Chapter 670: The Champion

The next morning.

Luo Mu was woken by the alarm call of his Mailby.

Honestly, after traveling alone for so long, this thing had undergone a “Mega Evolution” in volume—it shouted louder than the Flareon that crowed punctually every morning on the farm.

The bed in Goht’s guest room was comfortable too; even in an unfamiliar environment, he’d slept soundly last night.

He considered whether to ask the butler where he’d bought the bed, or just get a full set for his own home.

After getting up, Luo Mu tapped the “turtle shell” on the nightstand and found that Teraogos was still sleeping in.

Looking up, he saw Victini had floated sleepwalking all the way to the ceiling.

Indeed, only these two little ones had lent their strength yesterday—one assisted the massive Dragonite in shocking Kyogre awake, the other, alongside the Terastal Pearl, channeled Terastal energy to achieve the feat of Starfusing Lugia and directly defeating Groudon.

They were truly exhausted.

Goht’s guest room was absurdly spacious—almost like a finely crafted standalone cottage.

A full-length window opened onto the courtyard, where gossamer curtains fluttered gently in the breeze, filtering sunlight into delicate golden specks. A cool wind, carrying the scent of grass and blossoms, rolled in wave after wave, refreshing and pleasant.

Before his crossing, this utterly defenseless design would’ve been an all-you-can-eat buffet for insects and small animals.

—But now, Luo Mu felt even his breathing was blissful.

Near noon, the sunlight was perfect.

By the window, Ninetales lay curled lazily, its pale blue fur gilded with a soft golden hue.

As the light shimmered, it radiated a divine, otherworldly aura.

Though Ninetales preferred icy, snowy environments, even Alola’s Mount Lanakila wasn’t perpetually shrouded in blizzards and thick clouds.

On occasional days, one or two beams of sunlight would pierce through the clouds and fall upon the towering peaks.

At such times, Alola’s Ninetales and Sixtails would gather outside, basking in the warm, gentle sunlight.

Perhaps it was precisely during those rare clear days when climbing Mount Lanakila that the ancient Alolan people had come to regard the Ninetales basking in sunlight as “the incarnation of a god.”

Looking at Ninetales, Luo Mu sighed inwardly.

In terms of aura and beauty, evolved Ninetales absolutely nailed it.

He brushed Luxio’s fur, changed Meowth’s doll skin for a new one, and confirmed with Florges the condition of the “Eternal Flower” it tended.

Then, using a damp, still-warm cloth, he gently washed the Pokémon Egg resting on the nightstand.

Only after completing all this did Luo Mu’s morning truly begin.

—Though lunch was due in two and a half hours.

Flareon had slept inside its Poké Ball last night; Gyarados, Kingdra, and Milotic had slept in Goht’s private artificial lake.

Luo Mu planned to retrieve them first.

Before leaving, his gaze fell on the “Mystery Crystal” lying quietly on the square table.

Yes, after careful thought, he’d taken the “Mystery Crystal” from Goht last night.

Its exact function remained unclear—he had no interest in casually exploiting power-ups outside emergencies.

But he could swear by his own intuition that this item, called the “Mystery Crystal” by Goht, was the most unique object in the collection room.

He planned to ask Regieleki, once back in Paldea, whether it could discern anything about it.

Leaving Luxio and Ninetales to guard the deeply sleeping Victini and Teraogos, Luo Mu stepped out with Mailby and Meowth.

Originally, he’d intended to head straight to the artificial lake.

But around a corner, he encountered Awaken, dressed impeccably, his attire without a single wrinkle, his stern, upright face radiating righteous vigor.

He seemed to have been waiting for some time.

Before Luo Mu could speak, Awaken said, “Awake? Can you spare a few words?”

“Sure.”

Luo Mu blinked in confusion but readily accepted Awaken’s invitation.

Even though he wondered why Awaken, who’d claimed he’d leave for the Kanto League that morning, was still here, he had time for a brief chat.

The two walked to the shade of an unknown large tree in the courtyard, while Mailby and Meowth watched from a distance.

