"Holy crap—Calyrex?! Are you kidding me?!"
"Is that really the legendary King of Bountiful Harvests? No, seriously, who exactly is this Lucas? How does he… how does he even—"
"Galarian Moltres, Calyrex—two Legendary Pokémon already! And why are they both from our Galar region?!"
"Ahhh! Lucas Oppa is really the best! He even managed to capture Calyrex—wow!!!"
The forums seemed to explode in an instant. Countless new posts were appearing at a frantic pace, while inside Wyndon Arena, the noise was deafening.
Calyrex, the ancient King of Bountiful Harvests from Galarian legend. Compared to Galarian Moltres, Calyrex's influence and symbolic weight were on an entirely different level.
And yet, this Pokémon that had previously existed only in murals, ruins, and ancient texts… had now truly appeared before the public!
Awe. Excitement. Frenzy. Shock.
"So, these are the gazes of old… How nostalgic."
Calyrex floated calmly above the ground, sensing the countless stares converging on it from all directions. Its expression did not waver in the slightest as a clear yet time-worn telepathic voice resonated.
However, this telepathy could only be heard by Lucas alone.
Once, as the king of an ancient kingdom, Calyrex had been looked upon by its people in exactly this way.
But ever since the kingdom faded into history and it secluded itself in the Crown Tundra, Calyrex had never again felt emotions like these.
The only companions that remained by its side were Glastrier, Spectrier… and endless snow and ice.
"Do you miss it?" Lucas raised an eyebrow and smiled as he looked at Calyrex.
He could more or less understand what Calyrex was feeling.
"I do not dwell upon the past," Calyrex replied calmly. "Whether glory or triumph, they have all long since become part of history, nothing more."
Its dignified eyes shifted toward Mega Charizard X standing opposite. "Is that my opponent?"
"Yes. This is a competitive activity within human society. Calyrex, you'll need to defeat it."
Lucas smiled and gave a brief explanation.
"I understand… however—" Calyrex carefully appraised Charizard X.
Even while inside the Poké Ball, it had already grasped what Lucas was currently doing.
If this were the Calyrex of old, the pride of a king would never have allowed it to battle an opponent that had already been injured.
But this was a human competition, not a brutal struggle for survival. Calyrex could accept it—begrudgingly.
After all, it was now also a partner Pokémon to a human.
"What is it?" Lucas blinked when he heard the hesitation.
"Without my steed at my side, fighting still feels… rather uncomfortable."
Calyrex answered honestly. It had long grown accustomed to battling while mounted.
"…Please bear with it for now." Lucas froze for a moment, then shrugged helplessly.
After capturing Calyrex, Lucas had naturally also captured Glastrier and Spectrier.
He had done so using three Poké Balls.
Under the Bonding Reins, Rider Calyrex was, strictly speaking, a single entity with its steed—meaning one Poké Ball was sufficient.
But normally, Lucas used three separate Poké Balls to allow Calyrex and its steeds to rest independently.
Unridden Calyrex was naturally far weaker than its mounted forms.
After all, in its base form, Calyrex didn't even possess a signature move; only when riding Glastrier or Spectrier did it gain Glacial Lance or Astral Barrage.
The difference in combat power was enormous. Calyrex had always fought alongside its steed, so being asked to fight alone felt understandably unfamiliar.
"I see…" Calyrex said softly.
It slowly raised a hand toward Charizard X.
"Charizard! Take off!"
Leon, who had been watching Calyrex with utmost focus, narrowed his eyes and issued a sharp command.
Charizard X beat its wings, preparing to take flight.
"Calyrex, Psychic!"
Calyrex's eyes flared with deep, azure psychic light. Just as Charizard X was about to rise into the air, its body abruptly froze.
A faint blue glow enveloped Charizard X completely, locking it in place.
Psychic!
"Charizard!"
Leon shouted urgently, hoping it could break free from the restraint.
But Charizard X was already struggling with all its might—and yet, apart from its eyeballs, it realized that its entire body felt as if it were bound in chains, completely unable to move!
"Expanding Force."
At Lucas's voice, Calyrex calmly raised its other slender arm as psychic energy rapidly condensed.
A pale pink, spherical mass formed in front of Calyrex.
Expanding Force—a Psychic-type special attack.
With a gentle push of Calyrex's arm, Expanding Force shot forward at extreme speed toward the immobilized Charizard X!
BOOM!
The attack detonated heavily, the violent explosion echoing across the battlefield. The shockwave whipped Leon's hair about as he helplessly shook his head.
He had known this would be the outcome—but it had ended far too decisively…
"It's over."
Seeing Charizard X struck by Expanding Force, Cynthia spoke softly.
Charizard X's condition had already been poor. Its battle with Mega Tyranitar had been mutually destructive.
Now, being hit head-on by Calyrex while completely defenseless, Charizard X had all but certainly lost the ability to fight.
"Honestly, it's better this way," Iris muttered with a pout. "Let that monster climb higher so he stops challenging us every other day."
She still felt annoyed about Lucas choosing to challenge her back then.
Out of so many people, why did he have to pick me?
Now that Lucas had defeated Leon, he would naturally rise to No. 2 on the Masters Class Rankings—a good thing overall.
At least trainers ranked higher couldn't actively challenge those ranked lower.
Iris wasn't afraid of strong opponents—but she didn't want to get beaten up for no reason either…
Just wait until I train properly and grow stronger—then I'll get my 'revenge'!
On the battlefield—
As the explosion from Expanding Force faded and the dust slowly cleared, everyone saw it clearly—
Charizard X had already reverted from its Mega Evolution and was lying motionless on the ground.
