Chapter 151: The Azure Planet from Over a Decade Ago
The Aura King, Magnus, hailed from Wave Aura Town.
Over a decade ago, the world of Pokémon trainers wasn't as expansive as it is today. At that time, the number of Pokémon sanctuaries was a mere fraction of what it is now—perhaps a third or even a quarter.
With such scarce resources, becoming a Pokémon trainer was an immense challenge. Aspiring trainers had to pass not only political scrutiny but also a financial evaluation to prove they could afford and properly raise a Pokémon. Families were assessed on their income to determine if they were eligible to purchase and care for a Pokémon.
Back then, resources were scarce, and items like energy cubes were rare luxuries. Pokémon trainers were often limited to raising just one Pokémon, unlike today's 6v6 battles in high school tournaments.
Magnus was born into a modest family in Wave Aura Town. From a young age, he had a deep love for Pokémon. He was captivated by even the most common ones, like Pidgey soaring in the sky or Magikarp splashing in the water.
However, his family's financial struggles made it impossible for him to become a trainer. Magnus, undeterred, stole a Poké Ball from an unknown source and disappeared into the forest behind the town.
His family quickly reported him missing.
At that time, the world of Pokémon was far more dangerous. Sanctuaries were dominated by wild Pokémon, and humans were far less equipped to confront them. After a few days of searching, the local authorities gave up, assuming the boy had been killed by a wild Pokémon.
But to everyone's shock, Magnus returned two weeks later.
Beside him stood a small, dog-like Pokémon—Riolu.
Riolu wasn't particularly popular back then because its evolution method was still a mystery. Even now, it's not as well-known, except for those familiar with trainers like Magnus.
The authorities scolded him but allowed him to keep the Pokémon. This incident marked the beginning of Magnus's legendary journey.
With Riolu by his side, Magnus dominated every competition he entered, from local town battles to city, provincial, and national tournaments. His rise was meteoric, a testament to his skill and determination.
This was a time when resources were scarce, and the odds were stacked against him. Yet, Magnus emerged as a beacon of hope for aspiring trainers.
Sadly, his life was cut short by illness.
As Hikaru learned about Magnus's story, he couldn't help but feel fortunate to live in the modern era, where resources were more abundant, and opportunities to bond with Pokémon were more accessible.
Dusk at Wave Aura Town
The setting sun cast its golden light over the quaint town. Its traditional architecture, with blue bricks and tiles, stood in stark contrast to the bustling cities. The town's charm was in its quiet simplicity.
Despite the fame Magnus brought to the town, its remote location meant it eventually fell into obscurity, much like a flower that blooms only briefly.
Hikaru found a modest inn to stay in.
"One room or two?" the innkeeper asked gruffly.
Hikaru noted the older man's weathered features as he polished a picture frame.
"One," Hikaru replied without hesitation.
"One?" The innkeeper raised an eyebrow, glancing at Hikaru and the girl beside him—Latias in her human form. His expression momentarily showed surprise but quickly returned to indifference. "Alright, but I'll warn you, the room only has one bed."
Hikaru was used to such looks by now. Traveling with Latias often led to misunderstandings, especially when checking into inns or hotels.
"I don't mind," Hikaru replied calmly, his gaze briefly landing on the photo the innkeeper was cleaning. The faded image depicted a younger version of someone Hikaru immediately recognized—Magnus.
The innkeeper noticed Hikaru's interest and quickly covered the picture. "Take any room upstairs. Just don't make a mess. I hate cleaning up."
"Of course," Hikaru said, suppressing a cough. Latias, meanwhile, tilted her head curiously, clearly wondering why the old man thought they'd make a mess.
"By the way, boy," the innkeeper called as Hikaru turned to leave. "Are you here for the Aura Force as well?"
Hikaru paused, caught off guard. "Aura Force?"
"Don't play dumb," the old man said with a shake of his head. "You kids always think you'll find some great opportunity falling from the sky. Every year, trainers venture into the forest behind the town, chasing dreams of power, and most of them never return."
Realizing what the innkeeper meant, Hikaru grabbed a stool and sat down. "Grandpa, I'm just a traveler. This is… my girlfriend." He gestured to Latias, earning a delighted smile from her. "But I'm curious about this Aura Force story. Could you tell me more?"
Hikaru, already an Aura user, was naturally intrigued. He wondered how Magnus had come to possess the Aura Force.
Beside him, Latias pulled up her own chair and leaned on the counter, ready to listen intently.
The innkeeper hesitated, his gaze lingering on Hikaru. Something about the boy felt familiar, though he couldn't quite place it. Finally, he sighed and sat down.
"You two look like decent trainers," he began. "But let me give you some advice: don't go chasing the Aura Force in the forest behind this town. The Pokémon there are far stronger than you might think."
"As for the Aura Force… well, let me tell you a story...
End of Chapter
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