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Chris stayed at Dragon University for three full days.
While Chris rested comfortably on Trial Island No. 7, Garchomp underwent intensive training within the Dragon Clan Cemetery located in the East Sea Dragon Nest.
He was waiting for Garchomp to pass the trial and become a true king.
Chris deliberately chose not to be present to provide Mega Evolution support for Garchomp. He wanted his partner to claim the crown through its own strength alone, without any assistance.
That was precisely why the process took three entire days.
For those three days, Garchomp remained constantly within the Dragon Tomb, eating, drinking, and resting there. Not only did it become completely accustomed to the suppression created by the powerful Dragon-type aura, but it even began attempting to absorb this draconic energy and convert it into its own power.
When Chris finally went to retrieve Garchomp, he found it sitting atop its father's massive skeleton. The Dragon-type aura had condensed into a nearly solid form, flowing into Garchomp from all directions like water through pipes.
A single ray of light descended from above, illuminating both Garchomp and the golden crown resting nearby.
Garchomp had not yet been crowned, but it already possessed the strength and qualities necessary to claim that title.
"So every ancient cemetery holds incredible opportunities like this?" Chris observed his Garchomp with pleasant surprise.
Not only had it claimed the crown and the divine treasures—including even the Sky Flute—but it had also absorbed all the surrounding Dragon-type aura for itself.
That approach was admittedly somewhat ruthless and greedy.
But—
Chris liked it!
His "ordinary" Garchomp had finally become something truly extraordinary.
As the surrounding Dragon aura was steadily absorbed, the oppressive pressure Chris could feel grew weaker and weaker.
Until it vanished entirely.
No—it couldn't be said that it had disappeared completely.
The Dragon-type aura's pressure still existed in the area, but this pressure no longer affected Chris in the slightest. That was because this intimidating presence now belonged exclusively to Garchomp!
Therefore, it hadn't disappeared at all—it had simply been transferred!
"It's almost like giving Garchomp an additional Intimidate ability that's been extensively developed and enhanced," Chris thought analytically.
However, the effect wasn't quite as overwhelmingly powerful as when it had been directed against Garchomp during the trial.
Additionally, after absorbing all that Dragon-type aura, the power of Garchomp's Dragon-type moves would naturally increase significantly. Unfortunately, without any numerical indicators showing exactly how much the enhancement was, Chris had no precise way of measuring the improvement.
"You can proceed with the coronation ceremony now," Chris said to Garchomp, who stood on the ground looking somewhat bewildered after absorbing all that power.
Garchomp could feel that its entire body was brimming with energy—so much so that it felt an almost uncontrollable discomfort from the sheer magnitude of power coursing through it.
Chris wasn't planning to let Garchomp spend time adapting to this new power before beginning the crowning ceremony.
The coronation itself would grant even more power, so it made more sense to complete the crowning first, then allow Garchomp to gradually master control over its enhanced abilities afterward.
Garchomp slowly raised its head toward the crown symbolizing the title of "king" hovering above it.
Extending one claw, it gently tapped the crown. Golden light scattered like brilliant sparks, sprinkling down across Garchomp's body.
The golden radiance exploded outward magnificently.
A new king had ascended to the throne!
Chris activated his Pokédex at precisely the right moment to view Garchomp's updated status.
[Garchomp (Ground/Dragon)]
[Level: 96]
[Ability: Rough Skin (When attacked by contact moves, the attacker loses a portion of their HP) / King's Presence (All stats increased by 20%, the power of Dragon-type and Ground-type moves increased by 20%, gains access to special field "Dragon King's Domain")]
(Dragon King's Domain: Within this field, all stats of allied Dragon-type Pokémon are increased by 50%.
Simultaneously, enemy Pokémon are suppressed.
All stats are reduced based on the level difference.
The effect is doubled against enemy Dragon-type Pokémon, and increased tenfold against enemy Garchomp.)
[Individual Values: HP (31), Attack (31), Special Attack (31), Defense (31), Special Defense (24), Speed (31)]
[Moves: Sand Tomb, Tackle, Sand Attack, Dragon Breath, Bulldoze, Bite, Slash, Dragon Claw, Dig, Quick Attack, Cut, Strength, Rock Smash, Earthquake, Sandstorm, Dragon Dance... Precipice Blades]
[Held Item: Landrous's Treasure]
"Dragon King's Domain... This effect is incredibly targeted," Chris couldn't help but murmur when he noticed that the suppression effect was doubled against Dragon-type Pokémon and increased tenfold against other Garchomp specifically.
Ten times the suppression effect—that was absolutely devastating.
As long as opponents didn't resort to underhanded tactics, Chris honestly had no idea how any Pokémon planning to challenge his Garchomp's throne in the future would possibly succeed.
Beyond feeling impressed, Chris also experienced a sense of relief and gratitude.
If the previous Garchomp King hadn't passed away, how could his own Garchomp have possibly challenged for the throne while facing ten times the normal pressure and ultimately emerged victorious?
After all, Chris could determine from examining the skeleton left behind after the previous Garchomp King's death that it had definitely possessed strength comparable to legendary Pokémon during its lifetime.
It would likely have been even stronger when it was alive and at its peak.
"I apologize for making you wait so long, Professor," Chris said to Vladimir with genuine remorse.
Their original plan had been to depart for the S-rank Secret Realm known as "Hanging Island" two days ago to explore the ancient ruins where the Lustrous Orb had once been located. However, they had ended up staying several additional days specifically to complete Garchomp's coronation training.
Professor Vladimir had been genuinely inconvenienced by the delay.
"What are you apologizing for? I should be thanking you instead, Chris. I've only witnessed a Pokémon ascending to become a king once before in my entire life. This makes it the second time," Vladimir said, gazing at Garchomp with fascination. Over the past few days of conversation with Chris, he had gradually learned various insider details about these matters.
For instance, he now understood that the so-called "divine throne" actually referred to the title of king.
He'd also learned that certain Pokémon possessed the potential to claim thrones because of power granted by Arceus, the Creator God, in ancient times.
Therefore, Vladimir had become deeply interested in studying Pokémon who had achieved the status of king.
"Would you be interested in conducting in-depth research on this phenomenon? Perhaps we could discover something that might fundamentally change the world's understanding of Pokémon," Vladimir suggested eagerly.
Chris didn't refuse immediately. Instead, he considered the proposal carefully.
Xerneas had once mentioned that not every Pokémon was blessed with the divine power granted by Arceus. Chris wasn't entirely certain whether all of his main team Pokémon possessed the potential to become kings or not.
Moreover, even if his main Pokémon did have the possibility of achieving that status, locating their respective thrones wouldn't be an easy task by any means.
So then...
If they attempted to study the fundamental nature of the "King's" power—essentially studying the blessing bestowed by Arceus itself—would they potentially be able to artificially create a "king" through research?
"We can certainly try, but I may not have much available time recently," Chris replied thoughtfully.
"That doesn't matter at all. We can resume the research whenever you're free again. I'll help you by completing the foundational groundwork in advance," Vladimir waved his hand dismissively, clearly planning to begin the preliminary research on his own.
After all, he was already quite old, while Chris still had his youth ahead of him.
It didn't matter even if Vladimir himself never lived to see the day when this research bore fruit. He would gladly make this research project his final gift and contribution to his exceptional student, Chris.