One week after returning from the Astral Mountains, Lucian received permission to begin training.
With conditions.
Many conditions.
Dr.
Helena had written a two-page list that Alaric posted on the wall of the training field.
It included time limits, mandatory rest periods, and an absolute prohibition against using astral resonance.
Lucian read the entire document.
Beldum examined it for several seconds.
Growlithe attempted to bite one of the corners.
“That summarizes the different ways the three of you respond to instructions rather well,” Alaric remarked.
Lucian pulled the paper out of the puppy’s mouth.
“Growlithe is still learning to read.”
“Growlithe is incapable of reading.”
“That is why I said he is learning.”
The puppy barked and wagged his tail, pleased that Lucian had defended him.
Beldum transmitted an image of the document burning.
“Do not give him ideas.”
The silver Pokémon pretended not to understand.
The training field had been prepared before sunrise.
There were six wooden targets, a sand-covered area, several low obstacles, and a row of metal posts.
Near the wall stood a table holding several instruments and three boxes of different sizes.
Atlas floated above a platform.
Asterion remained at the opposite end of the field.
The enormous Metagross’s presence guaranteed that neither young Pokémon would attempt to turn their first training session into a destructive competition.
Alaric walked in front of Lucian, Beldum, and Growlithe.
“Before we begin, we will establish one rule.”
Growlithe sat down.
Beldum descended until he hovered beside him.
Lucian waited.
“Strength will not be our primary objective during the coming months.”
Growlithe stopped wagging his tail.
Beldum tilted his body.
“That does not mean you will not train for battle,” Alaric continued.
“It means we will first develop your bodies, senses, and energy control. A powerful attack is useless if it destroys the user’s balance or consumes half of their reserves.”
Lucian had reached a similar conclusion while reviewing their Development Plans.
Beldum possessed exceptional psychic and magnetic energy, but his control was inconsistent.
Growlithe had an excellent physical condition for his age, although he tended to use more strength than necessary and lost precision whenever he became excited.
They both shared the same flaw.
Impatience.
“We will also train their ability to obey orders,” Alaric added.
Growlithe looked away.
Beldum rose several centimeters, as if the rule had not been directed at him.
“Especially that part,” Lucian said.
Alaric pointed toward the targets.
“Show me the plans.”
Lucian opened the interface.
He had spent the last few days studying information from the Breeding Archive and comparing it with books from the family library.
He did not copy every recommendation offered by the system.
Some were incomplete, while others failed to account for the resources available on the island.
With Alaric’s help, he had created two initial versions.
[Beldum — Development Plan, First Stage.]
[Duration: 90 days.]
[Primary Objectives:]
[Fully stabilize the core.]
[Increase magnetic control.]
[Develop telekinetic precision.]
[Strengthen physical structure without accelerating evolution.]
[Improve mastery of Confusion and Iron Defense.]
[Introduce preliminary exercises for Metal Claw and Zen Headbutt.]
[Develop telepathic communication and teamwork.]
[Growlithe — Development Plan, First Stage.]
[Duration: 90 days.]
[Primary Objectives:]
[Develop endurance, coordination, and speed.]
[Improve temperature control and Ember accuracy.]
[Strengthen sense of smell and tracking ability.]
[Improve mastery of Bite, Howl, and Morning Sun.]
[Correct inefficient use of Take Down.]
[Begin the gradual awakening of the guardian bloodline.]
[Develop discipline and teamwork.]
Alaric listened to every point.
“Why ninety days?”
“It is long enough to observe genuine changes without designing a program that extends too far into the future. Afterward, we can evaluate the results and adjust the next stage.”
“Why did you not include a specific increase in Strength?”
“Because their rank should rise as a result of their overall development rather than becoming the only objective.”
Alaric nodded.
“And evolution?”
“Neither of them is close to needing it. Beldum must master his core before becoming a Metang. Growlithe needs to complete his physical development and awaken his bloodline before using a Fire Stone.”
The puppy recognized his name and barked.
“You are not going to evolve soon,” Lucian explained.
Growlithe appeared disappointed.
“Being larger does not automatically make you stronger.”
Asterion produced a deep vibration.
Growlithe looked toward the enormous Metagross.
The difference in size made it difficult to defend Lucian’s argument.
“He has more than forty years of training,” Lucian said.
“You cannot compare yourself to him yet.”
Beldum transmitted an image of himself as a Metagross sitting on top of Asterion.
Lucian decided not to translate it.
Alaric perceived it through Atlas anyway.
“Ambition is useful,” the elderly man said, “provided you survive long enough to fulfill it.”
Asterion looked at Beldum.
The young Pokémon descended.
The first test was simple.
