Watching the faint sheen of energy still glowing over Lucario's steel-blue coat, Sam smiled weakly and plunged his hand into his pack.
He produced a small, silver-coated candy, warm to the touch, as though power coursed through it.
"Luca," he said, offering it to his partner.
"Have this. It'll make you stronger."
Lucario blinked.
"Luka?"
"This is not an ordinary treat. It's named a Rare Candy. Clean energy, crystallized into something you can eat. You've just tapped more potential; this will assist your body in getting back up to speed."
There were three ways of getting stronger in the world of Pokémon:
Battle – the most prevalent and consistent method.
Training – slower, but consistent.
Natural treasure – uncommon items such as Rare Candies that provided instant results.
Even though the system's Rare Candy came with quality assurance, Sam decided to test the waters with just one at first, better safe than sorry.
Lucario peeled the wrapper, sniffed the candy once, then crunched it with a light bite.
It melted almost instantly, like light dissolving on his tongue.
A wave of energy surged through him.
From the throat to the limbs, it washed outward in every direction.
His aura pulsed once, then stabilized. It was calm, stable, pure.
[Lucario leveled up! → Level 41]
Sam moved closer.
"Luca… how are you feeling?"
Lucario stretched his arms, threw a light punch in the air, then spun with a smile.
"Luka~!"
"The aura within is thicker," Lucario explained.
"Your muscles feel stronger, too."
Sam re-scanned him using the Eye of Detection.
All his stats had gone up by a notch, and his overall being felt keener, like a warrior fresh out of a forge.
"Good," Sam nodded.
"No side effect. That means."
He opened the system bag once more and gave the remaining ones to Lucario.
"Nineteen left. Go on."
Lucario's ears pricked up.
"Luka?!"
Sam grinned.
"You've earned it."
Lucario ate the Rare Candies one by one, separating each from the other by a few seconds.
With every bite, his body glowed softly, shining under the morning sun like tempered steel.
Aura energy emanated from him, vibrating through the air itself.
Muscles firmed up. Stance became more grounded.
The steel-blue fur appeared to be shining, as if plated with aura.
By the time the last candy was digested, Lucario became taller, emitting silent, concentrated power.
[Lucario leveled up! → Level 60]
[Updated Status – Pokémon: Lucario]
[Type: Steel / Fighting]
[Level: 60 (Low-Tier Champion)]
[Ability: Justified]
[Contest Condition: Perfect]
[Skills:
Aura Sphere, Detect, Feint, Rock Smash, Metal Claw, Quick Attack, Power-Up Punch, Bone Rush, Meteor Mash, Swords Dance
Newly Awakened: Extreme Speed, Close Combat]
[Innate Moves: Cross Chop, High Jump Kick, Vacuum Wave, Bullet Punch]
[Potential: Tier 3 Legendary]
[Notes: This Lucario shows exceptional physical endurance, honed Aura skills, and an uncommon talent for close combat. Could be a potential challenger to Elites or lower-class Champion Pokémon.]
Sam remained quiet, observing Lucario's breathing ease into a smooth, even rhythm.
His energy had been. Tempered. No longer wild, no longer uncontrolled.
It was like observing a soldier at attention, ready to fight, but motionless.
"From Level 40 to 60 in one sitting…" Sam spoke low.
He put a hand on Lucario's shoulder.
The Aura between them beat in sync, a gentle pulse resonating between their minds.
"You're ready," Sam now had sharp eyes.
"The outside world is full of unknowns, but you're more than capable of overcoming them."
Lucario nodded once.
"Luka."
Upon eating all twenty Rare Candies, Lucario had leveled up quickly, his level going from 40 to 60, crossing the threshold of Champion-level power.
And it wasn't only the numbers that had changed.
New Moves Learned:
• Extreme Speed – a lightning-quick, priority dash that shattered air resistance.
• Close Combat – a dangerous, all-out salvo that could knock over even bulky opponents.
"Luka!!!"
Lucario threw back his head and bellowed.
His aura blazed out of control, energy overflowing each limb, each breath.
The keen but controlled fighter from earlier was gone.
In their place stood a forged weapon: not a simple blade, but a mythical sword, vibrating with deadly beauty.
A blow single and swift, WHAM!, a shockwave rippled through the room.
A blast of power crashed against the walls as Lucario's fist screamed through the air.
Sam furrowed an eyebrow and grinned.
"Luca, outside. Test that new speed."
Lucario accompanied him, muscles quivering with pent-up energy as he followed his Trainer like a runaway jet engine.
They walked out into the open space just next to the house, a broad, open area ideal for training.
Sam indicated a boulder one meter thick.
"Extreme Speed. Hit that."
Lucario didn't answer. He hunched low, and in the blink of an eye, BOOM!
He was gone.
Only a gust of air and the crunch of gravel signaled his movement.
When the dust settled, the boulder had broken into dust, fragments pouring like ash.
"Luka~!"
Lucario stared at his fist, eyes glinting with pride and disbelief.
He could sense it, untaught power, running like wildfire.
Every cell was strengthened. Every punch is a thunderbolt.
Sam approached, slapping his shoulder.
"You did great."
Lucario's tail wagged slightly.
He leaned in and released a low, satisfied growl.
In reality, it used to take years, so many battles, near-losses, epiphanies, for a Pokémon to climb from Gym Class to the doorstep of Champion level.
But now, in mere minutes, Lucario had crossed that threshold.
It wasn't a chance. It was Sam's teaching.
His faith.
"You're my starter," Sam said, ruffling Lucario's ears.
"We've come a long way."
Then, his tone became stern.
"But strength isn't numbers."
Lucario stood tall, listening closely.
"You must hone your instincts," Sam went on.
"Stay focused. Stay disciplined. Power without control is just noise."
Lucario nodded deeply. "Luka…"
His red eyes shone, not with pride, but purpose.
He got it.
"Good." Sam turned for the house.
"Pack your gear now."
"We're moving out."
--------
Inside, Sam started rummaging through supplies, Poké Balls, medkits, camping equipment, and a map of Sinnoh routes.
Lucario assisted, his practiced motions laying out tools in the pack.
It was time.
Time to bid farewell to Celestic Town, the peaceful hills, the notes of study, and ancient scrolls.
Time to enter the world, not as a scholar, but as a Trainer.
A Trainer with a goal.