As for the final Speed Attacker Bond, Sprigatito matched it perfectly.
Sure, it sacrificed a bit of raw move power—but the boost to casting speed was on a completely different level.
After all, the principle of "in all martial arts, speed is unbeatable" still applied in the Pokémon world.
And the Chosen Emblem he'd pulled from the Prism Orb?
Naturally, Aarav was going to use it on his future "right-hand pillar"—Sprigatito—immediately.
The main reason was simple: the Chosen Emblem granted an extra Bond.
Otherwise, activating Bonds would require catching a second Pokémon… and who knew how long that would take?
With that thought, Aarav said in his mind:
"Use the Chosen Emblem on Sprigatito."
[Chosen Emblem is a one-time item. Once used, it cannot be reversed. Confirm use?]
Aarav didn't hesitate. "Confirm."
[Please choose Sprigatito's additional Bond.]
Aarav rubbed his chin.
He could choose the extra Bond himself?
He'd assumed it would be random, like in the game.
Logically speaking, if he had to pick one, the growth-type Dark Bond was the most urgently needed right now.
Aarav suddenly had an idea.
"Can I pick all three?"
The system's reply was decisive and emotionless:
[Only one may be chosen.]
Aarav shrugged. "Alright. Then Dark-type."
[Success. Your Sprigatito has been promoted to a Chosen Pokémon!]
The moment the system finished speaking, Sprigatito in front of him suddenly went thud and collapsed onto the floor.
Then, almost immediately, steady breathing followed.
Aarav blinked. "What just happened to Sprigatito?"
The system responded calmly:
[Normal condition during Chosen promotion. Host, please do not be overly concerned.]
Aarav was speechless.
So this was basically like a system update forcing a reboot?
Still—if the system said it was normal, then it was normal.
He didn't overthink it. After carrying Sprigatito onto his bed, Aarav returned to his desk.
He was just about to shut down his computer and call it a day… when he noticed his streamer dashboard flashing nonstop.
Aarav muttered in surprise, "Huh? This many DMs?"
To avoid harassment from haters, he had set it so only viewers with a Level 10 badge could message him.
Normally, even a loyal audience member would need half a year of daily check-ins to reach that.
And Aarav had only been streaming for two or three months—so anyone who could DM him was either a heavy supporter… or someone who had tipped quite a bit.
Even so, he still got plenty of private messages every day.
Some were from girls attracted by his looks.
And sometimes… it wasn't a girl.
Those days required an eye wash.
But tonight, the one bombarding him with messages was definitely a girl.
And not just any girl.
A very pretty girl.
The one and only Iono, who had rage-quit twice after running into him.
Aarav had only looked away from his computer for less than half an hour, yet she had already sent him more than ten messages.
"You're kidding, right? You just ended stream like that?"
"That Trick Room setup is kinda interesting. Want to spar one more time?"
"Which Gym in Donghuang are you an apprentice from? Want to come to Levincia Gym for exchange and training?"
"Relax. I'm not trying to jump you offline."
"…"
"Type 1 and I'll drop a Master Ball."
Aside from the last message sent ten minutes ago, most of it was… pure fluff.
So her bright, energetic "cute girl" persona was real—but privately she was actually a chatterbox?
Iono-sensei… don't tell me you're also the type who eats ice cream and fries?
After that thoroughly unkind mental image, Aarav casually replied with a single character:
"1"
Iono replied instantly:
"!"
"Master Ball tomorrow."
"Get online. Solo. I just built a team—let's clash with your Trick Room team again!"
…Was she literally sitting in front of the screen waiting for him to reply?
Aarav felt a headache coming on, and typed back:
"Not today, Iono-sensei. I've got an 8 a.m. class tomorrow."
Iono: "8 a.m.? What does that mean?"
Aarav: "A morning class at eight, so I can't stay up too late."
That was, of course, a lie.
Whether he had an 8 a.m. class or not, Aarav wasn't the type to sleep early—he just didn't want to play anymore.
Pokémon: Champion's Path used real-time command battles. After a long session, it was genuinely exhausting.
But Iono believed him.
"I see… first time I've heard that term. Students in Donghuang really have it rough."
Aarav could only reply helplessly, "Can't help it. My great university has… its own national conditions."
A moment later, the other side sent a single:
"?"
Aarav realized the conversation was drifting off-track and quickly switched topics.
"To thank you for the Master Ball support, next stream I can build a customized team and help push your account's rank. Iono-sensei—any Pokémon you especially like?"
A customized team… to help my rank?
Do I need you to help me rank?
Iono was about to refuse—feeling like Aarav was getting a little too arrogant—when a bold idea suddenly formed.
"Any Pokémon is fine?"
Aarav replied: "Anything."
Iono's lips curled into a mischievous smile. Her fingers flew across the keyboard.
"Then I want to see Pachirisu!"
After being "captured" twice by Aarav, Iono had developed a twisted desire to see him embarrass himself live.
So she made a deliberately brutal request.
Sure, Aarav had used Trapinch today—a "baby Pokémon."
From a pure data standpoint, Trapinch's base stats were even lower than Pachirisu's.
But Trapinch had a very clear identity: high Attack, low Speed—perfect for Trick Room.
Pachirisu, by comparison, was… far worse.
Its Speed was awkward—not fast enough to shine, not slow enough to abuse Trick Room.
Its damage was basically nonexistent, and its bulk was—at best—barely passable.
A Pokémon with no defining strengths like that…
Could Aarav really make it work in the top ranks?
If asking for Magikarp or Feebas was too blatantly petty, Iono would've done it.
Maybe she was afraid he wouldn't dare accept, so she added fuel.
"If Pachirisu appears in the match, every win gets you a Master Ball!"
Every win… a Master Ball?
On the other side of the screen, Aarav only wanted to laugh out loud.
So what you're saying is—
The white demon that once won a World Tournament in the Pokémon universe… can't dominate top-rank games in a tactics-backward world?
Aarav replied instantly:
"Deal. Boss, you're generous. Thank you for your support!"
Iono: "…"
Wait… why does this not feel like the script I imagined?
With that confident tone… why do I suddenly hear a wallet crying?
With the system's help, Sprigatito got sleep quality it hadn't felt in ages—like a baby.
It wasn't until the next morning, after Aarav returned from his 8 a.m. class, that it finally woke up.
"Spriga…?"
Sprigatito opened its still-drowsy eyes.
Its brain lagged for a full moment before it realized it was waking up in a completely unfamiliar place.
Where… is this?
Then it turned its head and saw Aarav at the computer desk, and the memories of last night came rushing back.
Right.
I have a new Trainer now.
Wrapped in the warmth of soft bedding, surrounded by Aarav's scent everywhere…
A faint blush crept onto Sprigatito's cheeks, and an unfamiliar flutter rose in its chest.
Becoming a human's Pokémon again…
didn't seem so bad.
Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> patreon.com/lucarioTL