"I have no need for a partner."
Just as Auron was puzzling over the situation, Lucario's voice spoke directly into his mind.
Auron gave a helpless smile. My Riolu… I really can't expect Grandpa's Lucario to solve this one for me, can I?
After calming Bisharp down, Dax Jonas turned back to him.
"Auron, have you decided which university you'll attend?"
"Skyspire."
Dax raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"Well, confident, aren't we?"
"I think I'll manage. Both of my Pokémon have been developing pretty well."
Auron's voice carried a touch of modesty.
"True enough. But tell me—have you had their potential tested yet? Judging from what I saw of your Golbat and Munchlax earlier, they look like they've got decent aptitude."
Auron blinked. He knew his Pokémon were talented, but he had never had their qualifications formally assessed.
"I haven't tested them, but they should be alright. Does potential make that much difference?"
Dax gave him a sidelong glance, then began to explain.
"Well, aptitude is a tricky subject. Let me break it down for you."
"Mm. I'm listening."
Auron was genuinely eager. He had once asked his father about it, but Ashen had only said in his usual even tone: 'Pokémon are our partners, our family. What difference does aptitude make?'
Auron agreed in spirit, but his curiosity wouldn't let go. What exactly did aptitude represent?
"Aptitude is basically just a classification. Most people pursue higher-ranked Pokémon because it makes life easier. Same species, same conditions—high aptitude learns moves faster, grows stronger faster, and breaks through limits faster. Lower aptitude can catch up, but it requires far more effort. Not just from the Pokémon, but from the Trainer as well."
He gestured toward the massive bird carrying them through the sky.
"And remember, aptitude doesn't equal combat power. Take this Corviknight we're riding. He's classified as purple-tier. But in battle, even your father's red-tier Umbreon couldn't defeat him. He can even hold his ground against your dad's ace, Kommo-o. Would you call that weak?"
"Another example: if I battle a high school senior who just received a Pokémon, and we each use the same species—mine low aptitude, his high aptitude—who do you think wins?"
Auron thought a moment, then shook his head.
"Exactly. Pokémon and Trainers complement each other. Having a team full of high-aptitude Pokémon doesn't automatically make you a Champion. Choice of Pokémon, synergy, trust, coordination—these all matter."
He smiled.
"You might chase high aptitude now, but when you get to the capital I'll introduce you to someone. He's an Elite Four member. And his ace? A green-tier Pokémon."
Dax leaned back, voice carrying an amused lilt.
"My university professor used to tell us: 'If you think aptitude is everything, take your highest-ranked Pokémon and face me. I'll use a green-tier Rayquaza. Then we'll see who wins.'"
He gave Auron a playful look.
"So, if you had to pick right now: a green-tier Rayquaza or a gold-tier Luvdisc, which would you choose?"
Auron flushed. "Well, obviously I'd pick Rayquaza."
"See? That's it. Sure, every Pokémon has potential, but most people still take the quicker road to the peak. Aptitude helps you move faster, but in the end, strength isn't just numbers—it's about heart."
Auron mulled this over. At last, he spoke solemnly.
"I think I understand. Thank you, Uncle Dax, for the lesson."
Dax chuckled. "Understand, do you? Then tell me—what exactly did you understand?"
"I understand that… even if someone placed a gold-tier Crobat in front of me right now, I wouldn't hesitate. I'd still choose my own Golbat."
Dax laughed heartily.
"Good, good! No doubt you're his son."
When the laughter faded, Dax tilted his head curiously.
"But why not use your Munchlax as an example? That little fellow's quite charming."
Auron only smiled quietly. As if I'd tell you Munchlax is already gold-tier.
They chatted a little longer before the village came into view—the staging point for the Secret Realm.
From afar, Auron could see it: a white portal hanging silently in the sky, radiating a milky glow. Below it, a platform had been constructed as the entry point.
And in front of the platform—an ocean of people. Dark masses stretched as far as the eye could see. If the villagers hadn't been evacuated and their homes dismantled to clear this open space, the crowd would never have fit.
Naturally, because of the No-Fly Ordinance, Corviknight was the only Pokémon in the skies. That alone drew countless stares upward.
The Ordinance had been enacted after the founding of the Dragon Nation, to prevent chaos from aerial battles and stray flying Pokémon. Air traffic was far harder to regulate than ground traffic, after all.
Only Elite Four members and law enforcement officers on duty were exempt. Anyone else who dared to fly without clearance would be flagged by city anti-air systems and promptly intercepted by police.
When Dax had taken off, the systems had scanned him. Once they confirmed his Elite Four status and mission clearance, only then did they allow passage.
Now, as Corviknight dove toward the platform, Dax's face broke into an eager grin.
The bird tucked its wings, belly skimming dangerously low. Any closer and it would have scraped against the platform itself.
At the very lowest point of the dive, Dax performed a smooth aerial flip and landed gracefully on the platform, drawing eyes and admiration from the crowd below.
His stunt left Auron sitting dumbstruck on Corviknight's back, uncertain of what had just happened.
(●●|||)??
Still grinning for the crowd, Dax finally noticed Auron still perched awkwardly above. He slapped his forehead. How could I forget the kid?
He quickly recalled Corviknight to the platform. Auron climbed down, face expressionless, and leaned close to murmur:
"Cool landing."
Dax, smile fixed for the audience, muttered back under his breath:
"Forgot this time. Next time, I'll let you in on the act."
"Okay."
Agreement reached, Auron stepped aside.
Dax turned to the crowd, taking on his official role as an Elite Four member overseeing the Secret Realm's opening.
"I am Dax Jonas. Before the Secret Realm opens, I am required to read the rules. You may have heard them many times already, but it is my duty, so you'll hear them once more."
"First: No killing. Battles are allowed. Murder is not."
"Second: …"
"Third: …"
(End of Chapter)
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