"Mr. Kael, please—accept me as your disciple!"
Ann Chovy knelt on the floor, hands resting on her knees, upper body slightly bowed, her face full of sincerity.
"Look—your Gym is now officially recognized by the League. But right now, you're the only one here. That's so inconvenient! I can cook, clean, wash your clothes, even trim the plants."
"How old are you?" Kael didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked her age.
The girl clearly knew how to seize an opening. Still kneeling, she shuffled closer on her knees until she was right beside him.
"I'm fifteen this year!"
"Same age as me…" Kael murmured. He glanced at her, then abruptly pulled back the arm she had grabbed. "I don't need a massage. Does your family agree to you joining the Gym?"
"I don't have family. I grew up in an orphanage." Ann scratched the back of her head and grinned. "I can decide for myself. What you did yesterday was incredible—you're the strongest Pokémon Trainer I've ever seen in my life…"
Kael raised a hand to cut off her stream of flattery.
"I can give you a chance," he said in a low voice. "One month probation. No salary during that time. I'll provide three meals a day and lodging. For this month, you are not my disciple. But everything I say must be treated as an order. You are not allowed to refuse."
Ann nodded vigorously, her expression solemn.
"I understand. This is your test for me. I'll definitely perform well during this probation period. I won't disappoint you."
...
The next day. 5:15 a.m.
"Wake up!"
"Let me sleep a little longer… it's still dark…"
"Lulu, I'll leave it to you. Teach her how to wake up."
Kael didn't bother repeating himself. He turned and walked out the door.
In the quiet second bedroom, Ann's faint breathing could be heard. Lulu looked at the figure sleeping soundly on the tatami, a playful smile tugging at her lips. She lifted one hand slightly—
Under the control of psychic power, the sleeping body slowly rose into the air…
"Ahhh—!"
A shrill scream echoed from the room.
...
Front courtyard. Training ground.
Rhydon and Weavile stood with hands behind their backs in a rigid at-ease military stance upon the bluestone courtyard. The sun had yet to rise; the cool dampness of dawn drifted through the air.
Hurried footsteps approached from behind.
Kael glanced at his watch and said coldly, "Fifteen minutes late. Did you forget what I told you yesterday?"
"I'm sorry." Ann, still wearing the custom outfit she had proudly shown off yesterday, stepped carefully to his side, cheeks flushed. "I was too excited last night and accidentally stayed up too late."
"No excuses."
Without even looking at her, Kael pointed toward where Weavile and Rhydon stood.
"Stand there."
"Yes!"
Startled, Ann quickly jogged to Weavile's side and mimicked their posture—legs apart, hands behind her back in a military stance.
Looking at the dark feline Pokémon beside her—the same one who had swept across the plains days ago, overwhelming more than thirty Pokémon alone—her eyes filled with admiration. That unstoppable figure had left an indelible mark on her heart.
How she wished to have such a powerful Pokémon.
"I'll repeat myself," Kael said, raising a finger and speaking word by word. "My words are orders. You can refuse—the gate is right behind you. But if you want to stay, there are no excuses. Gather at the training ground at five a.m. every morning. Late again, and you're out. Understood?"
"Understood!"
"Louder. I didn't hear you."
"UNDERSTOOD!"
She practically tore her throat shouting, her face turning red from the force.
In his previous life, Kael had been a top mathematics student, later joining a foreign enterprise before starting his own company. What he hated most were people who were not punctual.
Wasting someone's time was no different from stealing their life.
"That's Rhydon. Bigger than most, different coloring—but you should recognize him." Kael pointed to the two Pokémon. "And she's Weavile."
"Hello, Rhydon, Weavile. It's nice to meet you guys! You guys look so strong." Ann greeted politely, hoping to win them over.
"Raaah~"
"Weav~"
Rhydon and Weavile each gave a short cry in acknowledgment.
Noticing the trace of discomfort on Ann's face, Kael added flatly, "My Pokémon are my family and Kael. In my eyes, your position isn't even close to theirs."
Embarrassment flashed across her face, as if her thoughts had been seen through.
"Every morning at five, twenty laps around the Gym perimeter. Breakfast at seven…"
With that, Kael took the lead and ran out the Gym gates.
Rhydon followed with heavy, thunderous steps. Weavile strapped on her custom mechanical gravity ring, arms held close to her thighs. With a burst of speed, she overtook Rhydon and stayed tight behind Kael.
"Wait for me!"
Staring at the three figures growing distant, Ann shouted anxiously and hurried after them, her slender legs pumping as her blue ponytail swayed from side to side.
...
Chansey and Lulu stayed behind to guard the Gym. They didn't need this kind of endurance training.
Using psychic power, Lulu floated toward the kitchen in the middle courtyard to prepare breakfast for Kael and the others.
"Lucky~"
Chansey waddled after her roundly. Recently, she had fallen in love with cooking, pestering Lulu all day to teach her culinary skills—her payment being one egg per day.
The eggs produced in Chansey's belly pouch were not only delicious but highly nutritious. Even simply boiled, they were mouthwatering. Combined with herbs and simmered into medicinal eggs, they became truly restorative tonics.
After obtaining Chansey, Kael had not only gained a team medic but also the benefit of a daily nourishing egg. With the Rainbow Orb stimulating cellular vitality, combined with daily training, his physical condition was steadily becoming stronger and more formidable.