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Yes, Kael wasn't ready to evolve.
In the Pokémon world, evolution was the natural way ordinary Pokémon broke past their limits.
After evolving, a Pokémon's stats, physique, and even typing could change drastically.
Evolution was growth.
Evolution was a transformation.
Kael originally came to the Ignis City Fighting Gym to strengthen himself and gather the EXP needed for evolution.
But after staying here for a while he changed his mind.
His system had a function similar to an "Everstone" effect:
As long as he didn't choose to evolve, evolution would stay locked.
All EXP gained would stockpile in a reservoir, and once unlocked, it would convert into real levels instantly.
Kael took full advantage of this.
The stronger your foundation before evolution, the stronger you become afterward.
A Pokémon that barely reached the evolution threshold…
It would never match one who prepared for it for months or years.
Kael already had an absurdly solid foundation built from three lifetimes' worth of lucky encounters and training.
Add the three months of brutal, high-level training in the Gym…
His post-evolution power would be nothing short of terrifying.
He could challenge opponents far above him.
Even Pokémon who'd normally be dozens of levels ahead near the apex of the region, Kael believed he could fight them head-on with strategy and technique.
So he did not evolve the moment he hit Level 28.
Instead, he chose patience.
Besides—
If he evolved too early, his massive progress from the last three months wouldn't have been nearly as big.
As a Machoke, the Gym's current facilities would no longer push him the same way.
Training efficiency would drop sharply.
And the amount of effort needed to progress further could be ten times what he needed now.
It wasn't worth it.
Despite the ruined world outside full of nightmare Pokémon and danger
Kael was still perfectly safe in the Fighting Gym of Ignis City.
For three full months, life here had been the most peaceful, stable, and meaningful period since reincarnating as a Pokémon.
But nothing lasts forever.
By now, Kael's strength had risen so fast that staying in the Gym without evolving was beginning to bottleneck him.
Maybe…
His gaze shifted to the system window and the glowing Evolve button.
The crimson in his eyes flickered with thought.
"…No."
His pupils hardened with resolve.
Even though he longed for the power evolution would grant now simply wasn't the right moment.
He had grown attached to the Gym Pokémon and the trainers here…
But staying forever wasn't realistic.
Kael wanted to see the world outside.
The ruined wilderness.
The remains of civilization.
The truth of the nightmare era.
And the Gym couldn't afford to feed and train a Pokémon like him forever.
Soon, when Ignis City's Academy students graduated, they would come to select their partner Pokémon.
Kael would just need to get picked by anyone.
Once outside?
He'd be completely free.
Cases of Pokémon escaping their trainers were rare but not unheard of.
And the League usually compensated the abandoned trainer with another highly talented Pokémon.
So Kael wasn't worried about whichever unlucky student ended up selecting him.
Still, the Gym…
His feelings were complicated.
Kael's soul was that of a mature adult.
He understood gratitude and responsibility.
Repaying kindness was something his human upbringing never let him forget.
Before leaving, he wanted to do something for the Gym that had sheltered and trained him.
Or if they ever faced danger in the future he would return to help them without hesitation.
These bonds wouldn't chain him down.
They'd become a source of strength, pushing him forward.
But evolving now…
Would disrupt everything.
Just a little longer.
Just a bit more time.
"…Hah."
Kael sighed, but his eyes stayed firm.
When he made decisions about his path, he was always decisive.
Even if the outcome wasn't perfect he would never regret it.
He learned, adjusted, and moved forward.
Knock, knock, knock!
A rapid knocking pulled him from his thoughts.
Kael shifted his eyes and through the flowing Aura in the air, he instantly sensed the visitor's identity even through the door.
It was Haus, the Gym Leader, and the one in charge of the Fighting Gym.
Kael opened the door.
"What's up?"
His thoughts resonated directly into Haus's mind through Aura communication.
Haus blinked slightly startled by the youthful, energetic voice echoing in his head.
But it made sense: Machop was still a juvenile species.
Haus's eyes then drifted across Kael's now-towering, pitch-black physique far stronger than three months ago.
"So you've already started mastering Aura, huh?"
"No wonder Lucario said you had a talent for it."
A proud smile spread across the Gym Leader's face.
Kael's success reflected well on him too.
Haus casually sat in Kael's chair like it was his own living room, crossing his legs comfortably.
Seeing Kael's questioning look, he spoke slowly:
"I came to check on you, sure…"
"But mainly, I came to tell you something."
His eyes brightened with anticipation.
"This year's Ignis City Summer Camp are you joining?"
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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