"You mean to tell me you collected the Armorite Ore just to feed it to Corviknight?!" Marnie gasped, covering her mouth in disbelief. "I mean, I get that it's a Steel-type, but do they even eat rocks? Won't it get a stomachache or something?"
Beside her, Corviknight was nodding frantically. Was Summer actually expecting it to eat rocks?! That had to be a joke.
Summer chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, come on, do you really think I'd let you eat something that would make you sick, Corviknight?" He set the Armorite Ore down on a rock, and Ogerpon eagerly twirled its club, ready to smash it into dust. "I'm not telling you to just swallow it whole. I'm going to prepare it properly."
Corviknight still looked skeptical.
"And besides," Summer continued, his voice lowering into something almost tempting, "don't you want power?"
Corviknight's feathers ruffled slightly. The way Summer said it—there was something oddly persuasive about it. It made its steel feathers tingle.
"Whoa, Summer, you totally sound like a villain right now," Marnie teased, smirking. "Like some kind of demon tempting a knight to the dark side."
Summer sighed. "I'm just stating the facts. Feeding Corviknight the Armorite Ore will genuinely make it stronger."
Marnie waved a hand dismissively. "I was joking. You're way too serious, Summer. But Corviknight," she turned to the bird Pokémon, crossing her arms, "you're acting like a little kid afraid of getting a shot. Weren't you just fighting that terrifying Moltres like a champ? Where's that energy now?"
Corviknight flapped its wings in protest. This and that were two completely different things!
"Boniooo~" Ogerpon put its hands on its hips, tilting its masked head. "Wow, Corviknight, you're such a wimp~."
"GAH?!"
That was the final straw. Corviknight snapped its beak shut and stomped forward. Fine! It would do it! Just watch!
"See? That wasn't so hard," Summer said, nodding approvingly. "Alright, Ogerpon, smash away."
"Boniooo~!" Ogerpon happily spun its club before bringing it down with a powerful THWACK. The Armorite Ore shattered into fine metallic dust, shimmering under the sunlight.
Summer carefully gathered the dust into a pot, added water, and stirred it into a fine blend. To make it more appetizing, he mixed in some of Corviknight's favorite berry juice. The final result was an odd-looking but surprisingly fragrant broth.
Corviknight hesitated for only a moment before downing the whole thing in one go.
And then—it felt it.
A powerful energy surged through its body. Its steel feathers gleamed brighter than before, reflecting the sunlight with a sharpened radiance.
[Condition met. Corviknight's latent ability 'Mirror Armor' has been activated.]
"GAH!"
Corviknight let out a triumphant cry, spreading its wings. Something felt different—better. The wind around it felt lighter, as if it had gained an even greater command over the skies.
Summer stepped forward, watching closely. A new line of text appeared in his vision—something unexpected.
[New Potential Unlocked: Lord of Winds]
[Lord of Winds: The Master of Storms.]
Condition: Master ten or more Flying-type moves & be acknowledged by the Legendary Rayquaza.
Effect: Flying-type moves are boosted. Changes the surrounding weather to 'Turbulent Skies'—a weather condition that nullifies Flying-type weaknesses and prevents weather changes from other abilities or moves.]
Summer's eyes widened. Rayquaza?! He had never seen a potential ability tied to a Legendary Pokémon before.
This wasn't just recognition—it was inheritance.
Corviknight had gained a power similar to Delta Stream.
If it could actually meet Rayquaza someday, then maybe… just maybe…
Summer patted Corviknight's wing. "You're going to go far, my friend."
Corviknight blinked, then puffed out its chest proudly. Of course! It always knew it was special!
Marnie snickered. "Heh. It's funny how it went from 'I don't wanna eat that' to 'I'm the best in the sky' in less than a minute."
Summer sighed. Corviknight was strong, no doubt, but… could it actually impress Rayquaza? If it wasn't careful, the sky god might just eat it instead.
At the entrance of the dojo, an elderly man gracefully dismounted from his own Corviknight. As soon as his feet touched the ground, a small, beige-colored Pokémon leapt down from the rooftop, landing in front of him.
With a gleam in its eyes, it executed a rapid series of punches and kicks, displaying its martial prowess with pride.
The old man chuckled. "Oh? You're quite excited today, little Kubfu. Have you gained something new from your training?"
Kubfu grinned, hopping in place with enthusiasm.
The elderly man—Mustard, the former Champion of Galar—stroked his beard thoughtfully.
Kubfu was a rare Pokémon he had discovered years ago, hidden deep within a mountainous region far beyond Galar's borders. Unlike most Fighting-types, it didn't simply evolve by reaching a certain level.
Instead, it needed to master a specific martial style, something that could only be achieved through rigorous training.
That was why Mustard had built the Master Dojo—to raise Kubfu properly and help its species thrive.
Throughout the years, he had personally raised several Kubfu, ensuring they were handed to only the most promising trainers. Yet, no one had ever been quite like…
His gaze sharpened.
"Ahh… I see. You met someone special today, didn't you?"
Kubfu nodded rapidly, eyes practically sparkling.
Mustard chuckled again. "Hehe~ So, little Kubfu, did you find a new rival? Or… a new idol?"
Kubfu paused, then pointed dramatically towards the sky—towards the very direction Summer had left in.
Mustard followed its gaze.
His smile grew.
"Well, well…" He adjusted his cap. "Looks like young Summer has picked up a tiny admirer."
His Corviknight cawed in agreement.
Mustard laughed. "Hoho~! Now this could get interesting…!"