Everyone Else Awakened, But I Just Opened a Pokémon Pet Shop

Su Bai's voice echoed continuously in Liu Qiaoqiao's ears through the communicator orb.

Unknowingly, the little girl—who had not long ago lost her father—found herself once again in tears.

"Corviknight… Is this really how you feel?"

Tears streamed down her cheeks as Liu Qiaoqiao looked at Corviknight with glistening eyes.

Truthfully, ever since the beginning of this journey, she had always been the one protected.

With Zhou Xiaofei—though still young himself—possessing abundant experience, she never even needed to worry about meals.

And whenever danger appeared, it was always Corviknight or Gyarados stepping up to deal with wild Pokémon.

As a Trainer, she had never truly stood side-by-side in battle with her Pokémon.

To be honest, she hadn't been a very qualified Trainer at all.

But Su Bai's words helped her understand something vital.

It didn't matter whether Lapras's attacks had seriously injured Corviknight—

The one who put Corviknight in danger was her, the Trainer!

To help her adapt to being a Trainer, Corviknight had willingly given up its instinct to fight, placing all its trust in her decisions.

"No wonder Xiaofei-ge said I should trust you… I wasn't really trusting you at all. I was just relying on you."

Qiaoqiao wiped her tears away and rose from her crouching position, no longer searching for healing items.

"I understand now, Corviknight. I won't let your trust go to waste!"

In her innocent eyes, a new resolve had begun to shine.

She wanted to become a real Trainer—one who knew how to lead, not one who panicked at every turn.

"Caw~~ Caw!"

Corviknight cried out again, and although Qiaoqiao didn't possess Zhou Xiaofei's Aura powers, she could understand what her Pokémon meant.

Its call was full of encouragement and unshakable trust.

"Let's do this again, Corviknight!"

With renewed confidence, she pointed toward Lapras and called out clearly,

"Use Steel Wing!"

"Caw!!"

There was no need for Diancie to translate the excitement in Corviknight's voice.

In the same instant the command was given, Corviknight launched itself like a steel missile from the sky.

The feathers on its wings began to shimmer with a radiant metallic silver glow—

Steel Wing!

A 70-power Steel-type move with a chance to raise its own defense on hit.

That metallic sheen spread across its wings as Corviknight charged forward.

And in its heightened emotional state, the defense-boost effect was successfully triggered!

Just as Lapras raised its head, it was smashed directly by Corviknight's shining wings—

"Boom!"

A tremendous impact!

The massive Lapras was knocked straight into the ocean by Corviknight's equally massive frame!

Sprays of mist shot skyward as Lapras crashed into the sea, and a dark silhouette soared proudly back into the sky.

Corviknight's glowing red eyes glanced back at its Trainer, Liu Qiaoqiao—

Then solemnly nodded.

Lapras had vanished beneath the waves, completely submerged by that fierce blow.

Inside the Pokémon Center, cheers erupted in all directions!

Compared to the combat-savvy students of Haicheng No. 1 High, Liu Qiaoqiao—someone who had no real combat background—making progress like this was far more inspiring.

She was proving, with action, that even without an awakened gift...

If you had a Pokémon who shared your heart and trusted you—

Even when facing a formidable opponent, you didn't have to stand idly by!

As cheers filled the air, Su Bai smiled.

"This time, Qiaoqiao made the right move.

Against a Pokémon like Lapras, who also isn't particularly fast, Corviknight can go all-in with its offense."

"Still, with Corviknight's attack stat, it's not likely that Lapras would surrender from just a single hit…"

Just as he finished speaking, the ocean where Lapras had been knocked in suddenly boiled over!

Large ripples surged outward from where Lapras had disappeared—

As if something massive were building up strength underwater.

"Oh? As expected… This Lapras is both clever and powerful."

Su Bai's brow twitched slightly at the sight.

Wild Lapras typically don't have access to many advanced Water-type moves unless they inherit them.

Among their usable Water-type attacks were: Water Gun, Water Pulse, Brine, and… Hydro Pump.

He had already seen Water Gun, Water Pulse, and Brine.

So there was only one possibility left.

"It's Hydro Pump!"

A 110 base power Water-type move.

"Looks like Lapras doesn't intend to surrender that easily…"

"And I have to say… this one is incredibly smart."

Hydro Pump is a high-powered Water move, but it only has 80% accuracy.

Which in real-life terms means: a long charge time—like casting a spell with a big wind-up.

Although Corviknight had delivered solid damage with Steel Wing, knocking Lapras fully below the surface would still be a stretch.

But this Lapras was sly enough to stay submerged to begin charging Hydro Pump!

"And to be able to use Hydro Pump… this Lapras must be over level 55!"

It was a huge revelation.

If Lapras weren't such a gentle and human-friendly Pokémon, even Zhou Xiaofei's bond-strengthened Gyarados might not stand a chance against it!

"Truly… sincerity is the ultimate weapon.

For such a powerful Lapras to give Qiaoqiao a chance to catch it—what a rare opportunity."

"In terms of level, this Lapras may even outclass Wang Tao's Torterra…"

"Even Corviknight… if it gets hit by this Hydro Pump, it'll be seriously injured."

Su Bai looked toward the beach, his eyes focused on the small fists Qiaoqiao now clenched tightly.

Even seasoned Trainers might be unsure of what to do next in a moment like this.

On the beach…

Liu Qiaoqiao didn't know what move Lapras was preparing underwater,

But her instincts told her—it was no ordinary attack.

If she didn't respond properly, Corviknight would suffer again.

She could tell, just from Corviknight's cautious movement patterns in the air.

Even so, Corviknight didn't back away from the sea.

Instead, it kept glancing toward its young Trainer, awaiting her next move.

Qiaoqiao looked at Corviknight, then back at the ocean—

The waters were surging violently now…

And deep within that turbulence—

A brilliant blue glow had begun to emerge.