"Garde~ voir…"
Seeing that the battle had finally ended, Gardevoir let out a long-delayed breath of relief.
Using its psychic power, it levitated its Poké Ball to its side, then floated toward Aven, who was suspended in mid-air.
"Gardevoir, congratulations on your successful evolution."
This was the blessing Aven always offered after every evolution. Gardevoir had waited for these words for a long time. Hearing them now, it nodded vigorously.
It could clearly sense Aven's genuine delight—because of that, its own mood brightened as well.
After so much time and effort, it had finally taken this crucial step—catching up to its companions and stepping into the King-level!
"Lilli~!"
"Lass~!"
Lilligant and Froslass drifted over to Gardevoir's side.
Both of them looked at Gardevoir with astonishment. The power Gardevoir had displayed just moments earlier was simply overwhelming!
They could faintly sense that the energy fluctuations radiating from Gardevoir now carried a presence both familiar and foreign at the same time.
"Lilli~?"
Suddenly, Lilligant froze. It raised its head to look at Gardevoir, then glanced at Aven.
It had finally realized something—the aura coming from the newly evolved Gardevoir was extremely similar to Aven's. Even the "life energy" they gave off felt strangely alike!
Lilligant instantly became alert. It vaguely felt that something must have happened between Gardevoir and Aven… perhaps even Gardevoir's evolution had something to do with Aven!
A wave of sour jealousy surged through it. Lilligant's round eyes rolled back and forth between Gardevoir and Aven.
Then its gaze returned to Gardevoir—seeing that Gardevoir was still half a head shorter than Aven, its whole body trembled again.
Why… why did Gardevoir look so pretty now?!
"The battle's over. Let's head down," Aven said, lowering his gaze to the battlefield below.
The battle on the sea surface had essentially concluded. Aside from a few Dragalge that had managed to escape, the rest of the Dragalge and Skrelp tribe were completely surrounded by the Tentacruel tribe.
Of course, the Tentacruel and Tentacool had also suffered heavy casualties. Their bodies lay scattered across the sea.
Fortunately, Lilligant had already danced her way among the injured Tentacruel and Tentacool. With a graceful wave of her hand, massive amounts of life energy gathered and flowed into their bodies. As long as they still had a single breath left, Lilligant could pull them back from the brink of death.
"Garde~ voir!"
Gardevoir released waves of pink psychic energy that turn into Heal Pulse.
Though its healing ability wasn't as overwhelming as Lilligant's, Gardevoir had just broken through to King-level. With its current psychic power, Heal Pulse displayed tremendous effectiveness.
"Now that Gardevoir has evolved, it seems we can finally begin training in life energy manipulation," Aven said, watching Gardevoir concentrate the surrounding life force.
After all, Gardevoir still possessed the potential to evolve further—Mega Evolution.
Mega Evolution allowed a Pokémon to surpass its own life limit, though the prerequisite was obtaining a Key Stone and Gardevoirite.
According to what Aven knew, the requirements for Mega Evolution were primarily two things: the bond between trainer and Pokémon, and the ability to control life energy. Those two together allowed resonance between the Key Stone and Mega Stone.
Psychic power, spatial energy, emotional energy, and life energy—these would be Gardevoir's next major training directions. Once mastered, Gardevoir would indeed possess the potential of a Legendary.
…
Aven brought the Tentacruel tribe back to the Black Coast.
They gathered quietly at the shoreline, floating on the water's surface.
After being saved and after defeating the Dragalge tribe, they naturally chose to follow Aven.
The ocean was simply too dangerous. If not for Aven's intervention, they would already be food for the Dragalge.
Now that Aven was willing to accept and protect them, they had no reason to refuse.
In addition to the Tentacruel tribe, Gyarados had brought back a large number of Magikarp. The red fish leapt excitedly across the sea's surface.
Previously, drifting alone in the ocean, they were also nothing more than prey. But after finding Gyarados, it was as if they'd found a backbone to rely on.
"Lord Aven… these Tentacruel and Magikarp, and that… blue dragon…"
Mado, stationed at the coast, ran over.
He glanced at the Tentacruel and Magikarp—then his gaze fell on Gyarados. He couldn't help swallowing—this blue dragon was unbelievably handsome, and unbelievably strong!
Truly worthy of Lord Aven, capable of capturing even such a powerful and rare Pokémon.
If only… if only he could capture one too! Even if it was impossible, he still wanted to dream!
"Yes. From now on, these Pokémon will be part of our territory. You may communicate with them and build bonds," Aven said with a smile.
Hearing that, the knights all trembled with excitement.
They understood Aven's meaning. If they could build a bond, they might be able to capture one of these water-type Pokémon!
"By your command, Lord Aven!"
Mado saluted excitedly. With water-type Pokémon, the coastal knight regiment would grow exponentially stronger.
After hesitating, he finally asked, "Lord Aven… that blue dragon…"
"Oh, you mean Gyarados. It's the evolved form of Magikarp."
The moment he said that, every knight froze.
Impossible… THAT comes from Magikarp?!
Their gazes automatically shifted between the tiny red Magikarp and the massive, terrifying Gyarados. They simply couldn't connect the two.
"Yes, Gyarados evolves from Magikarp."
"When I first captured it, it was a Magikarp as well. I simply used a training method to help it evolve."
Aven briefly explained how he had captured his Magikarp.
The knights believed his words without doubt and immediately began staring at the Magikarp with bright, burning eyes.
Magikarp were everywhere and there was a whole school right here.
If they captured one… was it possible for them to evolve a Gyarados too?!
"You see the canal Bibarel dug?" Aven pointed.
"That will become a series of waterfalls. Those waterfalls are where the Magikarp will be trained."
"My Gyarados evolved using the Rapid-Current Training Method. Combined with health recovery potions, the success rate is very high."
The knights immediately made up their minds—they would catch a Magikarp, train it intensely, and make it evolve into a Gyarados!
"Riding a Dragon-type Pokémon is every knight's dream!"
"Once this spreads, knights everywhere will go mad!"
Mado sighed emotionally. Previously, few knights wanted to serve at the coast but once word of Gyarados spread, knights and even trainers would flock here.
Magikarp might very well rise from obscurity and become the top choice for apprentice trainers alongside Oddish and Burmy!
"That's the plan. I really do intend to form a Sea Patrol Knight Regiment," Aven said.
"You may attempt to capture these water Pokémon. I'll teach you the proper training methods."
After encouraging them further, Aven led his Pokémon toward Black Forest.
He still had many Poké Balls filled with Dragalge and Skrelp to deal with.
Especially the Skrelp, if they could be tamed, great. If not, they would be imprisoned.
(End of Chapter)