Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 508: The Awakening of Truth and Ideals

Unova Region, Opelucid City.

In a narrow alley outside the Opelucid Gym.

Staring up at the twin dragon heads atop the gym, N lowered the brim of his cap, his eyes gleaming beneath its shadow.

He had followed someone all the way here, but stopped outside, captivated by the statues above the building.

"The twin dragons of truth and ideals from the 'Founding Legend'..."

Skritch, skritch...

A faint rustling sound caught his attention. He turned toward the noise and spotted a scrawny Rattata clawing its way out from the corner of the wall.

Its trembling limbs and malnourished body revealed just how rough life had been for the little wanderer.

N knelt down gently, picking it up and offering bits of cake he had packed earlier from a café.

The little Rattata, sensing N's kindness, looked up as if to memorize the face of this gentle, handsome human, while devouring the food with desperate gratitude.

It was the best thing it had ever tasted.

But at that moment, shadows stirred at the end of the alley. Three figures appeared suddenly and silently flanked N in a triangular formation.

N wasn't surprised. He recognized them instantly.

They were the Dark Triad of Team Plasma—silent, white-haired men with ghastly metal masks—servants of his foster father, Ghetsis. They obeyed only Ghetsis and N himself.

Their presence meant Ghetsis already knew N had returned to Opelucid.

Still, N calmly continued feeding the Rattata. Only after ensuring the little one had eaten its fill did he gently set it down and slowly stand.

The Dark Triad remained silent.

Then, black mist engulfed them all. In an instant—just like a teleport—they vanished from the alley, leaving the bewildered Rattata alone.

Inside Opelucid Gym.

"This is the Legend Badge, and a TM for the move 'Wide Slash'."

Drayden handed the items to Johan without hesitation, having accepted his defeat and gained new clarity about Johan's strength.

The badge didn't mean much to Johan, now that his Trainer level was Master—he couldn't participate in Unova's League Conference anymore, even with eight badges.

But the move Wide Slash, a Dragon-type technique that damages enemies and lowers their Attack, was quite valuable.

During the battle earlier, had Dragonite not made Haxorus flinch with Air Slash, Drayden might not have had to use Outrage to counter, and the match might've gone on longer.

"Ka-kah~"

Gengar moved faster than Johan, happily snatching up the items and admiring the Legend Badge. It looked pretty good—better than most badges Johan had collected, actually.

Drayden raised an eyebrow at Gengar's confident movements.

"Thank you, Mr. Drayden," Johan said.

Drayden shook his head slightly. "No, I should be thanking you."

Not only had Johan delivered an important item, but he'd also taught a public battle class to the Opelucid Academy students—a clash of ideals and techniques that ultimately had a shared goal: the students' growth.

"Can I trouble you one more time?" Drayden asked.

Johan paused, adjusted his monocle, then smiled. "Is it about Iris?"

Drayden nodded, sighing lightly. "Feels like... you might understand her better than I do."

Even after just one meeting...

After a moment's thought, Johan nodded. "Sure."

As Johan left, Drayden crossed his arms again.

He's someone who perfectly blends the strengths of the academy and the journeying trainer...

Drayden glanced at Alder, now surrounded by enthusiastic students.

What are you waiting for? Keep him here!

Night fell.

The eastern part of Opelucid City stood tall and modern, streets carving the landscape into tidy squares.

The western half was tranquil—low, quaint buildings, gardens everywhere. A peaceful harbor in everyone's hearts.

Iris sat in a noodle shop, staring into her bowl, eyes slowly losing focus.

Suddenly, someone sat across from her.

"Three bowls of seafood udon, please," said the man.

"Coming right up!"

"Huh?"

Iris blinked and looked up. Her eyes widened in surprise.

"Professor Johan?"

"This place looked promising." Johan smiled as he prepared his chopsticks.

"Ka-kah~!"

"Yoji~!"

Gengar wrung its hands, tongue out, clearly eager to eat. Larvitar kicked its tiny legs on the seat, waving at the Mr. Mime preparing the noodles.

"Y-yeah..." Iris managed a smile.

She admired Johan deeply—he had just defeated her invincible Grandpa Drayden—and yet, her mood was complicated.

No matter who won or lost... she had to leave Opelucid Academy.

She loved the freedom—but not like this.

"I'll take you somewhere after this," Johan said, ignoring her gloomy expression and digging into the steaming udon.

Go somewhere?

—

After eating, they stepped outside.

Johan summoned Dragonite.

"Draaa~!"

Seeing the massive Dragonite made Iris's eyes sparkle. Her spirits lifted immediately.

Johan fitted its saddle armor, mounted, then waved her up.

Without hesitation, Iris clambered aboard, eager and unafraid.

Johan's Dragonite stood nearly three meters tall—plenty of room for the small girl.

"Draaa~!"

With a beat of its wings, they soared into the air.

"Wow—!!"

Iris's shout was filled with pure joy.

"Professor Johan, is this what it's like to fly on a Dragon-type? This is amazing!"

Johan held his hat with one hand, gripping the harness with the other.

