Mind's Eye!
Yozora was a hundred percent certain—this was the Mind's Eye!At long last, the very first awakening of the Mind's Eye!
He believed with conviction: once there was a first time, as long as he seized this sensation, there would be countless more awakenings in the future!
From then on, when man and nature became one, when every pore and every cell focused on a single point—how terrifying would that be?!
"It's me, Crystal Onix." Yozora looked toward the massive serpent of glimmering ice-blue crystal. He did not speak aloud but conveyed his words through intent—through the voice of the heart.
"Human… you are pure. Over the decades, I have seen countless intruders enter this cavern. But few are as pure as you—able to commune with us Pokémon through the soul itself."
The Crystal Onix inclined its head slightly."Tell me then—what is your purpose here? Could it be, like that glass artisan from before, you too wish to admire my beautiful form, to draw inspiration, and craft glassworks with a soul of their own?"
Yozora shook his head, his tone frank and steady."I wish to capture you—to make you my Pokémon!"
The Crystal Onix was startled, then suddenly laughed."Good. I admire your honesty and your purity. But… if you wish to capture me, you must first defeat me."
This was not true telepathy—merely a simple communion of hearts.
The Crystal Onix had lived for decades. Compared to ordinary Pokémon, it possessed far greater wisdom, allowing it to converse freely with Yozora.
Of course, that too was because Yozora himself was different.
Had it been anyone else, even if the Crystal Onix broadcast its thoughts—its voice of the heart—ordinary humans would not have heard a thing.
"That is only natural," Yozora nodded in understanding.
He stepped back several paces to create distance, then released his partner—Dratini.
"Wooo-rii!"
The little dragon had undergone several sheds and grown significantly. It was no longer a hatchling, but a young adult, its body stretching close to one and a half meters long.
Recently matured, it now stood at Junior Peak rank.
Its level was not high, but the foundation it had built up was extremely deep. From this point onward, its growth would surely accelerate at super speed.
Before maturity, Dratini had ceaselessly accumulated strength, layer upon layer of hidden potential.
Now, maturity marked the signal—its stored-up power was ready to erupt.
"Hooo—"
The Crystal Onix opened its massive jaws wide. Instantly, icy winds howled through the cavern.
A violent gust mixed with swirling snow burst from its maw, rushing straight toward Dratini.
It was an Ice-type move. Clearly, this creature was utterly different from a normal Onix—its very typing was different.
From it, Yozora sensed pure Ice-type energy.Yes, this was an Ice-type Pokémon. But… was Ice its only attribute?
Ice countered Dragon. The effect would be devastating—double damage!
Though not a full blizzard, even this stream of snow carried deadly threat. For a just-matured Dratini, it could deal serious harm. Yozora could not allow that.
"Dratini, use Protect!"
Shua!
Energy gathered, and a spherical blue barrier instantly flared around Dratini's body, wrapping it completely.
The raging snowstorm slammed against it, yet Dratini remained untouched.
A single Protect—perfectly blocking Crystal Onix's attack.
As soon as the wind subsided, Yozora commanded without hesitation:"Dratini—Flamethrower!"
Yozora was certain now. Crystal Onix was an Ice-type. And Fire burns Ice—this attack would deal massive damage.
In the past half-year, he had trained Dratini diligently. Through relentless feeding of ores, he had broadened its arsenal well beyond its natural range.
Whoooosh!
Blazing fire erupted from Dratini's maw, engulfing the Crystal Onix in roaring flames.
Its crystalline body glowed red-hot, and it let out a shrill cry of agony.
Though it had lived many years, its level was actually quite low—far from even Senior rank.
Perhaps its potential had been capped long ago.
Rarity and potential did not always go hand in hand. Though Crystal Onix was one of the rarest Pokémon in the world, that did not mean its strength was naturally high.
If its potential was limited, then its future was bleak.
But to Yozora, that was no issue at all. With the right Traits, he could elevate its potential far beyond its limits.
"Go—Poké Ball!"
Without hesitation, Yozora hurled the sphere, capturing the Crystal Onix.
[Pokémon]: Crystal Onix
[Type]: Ice
[Ability 1]: Crystal Body(When struck by Water-type moves, damage is halved and Speed increases slightly. When struck by Ice-type moves, takes no damage and restores HP instead.)[Ability 2]: None
[Ability 3]: None
[Ability 4]: None
[Rank]: High-level Pokémon
[Potential]: High
[Moves]: Tackle, Harden, Bind, Powder Snow, Icy Wind, Rock Polish
[Notes]: An extremely rare Pokémon, but with very limited potential.
Viewing the status screen, Yozora was struck speechless.
Indeed, this Crystal Onix was a species apart, completely different from normal Onix. Aside from its similar body structure, there was no relation at all.
Different typing. Different ability.
A normal Onix suffered a quadruple weakness to Water. Once submerged, it was doomed.
But Crystal Onix feared no such thing. With its unique Crystal Body, it resisted Water instead—thriving in lakes as though born to them.
Otherwise, how could it have lived so long beneath these waters?
And its secondary effect—immunity to Ice-type attacks—was akin to a "Frost Absorb." But this too depended on relative power. If the opponent was too strong, it could not fully negate the attack.
"Its potential really is that low… only High tier? That's no different from a Rattata or Caterpie…"
Yozora's lips twitched in dismay. For a creature so rare, so unique in the world—its potential was truly disappointing.
But again, for him, this was no real problem.
With his system, he could add Traits to expand its talent and potential.
And besides—he had several Never-Melt Ice in hand!
For any Ice-type Pokémon, Never-Melt Ice was the ultimate treasure—capable of reforging body and spirit, of overturning destiny itself!
"Onix are born for physical attack and defense. This one shares its frame—it too should excel at physical might. Yet… instead of Ice Fang, it knows Powder Snow and Icy Wind, both special attacks… Just what is going on here?"
(End of Chapter)