Growlithe had to complete a circuit formed by poles, low jumps, and sudden changes of direction.
He could not use Agility or any attacking move.
Beldum had to transport a metal sphere through the same circuit without touching any obstacles.
They were not competing.
Alaric repeated that part three times.
“The results will be measured separately,” Lucian explained.
“Focus on completing the course correctly.”
Growlithe positioned himself at the starting line.
Beldum levitated the sphere in front of him.
“Begin.”
Growlithe ran.
Beldum followed behind him.
For the first few meters, both followed their own routes.
Then the puppy looked up.
Beldum was catching up.
Growlithe accelerated.
The silver Pokémon increased his magnetic field.
The sphere struck the first post.
Growlithe attempted to take a turn too quickly, slipped on the sand, and rolled twice before stopping.
Beldum lost control of the sphere.
The object landed on top of Growlithe.
The puppy crawled out from underneath it, growling.
Beldum transmitted that it had been an accident.
No one believed him.
Alaric looked at Lucian.
“They were not competing.”
“I know.”
“They did not.”
Lucian walked toward them.
“The test is over.”
Growlithe barked in protest.
“It does not matter who was ahead. You both failed.”
Beldum mentally pointed toward the puppy.
“He accelerated.”
“And you responded. Return to the starting line.”
They repeated the course.
This time, Growlithe kept his attention ahead.
Beldum transported the sphere more slowly.
They completed the route.
Their times were mediocre, but neither made a mistake.
“Better,” Lucian said.
Growlithe panted with his tongue hanging out.
Beldum rotated the sphere, satisfied.
“Now we will exchange part of the exercise.”
The puppy would have to carry a small bag without dropping it.
Beldum would transport three spheres instead of one.
The difficulty increased.
It also forced them to concentrate on their individual tasks.
During the fourth repetition, Growlithe lost the bag while turning.
Beldum caught it before it touched the ground, but one of his spheres began to fall.
Growlithe jumped and struck it upward with his head.
Beldum regained control.
Both continued without stopping. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
The system appeared.
[Spontaneous coordination detected.]
[Team Affinity activated.]
Lucian had received that function as a reward from Growlithe’s mission, but until that moment, he had not understood its effect.
[Team: Beldum and Growlithe.]
[Current Affinity: 12%.]
[Active Benefits:]
[Basic perception of a partner’s intentions during shared activities.]
[Minor increase in adaptation speed during cooperative exercises.]
[Warning: Affinity does not replace trust or guarantee obedience.]
It was not a direct increase in strength.
It helped the Pokémon understand one another.
The benefit was small, but it could grow alongside their relationship.
Alaric noticed Lucian’s expression.
“Did the system show you something?”
Lucian explained the function.
“Useful,” his grandfather replied.
“But do not let it become an excuse to neglect communication.”
“The warning says the same thing.”
“I’m beginning to suspect that thing knows me.”
Lucian smiled.
After a break, they began the individual exercises.
Growlithe positioned himself in front of a row of five targets.
“Use Ember on the first one,” Lucian ordered.
The puppy released several embers.
Three struck the target.
Two went wide.
Alaric inspected the result.
“Good power for his age. Poor concentration.”
Lucian opened the move’s Analysis.
[Ember — Proficient.]
[Power: Above average.]
[Accuracy: 61%.]
[Temperature Control: Unstable.]
[Energy Consumption: Moderately high.]
[Primary Problem: Growlithe releases fire through an explosive impulse instead of maintaining a steady flow.]
“He does not need to increase the power,” Lucian said.
“He needs to produce fewer embers and direct them toward the center.”
He placed an orange stone in front of the puppy.
“Do not attack yet. First gather heat.”
Growlithe inhaled.
A light appeared inside his mouth.
“Hold it.”
The puppy began to tremble.
“Now release only a portion.”
A flame shot forward and struck the edge of the target.
Growlithe barked happily.
“More accurate, but still too fast.”
During the next few attempts, they worked on his breathing.
Inhale.
Gather.
Compress.
Release.
Growlithe did not always wait for the final command.
One ember struck a post.
Another ignited a small pile of dry grass.
Beldum extinguished the fire by covering it with soil.
“I helped,” he transmitted.
Growlithe snorted.
“Yes, you helped,” Lucian confirmed.
“And you will control your flames more carefully so you do not give him additional work.”
The puppy returned to the exercise.
His accuracy slowly improved.
Beldum trained with small objects.
Alaric placed ten metal discs of different weights on the table.
The Pokémon had to lift them one at a time, guide them through several rings, and deposit them into marked boxes.
“Do not rely exclusively on magnetism,” Lucian instructed.
