Four days later, at the South Riverland City Gym:
"Starly, use Wing Attack!" Joe shouted across the half-empty training field.
"Chirp!" Starly screeched, flapping its wings powerfully as it flew towards Torchic on the ground with incredible speed.
"Torchic, use Heat Wave," Aron commanded calmly.
"Chirp!" Torchic opened its beak and exhaled a blast of intense heat, warping the air around it as the scorching wave surged toward Starly.
"Dodge it!" Joe yelled anxiously.
With a sharp cry, Starly banked and changed its trajectory mid-air, barely managing to evade the heat wave by soaring upward. But Aron wasn't finished.
"Now, Ember," he said coolly, watching Starly's flight path.
Torchic instantly unleashed a flurry of embers, each glowing with intense heat, aimed right at Starly.
Boom!
The embers struck, exploding mid-air and sending smoke billowing everywhere. Moments later, Starly tumbled from the haze, hitting the ground hard before lying still in a fainted state.
"Starly!" Joe's shout echoed as he rushed to his Pokémon.
A pair of cold system notifications sounded in Aron's mind:
[Torchic gains 15 experience points]
[Torchic has reached Level 10]
Aron calmly approached Torchic.
"Chirp!" Torchic looked up at him with a happy chirp, then rubbed its head against his leg affectionately.
"Great job." Aron smiled, kneeling down to stroke Torchic's head before taking out an energy cube and offering it as a treat. Torchic munched contentedly.
Aron stood up, turning to Joe, who was using a healing spray on Starly. "Keep working hard. I hope you beat me next time," he said.
"I will, for sure!" Joe looked up with his eyes blazing.
Aron chuckled to himself. Joe's persistence had been good training for Torchic, who had gained substantial experience points from their constant battles over the past four days.
Torchic's new level meant it had reached the Normal tier, confirming Aron's hunch: There are no barriers to leveling up.
"As long as we can keep gaining experience points, Torchic's strength will keep growing," Aron thought with a satisfied smile. This would allow every Pokémon on his team to grow steadily and consistently reach new heights.
After Joe left with Starly, Aron was about to continue training when he heard applause. Looking over, he saw Lukas standing at the entrance beside an elderly man.
The man was thin, with carefully combed white hair and a pair of deep, dark eyes that seemed to see right through Aron. He exuded an aura of quiet strength and confidence.
Aron recognized him immediately: Hugh Smith, his grandfather and a famed psychic Elite of Easton.
In the original owner's memories, Hugh had always been stern, with little expression, and expected excellence from everyone in the family. Due to Hugh's majesty, Aron had rarely spoken in front of him, and since Hugh was usually away on work across Easton, they'd spent limited time together.
Hugh approached Aron slowly, with Lukas at his side. Once he reached Aron, he paused, staring quietly at Aron and then Torchic.
Torchic seemed to feel the unspeakable pressure on Hugh's body. It couldn't help shrinking its neck, and leaned tightly on Aron's thigh.
"Good," Hugh finally spoke after a moment.
"You have the potential to reach Elite," he said, as if commenting on something completely ordinary.
Without waiting for a response, Hugh continued, "I hear you no longer mind the idea of becoming a Trainer?"
Aron thought for a moment. "Perhaps becoming a Pokémon Scholar and a Trainer aren't mutually exclusive," he replied thoughtfully.
Hugh gave a small nod, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a Poké Ball and handed it to Aron. "This is my graduation gift to you."
Aron glanced at Lukas, who nodded in encouragement, and accepted the Poké Ball. "Thank you."
Hearing this, a smile flashed across Hugh Smith 's face, but he still said sullenly, "You don't have to say thank you to me."
"I don't have much time, and I still have tasks to do, so I'll leave first."
He then gave Aron a meaningful look. "Whether you pursue being a Pokémon Scholar or a Trainer, put in your best effort."
"I will," Aron promised.
Hugh nodded, turning to leave. "I'll walk you out, old man," Lukas offered, following him.
Outside, Lukas commented, "This kid's changed a lot."
Hugh gave a thoughtful hum. "Indeed." He then gave Lukas a sidelong glance. "Has your Alakazam reached semi-Elite yet?"
Lukas coughed lightly, changing the subject quickly, and said, "Old man, you still have to pay attention to your tone in front of Little Aron in the future,he's your grandson,not a subordinate."
Hearing this, Hugh Smith was silent for a while, then nodded.
Lukas continued "Oh, by the way, what mission do you have this time?"
---
Back in the training ground, Aron examined the Poké Ball in his hand.
"What kind of Pokémon could it be?"Aron muttered softly while pressing the Poké Ball button.
A beam of red light shot out, and a strange-looking, silver Pokémon appeared before him. It had a long, sleek body with a distinctive crown-like head and a large claw at its end.
The Pokémon floated quietly, staring at Aron with its intense, red eyes.
[Pokémon: Beldum (Steel/Psychic)
Ability: Clear Body
Potential: Champion
Moves: Take Down, Iron Defense, Iron Head, Zen Headbutt
Level: 5 (Rookie)]