"Why the armor? This is totally safe!" Iris asked, clinging to Dragonite's neck with ease.

Johan: "..."

Thankfully, their destination wasn't far.

They landed atop Opelucid's tallest structure—the Radio Tower.

From here, the entire city stretched beneath them.

Iris had been here once before—back when Officer Jenny caught her and Drayden scolded her.

Johan stood at the center of the tower, silently berating himself. Why was he showing off like this?

"Ka-kah!!"

Gengar cupped his hands and shouted into the city below—Woohoo! This is wild!

"Y-Yoji..."

Larvitar clung to Johan's leg, face pale. It seemed to have a fear of heights.

But Iris?

She mimicked Gengar, hands like a megaphone, and shouted into the city.

"AAAAH!!!"

Her voice echoed—a cathartic scream.

Johan exhaled slowly.

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

"Iris... where is the Village of Dragons?"

"There!" she pointed instantly.

"I can't see it—but I can smell it!"

That's how certain she was.

"Do you want to go back?"

She nodded—then hesitated.

Yes... but not like this. Not like I'm being kicked out...

Johan placed a hand gently on her head. His voice softened.

"Drayden wants you to return too."

She lowered her head. "I-I know. I just... I didn't do well enough... I couldn't learn properly, I—"

"No."

Johan cut her off, walking to the edge of the platform and looking down with a shiver.

Dammit, why do I do this to myself?

Still, he continued.

"Drayden and I both believe that Opelucid Academy, while excellent, is limiting you. The best place for you isn't a school—it's the wild."

"Huh?"

Iris blinked.

She looked up at him, hope dawning.

Really?

He nodded. "Absolutely."

To her, his smile was like a warm spring breeze.

So... I'm not being abandoned?

"But I can't learn things like the others... I'm just different—"

"Look at the city, Iris," Johan said.

"City?"

"East side is modern, west is classical. Which is better?"

"I... I don't know."

"Which do you prefer?"

"Classical."

"Then what about academy learning vs. travel experience?"

Her eyes widened.

"You're saying... it's not about which is better—it's about what fits best?"

"Smart girl."

If Ash had gone to a traditional school, he might still be chasing badges twenty years later—never competing with Steven or Cynthia.

Iris, like Ash, was meant for something different.

"What's your dream?" he asked.

"To become a Dragon Master!" Her voice was resolute, her eyes firm.

"Then chase it. You've got what it takes." He ruffled her hair.

No wonder Axew snuck into her hair one day. It's practically a cozy forest.

Dreams are goals. Reality is the path. If you don't understand your starting point, you'll never reach the dream.

"Me too!" Iris grinned wide.

Confidence-wise, she and Ash were equals.

"When you come back, amaze Drayden. Make him proud."

Her eyes sparkled like stars.

"Yeah!!"

That's how motivation is born—not from revenge, but from hope.

That night...

A young girl planted the seed of her dream. With effort as its water, and reality as its soil, it would bloom.

Elsewhere in Unova...

A pure white orb glowed faintly.

And far away, in the deep night sky, a black beast stirred—mechanical thunder humming from within.

Truth and Ideals... were awakening.

—

The next day.

Johan bid farewell to Drayden, Iris, and Alder. He set out for Lacunosa Town in southern Unova.

Partly to visit Professor Juniper, and partly because of coordinates given by Porygon-Z.

Instead of heading straight south, he traveled east to Village Bridge, planning to sail downstream.

Village Bridge, older than the League, was built over two centuries ago to stop floods—now a famous battle landmark.

Young Trainers loved to duel near it—some even chasing long win streaks.

Johan wasn't interested in that.

But the scenic waterfalls on Route 11 did make him and his Pokémon pause to admire the view.

At that moment, his phone rang.

"You're in Unova?"

Cynthia's voice came through. And Caitlin's.

"You didn't even tell us?! I ought to give you a nice 'welcome'..."

The way Caitlin stressed welcome made it clear—this wasn't good news.

This was her turf.

Johan ignored her and answered, "Yeah. Just delivering something for the old headmaster. Also got a few errands."

"I thought you were headed to Blueberry Academy," Cynthia said.

Blueberry Academy.

A newly founded school built atop an underwater resource development facility, off Unova's coast.

Like Kanaz Academy, it was elite—and tightly connected with Paldea's Naranja Academy.

Its rise was rapid.

Not only did it host students with Champion potential—but it also developed a way to control Tera mechanics!

Yes.

You could Terastallize Pokémon at Blueberry Academy.

This skyrocketed the school's popularity and drew swarms of students.

Johan had heard Martin mention it several times.

Its creators were brilliant—not only mastering Terastal mechanics, but also building four artificial biomes: Grassland, Coastal, Polar, and Canyon.

"I wouldn't mind checking it out."

The thought intrigued Johan.

Terastallization...

He was very curious how they replicated it without Terapagos, the "Crystal Turtle."

Maybe Terastal mechanics would go mainstream someday.

Then battles would get... very interesting.

Normal-type Champion Lance returning to the spotlight?

----------

Powerstones?

For 20 advance Chapters: patreon.com/michaeltranslates