Awaken, having rehearsed this in his mind countless times, spoke without hesitation: “I heard—or rather, from the reports, I can see—you actually did that insane thing.”

Luo Mu froze. Was this about the event in Lales City?

Awaken continued: “Rayquaza—the legendary Sky Dragon of Hoenn, the god who ruled the skies—has been defeated by you.”

“To be blunt, when I first heard this news, shock swept through me.”

“Especially after witnessing firsthand your battle with that ancient Legendary Pokémon, I became certain of one fact.”

“You are now far stronger than I am, correct?”

Awaken stared intently at Luo Mu, as if he’d stayed behind solely to hear the answer from his lips.

Sensing the fierce will hidden within Awaken’s frame, Luo Mu did not respond with some dismissive “just luck” remark.

After a few seconds of silence, he gave a slight nod: “Yes.”

With Regieleki, an experienced monarch, always available as a sparring partner; with the farm’s crops providing richer nutrition than ever before; and with his own efforts as a Trainer pushing them forward—

Luo Mu knew clearly that over the past year, Luxio and the others had undergone another transformation.

As Awaken had asked, Luo Mu had long suspected he’d already surpassed most Champions.

Now, he openly admitted it.

Whether facing Awaken before him or Aidek, returned to his peak, he had absolute confidence he could defeat them both.

With Luo Mu’s confirmation, Awaken finally exhaled the breath he’d held in his chest.

He smiled—his determination stronger than ever before.

“Let’s make a pact.”

“From now on, I will strive to claim the Kanto League Championship.”

“After that—”

“Let’s meet again at the Pokémon World Championships!”

“Huh?”

Luo Mu abruptly cut off his reply, staring at Awaken in disbelief.

Wait, what are you talking about?

But Awaken gave him no chance to explain he had no intention of entering the tournament—he summoned Dragonite and, without even bothering with lunch, soared swiftly into the sky.

Luo Mu stood frozen for a long while, his expression dazed.

What the hell just happened?

And how did Awaken even know about the Pokémon World Championships?

Had the Galar region already contacted Kanto?

Awaken had departed with ruthless efficiency, leaving Luo Mu bewildered in the wind.

Even after retrieving Gyarados, Kingdra, and Milotic, and sitting down at Goht’s dining table, he still couldn’t make sense of it.

So Awaken had just waited there to drop a threat?

I don’t get it—I just don’t get it—

Perhaps because Awaken had set such a high bar, after lunch, Luo Mu heard similar declarations of growing stronger from Goht and Miltank.

He could now accept it all with calm indifference.

Team Rocket and Team Magma really had their ways.

The Groudon and Kyogre they’d unearthed had successfully ignited the fighting spirit of Goht, Miltank, and Awaken.

—Perhaps even Nimo as well.

Luo Mu, who understood that sense of helplessness all too well, now looked forward to their future growth.

But the Pokémon World Championships? He had no intention of entering.

Aside from the “threat” signaling their determination, as Luo Mu gazed at the empty seat at the table, Goht told him where the children had gone.

Early this morning, Nimo and the three from Ash’s group had all headed to Goht’s rocky cliff.

They seemed determined not to leave without capturing a Pokémon.

Watching Goht, who didn’t seem to mind how long they stayed, Luo Mu still felt compelled to remind him: “Their tournament deadlines are approaching.”

At this, Goht set down his teacup and fell into thought.

After a moment, he nodded. “You’re right.”

Miltank had mentioned that the Grand Festival was nearing, and Goht knew the Hoenn region’s annual public Trainer competition, the Contesta League, would begin in just over half a month.

Though he didn’t mind them staying to bond with the Pokémon they favored, he didn’t want them to miss the tournaments they’d traveled so far to pursue.

“If they haven’t formed a bond with their chosen Pokémon by tonight,” Goht said with a smile, “I’ll have no choice but to issue an eviction order—and tell them to try again next time.”

After some casual chat and tasting the tea Goht had taken from his father’s private cabinet,

Goht took Luo Mu to tour the Fossil Revival Device manufactured by Devon Corporation.

It had been air-freighted in early that morning; the number of Flying Pokémon and accompanying scientists alone was substantial.

