Because both Shi Heng and Pangoro had already awakened the Power of Will, they could clearly sense its fluctuations.
This kind of spiritual resonance wasn't something ordinary people or Pokémon could detect.
Those who hadn't awakened it would, at most, feel that something seemed… different.
Shi Heng and Pangoro were still stunned by Kubfu's awakening—
When suddenly—
Another wave of Will Power rippled outward.
From Oliver.
Shi Heng's eyes widened.
"You… you awakened too?!"
Kubfu could be explained as a once-in-a-generation prodigy.
But Oliver?
He was human.
When ancient martial masters attempted to guide Pokémon to awaken Will Power, it was precisely because humans struggled to awaken it themselves.
History had proven it:
Humans could awaken it, but it was extremely difficult.
Even after awakening, a human's combat ability would at best rival a Senior-level Pokémon.
Pokémon, however, gained far greater amplification from it.
The age of humans had long passed.
This was the era of Pokémon.
No matter how strong a human became, they could never surpass a Pokémon's upper limit.
That was why the Trainer profession existed.
Shi Heng himself had endured countless hardships.
He had only awakened Will Power after facing life-and-death crisis and solidifying his heart.
And yet—
Oliver heard it once.
And awakened instantly?
Oliver clenched his fist, experimenting.
"It really does feel stronger… This Power of Will is impressive."
Kubfu nodded enthusiastically.
Shi Heng stared.
"How did you do it?"
"Do what? Awaken Will Power?"
"What else?!"
Oliver blinked, genuinely confused.
"I just followed your method. Then it happened. Is it very hard?"
Shi Heng felt as if he had been stabbed in the heart.
Was that even something a human should say?
Shi Heng's Past
"When my master first taught me," Shi Heng said slowly,
"I trained bitterly for years without the slightest sign of awakening."
"It wasn't until I was trapped in a life-and-death situation during a mission… when I truly understood my heart… that I succeeded."
He had bled for this power.
Nearly died for it.
And this boy—
Just… followed instructions.
Was this what true talent looked like?
Could geniuses really do whatever they wanted?
The Truth
In reality—
Oliver had not awakened Will Power in the conventional sense.
Will Power was a form of mental force.
But Oliver and Kubfu possessed Aura.
And Aura was a far higher-grade spiritual energy.
The moment Oliver understood the principles behind Will Power—
He immediately deduced a substitution method.
Instead of awakening Will Power from scratch—
He used Aura as a framework.
Guided Kubfu.
Simulated the resonance.
Triggered the effect.
To outside observers, it looked like awakening.
But fundamentally—
It was Aura operating on a higher tier.
According to Oliver's estimation:
Kubfu, though only Advanced Early Stage,
Now possessed combat strength nearly unrivaled within the Advanced tier.
Shi Heng's Regret
Shi Heng sighed.
"If you didn't have such terrifying research talent, I would've taken you as my direct disciple and passed down everything I know."
"What a pity."
He knew full well how important Oliver's research ability was to the Xia Alliance.
He could not divert such a mind solely into martial cultivation.
Oliver smiled.
"Even if I can't become your disciple, I can still consult you when I have questions."
"That works," Shi Heng nodded. "I don't want to see a pearl covered in dust."
Summer Training
Oliver asked,
"I plan to focus on Kubfu's growth this summer. What should we emphasize?"
Shi Heng answered without hesitation.
"Kubfu's fundamentals are flawless."
"For Fighting-types, the most important thing is real combat."
"Only in battle can weaknesses be exposed."
He paused.
Then added:
"Soon, there will be a Fighting-type tournament at Mount Hua."
"If you want Kubfu to gain practical experience…"
"That's the best place."
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