From Corviknight’s perspective, the Pokémon below suddenly became inexplicably fired up.

  They charged forward, shouting about their bonds, Mei’s trust, and dreams of the future.

  Who even uands this kind of thing?

  Corviknight certainly didn’t.

  And in the end, nothing ged.

  Even giving it their all, they still couldn’t break through Corviknight’s defenses—her with attaor with trash talk.

  Others in Zaun have to find ways to protect their families.

  To do that, they train their aggression and develop lightning-fast reflexes.

  But if Corviknight were to go to Zaun, it would be its teammates and oppos trying to protect their families from it.

  “Servine...”

  Servine k on the ground, its eyes filled with frustration.

  Why?

  It had already worked so hard.

  So why was it still uo catch up to that guy?

  This time, just like st time.

  Fet winning—it couldn’t even leave a real mark.

  Looking up at Mei, who was running toward it with a hint of worry on her face, Servine’s emotions ed.

  Unwillingness, pain, and a touch of sadness welled up in its chest—

  And finally, turned into anger.

  Pokémon are highly idealistic creatures.

  Sure, this world has sce, but there are many things that sce simply ot expin.

  Take the move Return, for example.

  That move is essentially the embodiment of a Pokémon’s bond with its trainer—

  The closer the bond, the strohe attack.

  Beyond just Return, many Pokémon push themselves beyond their limits simply to meet their trainer’s expectations.

  Perhaps because of sadness—no, because of humiliation—

  That feeling acted like a catalyst, pushing Servine past the final threshold standiween it and evolution.

  “Servine!”

  A white light, burning as intensely as its emotioed around it—

  Brighter than the sun in the sky.

  “Servine!”

  Mei, holding a potion, gasped in delight as she watched.

  Servine had already been on the verge of evolving for some time.

  But for some reason, it always felt like something was missing, preventing the final step.

  Yet today, under Corviknight’s pressure, Servine finally took that step.

  A crucial step—

  Ohat would elevate it from an ordinary starter Pokémon to the very pinnacle of its kind.

  Ihe blinding light, Servine’s silhouette stretched and expanded.

  Serviill had a bit of ess to it before—

  But Serperior?

  Serperior was a symbol al elegand authority.

  And one of the most fearsome special attackers among starter Pokémon.

  Before learning Leaf Storm, different tactics might be necessary.

  But after learning Leaf Storm?

  With the trary ability, Serperior’s battle strategy boiled down to ohing:

  Leaf Storm. Leaf Storm. More Leaf Storm.

  Just like Corviknight.

  Before evolution, it had all sorts of fshy maneuvers.

  After evolution, it was like it traded its brain for sheer physical might—

  Now, all it had left was Iron Defense and Brave Bird.

  Hopefully, Serperior wouldn’t turn into a Leaf Storm spamming mae.

  “Ser...”

  As the white light faded, a massive serpent, as elegant as if it were draped in a tuxedo, appeared before Mei.

  It slowly opes eyes—

  Deep crimson, like rich red wine, with a flicker of fusion.

  The ges in its body left it momentarily disoriented.

  Where are my arms?

  Wait.

  My arms were gone?!

  All thoughts of celebrating its evolution vanished—Serperior was in total shock.

  It turs head slowly, looking at Mei’s joyous face, its mouth twitg slightly.

  Then—

  “Serperior!!!”

  My arms and legs are gone!!!

  It burst into wails.

  The sudden loss of limbs was just too much to process.

  Then again, snakes don’t usually have arms s...

  Mei scrambled to fort the Serperior pressing its head against her, looking utterly lost.

  This wasn’t how she had imagis evolution at all.

  The Pokémon that had been preparing to celebrate also came to a halt.

  Uh... why was it g after evolving?

  “Serperior!!”

  Not only had it lost its limbs, but it had also grown so big—

  Now, it wouldn’t be able to sleep in Mei’s bed anymore!

  “Serperior!!!”

  And to make things worse, it still hadn’t learned Leaf Storm after evolving!

  That meant it probably still couldn’t beat that dumb bird!

  “Caw?”

  Corviknight tilted its head, puzzled as it nded on the ground.

  What was this all about?

  Back when it evolved, it had beehe moon—

  After all, evolutio getting stronger.

  A straight-up stats boost.

  Like in a game, no matter the meta, meic-heavy Pokémon always had a pce—

  But top-tier Pokémon were always just raw stat monsters.

  And if you could overpower your oppo purely with numbers, who would bother training for skill?

  Corviknight certainly didn’t.

  “Maybe it’s just... a bit overwhelmed?”

  Having listeo Serperior’s entire breakdown, Natsume robably the only one present who truly uood its thoughts.

  He could empathize.

  It would take time for Serperior to e to terms with its sudden ck of limbs.

  “There, there, it’s okay, it’s okay.”

  After much effort, Mei finally mao calm Serperior down.

  “Ser...”

  Coiling its body, Serperior’s emotioled—

  But it still looked grumpy.

  Was it dissatisfied with its new form?

  Or was it still mad at Corviknight?

  Probably both.

  After some thought, Corviknight decided to go and fort it.

  After all, Serperior robably just struggling to adapt, much like it had when it first evolved.

  This was a job for a psychology expert—self-procimed, of course.

  So, brimming with fidence, Corviknight strode up and offered some encement.

  “Caw.”

  Hang in there, little bro.

  “...Ser.”

  I’m a girl, thanks.

  A vein bulged on Serperior’s forehead.

  It wanted nothing more than to sp this idiot across the face with its tail.

  You didn’t even know my gender?!

  Just wait. One day, I’m going to beat you to a pulp.

  With Serperior’s evolution as the turning point, the afternoon’s training session came to an end.

  Sitting beside Natsume, Mei spoke with a hint of envy.

  “I wish I could uand Pokémon like you do.”

  If she could, things wouldn’t be so troublesome.

  Serperior’s rea had really given her a scare—

  She had worried something had gone wrong with the evolution.

  “It’s fine. I’ll transte for you from now on.”

  “That way, it’s basically the same as you uanding them yourself.”

  Natsume’s voice was rexed.

  “Then I’ll be ting on you, Chief Transtor Natsume.”

  Mei responded with equal lightheartedness.

  “Did you just make up that title on the spot?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “So... does this ‘Chief Transtor’ position e with a sary?”

  “I’ll sider giving you a reward.”

  “Well, I won’t hold my breath.”

  Gcell