In the backyard, Chen Shi released all his partners and handed out Pokéblocks.
"Dragapult, you've grown, huh? Your appetite grew too."
"Baruyaa~"
Dragapult turned his head with exaggerated pride while still shoveling Pokéblocks into his mouth—and even feeding the two tiny Dreepy sitting on his head.
"Charmeleon, you're improving fast. You're about to catch up to a certain glutton."
It wasn't an exaggeration.
Charmeleon was already Level 44, firmly mid-Elite.
Togekiss only reached late-Elite today.
But Charmeleon trained like a wild beast—this growth was expected.
Training under Dragonite wasn't pure drills either. Oak's Dragonite often led them to fight the Pokémon living around the backyard.
Their battle experience had skyrocketed.
"Swamp~?"
Swampert lumbered over, scratching his head.
Chen Shi sighed and passed him Pokéblocks.
"Eat. Then lie down. I'll give you a massage after."
"Swamp!!"
He devoured his portion, tail wagging.
Then Chen Shi started massaging Dragapult—his usual routine.
Without proper muscle relaxation after battle, injuries piled up.
His Pokémon loved his massage skills—Dragapult was already melting into the ground with bliss.
While Chen Shi was working on Florges, Professor Oak approached.
"You have a very strong bond with your Pokémon."
Chen Shi smiled softly.
"They're my partners."
Oak settled onto a large stone.
"You seem confident about the World Championship."
"Do you truly think you can place?"
Chen Shi's hands paused.
"Teacher… shouldn't I be confident?"
"I've met the prodigies."
"Cynthia—the Battle Goddess of Sinnoh."
"Steven Stone of Hoenn."
"Lance of the Dragon Clan."
"Lorelei of the Silver Academy."
Oak raised an eyebrow.
"And after meeting them, you still feel confident?"
Chen Shi let out a faint sigh.
"Teacher… I became an Intermediate Breeder at eleven."
"Before I left home, I was already a High-Level Breeder."
"But I couldn't reveal it."
"Even at fourteen, I only took the exam because I couldn't hide it anymore."
"Even now, I don't dare show the world that I'm High-Level."
"On the Researcher Forum, I don't even dare use my name… just Severe Indecision Disorder."
Oak's eyes softened as Chen Shi continued:
"My talent as a Trainer is high too, but I couldn't reveal that either."
"When I traveled, I avoided gym battles on purpose."
"Teacher, you know why."
Oak inhaled slowly.
The reason was obvious.
"Because of the saying… 'the tallest tree catches the wind'?"
Chen Shi nodded.
"Everyone knows my grandfather."
"Everyone knows what's hidden in our family ranch."
"There are too many eyes watching."
"Too many greedy hands."
"Too many people who don't want me to grow stronger."
A shadow flickered across his face.
Oak exhaled sharply—a deep, heavy sigh.
He finally understood the instability beneath Chen Shi's calmness.
But then Oak straightened, and his voice became iron.
"Shi'er."
"You no longer need to hide."
"As long as I, Samuel Oak, am alive—
no one will dare touch what belongs to you."
This—
was the unwavering confidence of a former Champion.
Chen Shi smiled faintly.
"Teacher… I'm hiding far more than you think."
"If any of it gets revealed, the entire League will shake."
"And some people… won't care even about your authority."
Oak blinked—surprised, intrigued.
"Is that why you think you can win the World Championship?"
Chen Shi shook his head.
"Not just win."
"Become Champion."
Oak fell silent.
Then studied him deeply.
And then, in a low, steady voice:
"Remember what I say today."
"As long as I draw breath—no one will harm what is yours."
Chen Shi exhaled softly.
"Teacher… want to see what I've been hiding?"
Oak raised an eyebrow, amused.
He assumed Chen Shi had a secret Pokémon or two.
"Alright. Show me."
Chen Shi tapped Florges.
"Show my teacher… the Fairy-type energy."
Oak blinked.
"Fairy energy?"
Florges lifted her hand—
and a swirling mass of shimmering violet Fairy energy blossomed in her palm.
Oak froze.
Then—
He lunged forward, eyes trembling violently.
"This—this is UNKNOWN ELEMENTAL ENERGY?!"
"A new type?! ANOTHER ONE?!"
"A whole new attribute?!"
His voice cracked with disbelief.
A brand-new energy.
A brand-new typing.
The eighteenth type.
"Shi'er… what is this?!"
Chen Shi shrugged casually.
"Exactly what you see."
"A new attribute I discovered: the Fairy type."
Oak staggered.
"Fairy… the eighteenth type…"
Florges dispersed the energy.
Oak grabbed Chen Shi's shoulders like a madman.
"This is world-shaking!! A NEW TYPE! The EIGHTEENTH type!"
"Show me again—no, I must STUDY IT!"
Chen Shi sighed loudly.
"Teacher, we have plenty of time…"
Oak blinked—then Chen Shi added lazily:
"If you want to study Fairy more, go bring the Azumarill from the backyard."
"I can awaken her Fairy energy too."
Oak froze.
Then—
"WHAT?!"
His shout echoed through the entire backyard.
"Azumarill is also FAIRY-TYPE?!"
"There's not just ONE? There are MULTIPLE?!"
Dragapult and the others backed away instantly.
Especially Florges.
"Baruyaa…"
(This man is losing his mind. Someone help Shi'er.)
"Cha-koiii~"
(No! You go.)
The Pokémon all stared at Dragapult.
Dragapult reluctantly flew forward…
…hooked his claws around Oak's collar…
…and yanked the man back before he shook Chen Shi to death.
Chen Shi collapsed against the wall, panting.
This man—
really was the legendary Pallet Town Madman.
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