For Aven, today had truly been an exhausting day.
After returning to his castle, he collapsed straight onto the bed and fell asleep almost instantly. In the midst of his half-dreaming, half-waking state, he suddenly felt as though he had entered a dazzling world of seven colors, brilliant and illusory.
"A world where humans and Pokémon can live in true harmony… I also look forward to that day arriving."
Out of nowhere, a low whisper resounded faintly, and just as the rainbow-colored world began to dissipate into nothingness, the voice lingered, echoing into emptiness.
On the bed, Aven abruptly opened his eyes. With a puzzled expression, he glanced outside the window. It was still deep into the night. The silvery moonlight spilled quietly onto the windowsill, illuminating the room in a pale glow.
"So, it really was just a dream? Looks like I've been overworking myself lately." Aven exhaled softly.
His gaze shifted to the side of the bed. There, Petilil and Ralts were huddled together, snuggling close as they slept soundly, their little breaths rising and falling.
"Lass~"
From the shadows, Froslass's figure slowly emerged, her presence silent and ghostly.
She tilted her head with a curious look, as if asking why Aven had suddenly woken up in the middle of the night.
"It's nothing. I just had a dream." Aven gave Froslass a faint smile.
Lowering his eyes to his own hands, he realized something strange. Despite waking up in the middle of the night, his mind was unusually clear. He didn't feel drowsy or weary in the slightest.
"Hm? My mental strength… it feels like it's increased a lot?" he murmured softly, surprise lacing his voice.
Closing his eyes, he immediately slipped into a state of meditation. In an instant, he realized with astonishment that his mental energy had risen by a tremendous margin compared to before!
"My psychic power actually broke through… and not just a little—it's an enormous leap forward!"
"Doesn't that mean… I can now be considered a true Psychic?" The delight in Aven's heart surged uncontrollably.
He lifted his hand and extended it toward the pen lying on the desk. His mental strength slowly began to condense, flowing outward with his will.
Then, almost miraculously, the pen on the desk trembled faintly before slowly rising into the air. It floated across the distance and gently landed into Aven's outstretched palm!
"Lass!"
Froslass's eyes widened in pure shock.
This was the very first time she had ever seen a human use a move by themselves! Immediately after the shock came an overwhelming wave of joy.
Master Aven had successfully learned telekinesis—and she was the very first witness to it! Ahhh, what happiness!
"The most fundamental ability of human psychics… telekinesis." Aven held the pen tightly in his hand, his smile brimming with joy.
Telekinesis could be called the very foundation of all human psychic powers. As long as one trained it properly and consistently, there was a chance to gradually master even greater psychic abilities.
Closing his eyes once more, Aven tried to spread his mental power outward again. Faint sensations appeared in his mind, vague impressions as if he were perceiving his surroundings without his eyes. This was the "telepathic sense."
But after using telekinesis several times in succession, the energy he had just condensed was quickly drained, and exhaustion inevitably returned to his face.
"Lass… Lass?"
Froslass immediately floated over with concern, hovering right by his side.
"I'm fine, Froslass. As long as I meditate for a while, I'll be able to recover."
He comforted her in a gentle tone, then closed his eyes once more, entering a deep meditative state. Now that his psychic powers had broken through, he no longer needed Ralts's assistance—he could meditate independently on his own.
Moreover, the efficiency of his meditation was far greater than before. As he meditated, specks of silver light gradually appeared within his consciousness, slowly gathering together into a luminous cluster.
The night passed swiftly, time flowing silently as Aven sat immersed in meditation.
By dawn, Aven slowly opened his eyes. What he saw before him made him chuckle softly—two small figures were lying on the floor in front of him, watching him closely.
"Lil~ lil~"
"Ralts~ Ralts~"
Petilil and Ralts were conversing in their own way, both feeling that Aven seemed a little different today.
Ralts, especially, was the most sensitive to Aven's change. It could vaguely feel a new psychic aura pulsing from Aven's body.
