Deep within the rocky hills, a fierce contest of strength was unfolding between a Rhydon and a Onix.
Although the massive Onix towered over ten meters long, its overwhelming size did not grant it a clear advantage. In terms of raw power, it was actually being slowly suppressed by Rhydon. The ground beneath them trembled and cracked as the Onix was gradually forced backward, leaving a deep, rugged trench in its wake.
"What astonishing strength!"
"As expected of a Pokémon that has reached the quasi-king level relying purely on physical might!"
Watching the duel, Master Makin couldn't help but sigh in admiration. It was rare for him to see his Onix losing in a contest of strength.
"Your Onix isn't bad either," Aven smiled lightly. "Once it completes its evolution, it will definitely reach the quasi-king level. And if you continue to train it further, relying on its sturdy physique, it's not impossible for it to break through to the king level as well."
It was clear that Makin had done extensive training to prepare for the evolution of Onix into Steelix.
In the process, Onix had devoured a large number of iron ores, absorbing the steel-type energy contained within to harden and reinforce its rocky body.
Interestingly, this training method was quite similar to the one Aven had devised for Rhydon's next evolutionary stage—further proof that this method was indeed feasible.
Now that the two shared a common language and understanding, their conversation flowed much more easily. Master Makin couldn't help but feel a sense of regret for meeting too late—this lord's knowledge far exceeded his expectations.
Especially when it came to Pokémon, Aven not only knew of Steelix's existence but also possessed insights into Onix's physiology and evolution that even Makin himself lacked.
"OOOONIX!"
The Onix bellowed furiously as it was forced backward again.
Suddenly, its entire body gleamed with white light as it unleashed a powerful Tackle!
But on the opposite side, flames began to ignite over Rhydon's body. The temperature around it surged violently, the air itself distorting from the intense heat.
As Rhydon stomped forward, the ground quaked beneath its feet. Its sheer mass and the power packed into that step generated a concussive shockwave that blasted outward in all directions!
"What strength! That's the move, Heat Crash, isn't it?"
"If such heat and pressure were used in smithing, you could forge strong metal!"
The blacksmith master couldn't help but exclaim. Normally, such temperatures and pressure could only be achieved using a forge and hammer but Rhydon was generating both simply by standing there.
In that sense, Rhydon was, quite literally, the perfect blacksmith!
BOOM!
With a deafening crash, the two Pokémon collided head-on.
The impact echoed through the hills, and in the next instant, the enormous Onix was sent flying through the air.
Before Rhydon's Heat Crash, Onix had no power to resist at all.
"The battle's over," Aven said with a smile.
He stepped forward with healing potions in hand, tending to both Pokémon and restoring their stamina.
Master Makin nodded solemnly. "Onix lost… That combination of intense heat and pressure—it's hard to imagine how Lord Aven trained such a Rhydon."
Aven chuckled. "It was a complete accident, actually. Back then, the Pokémon Domain was still just a small fiefdom. I couldn't even find a blacksmith, so I let Rhydon try forging metal for me."
"To my surprise, Rhydon turned out to have a natural talent for blacksmithing! Through that process, it even learned to control fire and developed its own unique method of training."
Makin couldn't help but sigh in amazement. This Rhydon truly was a born blacksmith—capable of performing a human craftsman's work with sheer strength and discipline.
He had previously examined the iron tools Rhydon had produced. Although they appeared somewhat crude, the purity of the metal and the forging techniques involved were already comparable to those of a master blacksmith.
Realizing this, Makin's gaze became resolute. He placed a hand over his chest and declared, "Lord Aven, please allow me to take charge of the territory's iron forging from now on."
"Although I haven't forged for a while, my skills haven't dulled in the slightest. In fact, while researching turning stone into metal, I've even improved my ore purification methods."
He hadn't forgotten why the knight Caesar had originally come to find him, the Pokémon Domain needed a master blacksmith. Now that he had chosen to serve, it was only natural that he fulfill that duty.
Makin was equally confident in Aven. Under this lord, he believed he could finally achieve his dream—to complete his dream of turning stone into metal and evolve his Onix into a Steelix!
"I was just thinking I wanted to see your forging technique myself," Aven said with interest. "There's a smithy right here in these hills. We can work there."
His eyes lit up. His main purpose in recruiting a master blacksmith was to forge Poké Balls. The evolution research on Onix and Rhydon was just an unexpected bonus.
