After a long while, Salamence finally stepped out of the cave.
Her appearance hadn't changed much—no dramatic transformation or shift in form—but her presence… her aura… everything about her felt fundamentally different.
A force that pressed on the surroundings like a mountain of fire.
Chen Shi couldn't stop the smile forming on his face.
"Congratulations, Sister Long. After all these years… you finally broke through to Champion."
"Roooaaar~!"
Salamence lowered her massive head and rubbed gently against him, affection radiating through every scale.
Pokémon: Salamence
Level: 80 (Champion — Early Stage)
Potential: Champion
Ability:Moxie
Gender: Female
Moves:Leer, Bite, Headbutt, Crunch, Dragon Claw, Dragon Tail, Dragon Breath, Flamethrower, Fire Fang, Thunder Fang, Fire Spin, Sunny Day, Dragon Pulse, Outrage, Draco Meteor, Hyper Beam, Protect…
Level 80.
Champion tier.
A gap of one level… yet the difference was an entire world.
Salamence opened one claw—revealing the Dragonblood Crystal, now dimmer but still glowing faintly.
Chen Shi immediately handed it to Garchomp, who had been watching from behind like a coiled spring.
Garchomp snatched it with a grunt and bolted back into the cave, determination burning in his eyes.
Chen Shi let out a shaky breath.
After experiencing Salamence's Champion aura just once, he had no desire to be anywhere near Garchomp's breakthrough.
The Training Field — One Month Later
Chen Shi released all his Pokémon.
After nearly a month of battles and training, their growth was obvious:
Dragapult — Level 59
Borderline evolution. Aura sharp and deadly.
Swampert — Level 58
Two steps away from his peak form.
His presence now carried thunderous weight.
Florges — Level 53
Fairy-type energy stable and abundant.
Moonblast mastered.
Leafeon — Level 51
Speed terrifying; stamina improved; synergy with Chen Shi perfect.
Togekiss — Level 44
Growth slow but steady. Learned Dazzling Gleam.
Charmeleon — Level 40
Freshly evolved, already Elite-tier.
Still wearing an Everstone to stabilize his energy.
Metang — Level 32
An absolute monster.
Learning speed absurd. Self-training efficiency unmatched.
Each one stronger than ever. Each one preparing for the coming storm.
Chen Shi stood before them, expression steady.
"In a little over a month… there will be a tournament where the strongest Trainers under twenty from every region will gather."
"The entire world will be watching."
"Swamp!"
Swampert roared, eyes blazing.
He lived for this.
He wanted the battlefield.
He wanted the cheers, the shock on people's faces, the glory of victory.
Dragons and beasts lived for war.
But Chen Shi continued:
"Your opponents will be strong. Very strong."
"You remember Cynthia, right?"
Dragapult stiffened.
Swampert instinctively narrowed his eyes.
They remembered.
Garchomp's terrifying fangs.
Lucario's overwhelming pressure.
Florges, Leafeon, and Togekiss didn't think that far—they only wanted to support him with all they had.
"And Cynthia might not even be the strongest," Chen Shi said quietly.
"There will be older Trainers. Maybe much stronger."
"I don't like the feeling of losing. And I know none of you do either."
"So if we want to win… if we want to stand at the top… then we train harder than ever."
"I'll buy every resource you need. I won't drag you down."
"Chyaa!!"
"Swamp!!"
"Rose!!"
Voices erupted as one.
Their resolve was unmistakable.
Chen Shi nodded, pleased.
"You've fought every day for more than a month. Today is for rest. Tomorrow—we train."
Swampert suddenly grabbed his arm.
"You want to return to your parents for special training?"
"Swamp!!"
Chen Shi patted his shoulder.
"Go. If you need anything, call."
"Swamp~!!"
Swampert leapt the wall in one smooth motion and sprinted toward the wetlands.
"Chyaa~!!"
Dragapult wiggled his tail like an excited child.
"…Fine, fine. You can go too. Don't overdo it."
Dragapult chirped in joy and shot off in a streak of blue lightning.
Leafeon approached quietly.
"Bui bui~ bui bui~"
(Sceptile says I don't need to train with them anymore.)
"Oh? Then you can use the backyard anytime. Train where I can see you."
"Bui!"
Her tail swished happily.
Then Chen Shi turned to the last three:
Togekiss
Charmeleon
Metang
"You three need to push harder. Otherwise, you'll fall behind. Understood?"
"Wano!!"
"Beta!!"
"Cha… koi…"
Togekiss wilted instantly, eyes watery and pathetic.
Chen Shi sighed.
Fine. Time for emergency motivation.
He raised two fingers.
"If you train hard…
two ice creams a day."
"CHAAAA—KOIIIIIII!!!"
Togekiss exploded with motivation on the spot.
She slammed her tiny wings against her chest and saluted like a soldier ready to go to war for dessert.
Chen Shi laughed and rubbed her head.
"You're absolutely impossible."
Togekiss leaned into him and nuzzled his cheek affectionately.
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