Persian had taken blow after blow, his body covered in severe burns. His breathing was ragged, and it looked as though he could collapse at any moment.
Giselle saw this and trembled uncontrollably. A chilling fear welled up inside her—a fear born from defeat…
"Finish it, Charmander! Use Flamethrower one last time!" Yozora commanded.
Charmander immediately opened its jaws wide, spewing out a torrent of blazing fire that roared toward Persian.
Persian tried desperately to dodge.
But with his body battered and stamina depleted, his speed was nothing like before.
Charmander's flames swept across the field, relentlessly tracking him until the fire finally swallowed his entire body.
"Meooow!"
A wail echoed before Persian collapsed, consumed by the blaze.
"Persian is unable to battle. Charmander wins!"
"The match is over. Congratulations, Yozora!" Komiya drew in a deep breath and made the final ruling.
Then, he was the first to applaud.
No matter what, the strength Yozora had displayed today had completely won him over.
Clap, clap, clap!
"Yozora, congratulations on your victory!"
Thunderous applause erupted all around. Countless students were in awe of Yozora's power, showering him with praise.
Only Giselle remained kneeling weakly on the floor, her eyes lifeless.
She had never imagined she would lose to a peer. Even more unthinkable—she had been utterly crushed…
Throughout the entire battle, Yozora had only used three Pokémon to defeat all six of hers.
The gap between them was staggering.
For the first time, Giselle began to deeply doubt herself.
"Thank you, everyone."
Yozora waved lightly to the gathered students. He cast one last glance at Giselle before turning to leave.
He did not demand that she fulfill her forfeit promise.
Forget it. There was no need.
After all, she was just a girl. Besides, there was no true enmity between them.
Yozora hated evil, but Giselle was not evil.
He only wanted to vent his frustration—and knock down her arrogance a notch.
Now, seeing her defeated, kneeling in despair, questioning herself—Yozora knew his purpose had been achieved. It was enough.
"…"
Giselle's gaze grew complicated as she watched Yozora's back grow distant. In the end, she lowered her head in shame.
Raised under strict noble etiquette, Giselle would rather die than fulfill the humiliating promise she had made.
She had even considered offering Yozora money to appease him. But he had simply turned and left, without asking for anything.
"That's class…" The students watching were quietly impressed.
"Mhm, whether it's strength or character, that Yozora is simply outstanding!" A few girls from the junior class sighed, gazing dreamily at his departing figure.
"Komiya."
Giselle stood, producing a radiant Thunder Stone and handing it to him. "Please, help me give this to Yozora."
"A Supreme Thunder Stone?!"
Komiya's eyes widened as he examined the gem. "Leader, this stone is worth at least ten million. Even for us, that's no small fortune. You really intend to give this to him?"
Giselle nodded. "Yes. He spared me from humiliation before everyone. I'm grateful."
Only then did Komiya agree, without further questions.
As her classmate, he knew her too well. Proud to the bone—she would never hand it over personally, even if she secretly acknowledged Yozora's strength.
So, she needed a go-between. And that person was him.
"Come out, Arcanine!"
Komiya summoned his Arcanine. While its strength wasn't extraordinary, its sense of smell was unmatched.
That evening, guided by Arcanine, Komiya found Yozora and handed over the Thunder Stone.
"Giselle asked me to give this to you. She said she's thankful you didn't embarrass her in front of everyone," Komiya explained when Yozora looked puzzled.
Yozora nodded and accepted it.
Komiya twitched his lips. "You're way too calm about this. That stone's worth more than ten million, and you didn't even blink?"
Yozora chuckled. "If she thinks her pride is worth ten million, why shouldn't I accept?"
"…You're something else."
Komiya gave him a thumbs-up. "Yozora, after watching your match, I realized we students are just greenhouse flowers—pampered, soft, lacking in training, and worse, lacking real combat experience."
He clenched his fists. "I've decided—I'm setting off on a journey! I'll collect all eight Gym Badges with my own hands and compete in the League Conference! Yozora, when that time comes, I swear I won't lose to you!"
Yozora nodded. "Alright."
And just like that, Yozora obtained a Supreme Thunder Stone.
After sending Komiya off, Yozora suddenly noticed Charmander staring at the stone in his hand with longing eyes.
Yozora froze.
Wait… You're a Fire-type. What would you even do with this?
Even if Thunder Stones can enhance talent and potential, they're only meant for Pokémon like Pikachu or Eevee who evolve through it… right?
"Boss, I can't use the Thunder Stone to evolve. But I can absorb its natural electrical energy—to awaken my own electricity! And even learn Electric-type moves!"
Thanks to their bond, Yozora easily understood Charmander's thoughts.
He blinked, then pulled out a mid-grade Thunder Stone. "How about this one instead?"
Of course, Yozora supported Charmander learning Thunder Punch. But using a Supreme Thunder Stone for that? Way too extravagant!
"That works too… Though the move won't be as powerful."
Hearing Charmander's confirmation, Yozora decisively stored the Supreme Thunder Stone away, tossing the mid-grade stone to Charmander instead. "Use this one. If the power's lacking, then train harder yourself."
It wasn't stinginess. That Supreme Thunder Stone was worth over ten million—a treasure capable of enhancing innate potential. Using it just to unlock a move? That was madness!
Even the rich heirs like Giselle or Komiya wouldn't be so wasteful.
…
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
Yozora had crafted the mid-grade Thunder Stone into a necklace, which hung around Charmander's neck, letting it absorb energy day and night.
Now, after two weeks, the stone's glow had dimmed significantly.
Most of its electrical energy had been absorbed by Charmander.
And yet, Charmander still hadn't unleashed Thunder Punch.
According to him, the stronger the first burst of energy absorbed, the more powerful the resulting move would be.
Afterward, no matter how much more he absorbed, the effect wouldn't be as great.
If he wanted to make Thunder Punch stronger… he would have to hone it himself.
End of Chapter