[Ding! Host completed a +3 tier battle. Reward: +10 Universal Talent Points.]
The system notification echoed in Peter's ears.
Yet instead of celebrating, he looked slightly regretful.
"If that third Max Overgrowth had landed cleanly… I might've actually won."
Beating a Pseudo-Elite Four-tier opponent as a High-tier Trainer?
Now that would've felt incredible.
"Livaaa~"
Arboliva trotted over cheerfully. From the glow in her eyes, it was clear—she had loved the Dynamax experience.
"As long as you enjoyed it." Peter chuckled. "Go get Ai. It's her turn."
-----
Over the next hour, Peter tested Dynamax on Indeedee and Vigoroth as well.
When facing opponents with similar level ranges, the result could be summed up in two words:
Total domination.
The only drawback?
Each Dynamax activation cost 10 Master Points.
That meant 100,000 Poké Dollars per use.
A little expensive for casual matches.
------
An hour later—
"Rufflet! Use Brave Bird!"
"SKREEE—!"
Blue light engulfed the young eagle Pokémon as he dove forward without hesitation, slamming directly into a Linoone's abdomen.
One clean hit.
Battle over.
"Nice work, little guy."
Peter scooped Rufflet up and rubbed his head.
"Chirp chirp!"
Rufflet adored simulated battles. Peter deliberately allocated most of tonight's Dream Space time to him.
In just one hour, he gained two levels.
[Ding! Victory against higher-level opponent. Reward: +3 Physical Attack Talent Points.]
[Dream Space session ending. Cost: 120,000 Poké Dollars. Awakening in 3…2…1…]
…
The scene shifted.
Peter's consciousness returned to reality.
Moonlight bathed the room in silver.
Trainer and six Pokémon exchanged knowing smiles.
"Sleep."
At his command:
Lopunny dove under the blanket first—ever since her Buneary days, she refused to sleep without him nearby.
Zorua curled up in his arms like a fluffy ball.
Arboliva stationed herself in the corner, releasing a calming fragrance like a premium houseplant.
Indeedee tucked in Peter's blanket before settling into her own.
Vigoroth and Rufflet lay at the foot of the bed.
Within minutes, Peter drifted off, surrounded by quiet breathing.
Then—
Four tiny eyes opened in the dark.
Two figures quietly slipped off the bed.
Click.
The door closed softly.
In the corner, Arboliva slowly opened one eye.
She hesitated.
Then followed.
Under the blanket, Lopunny's ears twitched.
Outside the window, three shadows moved farther away.
She nuzzled Peter's cheek, then picked up Zorua and nudged Indeedee.
"Zorua?"
"Indeedee~"
"Mi-lo. Let's go. Extra training."
One by one, they slipped out.
In the end—
Only one breathing rhythm remained in the room.
------
The Next Morning – Canalave City, Sinnoh
Lucian of the Sinnoh Elite Four opened his eyes groggily.
"That was… strange."
He rubbed his temples.
"A bizarre dream. Gigantic Pokémon? And that Trainer…"
He shook his head.
"But that Arboliva… it looked exactly like the boy Flint showed me before."
After tidying up, Lucian headed to the Canalave Library.
He loved reading during breaks.
Over time, he had become quite familiar with Byron, the city's Gym Leader.
Right on cue—
Byron approached, holding breakfast.
They settled into a private study room.
"Lucian, I have to tell you—last night I had the most ridiculous dream. A Lopunny evolved again. And kicked my Bastiodon into pieces in two or three hits!"
"Hmm. That is ridiculous. Your Bastiodon wouldn't fall that easily."
Lucian took a bite of his okonomiyaki, the savory Japanese pancake still sizzling from the griddle, savoring the crisp edges.
Then—
He froze.
"Wait. What did you say?"
"Lopunny… evolved again?!"
"Yeah! Totally impossible, right?"
Lucian's eyes widened.
Before Byron could finish—
"I have something urgent. We'll talk later!"
Byron stared in confusion.
"…You still haven't paid for breakfast!"
-----
Meanwhile…
Sunlight streamed into another room.
Golden hair spilled across the pillow like liquid sunlight.
Ring ring.
Cynthia groaned and grabbed her phone.
"Hello? …Oh, Lucian? Bye."
Click.
Lucian stared at his disconnected call.
Unfazed, he dialed again.
"You're so annoying! I finally take two days off and you keep calling?!"
"…I had a dream."
Click.
The call ended again.
He tried once more.
The number you have dialed is currently busy.
"…She blocked me."
Lucian looked up at the sky.
His eyes shimmered.
No, not tears.
Just… emotional condensation.
He refused to lower his head.
Because he knew—
It would fall.
…
Why call Cynthia?
Because Lucian had connected several disturbing dots.
Months ago—
Flint told him he'd dreamed about battling a Trainer with a Buneary and being thoroughly outplayed.
Last night—
Lucian and Byron both dreamed of battling Peter.
And in both dreams—
The Pokémon matched Peter's actual team.
Which meant…
Peter likely possessed some form of dream-based psychic ability.
An ability to train or simulate battles in dreams.
Absurd?
Perhaps.
But as a Psychic-type Elite Four member—
Lucian knew better than to dismiss the impossible.
Even if dreams distorted reality—
They often hinted at potential futures.
"If those transformations are real…"
"That so-called 'Dynamax'…"
"And Byron's 'extra evolution'…"
"Is that the Mega Evolution Cynthia is researching?"
Lucian's eyes gleamed.
"Interesting."
He quickly typed his speculation into a private Elite Four group chat.
Then hurried off to research Dynamax.
If this boy truly could manipulate dreams—
The future of competitive battling…Might be about to change.
--------------
T/N:
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