Aven turned to look at Rhydon, who was still trying to sense Fire energy.
The Sunny Day effect was gradually fading, and the ambient Fire energy was weakening as well.
Rhydon scratched its head.
Though it could feel the heat and its body was nearly burning up, it still couldn't sense any actual Fire energy.
"It's okay, take your time," Aven comforted.
"You're not a Fire-type Pokémon, so it's naturally harder for you to sense Fire energy."
For Pokémon, their own type's energy was easiest to sense.
Sensing other elemental energies required a certain level of innate talent.
"Rhhhyyy…" Rhydon growled quietly and nodded.
It had never lacked determination or effort.
However, it was curious about the scene it had just witnessed—Aven forging apricorns with a hammer.
That gave Aven an idea.
In fact, Rhydon might be one of the most suitable Pokémon for blacksmithing, given that it had both arms capable of wielding a hammer.
With that thought, Aven immediately rekindled the fire and began heating up a white apricorn again until it turned a glowing red.
Then, he handed the hammer to Rhydon, letting it try striking the apricorn itself.
"Rhy!" Rhydon nodded, took the hammer, and smashed it down on the white apricorn.
Boom! Sparks flew everywhere. The glowing red apricorn was instantly deformed by the strike.
Seeing this, Aven raised his eyebrows. Clearly, Rhydon's strength was far too overwhelming.
Even Rhydon was startled. It quickly picked up the still-hot apricorn, which sizzled in its hand as the heat seared its skin.
However, Rhydon showed no signs of pain—the temperature clearly wasn't enough to harm it.
That reminded Aven of something: Rhydon's entire body was protected by armor-like skin and could survive even in 2,000-degree magma.
Compared to lava, the heat from the apricorn was nothing. Rhydon could endure it with ease.
Ssssssss—!
As Aven stood in thought, a flame suddenly ignited in Rhydon's palm.
The fire emerged from the heated Apricorn and wrapped around Rhydon's right hand entirely.
Rhydon was stunned.
Within the flame, it could suddenly feel the energy fluctuations of the Fire element.
So this... is Fire-type energy? Rhydon stared blankly at its hand. It clenched its fist tightly, trying to grab the flame—but it dispersed, quickly flickering out.
"Rhhyyy!" Rhydon roared in excitement.
That brief moment had allowed it to sense Fire-type energy!
"Wait—you really sensed it?"
Even Aven was surprised.
He glanced at Rhydon, then at the hammer in its hand, and couldn't help but feel…
Rhydon kind of looks natural holding a blacksmith's hammer.
Besides, to evolve into Rhyperior, it would need a special item called Protector.
Although he didn't know the exact forging process for the item, it was definitely a finely crafted piece of metalwork. If Rhydon were to forge it itself, could it possibly develop a deeper connection with it?
If anyone could create the Protector, Rhydon was probably the most likely candidate!
Moreover, Rhyperior's training method involved forging its own body, constantly increasing its physical strength—
This philosophy was very much in line with blacksmithing.
Similarly, Steelix trained by enduring high pressure and heat underground, forging a body harder than any metal, which was also not unlike blacksmith work.
"Rhydon, do you want to evolve?"
Aven decided to tell it the truth.
Rhydon immediately looked up, eyes wide.
"Rhhhyyy?" "I can still evolve?"
Its voice was filled with urgency.
Although it had thought about evolving before, it never imagined Aven would actually bring it up now.
"Yes, you can evolve—but you'll need a special item called Protector."
Rhydon instantly became excited and began asking eagerly what this Protector was.
"It's a special kind of metalwork," Aven explained.
"To craft it, we'll first need to find the right metal, and then forge it into Protector."
"I don't know what materials are required or how exactly it's made—but I believe the secret lies within you."
Aven spoke with patience.
Just like how some Pokémon have a special resonance with evolutionary stones, he believed Rhydon could sense the path forward.
"Even if you never manage to forge Protector, you can still use blacksmithing to train your body."
"Your body is like a block of raw iron. With constant hammering and forging, you'll become even tougher and stronger—like true steel."
Listening to Aven's words, determination filled Rhydon's eyes.
If it wanted to evolve, it would find the metal, discover the forging method, and craft the Protector itself!
"Then let's start with forging!"
Aven smiled and patted Rhydon on the shoulder.
He would also develop a specialized training plan tailored to Rhydon's needs.
