138. History

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"Are you wondering when this spirit realm appeared?"

On the phone, Carter accurately guessed Roy's thoughts.

For those aspiring to become professional trainers, comprehensive knowledge of all known Pokémon abilities, moves, and evolution forms constituted essential learning.

Beyond this foundation lay understanding of the spirit realms.

The representative spirit realms that manifested in each country, various safe zones open to the public, dangerous areas undergoing merger, and controlled regions like the "Crown Tundra"...

This knowledge constantly evolved—each year bringing new spirit realms, new Pokémon, and new abilities...

Trainers needed to stay perpetually informed.

The current state of spirit realms represented the ongoing integration between Earth and another world, while also reflecting humanity's deepening understanding of Pokémon.

Roy had always kept abreast of relevant information, yet he genuinely had no recollection of the Nirvana Spirit Realm—not even from folk rumors.

Notably, even highly controlled Pokémon League areas like the 'Crown Tundra' generated various speculations, including rumors about quasi-legendary gatherings and at least five 'deities' residing there.

"Is the Nirvana Spirit Realm's security classification higher than the Crown Tundra?" Roy asked.

"That's correct."

Carter confirmed this with a nod, adding: "I'll send you the relevant materials about the 'Nirvana Spirit Realm'—you'll understand after reviewing them. Since you have no special plans today, I'll dispatch someone to collect you."

"Don't worry, your match against Stonecrest University won't be affected."

Clearly, Carter was well-informed about Roy's recent activities, explaining the timing of this call.

After Roy provided his address, the call ended.

Shortly afterward, he received a document in his inbox.

—Nirvana Spirit Realm.

The first spirit domain successfully integrated with Earth, the earliest safe zone...

"This..." The document's opening sentence immediately captured Roy's attention.

This information contradicted what textbooks taught.

According to educational materials, the first safe zone was a small spirit domain with a poor ecological environment. The indigenous Pokémon had migrated to other spirit domains, and the area had become merely a tourist attraction.

Roy continued reading.

The history of the Nirvana Spirit Realm stretched back one hundred years.

It emerged during a chaotic era before the Pokémon League's establishment, when conflicts erupted between humans and Pokémon. During that period, Pokémon were still called 'Battle Monsters,' hence the conflict became known as the "Battle Monster Exchange."

The wildness and power of Pokémon, coupled with human restlessness and greed... Both sides contributed to the Battle Monster War, neither being entirely blameless.

At its core, the Battle Monster War represented competition between humans and Pokémon for living space.

Pokémon instinctively yearned for expanded territories. Those within danger zones exhibited extreme aggression, frequently attacking and killing humans.

Humans resented their compressed living conditions, feared for their survival, and coveted Pokémon power.

Eventually, the emergence of symbiotic relationships between 'Trainers' and 'Pokémon' alleviated the fundamental conflict, creating the foundation for peace between both sides.

On the human side, the first step toward peace was the Peace Alliance formed by the initial wave of Trainers—the predecessor to today's Pokémon League.

On the Pokémon side, the Nirvana Spirit Realm represented their first peace initiative.

More precisely, it was the 'Deity' ruling the Nirvana Spirit Realm who extended this olive branch.

The deity's name:

"—Ho-Oh."

Roy wasn't particularly surprised. When he'd heard the term 'Nirvana,' his thoughts naturally turned to this deity with resurrection authority.

Using its power, Ho-Oh had calmed the wrath of other 'deities' that had manifested, advocating for peace.

To demonstrate sincerity, Ho-Oh provided substantial assistance to the first generation of Trainers, dispatching numerous Pokémon with exceptional potential—many classified as "Pseudo-legendary"—supporting this symbiotic relationship's development.

As the first generation of Trainers grew more powerful, they became increasingly dissatisfied with existing conditions, gradually accumulating status and influence. Allied with the people of Unova, they completely transformed the former system.

These trainers subsequently established the Pokémon League, deciding to share resources through the peaceful format of Pokémon competitions.

Due to this historical significance, the Nirvana Spirit Realm and the Pokémon League functioned as parallel entities, with the former operating outside League jurisdiction.

Ho-Oh preferred tranquility, and the League respected this preference. Consequently, the entire Nirvana Spirit Realm remained closed to the public, operating under confidential conditions.

"Incredible..."

After digesting this information, Roy's primary impression was that Ho-Oh possessed remarkable wisdom.

The deity advocated peace without naively promoting "mutual understanding" or "forceful control." Instead, Ho-Oh recognized the fundamental conflict between humans and Pokémon, supporting Trainers' development.

Once Trainers gained sufficient strength, they would inevitably maintain peaceful relations with Pokémon.

Because only through peace could the Trainer profession continue to exist.

Simultaneously, as Trainers' influence expanded, they would naturally seek elevated status and power, rewriting human society's order and regulations.

The current world structure counted Ho-Oh among its primary architects.