Only Goht could afford such a luxury—going to the site directly would’ve been far more practical.

—A massive, futuristic silver-white device was now performing a near-divine miracle: extracting the genetic sequence from the “Secret Amber” chosen by Brock, attempting to revive a Fossil Pokémon.

Brock waited anxiously nearby.

The revival process lasted the entire day, until the stars hung overhead and night fell.

The revival was finally complete.

Inside the transparent nutrient chamber, a Pokémon with pale gray skin, resembling a two-legged dragon from Luo Mu’s pre-crossing myths or a pterosaur from the dinosaur era, floated peacefully, eyes closed, in the nutrient fluid.

Revival successful—

Ash’s luck was good—the secret amber he selected contained the genetic sequence of a Fossil Pokémon known as Aerodactyl.

Even when the “secret amber” was placed into the revival device, the conclusion had already been drawn from the data.

But when Aerodactyl actually appeared before him, Ash’s excitement was visibly palpable.

Watching Ash press his face against the glass in excitement, Luo Mu smiled and shook his head.

Unfortunately, he would not get to see the story that would unfold between Ash and Aerodactyl.

But given Ash’s personality, the story would probably turn out unexpectedly heartwarming.

Around eleven o’clock, Nimo, Ash, and the others returned to the estate, weary from travel.

Ash’s “protagonist aura” seemed ineffective this time—Sayuri did not encounter any Rock- or Steel-type Pokémon suited to her.

Nimo and Shizuka also returned empty-handed.

As expected, most people had gained nothing.

After all, one day was simply too short.

The only one who had any success was Shinsuke.

Watching the Dusclops, silently hovering beside Shinsuke by magnetic force, its single red eye radiating the same calm as its Trainer.

Luo Mu blinked, then teased, “Dusclops needs expensive metallic ores to eat, you know.”

Shinsuke’s composed expression cracked slightly.

Luo Mu’s remark had struck him precisely where he was weakest.

Just like how he’d mocked Ash earlier: “How can you catch so many Pokémon? Do you have a mine?”

Even though his older brother Reiji had switched careers to become a Breeder and opened a Breeding House, their family’s finances still fell short.

Shinsuke knew just how much Ash’s Turtwig could eat; as another “late bloomer,” Dusclops likely had a hefty appetite too.

He’d have to consider robbing other new Trainers for their pocket money along the way.

Just as Shinsuke was about to reach out and steal some Hoenn flowers, Wallace, the former Hoenn Champion, stepped forward without hesitation.

He beamed and handed Shinsuke a pile of items.

“Here’s my training guide for Dusclops, a VIP card for 50% off metallic ores at any Devon Corporation store, and some money—consider it my gift to Dusclops for its dowry. Oh no, I mean startup funds.”

At that moment, Wallace looked exactly like a matchmaker who had just succeeded in arranging a wedding.

He had been right about Shinsuke—their compatibility with Dusclops was excellent.

In just one day, Dusclops had actually taken a liking to him and agreed to leave with him.

Ignoring Shinsuke’s stunned expression, Wallace then made another promise to Ash and the others.

The gist was what he and Luo Mu and Milotic had discussed in the afternoon: they should focus first on their upcoming contests.

Afterward, if they wished to build bonds with the Pokémon in the Rock Peak, they could contact him anytime.

It was his personal gift as Wallace Zoroark—and it was valid for life.

One more day passed, arriving at January 28th.

Only a few days remained before the spring semester resumed at Orange Academy.

After seeing off Nimo, Shinsuke, Shizuka, and Ash as they departed one by one,

Luo Mu formally told Wallace and Milotic he intended to leave.

Both understood Luo Mu and did not insist he stay.

They knew Lugia and the two giant Pokémon, equally the greatest contributors, were still waiting for him.

That afternoon, after lunch with Wallace and Milotic,

Luo Mu left Green Ridge City, riding Charizard all the way to the edge of the Hoenn Sea.

There, Lugia, the Giant Dragonite, and the Giant Gyarados waited.

Luo Mu turned first to the Giant Dragonite and asked curiously, “You’re saying you’ll take me to an island?”

(End of Chapter)