Inside Shangshan Building, Chen Ran officially received his pseudo-legendary reward.
Although Larvitar's condition was poor, its talent unimpressive, and its temperament far from the domineering presence expected of a future Tyranitar—
It was still a pseudo-legendary.
In the real world, a fully evolved pseudo-legendary possessed destructive power comparable to top-tier Pokémon.
As for talent—
Chen Ran wasn't worried.
He still had the Flash Skin item. If necessary, he could forcibly raise Larvitar's talent to Champion level.
What truly concerned him was Larvitar's mindset.
And its weak temperament.
It lacked the aura of a desert tyrant. It didn't resemble the future Tyranitar at all.
"Come back with me. Be my partner."
Chen Ran didn't complain to the school about Larvitar's talent. He accepted the gift calmly.
A pseudo-legendary.
The first one awarded to a freshman in over thirty years.
"Kira!"
Larvitar happily accepted.
It was curious why this human could understand it—and Chen Ran's presence felt warm and trustworthy.
For Larvitar, this was the best possible outcome.
Chen Ran returned it to its Poké Ball.
After chatting briefly with the school leaders and leaving behind the three Shiny Pokémon he had promised earlier, he exited the office under their encouragement.
Chen Ning followed him out.
She hesitated before finally speaking.
"Chen Ran… if you encounter any problems while raising Larvitar, you can come to me. I'll help however I can."
She had seen it clearly.
Larvitar's physique and talent were lacking.
It didn't even carry the natural bearing of a pseudo-legendary.
If mishandled, it might end up wasted.
For Chen Ran—this young genius recognized even by Elite Lance—she was willing to offer her support.
"Thank you, Counselor."
Chen Ran smiled sincerely.
Even if her help might be limited, he appreciated her kindness.
The Flash Skin would solve the talent issue.
As for temperament—
Charmeleon would teach Larvitar how to be a monster.
"My Charmeleon fears neither heaven nor earth and looks down on everything. Teaching a timid Larvitar? No problem."
Chen Ran wasn't worried.
Perhaps later, he might even shape Larvitar's personality deliberately.
Stubborn.
Brave.
Something worthy of a tyrant.
After leaving the building, Jirachi floated beside him.
"Chen Ran, is it our new partner?"
She had followed him invisibly the entire time.
Under her natural concealment ability, no ordinary person could detect her.
"Mm."
No matter how flawed, a pseudo-legendary was still a pseudo-legendary.
Even Gym Leader–level Trainers struggled to obtain one—often requiring status or authority.
Official background.
Elite Four rank.
Champion tier.
Otherwise?
Forget it.
"It looks a little timid," Jirachi observed.
Compared to Charmeleon and Riolu, Larvitar was clearly shy.
"Jirachi," Chen Ran said gently, "since Larvitar is our partner now, we don't laugh at it. We help it become confident and strong. Understand?"
Partners weren't for mockery.
Jokes were fine.
Disrespect wasn't.
"Got it, Chen Ran."
Jirachi nodded obediently, already plotting something in her little head.
"Let's head back."
Chen Ran couldn't wait to use the Flash Skin on Larvitar and unveil a Shiny pseudo-legendary.
Pseudo-legendaries were rare enough.
Shiny pseudo-legendaries?
Only a handful had appeared over decades.
For example, Steven Stone possessed a Shiny Metagross.
As for Red's Shiny Rayquaza—
That was on an entirely different level.
---
Near Taoyuan Dormitory.
The freshman residential area was usually crowded at this hour.
Now it was quiet.
Most students were out traveling or dating.
October had arrived, but the weather was still hot.
Chen Ran held an umbrella.
Yes, he was a grown man.
And yes, the umbrella was for Jirachi.
Back in the dorm, Chen Ran immediately released Larvitar.
The little Pokémon looked at him blankly.
Chen Ran crouched down and smiled.
"Larvitar."
"You want to become stronger too, right?"
He went straight to the point.
But Larvitar tilted its head.
"Kira?"
What is strong?
What does stronger mean?
After hatching, Larvitar had been taken directly to a Breeder House.
Fed energy cubes.
Rarely allowed to eat stone or soil.
It had missed the crucial developmental phase.
In the wild, Larvitar were born underground.
They stabilized their growth by consuming rock and sand.
They hardened their will through isolation and endurance.
But greedy merchants had excavated this one too early.
Its foundation had suffered.
Its heart lacked steel.
It needed rebuilding.
"Maybe… I should show it battle footage of Tyranitar first?"
Chen Ran wasn't in a rush to apply the Flash Skin.
The color scheme could wait.
The deeper issue came first.
"I heard Wen Xiaoke's mother is a top-tier Breeder… maybe I should ask her to examine Larvitar."
Coincidentally, he was already planning to visit Wen Xiaoke.
And deliver the Shiny Nuzleaf.
Perhaps—
This timid pseudo-legendary's true growth would begin there.