Pokémon: Starting with a Bound Entry System

Chapter 226: The Appearance of the Mythical Pokémon Marshadow

Without a doubt, Hikaru and Latias had just emerged from their Hidden Presence ability.

"Gardevoir?"

Seeing Latias, Gardevoir instantly understood that Hikaru had been watching everything.

"Gaaa..." (It hurts...)

Gible, however, changed its demeanor the moment it saw Hikaru.

Its previous confidence vanished, replaced by a pitiful expression as it rushed up to Hikaru, tilting its head to reveal a tiny scratch on its cheek from Oddish's Razor Leaf.

Hikaru inspected it.

Hmm...

A small, barely noticeable cut, almost like a faint scratch from a dull blade. It had even drawn the tiniest drop of blood.

For a Pokémon, this level of injury would heal on its own within hours.

Hikaru couldn't help but laugh.

This Gible…

It wasn't actually in pain.

It just wanted praise.

"I watched the whole battle. You did great, Gible."

Hikaru ruffled its head affectionately before channeling Verdant Force, instantly healing the scratch.

"Gaaa!"

Hearing Hikaru's praise, Gible beamed with joy.

At that moment, Hikaru's Insight Skill updated—

Gible had leveled up!

"Huh... Seems like this little guy thrives on praise. I'll have to encourage it more often."

But at the same time, he couldn't overdo it—too much praise could lead to arrogance.

There needed to be a balance.

As Hikaru formulated a training plan in his mind, he fed Gible two energy cubes before finally turning to Rochin.

For some reason…

Hikaru felt like he had just seen Rochin's shadow… move.

But when he focused his Aura and Insight Skill on it, there was no sign of anything unusual.

Did I imagine it?

That seemed unlikely.

Hikaru was a Master-level Trainer—his eyesight and perception were top-tier.

There was no way he had hallucinated.

Yet, there was no evidence of anything wrong.

As Hikaru pondered, Rochin stood there shaking, still unable to process what had just happened.

He was certain that he had been about to get hit by Gible's Dragon Breath… yet nothing happened?

Just as he was lost in thought, he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Whoa!"

He nearly jumped out of his skin in pure terror, spinning around to find Hikaru smiling at him.

"You okay, buddy?"

Rochin blinked, stunned.

For a long moment, he didn't know how to respond.

Why had he thrown himself in front of Oddish like that?

Even he didn't understand.

---

"Huh?"

Hikaru realized Rochin couldn't speak, so he decided to joke a little.

"You know, Trainers don't usually join the battle themselves."

---

"Mmm!" (Wait… are you Hikaru?!)

Even though Rochin couldn't speak, Hikaru sensed his thoughts through Aura Perception.

---

Technically speaking, Hikaru was still a high schooler—until his school transfer to Central Youth University was finalized.

"Yep, that's me. We met in the office earlier, remember?"

Hikaru grinned.

---

"Mmm… mmm?!" (Wait… these Pokémon… are they all yours?! And hold on—you can understand me?!)

Rochin's eyes widened in disbelief.

---

This whole day had been too surreal.

---

He had only wanted one last exploration of the secret realm before giving up on his dream of becoming a Trainer and focusing on Breeding Studies.

But somehow, in this last trip, he had ended up encountering Hikaru…

…and Hikaru could actually understand him?!

---

"I have Aura abilities. They let me sense emotions and thoughts pretty clearly."

Hikaru explained casually.

He never hid the fact that he had Aura abilities—most people already knew.

To emphasize, he activated Aura Voice, sending his words directly into Rochin's mind.

---

Rochin's eyes lit up.

It was like he had just found hope after being lost in the dark for years.

Aura abilities could do this?

If he had Aura, wouldn't that mean… he could communicate with his Pokémon?!

---

"Mmm!" (How can I obtain Aura abilities?!)

---

Rochin looked desperate.

It was as if he had grasped a lifeline he could never afford to lose.

---

---

From the moment he first received Oddish as his starter Pokémon…

To the moment he caught Caterpie, experiencing the joy of his first capture…

To the painful realization that he could never give commands properly…

He had never once felt like a true Trainer.

All he could do was accompany his Pokémon and analyze battles after they were over.

But that helplessness during the actual fight—

That crushing feeling of not being able to support his Pokémon when it mattered most—

It haunted him.

---

Hikaru hesitated for a moment before replying.

"It's based on talent."

---

Can Aura abilities be obtained?

Yes.

The Tree of Beginning could bestow Aura abilities.

But that was only one known method.

There were probably other undiscovered locations in the world where Aura could be awakened.

However, Hikaru had no intention of telling Rochin this.

---

Firstly, Rochin was too weak.

With only two non-elite Pokémon, he would never survive the journey to the Tree of Beginning.

Secondly, the Tree of Beginning was a closely guarded secret.

The previous Aura Guardian had made the mistake of leaking its existence—which led to countless disasters.

Hikaru wouldn't repeat that mistake.

---

Hearing Hikaru's answer, Rochin's expression dimmed.

The hope that had just flickered to life…

Had vanished in an instant.

---

---

"Thanks for the battle."

Hikaru patted him on the shoulder.

He could sympathize with Rochin's struggles.

"Take care, alright?"

---

Rochin said nothing.

He lowered his head, then turned and walked toward the secret realm exit.

His final wish was complete.

It was time to go home.

---

As Hikaru watched his lonely figure disappear, he sighed.

---

He was about to leave as well—

But then, he froze.

---

In the bright daylight, shadows danced between the trees, swaying gently.

---

And in Rochin's shadow, Hikaru saw something… move.

---

---

This time, he clearly saw it.

---

The elongated shadow shifted unnaturally, like a ripple in water.

Then—

A thin humanoid figure emerged from the shadow.

It had a faint yellow glow radiating around its body.

---

The moment Hikaru locked eyes with it—

---

His Insight Skill triggered instantly.

---

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[Pokémon: Marshadow]

Ability: Technician

Gender: ???

Talent: ???

Level: ???

Moves: Fire Punch, Ice Punch, Thunder Punch, Counter, Pursuit, Role Play, Protect, Shadow Ball, Will-O-Wisp, Rock Tomb, Aura Sphere, Spectral Thief…

---

"Marshadow."

Hikaru's eyes narrowed.

---

The Ghost/Fighting-type Mythical Pokémon…

Was following Rochin.

---

Sensing Hikaru's gaze, Marshadow turned its head slightly, its hollow eyes meeting his.

---

But in the next second—

---

It vanished back into Rochin's shadow.

Almost as if…

It didn't want Hikaru to notice it at all.

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