“Some metals will respond differently. Combine the field with telekinesis.”
Beldum began with the lightest disc.
He moved it without difficulty.
The second spun too quickly and struck the edge of the ring.
The third was pulled toward one of the field’s metal posts.
Beldum released a signal of frustration.
“Do not attempt to control them all in the same way. Examine the object first.”
Lucian activated Analysis on each disc and then closed the information.
The exercise was for Beldum.
Not for him.
The Pokémon touched the next disc with his magnetic field.
He sensed its composition, adjusted the force, and guided it through the first ring.
“Exactly.”
Asterion watched from a distance.
When Beldum completed five discs, the adult raised four pieces of metal around his body.
He rotated them at different speeds, changed their trajectories, and stopped all of them simultaneously.
Beldum watched the demonstration.
“Show-off,” he transmitted.
Asterion replied with a calm signal.
“Learn.”
Beldum collected the sixth disc.
By the end of the session, Growlithe had increased Ember’s accuracy to sixty-eight percent.
Beldum had completed the course with eight of the ten discs.
Neither had increased their Strength rank.
That did not concern Lucian.
They had established a starting point.
While the Pokémon rested, Alaric opened one of the boxes near the wall.
It contained the Foundation Essence obtained from the system.
Lucian had extracted it that morning under the supervision of Atlas, Asterion, and three different instruments.
The item was a transparent vial filled with golden liquid.
The system offered a description.
[Foundation Essence]
[Quality: Exceptional.]
[Gradual growth resource.]
[Functions: Repairs minor developmental defects, improves nutrient absorption, and strengthens the body, energy, and mind in a balanced manner.]
[Compatibility: Variable.]
[Warning: Must be diluted according to the consumer’s species, age, and condition. An excessive dose may cause uncontrolled growth or organic damage.]
Alaric had taken a minimal sample.
“Preliminary results show amino acids, minerals, and an extremely stable form of biological energy,” he explained.
“It does not match any medicine registered in Kanto.”
“Can we reproduce it?”
“Not with the information currently available.”
“Can we use it?”
“Not yet.”
Lucian looked at the vial.
“The system says it can strengthen the Foundation.”
“It also says compatibility varies. Before giving it to either of your Pokémon, we will conduct tests for several months.”
“We can begin with cell cultures.”
Alaric nodded.
“Then artificial tissues and samples from compatible species. If the results remain safe, we will consider a dose below one percent.”
Growlithe smelled the vial.
“It isn’t food,” Lucian said.
Beldum attempted to pull the cap with magnetism.
“It isn’t a toy either.”
Alaric closed the box.
“Exceptional resources injure more Pokémon than mediocre ones when used in ignorance.”
Lucian had read stories in which the protagonist obtained an item and immediately gave it to a partner to increase their talent.
In a real world, that would be an absurd gamble.
He would not risk Beldum or Growlithe because of impatience.
The second box contained the Purified Flame Core.
It resembled a red sphere the size of a marble.
Liquid fire rotated inside without heating the glass containing it.
Growlithe reacted more strongly.
His fur stood on end, and his eyes followed every movement of the sphere.
[Purified Flame Core]
[Quality: High.]
[Concentrated Fire-type resource.]
[Possible Functions: Energy purification, strengthening of fire affinity, nourishment of bloodlines, and preparation for evolution.]
[Compatibility with Growlithe: 84%.]
[Current compatibility insufficient for direct consumption.]
[Recommended Path: Divide the energy into twelve absorption stages after reaching Intermediate Strength and mastering Morning Sun.]
Lucian read the final requirement.
“He won’t use it for years.”
Growlithe whimpered.
“Your current compatibility is insufficient. If you consume it, you could burn your energy channels.”
The puppy stopped trying to approach.
Alaric put the sphere away.
“That answer was more cautious than I expected.”
“Good.”
The third box remained closed.
It contained the Purified Astral Fragment.
No one intended to open it in a training field.
They would study it inside the laboratory behind several layers of protection.
Lucian sat beside his Pokémon.
Growlithe rested his head against Lucian’s leg.
Beldum floated near his other shoulder while absorbing a small mineral tablet.
“Tired?”
“No,” Beldum replied.
Growlithe barked in agreement.
Lucian opened Synchronization.
They were both exhausted.
“We’ll rest for thirty minutes.”
Growlithe immediately closed his eyes.
Beldum descended until he rested on the grass.
Alaric watched the scene.
“You’re learning.”
“Was that praise?”
“It was an observation.”
“It sounded like praise.”
“Then you heard incorrectly.”
The elderly man’s communicator released a signal.
Alaric checked the screen.
His expression changed.
“Did something happen in the mountains?” Lucian asked.