"Excellent!" Makin laughed heartily. "I'll show you what I can do. And I'm quite curious myself—how does your Rhydon forge metal?"
The two men climbed the rocky path to the smithy where Rhydon trained.
The forge was quite simple and rough, clearly modified for Rhydon's training, but Makin didn't mind.
After entering the blacksmith shop, he checked everywhere. The smithy had all the normal tools, which showed that it had been specially prepared.
However, the hammers and other forging instruments all appeared brand new. It was obvious that Rhydon didn't use tools at all when forging!
Makin picked up a hammer that Aven struggled to lift. With ease, he swung it twice; in his hands, the heavy hammer felt as light as a feather.
Then his attention was drawn to a round iron sphere sitting on the anvil. He frowned slightly and lifted it for inspection. Upon closer look, he noticed faint, intricate patterns etched into its surface.
From his experience, such patterns could only be created by highly precise and rhythmic hammering—a deliberate technique. Yet he couldn't quite determine what function those mysterious patterns served.
"It seems you've noticed it too," Aven said with a smile. "I sought out a master blacksmith to help me forge a special kind of metal sphere."
"Tell me, Master Makin, do you think you could replicate these unique markings?"
"As long as you teach me the forging technique, I believe I can," Makin replied confidently.
"Rhydon," Aven called, "why don't you give Master Makin a demonstration?"
At once, Rhydon roared in excitement and lumbered over to the forge.
It grabbed a log of wood, and flames erupted from its fists as it set the wood ablaze.
Under the searing heat, the wood quickly turned red-hot, and Rhydon tossed it into the furnace before punching forward—sending another surge of flames roaring into the chamber.
Makin's eyes widened in disbelief. Rhydon's way of lighting the forge was… brutally straightforward. Yet, the furnace ignited perfectly, the waves of heat radiating outward with terrifying intensity!
"RHY!"
Rhydon stepped up to the anvil, dexterously picking up a practice iron sphere. It dipped its hand into the roaring furnace, feeling the temperature directly with its skin.
The blazing flames didn't harm it at all. Makin raised an eyebrow—impressed.
'No wonder its body is so tough, it's been tempered by heat itself.'
Once the temperature was right, Rhydon pulled the iron sphere from the flames. The metal glowed red-hot. Wrapping one hand in fire, it slammed its other fist down heavily.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Each strike sent sparks scattering. The raw power behind its blows left deep imprints across the sphere's surface.
Rhydon continued hammering relentlessly, rotating the sphere between punches, every movement steady and rhythmic. Its massive frame quivered slightly from the intensity of the effort.
Makin stared intently at the process, utterly absorbed. When Rhydon finally finished and quenched the glowing sphere in the water trough, steam billowed into the air, and only then did Makin return to his senses.
He glanced at the iron sphere on the anvil, then back at Rhydon whose flames were slowly extinguishing. The entire process had left him deeply shaken.
"Master Makin," Aven asked softly, "what do you think?"
Even though Aven had seen Rhydon forge many times before, he still found it breathtaking each time—a raw, violent beauty contained within every motion.
"…No problem," Makin finally said after a moment of recollection. "I can try it myself."
Although Rhydon's forging method seemed rough, Makin had caught the rhythm behind it—the key principles hidden beneath its strikes.
Taking up the hammer, he stepped before the anvil. Thanks to Rhydon's fire, the forge was already hot enough.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Before long, the rhythmic sound of hammering filled the smithy as Master Makin swung the hammer in his hand
Aven could tell that the blacksmith master possessed his own unique strength-control technique. Each strike carried precision and flow, allowing him to sustain the motion without tiring, a skill that will be essential in making Poké Balls.
Once the forging began, it had to be done in one continuous motion, allowing the interior of the apricorn—or in this case, the iron sphere to form a unique capsule-like structure inside.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Soon, identical patterns began to form on the metal sphere's surface.
Watching this, Aven couldn't help but nod. As expected of a master blacksmith, Master Makin was perfectly capable of handling Poké Ball production.
Makin constantly observed the iron ball while forging. After several final strikes, Makin used tongs to lift the sphere and plunge it into the cooling water.
Ssshhhhhh-
Steam erupted in thick white plumes.
Finally, Makin exhaled deeply and set his hammer down.
(End of Chapter)