Hikaru added Pryce as a friend and engaged in an in-depth discussion about the art of sculpture.
Pryce sighed with admiration, surprised that soone as young as Hikaru had already mastered such an impressive level of sculpting skill.
Though it was a family craft, youth itself was an advantage. With further study and dedication, Hikaru's future achievents would be limitless.
["Elite Four Grusha has been training at the Glaseado Path recently. He was the one who ntioned you, which led to find you."]
["By the way, since I'm already here, why don't I commission a sculpture as well? Let's see… I think I'd like one of Seel."]
["Heh, Seel reminds of a mistake I made when I was younger. Long ago, due to my own immaturity, I once put a Seel in danger. On the Seafoam Islands in Kanto, I was supposed to save a fallen Seel…"]
["But I ended up collapsing as well. After that, I reflected on my own shortcomings and dedicated myself to teaching others about the harsh realities of the world."]
["Later, during a battle, I was badly burned by a Magmortar and was bedridden for a long ti. During that ti, my Piloswine left during a snowstorm and never returned. I thought it had abandoned . So, I trained my Pokémon rigorously, keeping my distance from them and avoiding forming bonds."]
["But recently, soone taught that the bond between Pokémon and humans is never truly broken. You have Pokémon too, don't you? The ti you've spent with them—treasure it."]
["Ah, sorry, I'm rambling again. If I can't even follow my own advice, what right do I have to lecture others?"]
Hikaru chatted with Pryce and learned about his past experiences.
Wait a minute—was this a mix of the gas, the ani, and the Special manga?
This really was a blended world. It perfectly aligned with sothing Pryce had said himself—"I have tasted all kinds of pain."
If the Lapras incident was added to the mix, Pryce truly had an unfortunate life.
At least this version of Pryce hadn't gone to the extre of becoming the Masked Man.
After finishing the conversation with Pryce, another notification popped up. Hikaru soon realized it was a ssage from a previous custor who had bought one of his sculptures.
[Avant-Garde Art]: "Apologies for ssaging you out of the blue. If I am disturbing you, I sincerely apologize!"
"However, your sculptures have truly captivated —they are the epito of avant-garde art!"
"On September 15th, an art exhibition will be held in Zapapico, Paldea. I would love for you to participate. I will cover your travel expenses if you're interested."
Huh? Another invitation?
Hikaru recalled that Morty from Ecruteak City had also ntioned inviting him there, Steel Master Byron was looking for him, and now there was Pryce and this client.
Wait… the way this person talked—could they actually be Brassius, the sculptor Gym Leader?!
"Have my sculptures really amazed these master sculptors? Maybe it's because of the Shinto Ruins style."
Hikaru pondered for a mont and asked about the schedule. Fortunately, the ice sculpture exhibition was in November, aning there was no conflict with the Paldea event. He agreed to attend.
[Avant-Garde Art]: "Thank you so much for accepting! I will make the best preparations to welco you!"
"No need for anything fancy, I can make my own way there. My sculpting art—"
[Avant-Garde Art]: "That very traditional sculpting style is what fascinates ! The blend of ancient and modern artistry, its cultural value, and its ability to rge tradition with innovation—it exudes a unique power!"
"Oh, right! I have rudely disturbed you without introducing myself—my apologies. I am Brassius, the Gym Leader of Zapapico. I am also a sowhat well-known sculptor."
"'Sowhat well-known'… That's an understatent. He's actually very famous!"
Hikaru: "...I'm just an ordinary craftsman."
[Avant-Garde Art]: "Such humility! You don't need to doubt yourself. As a craftsman, you already possess the eyes and instincts to discover beauty—it's just that you've been so imrsed in sculpting that you haven't noticed! Your work has been an enormous inspiration for , especially since I've been stuck in a creative block. I will eagerly await your arrival in Zapapico!"
Another invitation… Before even leaving Shinto, he already had multiple events lined up. It was strangely overwhelming.
But being recognized by so many people was a good thing, Hikaru thought.
After all, his goal was to revive the workshop. If participating in these exhibitions could boost the workshop's reputation, then of course, he had to go!
"This is a good thing!" Hikaru smiled. "I have to keep working hard!"
At the very least, he needed to get the Johto folks, who barely went online, to recognize his work!
For now, Hikaru continued sculpting. With Doublade's help, he completed the last two statues.
