Pokémon: Starting with a Bound Entry System

Chapter 172: The World Tree's Gift

At the center of the World Tree.

"Huff… Huff…"

"This was… really exhausting…"

Looking at the now completely green crystal core, Hikaru let out a deep breath. His short-sleeved shirt was soaked with sweat, clinging to his skin.

Even Lucario was panting heavily.

It seemed that both of them had been pushed to their limits.

Seeing this, Hikaru quickly took out an energy cube.

"Here, Lucario."

Lucario eagerly accepted it and began devouring the cube, restoring its energy.

"Mew!" (It's done! It's done!)

Mew floated in the air, spinning excitedly as it felt the energy of the World Tree return.

Feeling its own strength recovering and its body growing more stable, it let out an excited cheer.

After celebrating for a while, Mew flew toward Hikaru.

"Hikaru, thank you… sniff… You're such a good person…"

…And there it was. A "good person" card.

Hikaru sighed inwardly.

At this moment, the World Tree's energy spread throughout its vast structure.

As if it had recognized his Aura, Hikaru could now feel its presence more clearly than ever before.

More importantly—

The strange suppression that had been restricting him was now completely gone.

This only solidified Hikaru's belief…

This tree wasn't just a tree.

It was alive.

And it had a will of its own.

"Thank you… Thank you…"

"Thank you… Thank you…"

The whispers echoed in his mind, filled with gratitude.

If you're really thankful, then how about giving me something useful?

The thought barely passed through Hikaru's mind before—

The crystal at the center of the chamber suddenly flared with light.

Emerald-green radiance spread across its surface, intertwining with a streak of pure, shimmering blue.

Aura!

Hikaru immediately recognized it.

This wasn't just any energy—this was the very essence of Aura itself!

The luminous energy flowed like a gentle stream, cascading downward toward both Lucario and himself.

A gift?

In an instant, Hikaru felt his Aura energy replenish at an accelerated rate—far beyond what he could achieve through normal training.

This was definitely not a wasted effort.

His mind processed this realization just as his Aura erupted outward in response to the surge of power.

His senses expanded.

For the first time, Hikaru felt everything around him.

The greenery, the rocky terrain, the water sources…

The Anorith drinking from a nearby pond, the Lileep clinging to mossy surfaces, the Omanyte floating in the shallow streams…

But it didn't stop there.

His Aura extended even further.

Beyond the World Tree.

Hikaru's perception stretched out over the surrounding forest, reaching the battlefield where the intense clash had just taken place.

There—

The devastation.

He had expected a battle between Salamence and the other Pokémon, but he hadn't anticipated this.

It wasn't just a skirmish.

It was a war zone.

And then—

The light dimmed.

His connection receded, and the surge of power settled within him.

Even so, Hikaru could still feel the difference.

His Aura range had doubled!

And in terms of total capacity…

It wasn't just an increase—it was a fundamental evolution of his power.

Hikaru clenched his fist, testing his Aura.

There was no doubt about it.

The World Tree had just pushed his Aura abilities to a whole new level.

For Lucario, the effect was even more pronounced.

"Luca!"

Lucario's fists trembled with newfound strength.

It instinctively gathered Aura, and in an instant, a fully-formed Aura Sphere materialized in its hands.

With just a light squeeze, the sphere's energy pulsed at a level that far exceeded its previous power.

Hikaru activated his Appraisal ability.

---

[Pokémon: Lucario]

Ability: Justified

Gender: Male

Talent: Champion

Level: 39

Skills: Aura Sphere, Metal Claw, Extreme Speed, Close Combat, Ice Punch, Detect, Bone Rush, Vacuum Wave, Power-Up Punch, Work Up, Feint…

Equipped Traits:

Martial Mastery (Fixed)

Kaioken (Fixed)

Stacked Dark Energy

---

One step away from the Lord tier!

Moreover—

Hikaru felt it.

The World Tree hadn't just force-fed Lucario power.

It had stored additional Aura within Lucario's body, allowing it to gradually absorb the energy over time.

Smart move.

Hikaru nodded in satisfaction.

He didn't want instant, unstable growth.

He wanted steady, controlled advancement.

The World Tree had done exactly that—ensuring that Lucario's foundation remained solid.

Mew, on the other hand, was already bouncing around excitedly.

"Mew!" (Hikaru, tell me a story! Tell me a story!)

Hikaru smirked.

"Hold on a second…"

His gaze landed on a peculiar Time Flower blooming beside the crystal.

Something about it felt… familiar.

Specifically—

He could sense traces of Aura coming from it.

And not just any Aura.

Someone else's Aura.

Someone he had encountered before.

"…Ryōgetsu's presence?"

The Waveguide King.

The legendary Aura Guardian from centuries ago.

Had he also been here before?

Hikaru was about to reach for the Time Flower when—

"Wait!"

Mew's voice cut in.

"I sense… someone coming!"

Hikaru paused.

Someone?

His Aura flared once again—

And sure enough—

A familiar presence entered his perception.

A powerful one.

Champion-level.

"Latias, let's go!"

Without hesitation, Hikaru leaped onto Latias's back, recalling Lucario and Gardevoir into their Poké Balls.

---

Outside the World Tree

"Regirock. Regice. Registeel…"

Lance's eyes narrowed as he observed the three golems standing before him.

The Legendary Titans.

In every recorded instance, these Pokémon had been guardians—protectors of something sacred.

And now—

They were blocking his path.

Lance's instincts sharpened.

Something about this tree wasn't normal.

Even his Dragon Master's Aura had been suppressed the moment he entered this place.

And now, with these three titans standing guard…

Lance reached for his Poké Ball.

His voice was calm but decisive.

"Dragonite—Dragon Pulse!"

A massive energy wave gathered at Dragonite's maw, crackling with power.

Before it could launch—

"Wait! Champion Lance!"

A voice rang out from above.

Lance's gaze snapped upward.

There—

Emerging from the World Tree—

Hikaru.

He was alive.

To be continued…

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