…
Clang! Clang! Clang!
In the days that followed, the sound of Rhydon's running was replaced by the ringing of metal striking metal.
Rhydon poured all its training effort into blacksmithing.
Instead of a hammer its massive fists rose high, gathering Rock-type energy, then slammed down hard onto metal blocks.
CLANG! Sparks flew everywhere. The iron glowed, but Rhydon ignored the scorching heat completely.
After hammering the block several times, it tossed it into a nearby water pit.
Sssssss… Steam billowed upward as the red-hot iron cooled rapidly and solidified.
Rhydon picked up the now-solidified block from the water, stared at the misshapen chunk, scratched its head awkwardly, then threw it back into the furnace.
"Rhy!"
Rhydon called to the nearby Starly, who was resting.
"Star~"
Starly flapped its wings wearily, generating a gust of wind into the furnace.
Rhydon sat down, watching the iron being reheated.
It tried to feel the Fire energy inside the furnace.
Once the iron turned glowing red again, Rhydon reached into the furnace with its bare hand, pulled the metal out—and flames immediately ignited around its hand.
The fire burned fiercely as Rhydon slowly clenched its fist and then punched toward the air.
As its fist moved, the flames flickered and wavered—
But soon, they vanished.
This was still ordinary flame, not one generated by Rhydon's own Fire energy.
Rhydon withdrew its hand, placed the iron block on the anvil again, gathered Rock-type energy, and resumed hammering.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The forging sounds echoed across the farm as Rhydon repeated the routine again and again.
…
"Looks like we'll need to find a proper blacksmith to teach it,"
Aven muttered, scratching his head.
Rhydon was relying purely on brute strength—no technique at all.
He wasn't sure anymore if this had been the right decision.
Basic hammering was fine, but true forging might be a bit too much for Rhydon to handle alone.
However, when it came to Ancient Power and Fire Punch, Rhydon's training was going well.
It could now easily sense and begin to control Fire energy, which was exactly what Aven had hoped for.
"Lil~"
"Plumeee~"
"Tang, tang~"
Watching the blacksmithing-crazed Rhydon, Petilil, Vileplume, and Tangrowth were all feeling a little panicked.
If Rhydon learned Fire Punch, their type advantage would be completely gone.
That terrifying, flame-wreathed punch could knock them out instantly.
Nope! Not watching this anymore!
The three Grass-types scrambled away to train, desperate to close the gap.
Rhydon was putting way too much pressure on them.
This training is good for Rhydon, so we'll leave it be for now.
Aven made his decision and glanced at the white apricorns in his backpack—but decided not to experiment further just yet.
…
Back at the farm, Aven called for Fessen.
Recently, Fessen had been leading a team in clearing river channels, and the work was progressing smoothly with Bibarel's help.
The project was close to officially beginning.
"Lord Aven, you wish to build a blacksmith shop in the village?"
Fessen asked, puzzled.
Right now, the village didn't have much demand for a forge.
Iron ore was rare in Aspiration City, and unless they discovered a local vein, a blacksmith shop might not be worth the trouble.
In Fessen's opinion, building the lord's castle was a far more urgent priority.
It was unbecoming for a noble lord to still lack a proper manor.
Recently, envoys from other lords had been visiting, and Aven had received them in the Pokémon Breeding House… which made Fessen feel quite embarrassed in his role as steward.
"Yes, the castle needs to come first."
"But," Aven added, "finding a good blacksmith in Aspiration City won't be easy either. Start keeping an eye out for one."
"If you find anyone suitable, report to me directly—I'll find a way to recruit them."
"Once we have a skilled blacksmith, building the forge won't be hard. As for iron ore… well, the Black Forest is huge. Who knows? There might be a vein hidden somewhere."
Aven's true goal was to craft Apricorn Pokeballs, and what he needed most was someone who could teach forging techniques.
Of course, he would also continue looking for other Pokémon that were suitable for smithing.
He couldn't put all his hopes on Rhydon alone.
Fessen bowed slightly in acknowledgment.
The village of Fruitvale was in a stage of rapid development, and indeed, recruiting talented individuals in every field was vital.
After Fessen left, Aven returned to his desk.
For now, his top priority was still establishing the Pokémon Breeding Facility—only then could he rapidly boost the territory's strength and raise more powerful Pokémon and Trainers.
…
(End of Chapter)