“No. It is a call from the mainland.”
He accepted the communication.
A holographic screen opened above the device.
Professor Samuel Oak’s face appeared before them.
He had gray hair, wore a white lab coat, and several pages had been carelessly attached to the wall behind him.
“Alaric,” he greeted.
“You finally answered.”
“Samuel. Some people work during the day.”
“Research is also work.”
“Watching three Bulbasaur sleep for six hours does not count as research.”
“It was a study on rest cycles.”
“It was a group nap.”
Lucian looked toward his grandfather.
He had not exaggerated about their rivalry.
Professor Oak noticed his presence.
“Lucian, you’ve grown.”
“The last time you saw me, I was three.”
“Exactly. Now you look…” Oak narrowed his eyes.
“Why is there a silver Beldum behind you?”
Beldum moved in front of the screen.
Oak leaned closer until his face occupied nearly the entire projection.
“Is he shiny? Where did you find him? Does he belong to the colony? Is his magnetic structure different? May I examine him?”
Beldum retreated.
“You’re frightening him,” Lucian said.
Oak moved back slightly.
“Right. My apologies, Beldum.”
The Pokémon watched the professor cautiously.
Growlithe awakened because of the voices and barked at the screen.
“You also have a Growlithe?”
“He joined me this morning.”
Oak looked at Alaric.
“He is five years old and already has two partners.”
“They both chose him.”
“That does not explain how—”
Alaric interrupted.
“Why did you call, Samuel?”
The professor recovered some of his seriousness.
“The observatories in Kanto detected the meteor shower over your area. One fragment fell near Pallet Town.”
Lucian sat straighter.
“Does it emit violet energy?”
Oak looked at him.
“How do you know that?”
Alaric and Lucian exchanged a glance.
The colony’s secret could not leave the island.
The entity was even more dangerous.
“We found similar fragments along the northern coast,” Alaric answered.
“The preliminary results show an unidentified form of energy.”
“Then we need to compare the samples.”
“I can send you the data.”
“I would prefer to examine them personally.”
Alaric sighed.
“Naturally.”
Oak smiled.
“I will arrive at Celestia Island in three days.”
“I do not recall inviting you.”
“Your message cut out. I assumed that was an invitation.”
“I did not send you a message.”
“Then the communication is worse than I thought.”
Alaric closed his eyes for a second.
“Three days,” he accepted.
“You will not enter the mountains, and you will not mention the island in any report without my authorization.”
“Agreed.”
“You will also not attempt to take Beldum to your laboratory.”
“I will only request noninvasive samples.”
Beldum hid behind Lucian.
Oak pretended not to notice.
A child’s voice came from the other side of the communication.
“Grandpa, you said I could go with you.”
A blonde girl appeared beside the professor.
She had long hair, green eyes, and held a notebook decorated with small clouds.
Lucian recognized her from what they had discussed, although they had never personally met.
Daisy Oak.
She was the same age as him.
“Of course,” Oak said.
“Daisy will come with me. She wants to see the breeding center and observe some of the species living on the island.”
Daisy looked at Lucian.
Then she noticed Beldum and Growlithe.
Her eyes lit up.
“Are those your Pokémon?”
“My partners,” Lucian replied.
“I want to meet them.”
Growlithe barked.
Beldum remained hidden.
Elena came running from the opposite side of the field.
“Who is she?”
Daisy heard the question.
“I’m Daisy Oak. And you are?”
Elena positioned herself beside Lucian.
“Elena Vale. I’m his best friend.”
Lucian sensed a subtle change in the atmosphere.
It did not come from any Pokémon.
Daisy smiled.
“Then I want to meet you too.”
Elena appeared to accept the answer.
For now.
Oak ended the call after arranging the details of their journey.
The projection disappeared.
Alaric put the communicator away.
“Three days,” he muttered.
“I’ll need to secure the laboratory, protect the archives, and hide anything Samuel might consider interesting.”
“That includes half the island,” Lucian said.
“Exactly.”
Beldum emerged from behind him.
“Cloud girl.”
Lucian remembered Daisy’s notebook.
“She appears to be interested in Flying-type Pokémon.”
The system displayed a new notification.
[New chain of events detected.]
[A renowned researcher is approaching Celestia Island.]
[The user’s decisions may unlock new paths of knowledge.]
[No mission has been generated.]
Lucian was grateful for that.
Not every event needed to become a mission.
He looked at Beldum and Growlithe resting beside him.
In three days, they would meet Kanto’s most famous professor and the girl who wished to become a Coordinator in the future.
They would also begin investigating the meteorites.
Lucian suspected that Oak’s visit would change many things.
He could not imagine how much.