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A deep, numbing weakness spread through Kael's limbs as consciousness slowly dragged itself back from the darkness.
"…Ugh…"
A low groan escaped him as his eyelids twitched.
Harsh sunlight stabbed into his eyes as he forced them open, the blurry outline of jagged stone slowly sharpening into view.
He was still on Blazing Peak.
Not at the summit—
But somewhere along the upper half of the mountain.
Even with the gravity slightly weaker than at the very top, a crushing weight still pressed down on his chest, spine, and limbs. Everything hurt.
And yet—
He was alive.
Someone had dragged him out before the peak finished him off.
Kael's mind replayed the last fragment of sound he'd heard before blacking out:
"Hoh? You really made it up here?"
Could that have been… his new instructor?
"Yo! You're awake?"
A cheerful, energetic voice boomed beside him.
Kael turned and froze for a moment.
Bright red flames danced like flowing hair atop the figure's head, shedding sparks with every subtle movement.
Red-and-cream fur covered its athletic frame, with golden vortex-patterned plates embedded across the shoulders, chest, hands, and knees like pieces of battle armor.
There was no mistaking it.
An Infernape stood before him.
Kael blinked in awe.
A starter Pokémon evolution is one of the most beloved fighters in the entire franchise. Infernape had always been famous, even in his past human life: fast, stylish, and overwhelmingly skilled.
The fire atop its head flickered proudly as the Infernape crossed its arms.
"Yeah, I'm your second mentor," it said casually, as if announcing what it wanted for lunch.
Kael's heart skipped.
It really was his instructor.
Apparently satisfied with Kael's reaction, Infernape chuckled.
"When you stepped onto Blazing Peak, I was already watching. I wanted to see what kind of 'genius' the Gym Master was making me mentor."
Its tone was straightforward, even blunt, but not unfriendly.
"Honestly? I expected you to collapse after two steps. Getting halfway up would've already met my expectations."
Infernape leaned back with a smirk.
"But you? You almost reached the top. That surprised me."
Kael's breath caught.
This was praise from a monster who probably shattered boulders with his morning stretch.
Infernape continued,
"When I first trained here, I could barely reach the upper steps and that was after I evolved into Monferno."
Kael was stunned for a heartbeat.
That meant…
He'd exceeded the trial performance of an evolved Fire/Fighting-type.
No wonder Infernape looked impressed.
And more importantly—
Infernape respected not just Kael's physique, but his will.
"That determination suits a fire-type's style very well," Infernape added with a grin.
Kael felt a surge of excitement bloom in his chest.
This wasn't just a strong mentor, this was a powerhouse who genuinely recognized him.
His exhaustion faded slightly as he forced himself upright.
Infernape gave a sharp nod.
"Good! You're recovering fast."
"Alright, enough chit-chat, Time's valuable. Let's get started."
Fire-types were direct.
No dragging things out.
No wasted words.
Kael nodded firmly. "Understood!"
Infernape's tail flicked and with a casual motion, it tossed something black toward him.
Kael caught it with both hands, blinking in confusion.
A device.
A strange one.
Its core was an oval black crystal smooth and glossy, yet impossibly deep, like staring into a miniature black hole.
The surface shimmered with a faint, eerie distortion that made Kael feel as though it contained both nothing… and everything.
Attached around the crystal were several dark straps made of some unknown material, each ending in sturdy metal clasps.
Kael stared, stunned.
"This… is this some kind of ancient tech from the Dark Era?"
Infernape grinned at his expression.
"Strap it on. Chest area."
With Infernape helping him secure the straps, the device sat snugly against Kael's sternum.
Coolness seeped from the crystal, sending a refreshing chill through his overheated body.
It felt strangely comfortable.
Kael exhaled with relief.
…He had no idea that in a few minutes, he'd regret ever thinking it felt "comfortable."
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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