Lightning flashed and vanished in an instant.
Garchomp took Lanturn's full-power strike head-on—no defenses, no evasive moves—directly tanking the all-out attack of a mid-Gym-level Pokémon.
Just the residual energy spilling from the Electric Ball was enough to electrify the surrounding training ground. Crackling sparks filled the air, accompanied by sharp snap-snap sounds of discharging electricity.
Threads of lightning danced across Garchomp's body. This time, the voltage was finally high enough to cause searing pain—the attack pierced through its scales and surged deep into its muscles.
But in the next moment, a yellow glow flared within Garchomp's body.
As the dormant power of Landorus's essence awakened, the lightning enveloping Garchomp vanished in an instant, transformed into a warm current that flowed back into its body.
"ROAR—!"
Garchomp let out an involuntary groan.
The violent burning pain of the electric current turned into a tingling numbness, almost like a deep muscle massage. Combined with the warm energy flowing through its entire body, the sensation was—
Incredibly comfortable.
"It's working!" Oliver exclaimed, overjoyed.
This time, the electric energy had been strong enough that even from a distance, Oliver could clearly feel the fluctuations coming from the Landorus essence.
But Lanturn, upon hearing Garchomp's groan, completely lost its composure.
What was that sound supposed to mean?!
I'm using my full power here, you know!
I'm a Gym-level Pokémon, damn it!
Are you really mocking me just because you have high resistance to Electric-type moves?!
If my Trainer hadn't specifically restricted me to Electric-type attacks, I'd have already Surfed straight into your face!
Mu Xue looked thoughtfully at Garchomp.
"That thing from yesterday must be taking effect," she said. "Otherwise, even after breaking through to Veteran rank, it wouldn't look like this after taking Lanturn's full-power hit."
"That's exactly it," Oliver replied, briefly explaining his hypothesis.
Since Mu Xue already knew about Landorus's blood, there was no need to hide it.
"I see," Mu Xue said calmly. "If Electric and Flying-type energy are required to activate it, then let's keep going.
From the looks of it, Garchomp can handle this level of attack without any real issue—so next, we increase the intensity."
"ROAR!"
Garchomp roared confidently, even pounding its chest as if to say bring it on!
"Lanturn—use Charge, then follow up with Thunderbolt!"
Lanturn let out a strange laugh as it began to stockpile electricity. It continued charging until its body could hold no more, then released everything at once.
A bolt of lightning—no different from a natural thunderstrike during a storm—slammed straight into Garchomp.
With Charge boosting it on top of Thunderbolt's already overwhelming power, Lanturn was confident.
Even a high-Gym-level Pokémon wouldn't dare tank this head-on.
Yet Garchomp stood tall—chest thrust forward, proudly exposing itself to the lightning.
And then—
A piercing scream echoed throughout the training room.
Under the assault of high-voltage electricity, Garchomp flailed wildly. The area struck by Thunderbolt even gave off the smell of scorched flesh.
When the lightning faded, Garchomp collapsed to the ground, smoke rising from its body. Every so often, it twitched uncontrollably.
But in Oliver's eyes, something extraordinary was happening.
The Landorus essence inside Garchomp erupted with unprecedented brilliance.
It absorbed every trace of Electric-type energy that had invaded Garchomp's muscles, blood vessels, and skin—then transformed it into an endless flow of Ground-type energy.
This was the power that once made barren land fertile.
Thick, steady, and brimming with vitality.
That energy began repairing the burned skin and damaged muscle fibers, even as it restructured Garchomp's body from the inside out.
At this moment—
Garchomp was experiencing pain and bliss at the same time.
It could clearly feel itself growing stronger at a visible pace—something it had never even dared to imagine before.
Despite its injuries not yet fully healing, Garchomp struggled back to its feet and roared at Lanturn.
Come on! Again!
Lanturn, having unleashed such a devastating attack, was already panting heavily. When it saw Garchomp standing up again, it stared in disbelief.
Is this Pokémon insane?!
Even if you enjoy pain, this is taking it way too far!
Mu Xue turned to Oliver, silently asking for confirmation.
Oliver gave a small nod.
He trusted Garchomp—it knew what it was doing.
And so, the training room was soon filled with the continuous screams of Pokémon.
Anyone hearing it without context would've thought some cruel experiment was underway.
Meanwhile, the Landorus essence was pushed to its absolute limit, continuously converting lightning into its unique energy and distributing it throughout every part of Garchomp's body.
Eventually, after one final Thunderbolt, Lanturn collapsed to the floor, completely exhausted.
Garchomp stood amid the raging electric storm—lightning tearing across its body, while warm currents surged endlessly within, healing and transforming it at the same time.
Then, with a thunderous roar—
Garchomp shattered the lightning surrounding its body.
Baptized by thunder, it broke through once more.
Veteran Rank—Mid Stage!
In a single day, Garchomp broke through twice.
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/SwipeSage