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A deep, numbing weakness spread through Kael's limbs as consciousness slowly dragged itself back from the darkness.
"...Ugh..."
A low groan escaped him as his eyelids twitched.
Harsh sunlight stabbed into his eyes as he forced them open, the blurry outline of jagged stone slowly sharpening into view.
He was still on Blazing Peak.
Not at the summit—
But sowhere along the upper half of the mountain.
Even with the gravity slightly weaker than at the very top, a crushing weight still pressed down on his chest, spine, and limbs. Everything hurt.
And yet—
He was alive.
Soone had dragged him out before the peak finished him off.
Kael's mind replayed the last fragnt of sound he'd heard before blacking out:
"Hoh? You really made it up here?"
Could that have been... his new instructor?
"Yo! You're awake?"
A cheerful, energetic voice bood beside him.
Kael turned and froze for a mont.
Bright red flas danced like flowing hair atop the figure's head, shedding sparks with every subtle movent.
Red-and-cream fur covered its athletic fra, with golden vortex-patterned plates embedded across the shoulders, chest, hands, and knees like pieces of battle armor.
There was no mistaking it.
An Infernape stood before him.
Kael blinked in awe.
A starter Pokémon evolution is one of the most beloved fighters in the entire franchise. Infernape had always been famous, even in his past human life: fast, stylish, and overwhelmingly skilled.
The fire atop its head flickered proudly as the Infernape crossed its arms.
"Yeah, I'm your second ntor," it said casually, as if announcing what it wanted for lunch.
Kael's heart skipped.
It really was his instructor.
Apparently satisfied with Kael's reaction, Infernape chuckled.
"When you stepped onto Blazing Peak, I was already watching. I wanted to see what kind of 'genius' the Gym Master was making ntor."
Its tone was straightforward, even blunt, but not unfriendly.
"Honestly? I expected you to collapse after two steps. Getting halfway up would've already t my expectations."
Infernape leaned back with a smirk.
"But you? You almost reached the top. That surprised ."
Kael's breath caught.
This was praise from a monster who probably shattered boulders with his morning stretch.
Infernape continued,
"When I first trained here, I could barely reach the upper steps and that was after I evolved into Monferno."
Kael was stunned for a heartbeat.
That ant...
He'd exceeded the trial performance of an evolved Fire/Fighting-type.
No wonder Infernape looked impressed.
And more importantly—
Infernape respected not just Kael's physique, but his will.
"That determination suits a fire-type's style very well," Infernape added with a grin.
Kael felt a surge of excitent bloom in his chest.
This wasn't just a strong ntor, this was a powerhouse who genuinely recognized him.
His exhaustion faded slightly as he forced himself upright.
Infernape gave a sharp nod.
"Good! You're recovering fast."
"Alright, enough chit-chat, Ti's valuable. Let's get started."
Fire-types were direct.
No dragging things out.
No wasted words.
Kael nodded firmly. "Understood!"
Infernape's tail flicked and with a casual motion, it tossed sothing black toward him.
Kael caught it with both hands, blinking in confusion.
A device.
A strange one.
Its core was an oval black crystal smooth and glossy, yet impossibly deep, like staring into a miniature black hole.
The surface shimred with a faint, eerie distortion that made Kael feel as though it contained both nothing... and everything.
Attached around the crystal were several dark straps made of so unknown material, each ending in sturdy tal clasps.
Kael stared, stunned.
"This... is this so kind of ancient tech from the Dark Era?"
Infernape grinned at his expression.
"Strap it on. Chest area."
With Infernape helping him secure the straps, the device sat snugly against Kael's sternum.
Coolness seeped from the crystal, sending a refreshing chill through his overheated body.
It felt strangely comfortable.
Kael exhaled with relief.
...He had no idea that in a few minutes, he'd regret ever thinking it felt "comfortable."
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