Nergigante didn't hesitate.
Right in front of the Zinogre, she devoured his untouched breakfast — every last piece.
The wolf's stomach growled loud enough to echo across the arena.
He was starving.
From the moment he'd ambushed the Rathian two nights ago, he hadn't eaten a single bite of meat.
Only potions — recovery after recovery — and not one drop of real sustenance.
Bai Chen, of course, noticed.
But he made no move to help. Instead, he continued his meal in complete calm, savoring each bite.
Even his Elder Dragon wasn't as prideful as this wolf.
If he let this behavior slide now, every new monster he brought into the fold would pull the same stunt.
Still not beaten enough, huh?
Finishing his meal, Bai Chen patted his stomach lightly and rose to his feet.
"Alright then. Time for some post-breakfast exercise."
At those words alone, the Zinogre's muscles tightened in reflex.
He sprang to his feet with a snarl, eyes burning with fury.
Hunger, humiliation, exhaustion — he poured it all into his glare.
Bai Chen smiled faintly.
"Good eyes. Let's see how long you can keep them open."
And so, they clashed again.
Bai Chen's body gleamed faintly with the power of Titan's Body. Every blow landed like a hammer strike, each movement perfectly measured to assert dominance, not to kill.
By the time the morning sun climbed above the arena, the fight was already over — the wolf beaten yet again.
Bai Chen crouched down, pried open its jaws, and poured another recovery potion in.
Then he turned away, wiping his hands.
Half an hour later, the Zinogre stirred, groaning lowly.
He was still dizzy, but he was getting used to it. Bai Chen's "training" had done wonders for his stun resistance.
And yet — more than pain, it was hunger that consumed him.
His stomach churned as he remembered the meal he'd turned away that morning.
He wanted to bite himself for it.
Just then, a familiar voice and the creak of cart wheels approached.
Tinkatuff returned, pushing a large food tray toward him.
This time, however, the contents weren't roasted meat — but neatly pressed pellets of shimmering Pokémon food.
It was her own recipe — small, nutrient-packed, and colorful.
"Yama," she said, making a gentle please gesture.
The wolf turned his head away again, just as he had earlier that morning.
But the hollow ache in his gut quickly betrayed him.
Saliva dripped between his fangs as the scent reached him.
"Yama," the smith repeated, patient and smiling.
And finally, pride gave way to hunger.
He lowered his head and began to eat.
The taste shocked him — rich, savory, perfectly balanced. Whether it was the hunger or the craftsmanship, it was the most delicious food he'd ever had.
Watching him devour the bowl, the blacksmith smiled in satisfaction.
When he finished, she refilled it without hesitation.
She'd prepared sixty days' worth of supplies with Lillie's help; sharing some with Bai Chen's new partner was hardly an issue.
Inside the tent, Nergigante cracked one lazy eye open, saw the scene, then promptly closed it again with a flick of her tail — entirely uninterested.
Bai Chen, watching from the side, said nothing.
If he's eating, that means he's finally ready for the next step.
The rest of the morning was calm.
Bai Chen didn't strike the wolf again. He trained alone, movements precise and deliberate, sweat glistening under the pale light.
By noon, the blacksmith had returned once more, pulling another cartload of food.
She set a massive bowl before the wolf and patted his head.
"Yama."
The Zinogre eyed her warily, then looked toward Bai Chen and Nergigante, both already eating.
When neither moved, he hesitated only a moment longer before digging in again.
Once he'd cleared his bowl, Bai Chen stood and placed a single massive steak before him.
"In my camp," he said evenly, "there's one rule — when it's time to eat, you eat. If you're still hungry, ask for more. That's it."
The wolf stared at the meat, torn between pride and instinct.
His pride hissed no.
His body screamed yes.
Before he could decide, Bai Chen continued, his tone calm but deliberate.
"You've got potential. And I like your spirit — that fighting instinct. I can make you stronger, stronger than you've ever imagined. You still want to beat that Steel Dragon (Kushala Daora), don't you?"
The Thunder Wolf Wyvern's head snapped up, eyes flashing blue with rage.
Bai Chen met his gaze without flinching.
"Don't look so surprised. I'm a Knight — your Knight. I can see what you dream of."
When their bond had first linked through the Resonance Stone, Bai Chen had seen fragments of the wolf's memories — the fall of his pack, their home taken by Kushala Daora.
Driven out, humiliated, desperate for vengeance.
That hunger for strength had led him to challenge the Rathian pair days ago.
He wanted power. Power enough to bite through the throat of an Elder Dragon.
Bai Chen tore into his own steak and spoke plainly.
"Let's be honest — with your current power, you'll never beat that Steel Dragon. Not in a hundred hunts."
The wolf growled low, lightning flickering faintly around his fangs.
"What? You think I'm wrong?" Bai Chen asked coolly. "You've fought me seven times now and still couldn't win. You think you can take on an Elder Dragon like that?"
He pointed toward Nergigante, who was lazily chewing a bone.
"You feel her aura, don't you? She's a true Elder Dragon. Even I'd barely have a ten percent chance against her. So what about you, hmm?"
The wolf fell silent.
His growl faded to a low rumble.
He knew the answer.
"But…"
Bai Chen paused deliberately, waiting until the wolf's eyes flicked back to him.
Then he smiled.
"I do have a way for you to change your fate."
He unfastened the Resonance Stone from his wrist and placed it gently against the wolf's head.
"Consider this your first gift from your new master. If you still want to leave afterward, I'll let you go."
A pulse of light burst from the stone, flowing into the creature's body.
[Target: Zinogre has obtained Skill — Elder Dragon Blood (Rarity 7).]
The faint text flickered before Bai Chen's eyes and vanished.
The wolf's body tensed as the change took hold — veins burning like molten metal, blood roaring in his ears.
Hunger flared again, stronger, overwhelming.
He wanted food. He wanted more.
Bai Chen only smiled, breaking his meal in half and tossing the rest toward him.
"Eat. Fill your belly."
"Only the well-fed have the strength to evolve."
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