once more at the Gym's front entrance.
This time, however, a large, yellow vehicle sat parked out front similar to the buses Kael remembered from his human life.
Because the Fighting Gym valued freedom in growth, most Pokémon weren't kept in Poké Balls before graduation.
So for this trip, they wouldn't be sent by teleportation or transmission.
Instead, it really was like an old-school field trip everyone packed into a big bus and heading out together.
Kael walked up to the vehicle, nodded a brief farewell to the trainee, and stepped inside.
There weren't many slots available for the Ignis Summer Camp.
The Gym had chosen those Pokémon who were about to graduate and be paired with future Trainers.
This would be their final field test one last chance to sharpen their adaptability and mentality before stepping into the real world.
The bus was already crowded.
The noise level was almost shaking the roof.
Thud…
Kael's heavy steps rang against the metal floor as he entered.
One by one, the voices quieted down.
The Fighting Gym didn't have an enormous population, and these soon-to-graduate Pokémon formed a pretty tight circle.
And this pitch-black Machop who trained at the summit of Blazing Peak…
None of them was a stranger to that rumor.
It was like a rowdy class on a field trip and suddenly, the strict homeroom teacher stepped on board.
They knew he wasn't actually going to punish anyone…
But everyone still instinctively sat a bit straighter.
"Heh. Pretty good turnout."
Kael found the sudden silence comfortable.
His gaze swept across the rows, looking for an empty seat.
As his crimson eyes passed over the others, many of them felt their skin crawl with goosebumps for no clear reason.
Then—
Kael spotted a familiar figure sitting quietly in the corner of the bus.
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