"Brother, who was that man?" Jacob asked as soon as Ryan departed.
"His name is Ryan, the greatest man your brother has ever admired," Asher replied, sitting on the sofa with a distant look, as if lost in memories.
Great.
A familiar yet uncommon word—few people truly deserve such an evaluation.
"Tell me quickly, how did you two meet?" Jacob pressed.
"That story began long ago..." Asher began.
Ryan's childhood was marked by tragedy and suffering. When he was six, his father died of a heart attack. His mother, unable to bear such a devastating loss, died of a cerebral infarction shortly after. Orphaned, Ryan could only rely on his elderly grandmother.
His grandmother barely managed to raise him by collecting recyclables and doing needlework. Ryan, mature beyond his years, never disappointed her. He studied diligently, consistently achieving excellent grades that ranked him among the top students, qualifying him for tuition exemptions. Finally, at eighteen, he fulfilled everyone's expectations by gaining admission to a prestigious university.
He believed his future would finally brighten, but on the very day he received his acceptance letter, his grandmother was fatally struck in a traffic accident while traveling to sell recyclables in the county. From that moment, Ryan found himself completely alone in the world, without a single relative.
Having lost everyone dear to him, Ryan dedicated himself even more intensely to his studies. Having experienced life's harshest sufferings, he developed unwavering ambition. Since he could no longer show filial devotion, he would demonstrate loyalty instead. Having found his purpose, Ryan worked relentlessly.
While others socialized, he studied. While others dated, he studied. In nearly every examination, he ranked first in his major.
At twenty-two, immediately after graduating, Ryan resolutely enlisted in the military. It was there he met a remarkable young woman who had also joined—a short-haired, brave-hearted girl who dreamed of traveling across their homeland's beautiful landscapes.
She constantly proclaimed her desire to become a hero, serving her country with courage. She was determined to eradicate injustice everywhere, always ready to act boldly for righteousness, regardless of consequences.
These kindred spirits quickly fell in love. After three years together, they became engaged when Ryan was twenty-five. His fiancée gave him a Pokémon egg—his first and only Pokémon.
But as the saying goes, misfortune visits those already suffering. Just one month after their engagement, his fiancée died in a traffic accident while heroically saving a child.
This tragedy devastated Ryan. Whenever he closed his eyes, he could still hear her voice and see her smile. Nevertheless, honoring their shared dream, he completed his military service. Two years later, at twenty-seven, he was honorably discharged.
After leaving the military, he vowed never to marry, adopting his fiancée's wish to fight injustice and become a hero as his lifelong mission. From then on, he traveled with a backpack by day, and each night, accompanied by the Lucario that had hatched from his fiancée's gift, he worked to right wrongs.
Carrying his fiancée's photograph, Ryan journeyed from city to city, staying only three months in each place, practicing justice and helping others in need—living by the principles he often sang about:
"As earthly attachments remain unresolved, one accumulates good deeds to transcend the mortal realm. Traveling across the country, crossing mountains and rivers, witnessing this world's constant changes. Drawing the sword against injustice, acting boldly for righteousness, regardless of consequences."
A year later, when Ryan was twenty-eight, Asher met him.
Asher was just eighteen then. With poor academic performance, university wasn't an option. Though his father, Rory, had connections to secure admission to an ordinary college, Asher's strong will led him to drop out and gain experience as a wandering Trainer.
The eighteen-year-old Asher brimmed with youthful vigor. During his travels, he encountered many people, suffered numerous deceptions, and experienced many hardships—until meeting Ryan and the Second and Third Brothers.
Young people naturally overflow with passion and dreams. Asher and the other two brothers were deeply moved by Ryan's life story. They became sworn brothers, dedicating themselves to changing the world, acting chivalrously, sharing drinks and songs, and exploring their beautiful country together.
However, as years passed, Asher and the Second and Third Brothers all had families and other connections. Unlike Ryan, they weren't alone and unencumbered. Therefore, after six years traveling together, Asher and the others gradually departed.
Only Ryan and his Lucario continued pursuing their ideals. Lucario's extraordinary power came from Ryan's singular focus—having dedicated decades to training this one Pokémon, just as he loved only one person and committed himself to one purpose throughout his life.
"Jacob," Asher paused here, seemingly reflecting on bygone years. "Ryan is the person I admire most. With his prestigious university degree and Lucario's incredible strength, he could have become one of society's elite. Instead, he chose a difficult path to honor his heartfelt beliefs. I believe that's why his Lucario grew so powerful."
In today's world where nearly everyone chases fame and fortune, people like Ryan are exceedingly rare.
"I had no idea you experienced such adventures, Brother. I'm impressed," Jacob said, deeply inspired by Ryan's story and particularly amazed by his training of Lucario.
"Actually, we did something particularly silly back then. We were all rather immature," Asher laughed suddenly, apparently recalling a memory. "We gave ourselves nicknames. Ryan was 'Lucario Man,' and I was 'Blaziken Man,' since those were our signature Pokémon at the time."
"Second Brother's signature Pokémon was Kricketune, so he became 'Kricketune Man.' I've heard he's now a renowned musician working at an opera house."
"What about Third Brother?" Jacob inquired.
"He was called 'Ledyba Man,'" Asher replied with a smile.
"I know—his signature Pokémon must be Ledyba," Jacob reasoned quickly.
Ledyba is a Pokémon with few remarkable qualities. You could read a hundred Pokémon fan novels without finding a single Trainer who captured one. Kricketune receives similar treatment in most stories.
"No, his signature Pokémon was actually Gallade," Asher smiled at Jacob, knowing he would assume Ledyba.
"Then why was he called 'Ledyba Man'?" Jacob asked, puzzled.
"Because Third Brother made it his mission to help women in difficult situations. Whenever he arrived in a new city, he'd immediately spend money rescuing those who had fallen on hard times. Nearly every city holds legends of his deeds." Asher's smile widened as he recalled those days. While three of them were named after their signature Pokémon, only Third Brother's nickname came from his unique hobby.
"So what does your Third Brother do now?" Jacob couldn't help asking.
"Third Brother's family is quite influential. I believe he's running his own business ventures in Starwood City, Starwood Province. His enterprises are quite substantial."