Chapter Seventy-Nine: Hidden Trait—Aura of Oppression

In the afternoon, Zhuyuehan had no choice but to bring his Poké Ball to class. Along the way, he attracted Pokémon from land, sea, and sky, all trailing behind him to sniff the scent. Excluding a few exceptions like Muk, the sensory tastes of humans and Pokémon tended to align, especially regarding food. Fragrant! Let me take a few more whiffs! Zhuyuehan had to quicken his pace to shake off the Pokémon who were nearly clinging to him. He realized he might need to install a kitchen hood in his dorm, though that wasn’t the real issue.

Zhuyuehan lifted his arm and sniffed; this seemed to be a scent enhanced by energy cubes. This time, the flavor had truly seeped in. If he kept eating like this, he felt someday he’d become a Pokémon version of Brother Yu. And instead of being called Brother Yu by the Queen of the Women’s Kingdom, it’d be the Scorpion Spirit.

The afternoon class was a lecture, the topic being public execution—no, a review and summary of last week’s “Lake of Rage Medical Support” activity, with a side purpose of motivating students to keep striving. It was a kind of seminar, but the core content focused on emergency medical knowledge. Everything was fine until the teacher brought up Zhuyuehan’s achievements, at which point everyone in the front row gave him strange looks.

Big brother, you really came to the wrong school. You belong at the Officer Jenny Academy. Pokémon rescue? Yes, and his first aid was textbook-perfect, transferring the severely injured safely to the rear camp. Capturing Dark Ball Pokémon? Yes, and he did it en masse, all about efficiency. But what about the record of knocking out the Dark Team’s members and their Pokémon?

Zhuyuehan covered his face, unwilling to meet everyone’s gaze. The joy of beating up villains and Pokémon was now replaced by the pain of being scrutinized. If only the venue were different, he’d stand up and teach his classmates some twisted logic: “Though I’m support, if I take down all the enemies myself, none on our side will get hurt.”

The torturous class finally ended. Zhuyuehan, basking in the stares of his classmates, was the first to escape. He now understood how Lapras felt back at the camp—it was unbearable to stay in that classroom for even a second longer. He wanted to go to space and eat jelly.

After dinner, Zhuyuehan went to the lakeside to greet Biggy and admire his skills in Dragon Dance.

“Biggy, do you have any children?”

Gyarados: ?

Do you even know what you’re saying?

“Gyarados.”

None.

On the path to kingship, I need neither offspring nor mate to distract my mind!

“Just asking. You’re such a huge dragon, how come you don’t have any kids?” Zhuyuehan spoke with a lollipop in his mouth. “I have an upcoming project, and the research subject is Magikarp.”

Gyarados’s attitude shifted immediately.

“Gyarados.”

If it benefits me, this descendant is possible. There are Magikarp living in the lake.

Zhuyuehan: ?

“Huh?”

You’re planning to adopt a godson right here, aren’t you? Don’t think I don’t see through you.

“Well, let’s discuss this later. I’ll figure out how to extort the Dragon Clan first.”

Money, it’s all about money!

“Gyarados.”

Wait here.

Gyarados called out, stirred up waves, and dove beneath the surface. A few minutes later, he emerged, mouth wide open, revealing a small pile of blue scales.

“These are yours?”

Gyarados nodded. “Gyarados.”

Some are shed, some damaged in battle. I almost forgot to give them to you last night—thanks for the stuff in your little cube.

“That’s called a phone. Well, I guess you don’t know what a phone is.” Zhuyuehan examined the scales under the sunset, satisfied, and bid Gyarados farewell.

It was the hour when Hoothoot and Noctowl were most active. The two little ones in the Poké Ball woke up, sleepy-eyed.

“All our berries have been stolen.”

?!

Zhuyuehan watched with satisfaction as Lapras and Milcery instantly came to full alert. He casually raised his hand to block a water gun and a cream tackle.

“Alright, you two are clearly at your peak now—maybe even beyond it.” Zhuyuehan’s expression grew serious. “Now is when I need your help.”

Milcery’s ability had already been identified—or rather, the sweet aroma filling the room the day she was born was proof enough. It was the ordinary ability Sweet Veil. Under its power, Pokémon wouldn’t fall asleep.

If it worked on humans, that would be interesting. When Milcery was older, she could maintain the Sweet Veil, and Zhuyuehan would push himself to see who would give in first.

“Lapras, if anything abnormal happens to me, hit me with a full-powered Hydro Pump, no hesitation.”

Lapras nodded. “Lapras!”

Leave it to me!

“Milcery, maintain the Sweet Veil, use Aromatherapy, and make sure the three of us are enveloped.”

“Milcery.”