『Craftsmanship Completed!』
『Crafted Item: Large [Ancient Statue]—Shinto Ruins Style.』
『Description: A stone sculpture mimicking ancient artistic styles, modeled after Urshifu (Single Strike Style). It boasts an impressive level of realism and authenticity. So collectors may be willing to pay a high price for it.』
『Effect: Secrets of the Abyss—Dark-type Pokémon's offensive capabilities increase significantly, training efficiency 25%.』
『Craftsmanship Completed!』
『Crafted Item: Large [Ancient Statue]—Shinto Ruins Style.』
『Description: A stone sculpture mimicking ancient artistic styles, modeled after Hydreigon. It boasts an impressive level of realism and authenticity. So collectors may be willing to pay a high price for it.』
『Effect: Ferocious Strength—Increases efficiency by 15% when breaking objects (including Rock Smash).』
『Due to repeatedly completing similar work, knowledge has been gained.』
『Large-Scale Sculptor: Increases efficiency and technique for large-scale sculptures by 25%. Sculpted works beco more aesthetically pleasing. Aesthetic quality 25%.』
"Phew, done."
Hikaru sat on the steps, clenched his fist, and reflected on his recent progress. With the improvent in various skills, his sculpting efficiency, speed, and even his own physical strength had all increased significantly. With Doublade's assistance, his carving speed had reached an almost unnatural level.
It felt as if the stones in his hands were no longer solid rocks. In fact… under his tools, they even felt sowhat soft?
His advancents in forging techniques had also made his tools much more effective—a reinforcent in the right direction.
The three Pokémon gathered around, examining the three large sculptures. Regirock, who had been in deep slumber, also woke up. After standing up, it approached the sculptures, the "H" symbol on its face flashing. It seed quite satisfied with the sculpting techniques used—an expert's evaluation.
anwhile, Hikaru started mumbling to himself again.
In ancient craftsmanship, he had already created many ancient stone statues, but the awakening power of the Ancient Bracelet was proving difficult to obtain.
"Maybe I should search online… Perhaps the TM versions produced by Silph Co. might contain Hidden Power."
While Hidden Power was generally considered a signature move of Unown, so Pokémon could naturally learn it through leveling up.
And—there was even a certain human who could use it.
In the gas, an overweight man near the Lake of Rage had unlocked Hidden Power through ditation and psychic training.
Hikaru also opened his Pokégear and checked the shipping status of his purchases. Items ordered from Unova and Galar were still in transit and would take about two more days to arrive. However, packages from Johto and Kanto had already reached Blackthorn City's Pokémon Center.
The reason for the delay in delivery was likely because Hikaru's ho was in a remote location. The Pokémon Center was probably waiting for all his shipnts to arrive before making a single delivery.
Looks like that Charizard was going to be busy again.
At the sa ti, Hikaru started reconsidering the word arrangents on the Symbol Slab.
"Hmm, I've already arranged the words for Celebi. If I rearrange them again, unexpected things might happen. To avoid causing trouble for Celebi, maybe I should try forming the words for 'Calyrex' instead? It should have a similar effect on crops, right?"
However, at this point in ti, Calyrex was still in its weakened state. It couldn't be called the King of Bounty—rather, it was the King of Barrenness.
"If I establish contact with it now, will I drain its remaining power? Or… would I be able to provide it with a small amount of faith?"
Just as Hikaru was thinking about this, he noticed sothing on the back of one of the sculptures—a single black eye staring at him.
Oh, It was Unown E, the laziest one of the bunch!
"Annon."
Unown E floated up!
It was offering to help!
"Help…? Wait, you heard what I was just saying?" Hikaru looked at Unown in surprise, and it imdiately wobbled up and down.
That's right—it was here to help with Hidden Power!
Hikaru's surprise quickly turned into excitent, and he started contemplating further.
"But Hidden Power… It's said that Unown can manifest human thoughts into reality."
Upon hearing Hikaru mutter this, Unown E suddenly looked guilty.
This mont had finally co!
The other Pokémon also noticed sothing suspicious about Unown. Their expressions turned curious, and they stared at it intensely.
Doublade sensed that sothing wasn't right.
Lilligant also shot Unown a doubtful look.
Even Turtwig had picked up on it.
"Yowoo?"
"Lilli."
"Naa?"
Unown E wobbled in the air, then decided to confess everything.
It admitted that the strange dreams Hikaru had before were its doing. But—it only did it to grant Hikaru's wish! It ant no harm!
After revealing the truth, Unown's eye seed to relax, as if it had been carrying a burden for a long ti.
Hikaru was stunned.
"So… the dream from before was connected to you? Ahh, now it all makes sense!"
However, he wasn't mad. Instead, he smiled.
"Actually, I should be thanking you. Because of your power, I was able to form a connection with that mysterious Pokémon. You saw it in the dream too, didn't you?"
"It was only because of you that I had this amazing encounter."
"Unown, our eting is just another part of this incredible journey of life."
Unown blinked in surprise, then suddenly bead with joy.
"Annon!"
(End of Chapter)
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