Textbooks presented a fairytale version of human-Pokémon harmony.

This document revealed historical truth.

Roy waited for his League escort on the villa's rooftop.

Expecting someone to collect him, he was startled when a figure suddenly materialized before him—though not the Dragonite he'd anticipated.

Little Cosmog became so frightened that its energy cubes scattered across the ground, "I'm terrified!"

To Roy's surprise, Caroline had arrived.

"Senior Caroline?" Roy inquired tentatively. "Are you here to escort me?"

"Yes." Caroline regarded him with clear eyes, her voice pleasant but emotionless. "I'm also on the list."

"I see."

Roy wasn't surprised. Given Caroline's background and talent, her exclusion from the list would have been more remarkable.

"Then let's go together," Roy smiled slightly. "This works perfectly, as I've been wanting to see your Gardevoir."

He vividly recalled Caroline's apparent 'man-hating' demeanor, assuming Gardevoir had facilitated her teleportation.

However...

"You want to see?"

Caroline blinked thoughtfully, as if contemplating something.

Then:

"Gardevoir, like?"

"Uh..." Roy felt confused.

The next moment, the Poké Ball on Caroline's belt levitated via invisible psychic force, floating before Roy.

She stated expressionlessly:

"It's yours."

"???"

This divine turn of events completely stunned Roy.

"If I remember correctly, Gardevoir is your starter Pokémon, right?"

"Mm-hmm." Caroline confirmed.

"And you're giving it to me?"

Caroline nodded silently.

Roy was speechless.

He couldn't comprehend her thought process at all—offering her starter Pokémon so casually?

If anyone requested Lucario, no, ANY of his Pokémon, Roy would undoubtedly obliterate them.

Roy glanced at the Poké Ball, faintly sensing Gardevoir's shock and distress within.

Confirmed: Senior Caroline had some cognitive issues...

"That won't be necessary."

Roy firmly declined.

Someone else's starter Pokémon wouldn't willingly accept him anyway, and would seek escape opportunities at every turn.

Hearing this, Caroline neither displayed disappointment nor insisted, calmly returning the Poké Ball to her waist.

As if the entire exchange held no significance.

Fearing she might say something equally unexpected, Roy prompted:

"Let's proceed, Senior."

With that, Roy quickly retrieved Little Cosmog, who was licking energy cube residue from the ground, returning it to its Poké Ball.

How embarrassing.

Level 1 Legendaries were supposedly magnificent, and Ho-Oh promoted world peace.

Why was this one licking the ground?

"Very well."

Caroline responded by removing an elegantly packaged box from her pocket.

Inside rested a feather radiating iridescent light.

A Phoenix Feather? Roy initially thought of the resurrection item, but quickly dismissed this idea.

Through aura perception, he sensed the feather contained mysterious power, though neither overwhelming nor functionally specific.

—A Rainbow Wing.

Ho-Oh's token.

Caroline's eyes illuminated as tremendous psychic energy flowed into the feather.

"Buzz!"

The Rainbow Wing took flight, vibrating continuously mid-air, emanating incredible power.

Two seconds later, Roy abruptly looked skyward.

A rainbow had materialized overhead.

At its terminus, something remained faintly concealed.

"Cross the Rainbow Bridge and we'll arrive."

As Caroline spoke, she raised her hand to grasp Roy's shoulder.

Teleport—

Unlike the disorientation he'd experienced during previous teleportation, Roy now possessed powerful aura abilities and awakened psychic powers, making the entire process smooth and seamless.

In an instant, Roy reached the Rainbow Bridge's end, as if passing through a thin membrane into another world.

A lush, verdant forest filled his vision.

Massive ancient trees, exceeding thirty meters in height, populated the landscape.

Beyond this forest rose an imposing mountain range.

Atop the highest peak stood a majestic bell tower.

"Bell Tower..."

Roy inwardly surmised.

Looking toward the forest entrance, Roy spotted a young man waving and approaching.

As the figure drew closer, Roy immediately recognized him from countless videos.

Stonecrest University's pride, Henry—renowned as the Dragon King.

His additional well-known identity proved equally significant.

Surnamed Lin and specializing in dragons.

He was Champion Frances's only son, inheriting not just her legacy but also his extraordinary talent.

His facial features resembled Frances somewhat... admittedly handsome.

Standing alongside Roy and Caroline, however, he appeared quite ordinary.

Henry approached with a warm smile: "Brother Roy, wonderful to meet you in person."

They exchanged a friendly handshake.

As major collegiate league celebrities, their basic information circulated extensively online, eliminating any need for formal introductions.

Roy inquired curiously:

"Should we wait for others on the list?"

"Others? There aren't any."

Henry explained: "This key training list exists only in China, with just three positions allocated."

Glancing at Caroline, he added in a light-hearted tone:

"We represent the three premier prodigies of our generation in China."