If someone asked Alexander Argus Runcandel what the last month felt like—
He would answer honestly.
"Violent."
Three B-Rank Dungeons
For thirty straight days, Alex rotated between three different B-rank dungeons.
No sightseeing.
No sightseeing snacks.
No sightseeing sleep.
Just:
Enter dungeon Fight Heal Fight again Repeat until the dungeon core begged for mercy
Alex didn't rush recklessly.
He was methodical.
And his Pokémon?
They were monsters.
Battle After Battle
The dungeons learned a painful truth very quickly:
Alexander did not stop once things became "difficult."
He stopped when everything was dead.
Metang crushed armored beasts like tin cans.
Aron charged headfirst into enemies twice its size.
Bagon learned the fine art of screaming while headbutting things.
Feebas… tried its best.
Ralts stayed close, watching, learning, judging.
Alex gave instructions calmly.
"Left."
"Now."
"Don't get cocky."
"Yes, I'm talking to you."
Bagon pretended not to hear.
The First Breakthrough — Metang
On the twelfth day—
Metang stopped floating.
It rose.
Steel twisted.
Psychic pressure exploded.
Alex didn't flinch.
"About time."
A blinding flash filled the dungeon.
When it cleared—
A massive, four-legged steel titan hovered in place.
Shiny Metagross.
Level: 52
Rank: Elite
The dungeon boss took one look—
—and died without finishing its roar.
Metagross tilted its head slightly.
Alex nodded.
"Good work."
Metagross decided Alex was correct.
Feebas' Glow-Up
Feebas was… Feebas.
But Alex treated it properly.
Perfect food.
Perfect water.
Perfect care.
And then—
A Prism Scale.
Feebas glowed softly, body stretching gracefully.
The ugly fish vanished.
In its place—
Milotic.
Elegant. Calm. Powerful.
Level: 41
Rank: Gym
Milotic glanced at its reflection.
Then at Alex.
Then swished its tail proudly.
Alex smiled faintly.
"Much better."
Bagon's Stubborn Growth
Bagon started at Level 5.
And hated that fact.
It fought like every battle was personal.
By the third dungeon—
Crack.
Bone armor formed.
Shelgon.
Level: 41
Rank: Gym
Shelgon slammed into enemies like a living cannon.
Alex approved.
Ralts' Quiet Evolution
Ralts evolved without drama.
No explosions.
No noise.
Just a soft glow.
Kirlia.
Level: 25
Rank: Advanced
Kirlia immediately floated closer to Alex and stayed there.
Always.
If Alex stopped walking—Kirlia stopped too.
If Alex sat—Kirlia sat beside him.
Victor would have called it "destiny."
Alex called it "clingy."
Aron's Brutal Training
Aron trained with Aggron.
Specifically—
By being thrown.
Repeatedly.
At walls.
At monsters.
At unfortunate terrain.
Aron endured.
Then evolved.
Lairon.
Then again.
Aggron.
Level: 45
Rank: Gym
Aggron stood tall, armor gleaming.
Alex patted its leg.
"You earned it."
Aggron decided it would now die for Alex.
End of the Month
Thirty days passed.
The dungeons were emptied.
The loot was secured.
The Pokémon were transformed.
Alex stood at the dungeon exit.
Kirlia floated beside him, holding onto his sleeve with psychic energy.
"You're not coming inside my jacket," Alex said.
Kirlia pretended not to hear.
Return of the Heir
Outside—
Victor's Garchomp waited.
Alex mounted effortlessly.
As they took to the sky, Alex glanced at his team.
Stronger.
Sharper.
Ready.
"One month well spent," he murmured.
Below them, the dungeons sealed themselves shut.
Above them—
Runcandel Mansion awaited.
And the world?
It still had no idea what just finished training.