Milcery raised her finger to cast her skill, and also asked if Zhuyuehan wanted to put a decoration on the big sister.

“No need for now.”

He planned to power himself up, to see if he could charge up a big move.

“One last step.”

The stone tablet, or rather, the epitaph of Zhuyuehan’s former self.

“If you could seal me in an ice coffin, I hope you’ll be of some use.”

This last ritual was pure psychological comfort—leaning heavily on mysticism.

After consuming three energy cubes, Zhuyuehan’s expression didn’t change, making the two little ones beside him envious. Only those who had eaten them knew how rich in nutrients they were. Zhuyuehan’s capacity was their aspiration.

If only they grew stronger, they could eat as much delicious food as their trainer!

After finishing the energy cubes made from golden Nanab berries, Zhuyuehan patted his stomach.

He felt something.

“At this rate, maybe I can limit the consumption of century-old berries to under ten.”

Thank you, elder of the Dragon Clan. I’ll ask the dean to be gentle with you next time they chat.

Make energy cubes, eat them.

This cycle repeated until the ninth time, when Zhuyuehan felt dizzy and the nutrients stored in his stomach suddenly exploded.

“It’s coming, pay attention.”

“Milcery!”

Milcery ramped up her move, Lapras began gathering Life Dew, placing one flipper on the phone, which had the dean’s private number already entered.

“It’s fine, that dizzy, nauseous feeling is gone, and something else seems to have disappeared too.”

Zhuyuehan clenched his fists, understanding why protagonists in hot-blooded manga liked to look at their hands.

Every little movement brought a palpable boost from this newfound power.

Just then, a strange wave emanated from Zhuyuehan.

Even Lapras and Milcery, his closest Pokémon, suddenly felt a sense of unfamiliarity towards him. It was like the sensation at the Lake of Rage’s underground ruins, before the traces left by Gyarados’s scales.

Milcery quickly raised her hand—decoration!

“Lapras!”

Hydro Pump!

A Hydro Pump blasted Zhuyuehan, clearing his gaze, like a guard dog seeing its master raise a knife after dinner. Except Lapras was a bit disappointed she hadn’t blasted him into the wall, nothing else happened.

“Seems like something odd just happened,” Zhuyuehan said, puzzled. “Did you two feel anything?”

“Milcery!”

Trainer, you’ve become Gyarados! From now on, you’ll be the Sweet Emperor’s male dragon!

Zhuyuehan took the towel Lapras handed over. “You mean the scale fossil ruins?”

“Milcery!”

Trainer, hit it with Thunderbolt!

“Don’t joke around, I really don’t know that move.”

Lapras solemnly educated Milcery: Trainers don’t know Thunderbolt, but he does know Flamethrower—he just needs a lighter.

Zhuyuehan’s face darkened. “Believe me, I could research a villain’s plasma gun, and with an electric amplifier, the power would be maxed out.”

“Lapras~”

Still joking? Looks like the trainer is fine after all!

“So, I just gained some strange aura, but haven’t found the trigger yet.”

Milcery raised her hand. “Milcery.”

Try anger?

“I’m not the green giant in magic shorts.”

Zhuyuehan’s expression shifted. “But speaking of anger…”

He quickly recalled the defeated villain grunts, imagining what he’d do if he met them again. His head was promptly hit with another water gun.

“That must be it,” Zhuyuehan said. “Don’t worry, it’s a skill for facing enemies, though whether it’s Intimidate or Pressure, I’m not sure.”

Lapras pondered. “Lapras?”

“I’m just using words you understand, not saying I’ve actually gained either ability.”

Milcery shook her head. “Milcery.”

Zhuyuehan was surprised. “Not scared, just feeling uncomfortable, even your elemental energy feels off?”

Alright, then it’s definitely Pressure. If it were Intimidate, Lapras and Milcery would certainly notice.

Pressure from elders, leaders, and teachers is different from the feeling of being threatened in danger.

Zhuyuehan laughed, “It’s a good thing. Next time we surprise someone, we can unleash a powerful combo, guaranteed to hit.”

Lapras and Milcery thought it over and realized the trainer had a point.

Hitting a moving target shows skill, but to maximize damage, you’d want the opponent to stand like a dummy and take it.

It was just as well that A-Bi wasn’t present. If he and Mr. Steel were here, they’d definitely sense the strange wave from Zhuyuehan.

Directing the ghost in the ice towards the darkness sounded like the beginning of a horror movie.

The reason A-Bi didn’t mention it was simple. That description was almost like accusing someone of being difficult to get along with.

It would take incredibly low emotional intelligence to say such a thing. Besides, A-Bi felt he got along well with Zhuyuehan, so he subconsciously ignored such minor issues.