"Heh. If you really want to get stronger, you can't be scared off by something this small," Allen said, a faint grin playing at his lips. Then his tone dropped, serious and steady. "But just so you know, my training is brutal. Are you mentally ready for that?"
"Yes, Master!" Bea stood ramrod straight and bowed deeply.
Machamp beside her followed suit, his massive upper body dipping with military precision.
At Allen's feet, Kubfu mimicked them, little arms held tight to his sides, head bowed as he let out a respectful "Ahhh!"
Nessa, standing off to the side, swallowed hard. Her sapphire eyes were locked on Allen like she was staring at something out of this world.
She didn't know what was happening anymore. Her entire understanding of Pokémon battles had been shaken at the roots.
…
By the time Allen had wrapped up his explanation of the three types of Haki, a small crowd had gathered near the Hulbury harbor. The earlier shockwaves and Leon's Charizard getting manhandled like a plush toy had drawn a lot of attention. And with both Leon and Nessa in one place, it was only natural that bystanders would swarm in.
Allen scanned the crowd and sighed. "Doesn't look like I can train properly around here."
"If that's the case," Bea offered quickly, "Master, why don't you come live with me?"
Allen blinked.
"I mean, I'm the Gym Leader of Stow-on-Side. My place is really big."
Allen stared at her for a moment. *Why does this sound so familiar…?*
Still, he didn't argue. He was no prince of the Dragon Clan or part of the Lance family. He had arrived in this world with nothing but the clothes on his back and the insane system bound to his body. No reason to act haughty now.
Suddenly, Kubfu tugged at Allen's pant leg.
Allen looked down. "Hmm?"
The little bear looked up at him, then pointed at himself, then back at Allen.
"Ah. You don't want to be left behind, huh?"
Kubfu nodded vigorously, determination burning in his eyes.
Allen laughed. He picked up the small Pokémon and held it up by the scruff. "So you really want to follow me?"
"Ah! Ah!"
Kubfu bounced excitedly in his grip.
"Alright. But you better be ready. I don't do easy training."
Allen set him down, his grin never fading. Truth be told, the first Pokémon he bonded with in this world turning out to be a rare and powerful one like Kubfu was a pleasant surprise.
"Leon, Nessa, we'll be heading out," Bea said politely, giving them both a nod. Then she turned and grabbed Allen's hand. "Come on, Master. My house is this way!"
Allen raised an eyebrow at the gesture. This girl didn't seem to have any sense of personal space. But he didn't resist either.
Nessa watched them go, stunned into silence. When they finally disappeared down the road, she muttered, "Who… exactly is that man?"
Leon scratched his cheek, looking sheepish. "Says he's just a regular guy who likes to train."
Nessa turned to him with a look that said: *Are you out of your mind?*
Leon laughed awkwardly. "Well, anyway, my mission here's done. Time to report back to Chairman Rose."
He signed a few quick autographs for the growing crowd of fans, then left quietly. With Charizard still unconscious, he had no choice but to take a Steelix taxi back to Wyndon.
As he left, Nessa whispered to herself, "The Galar All-Stars Tournament, huh…?"
Her face tightened, memories of her last underwhelming performance flickering through her mind. Regret weighed heavily in her eyes.
…
Wyndon. Galar's grandest city.
Home of the Rose Tower and the central command hub for the Galar League.
Chairman Rose, head of the Galar Alliance, sat behind a massive desk at the top floor of Rose Tower. Behind him, the city sparkled under the late afternoon sun.
Leon finally arrived—half an hour late after several wrong turns.
Waiting by the elevator was a tall woman in a sharp red office suit, her half-lidded eyes and slow drawl giving off the impression that she hadn't fully woken up all day.
"Chairman Rose has been waiting, Mr. Leon," said Oleana.
"Ah, sorry about that. Thanks for waiting!" Leon laughed and rubbed the back of his neck.
They rode the elevator to the top.
"Did you get to the bottom of what happened on the Isle of Armor?" Rose asked the moment Leon entered the office.
Leon stood tall and gave his report. He described everything: the strange shockwave, the man who had knocked out Charizard with a single flick, the peculiar martial art techniques.
Oleana's eyes shot wide open halfway through the story. "You're telling me a *human* caused all that? That's insane!"
"I wouldn't have believed it either… if I hadn't seen it myself," Leon admitted.
Rose leaned back, thoughtful. "It's not unheard of. The Unovan Elite Four has Caitlin. Her psychic powers could level a room."
"But Caitlin's powers are still within the range of Pokémon-tier abilities," Oleana said. "This man… scattered storm clouds."
Rose smiled. "Doesn't matter. He's training Bea now, right? That makes him ours."
Leon raised a brow. "You want to recruit him?"
Rose grinned. "Tell me, Leon. What's the potential if he trains Bea to use the same techniques?"
Leon paused. After a moment of serious thought, he said firmly, "If she can pull it off… she could reach Elite Four level. Easily."
Rose leaned back, the grin stretching. "Then the next Galar All-Star Game is going to be *very* interesting."
…
Stow-on-Side. A town rich with history and tradition, famous for its ruins, relics, and vibrant festivals.
Bea's Gym, nestled near the cliffs, stood alongside a second local Gym run by the Ghost-type expert Allister. Galar had long embraced multiple Gyms in a single city as part of its effort to diversify battling styles.
After saying goodbye to Hulbury, Allen followed Bea back and settled into the Stow-on-Side Fighting Dojo.
The next morning, the sun had barely crested the mountains.
Bea stepped outside with her Pokémon, ready for their usual sunrise run—only to see Allen already jogging back with Kubfu. Both were glistening with sweat.
"You're up *already*?" she asked in shock.
Allen chuckled. "Not really. Just got started thirty minutes ago. Quick warm-up before breakfast."
Bea felt like she'd been slapped with a cold towel. She thought *she* was the early riser.
Allen wiped sweat from his forehead. "Old habits. I don't train just to get stronger anymore. It's become part of life."
He grinned. "Like brushing your teeth. Or checking your Pokédex."
Bea clenched her fists. "Then tomorrow, I want to run with you too! Wake me up, Master!"
Allen smirked and patted her head, ruffling her tidy hair. "Don't get cocky. The basic training I've got planned for you will be enough to make you cry."
Bea didn't flinch. "I'm ready!"
Allen raised an eyebrow. "We'll see."
***
Support the TL on Patreon.com/Jaxxyn and read 38+ Advance Chapters alongside exclusive NSFW Pokemon Arts!!!