Prodigy

John smirked he watched Violet chewing on Harrison's loss "You deserved that," Violet smirked, watching as Harrison's swollen cheek reddened. "Consider yourself lucky it was just a rookie who put you in your place. Imagine how embarrassing it would've been coming from someone else." Her eyes sparkled with undisguised delight at Harrison's humiliation.

Violet couldn't hide her amusement at the scene. Her gaze shifted to John, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.

'So this is why the professor said he was aiming to challenge the Gym.'

His strength wasn't just talk—he was the real deal. But if she remembered correctly, the professor had also mentioned John was only a freshman this year.

'Wait… this is the kind of power a freshman can have?'

Freshman year had barely lasted a semester. Less than six months, and yet one of his Pokémon had already reached Gym Leader level? If he kept progressing at this rate, what would he be like after graduation?

'An Elite right out of school?'

Then there was the news journal she had skimmed through a while back, John was already a Senior Breeder.

'What even is this?'

A Trainer and a Breeder excelling at the same time? This wasn't talent—this was monstrous.

Harrison meanwhile, was trying to process the humiliation. Ten years in the game, and a kid who hadn't even been training for a full year had just demolished him. His career as a Trainer suddenly felt like a complete waste.

And it wasn't just Violet who was stunned—everyone except Saul Badman looked at John like he had just rewritten the rules of reality. Even Damian, who had seen his Haunter in action before, was shocked. After all, Haunter's strength alone hadn't been enough to meet Gym Trainer standards—at least, not before today.

"One-on-one isn't enough," Harrison gritted out. "John, how about a three-on-three? Two more rounds?"

He had used his second-string team earlier, and it just happened to include a Dragon-type that got obliterated by Mega Gardevoir. No way was he going to accept that loss without a rematch.

John wasn't opposed to the idea. Even in defeat, his Pokémon would gain experience, and right now, they were in peak condition. A few extra battles wouldn't hurt.

But Saul Badman stood up before he could accept. "That's enough for today. John stayed at Riverstone University over the holiday. If you seniors are free during the New Year, use that time to battle him. It'll be good training for his Gym challenge."

The room collectively nodded, whether out of respect for Saul Badman's words or simply because they saw John's potential. Either way, everyone now had their sights set on him.

Huo Wenjie backed off but still made sure to arrange a battle for the next day. "I'll be using Ice-types," he warned, eyes gleaming. "Hope you're ready."

The group returned to the house, gathering around the television to watch the New Year's Eve special. The old professor eventually turned in around ten, leaving the younger Trainers to keep the celebration going.

Zachary received an urgent task and had to leave early, but the rest stayed with John until midnight.

By the time they cleaned up and called it a night, only Damian and John remained with Saul Badman.

John had stayed behind for a specific reason. Saul Badman had promised to train him in the power of Aura, and the lesson was set for the following morning.

7 AM, the next day

John groggily sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes. By the time he got downstairs, Damian and Saul Badman were already back from their morning run, breakfast in hand.

"Sorry, Professor, I overslept," he admitted sheepishly.

Saul Badman waved off the apology with a chuckle. "No need to rush. I had Damian wait until 8 AM to wake you, but since you're up, go wash up and eat. We'll start your Aura training afterward."

John nodded, quickly freshening up before scarfing down breakfast. Once finished, he followed Saul Badman and Damian to the training grounds in Central Park, the same place where he had battled the night before.

Saul Badman took center stage and began his lesson. "Before we train Aura, we need to determine if you even have the talent for it. Aura is like a seed, if you have it, you can cultivate it. If you don't, then no amount of training will make it bloom."

He reached into Gengar's shadow and pulled out a dark blue crystal orb. "Hold this."

John accepted the orb, and immediately, it shifted to a faint light blue, so faint it was barely noticeable.

"You have the talent," Saul Badman confirmed, nodding in satisfaction. "This crystal detects even the subtlest traces of Aura. If you had none, it would remain completely transparent."

Damian took the orb next, but in his hands, it remained crystal clear. He sighed. "Guess I wasn't meant to be an Aura user."

Saul Badman nodded. "It's rare. Now, John, test it on your Pokémon."

John released his Pokémon one by one, letting each hold the crystal. When all was said and done, three of them showed signs of possessing Aura: Blaziken, Slakoth, Greninja, and Hariyama.

Hariyama had already been capable of using Aura Sphere, so that was no surprise, but the rest? That was something else.

"Four out of seventeen..." Saul Badman muttered, eyes widening. "That's an absurd ratio."

Pokémon with natural Aura affinity were said to be one in a million. Higher-potential Pokémon had slightly better odds, and Fighting-types had the best chances overall, but three out of seventeen? That was practically unheard of.

And that wasn't the only surprise.

Everyone had assumed John owned three Shiny Pokémon; his Hariyama, Gardevoir, and Gyarados. But as he went through his team, Saul Badman and Damian realized something.

John also had a Radiant Steelix, a Shiny Fraxure, a golden Aggron, and an oddly dark-colored Aerodactyl.

Seven. Seven Shiny Pokémon.

Damian gaped at him. "Did you catch all of these yourself, or did you buy them?