Leon's ace Charizard… had fallen!
At this sight, the entire stadium fell noticeably quieter.
"Charizard is unable to battle. Calyrex wins!"
The referee carefully examined Charizard, steadied his turbulent emotions, glanced cautiously at Calyrex, and raised his small flag.
"Since all six of Leon's Pokémon have lost the ability to battle, the winner of this challenge match is—Lucas Blackthorn!"
"Lucas's challenge is successful! He advances to Masters Ranking No. 2! Leon drops by one position!"
The referee dutifully announced the results.
"WOOOOO—!"
As soon as the announcement was made, the entire stadium erupted.
"Lucas! Lucas! Lucas!"
"That was way too strong… I'm suddenly really looking forward to Lucas versus Lance now."
"That's honestly hard to say. Judging from this battle, Lucas's strength is absolutely no weaker than Lance's—and…"
"And he even has Calyrex! That's the legendary king. Honestly speaking, Lucas might already be stronger than his cousin."
"I can already see it—Lucas is probably the new king of this era. The Masters Tournament really did produce a new monarch!"
"Damn it, another one from Indigo, how are the rest of us supposed to compete? Does anyone know how to immigrate to Indigo?"
"Lucas Oppa is the best!!!"
"Hey! Why do I see you everywhere?!"
Compared to the deafening chaos inside Wyndon Arenna, trainers from all regions who had been following the match were now fervently discussing it on the forums.
At Indigo Plateau, inside a certain room—
"Hehe~"
Scrolling through the trainer forums, especially seeing posts about people wanting to immigrate, Chairman Loki couldn't stop smiling.
Although Lucas had not officially joined the Indigo League, his identity as a Indigo native could not be changed.
Lucas's rise to worldwide fame naturally brought great prestige to the Kanto region.
"So, Lance—what do you think?" Loki asked warmly, glancing to his side.
Handsome features, crimson hair, and simple blue attire—
It was none other than Lance Blackthorn.
However, unlike the once-sharp, arrogant Dragon Master of the past, Lance's eyes were now calm and restrained, his demeanor far more steady.
"With Lucas's strength, defeating Leon was only natural," Lance replied flatly.
"Now that Lucas has reached second place, I imagine he's eager to challenge you," Loki teased with a gentle smile.
He wasn't surprised by Lance's composed reaction.
He had come specifically to see Lance. Though it was said that Lance was being detained, Loki had already returned all of his Pokémon.
Only Lance's freedom was restricted to Indigo Plateau.
But this was merely Loki's request. With Lance's strength and Pokémon at his side, there was no one on Indigo Plateau who could truly imprison the former Dragon Master.
And Loki trusted that Lance wouldn't run away.
He knew Lance too well.
Moreover…
After his defeat in Vermilion City, Lance's mindset had undergone significant change—something Loki had observed closely.
"…" Lance fell silent, his gaze flickering before gradually settling.
"Lance, are you still unable to move past it?" Loki turned to face him directly, his expression growing serious.
"You know what I'm thinking, Chairman," Lance said quietly, pressing his lips together. He truly was confused.
After being defeated by Red, N, and others, doubt had already taken root in his heart.
Were his ideals, his dragons, really that fragile?
If his convictions were truly correct, then why had he failed?
Why had these younger trainers all stood in his way?
Lance couldn't understand it. He had even begun to question himself.
"I understand. Of course I do," Loki said solemnly. "I have always understood your ideals."
"But your methods were wrong. Extremism and cold resolve aren't always unacceptable—but they can only be used at certain times."
"The League has always moved toward a clearer, brighter tomorrow ever since its founding."
"What is our duty?"
Loki turned his gaze toward the computer screen, which was playing footage from Wyndon Stadium—crowds cheering wildly after Lucas's victory.
"The world is vast. Good and evil, right and wrong, are endlessly entangled. All we can do is maintain the order we believe in."
"To put smiles on people's faces. To let them grow happily, free to chase their dreams."
"Pokémon and nature cannot be protected by individual strength alone. That is why the League exists."
Loki's aged yet gentle voice slowly reached Lance's ears, causing the emotions in his eyes to churn.
"Lance… will you lend your strength to the League once more?"
Wyndon Arena—
Lucas had no idea that Loki was persuading Lance to return to the League. Even if he did know, he would only thank that old man.
"So… I really am a vain person after all."
Listening to the excited cheers calling his name, Lucas smiled.
He didn't dislike standing in the public eye—in fact, he enjoyed it.
In a world like this, possessing absolute power yet never displaying it for the world to admire—wasn't that a terrible waste?
Today, he had done exactly that.
Lucas had defeated Leon head-on—the world's second-ranked Trainer—and claimed his crown!
"Congratulations."
Leon recalled his defeated Charizard and walked up to Lucas with a smile.
Though the loser, Leon still sincerely admired Lucas.
The strong deserved respect, and Leon was not the sort of petty person who lost all composure after defeat.
"Let's battle again sometime," Lucas said, shaking Leon's hand.
"Haha—next time, I'll be the one challenging you," Leon laughed heartily.
"By the way… when are you planning to challenge Lance? His situation right now…"
Leon hesitated before asking.
Lance's circumstances were special, and as Galar's Champion, Leon knew a little about them.
It was something he genuinely regretted. Though Lance was arrogant, Leon never truly disliked him.
Perhaps it was mutual respect among the strong—or perhaps Leon knew that Lance was not truly evil.
Either way, Leon felt it was a pity.
"It won't be long," Lucas replied, a ripple passing through his eyes.
It really was time to go have a talk with his dear cousin Lance.
(End of Chapter)