Alexander sat at the table with his family, calmly eating breakfast.
It felt… normal.
Which, in the Runcandel household, was rare.
Darius set down his cup and looked at his grandson.
"Which college will you be attending?" he asked. "And what major will you choose?"
Before Alexander could answer, Selene smiled.
"Research course," she said confidently. "That suits Alex."
Victor immediately snorted.
"Trainer course."
Darius nodded. "Trainer course."
Alexander wiped his mouth calmly.
"I'll take both."
Silence.
Then—
Darius nodded approvingly.
Selene smiled, unsurprised.
Victor folded his arms, studying his son.
"Are you sure?" Victor asked. "It's not that I doubt you—but both courses together are extremely stressful."
"I can handle it," Alexander replied simply.
Victor stared at him for a few seconds, then nodded.
"…Alright."
Evelyn placed her cup down gently.
"It's our son's decision," she said. "We should believe in him."
Victor smiled faintly. "You're right."
After breakfast, Alexander turned to his mother.
"Mom, can you assign me a D-rank dungeon? I want to train my Beldum."
Evelyn nodded without hesitation.
"I'll send you the location."
A moment later, Alexander's phone buzzed.
Before he could leave, Darius stood up.
"I'll lend you an old companion," he said.
With a flash of light—
An enormous Aggron appeared.
"Aggron will protect you," Darius said calmly.
Victor stood up as well.
"And take Garchomp," he added. "My best one. Don't take too long."
Alexander blinked.
"…Both of you are overdoing it."
"No," Victor replied instantly. "We are underdoing it."
Alexander smiled helplessly.
He released Aggron and Garchomp.
The two massive Pokémon looked at him.
Then their expressions softened.
They recognized him.
Their master's child.
Aggron let out a low, approving rumble.
Garchomp bumped Alexander gently with its head.
"Thanks," Alexander said. "I'll need your help for a few days."
Both Pokémon nodded.
Alexander returned them to their Poké Balls.
Then he released his own Pokémon.
A small, silver-blue shiny Beldum floated in the air.
"Hey," Alexander said gently. "I'm your new trainer. Let's get along."
Beldum tilted slightly.
Then nudged its head against Alexander's chest.
Alexander laughed and lightly tickled it.
"System," he said, "identify Pokémon."
A panel appeared.
Pokémon Scan
Name: Beldum
Type: Steel / Psychic
Level: 5
Qualification: Champion
Current Strength: Beginner
Alexander froze.
"…Champion?"
His heartbeat spiked.
Champion-qualification Pokémon were already absurdly rare.
A shiny Champion-qualification Pokémon?
That was borderline priceless.
Worth billions on the black and white markets combined.
Alexander slowly closed the panel.
Grandpa…
Darius hadn't just given him a Pokémon.
He had handed over a future Champion.
And in the novel—
Alexander's smile faded.
This idiot…
The original Alexander had gifted this Beldum to Lunaria.
As a present.
Lunaria had then handed it over to Leon Ashford without hesitation.
Thinking about it now—
"…Pathetic," Alexander muttered.
He clenched his fist gently.
"This time," he said quietly, looking at Beldum,
"I'll never give you away."
Leon Ashford.
Lunaria Valencrest.
I'll take back everything.
And this time—
They wouldn't get a second chance.