At a distance, Froslass sat on the desk, swinging her icy gown playfully as she covered her mouth, giggling quietly. No matter how much Petilil and Ralts questioned her, she refused to explain why.
"So, you're all awake already, huh?"
Aven stretched his body lazily and stood up.
He felt amazing—better than he had ever felt in his life. His whole body brimmed with vitality.
"Lil~ lil~"
"Ralts~ Ralts~"
Petilil and Ralts hurriedly asked what had happened.
When Aven explained that his psychic energy had broken through and that he had already grasped telekinesis, both of their eyes went wide in disbelief.
"That's right. Just one night's sleep, and I broke through." Aven laughed lightly.
It seemed that the strange dream last night must have been the manifestation of his breakthrough. After all, with psychic power surging, it wasn't impossible for it to affect his dreams.
"Ralts~ Ralts~"
Ralts immediately revealed an envious expression.
'Why couldn't it be that lucky? Why couldn't it just evolve after a single night's sleep?'
But seeing Aven's breakthrough only made it more determined. After getting up, it immediately started clamoring that it wanted to train harder!
"Alright, alright, I understand. I'll get up and make breakfast for you all first."
Aven patted Ralts on the head with a smile, then stood and made his way toward the castle's kitchen.
His room was on the second floor, and as he descended the stairs, he happened to see an Oddish sweeping the floor with the leaf on its head, using it like a broom.
Though this was technically the lord's castle, there wasn't a single human servant living within. Only Aven and a large number of Pokémon resided here, so many of the daily chores naturally fell upon the Pokémon.
Unfortunately, he hadn't yet captured a Pokémon truly suited for housework. Perhaps he should pay attention in the future. If he really could find a Pokémon talented at household chores, it would surely be in very high demand.
This, too, was proof of how deeply Pokémon were integrated into human life. From production and labor on a large scale to the small details of daily living, Pokémon could participate in every aspect.
Of course, when it came to making specialized food for Pokémon, Aven insisted on handling that personally. That was a principle he would never compromise on as a breeder.
As the time for meals drew near, Pokémon from all around began gathering into the castle. Their playful chatter and games filled the once-empty corridors, bringing life and warmth to the cold castle halls.
"You'll all continue training according to your assigned plans today."
Aven gave quick instructions to the Pokémon in the courtyard, then made his way straight to the wooden table at the center.
His mind wandered back to his last conversation with Princess Mira. The war was about to break out. This time, it would be a head-on clash between two territories!
And since his domain was the closest to Marina City, it would inevitably become the front line of the conflict. As the border earl, he would also be at the forefront of this battle.
If they could successfully capture Marina City, the benefits for him personally would be immense. In fact, if he contributed enough military merit, it wasn't impossible that Marina City itself might be added to his territory.
"For now, the most important thing is still the development of the Fair River's eastern bank."
"Especially the Drapion territory—this will form the first line of defense against Marina City."
Aven spread a territorial map across the table, recalling everything he had observed during his expedition to the Drapion's domain.
The Drapion leader's combat strength was truly formidable. Coupled with the advantage of its home terrain, it was even stronger than Nidoking.
Moreover, since a Nidoking and Nidoqueen required Moon Stones to evolve, the Drapion clan still held the upper hand in advanced-level strength.
If it hadn't been for the fact that Kale's King-level Pokémon was an Empoleon—a Steel-type perfectly resisting poison—they would have been overwhelmed by the venomous horde long before Aven arrived!
"A King-level Pokémon… Empoleon."
"If I could tame that Pokémon, pioneering the Drapion territory would become incredibly easy."
Aven once again took out Empoleon's Poké Ball. But upon recalling the strong bond between Empoleon and Kale, he realized the chance of success was close to zero.
Still, perhaps there was another way. If he could win over Lord Kale's cooperation, then with Kale's help, Empoleon's strength could still be put to use in pioneering Drapion territory.
(End of Chapter)