The day had been a whirlwind of emotions. Revealing the truth to his parents, their unconditional acceptance, and the shopping trip to prepare for the academy had left Kenji exhausted—yet at the same time, brimming with energy. However, now that he was alone in his room, ready to sleep, a growing restlessness took hold of him.
He lay in bed, but sleep eluded him. The image of Charmander using his new ability, Explosive Spark, played over and over in his mind, filling him with a mix of excitement and apprehension. He had to test it—he needed to see what it was capable of. The thought of going to the entrance exam without even having seen this new power in action was unbearable.
After tossing and turning for what felt like an eternity, Kenji gave up. He couldn't keep suppressing his curiosity. He had to go out and test Explosive Spark, even if it meant venturing into the dangers of the night.
Silently, he got out of bed, careful not to wake his parents. He dressed in his usual outfit, fastened the leather belt holding his Poké Balls around his waist, and looked at Charmander, who was sleeping peacefully in his small bed.
"Sorry, Charmander," Kenji whispered, gently stroking his head. "But I need to do this. I promise I'll be back soon."
Charmander stirred, opening his bright eyes to look at Kenji with curiosity. Then, as if understanding his trainer's resolve, he gave a small nod.
Kenji pulled out a Poké Ball and brought it close to Charmander. "Return to your Poké Ball," he murmured. "You'll be safer inside."
Without hesitation, Charmander obeyed, vanishing into the Poké Ball in a flash of red light. Kenji secured it to his belt, took a deep breath, and slipped out of the house.
The crisp night air filled his lungs as he stepped outside. The full moon shone brightly in the sky, casting silvery light over the quiet streets of Kazehana. Shadows stretched long and eerie across the ground, but Kenji paid them no mind.
"I have to be careful," he thought as he made his way toward the Forbidden Forest. "I can't let anyone see me. No one can know what I'm doing."
Despite his caution, the anticipation gnawed at him. He had to see Explosive Spark in action—he needed to know if it was worth the risk.
The Forbidden Forest lay on the outskirts of the city, nestled in a mountainous region surrounded by towering trees. It was a dangerous place, home to wild beasts and creatures lurking in the shadows. But it was also a place of opportunity—a secluded area where Kenji could push his limits without anyone interfering.
Stepping into the forest, he moved cautiously, careful not to make unnecessary noise. The scent of damp earth filled his nostrils, and the distant hum of insects echoed around him.
"I need to find a suitable opponent," Kenji thought, scanning his surroundings. "Something small, something easy to defeat. I just need to test the ability—I don't want to take unnecessary risks."
Suddenly, the quiet of the forest was disturbed by the soft, rapid flap-flap of wings. Kenji instinctively looked up and spotted a dark shape approaching—
A Nocturne.
It was a large, bat-like creature with massive yellow eyes that glowed in the darkness. Its wing membranes stretched from its arms to its long, clawed fingers, resembling the wings of a miniature dragon. Its sleek black fur covered its body, except for its pale, hairless face, which eerily resembled that of a pig.
Upon detecting Kenji's presence, the Nocturne let out a sharp screech and dove toward him, its fangs bared.
"Perfect," Kenji thought, adrenaline kicking in.
"Charmander, come out!" he called, quickly tossing the Poké Ball.
With a flash of light, Charmander appeared, its fiery tail illuminating the surroundings.
"This is it."
"Use Ember!" Kenji commanded.
Charmander inhaled deeply and unleashed a flurry of scorching embers. The burning projectiles struck the Nocturne head-on, making it screech in pain. But this time, something different happened.
At the exact point where the Embers hit, a small fiery explosion erupted. The force of the blast sent the Nocturne tumbling backward, its wings flailing.
Kenji's eyes widened. It had worked. Explosive Spark was real.
The Nocturne crashed to the ground, dazed from the unexpected blast. Kenji took a cautious step forward, watching its movements carefully.
"Charmander, finish it with Fire Claw!" he shouted.
Without hesitation, Charmander charged forward and slammed into the Nocturne with full force, sending it flying backward once again. The beast landed with a thud, unconscious.
Kenji exhaled sharply, his heartbeat racing. He had done it—he had tested Explosive Spark, and it had exceeded his expectations.
"You did it, Charmander!" Kenji exclaimed, rushing forward and embracing his Pokémon. "You're incredible!"
Charmander let out a proud growl, waving his fiery tail triumphantly.
Kenji pulled out his phone and opened the Pokémon System. He checked his current balance of points—he needed to save up as much as possible before the entrance exam.
His gaze fell on the unconscious Nocturne. It was a powerful creature, but it didn't fit into his current plans.
"Sorry, buddy," Kenji muttered as he aimed a Poké Ball at the Nocturne. "But I need the points more than I need you."
The Poké Ball struck the beast, absorbed it in a flash of red light, and sealed shut. A notification popped up on Kenji's screen—confirmation of the capture.
Checking the Pokédex, he noticed the system offering him an exchange: he could trade the Nocturne for a Hoothoot or convert it into system points. Without hesitation, he chose the latter. A small number of points was added to his balance, enough to afford some extra potions for the upcoming exam.
Satisfied, Kenji decided to head home. He had accomplished what he set out to do—he had tested Explosive Spark and confirmed that it was a powerful ability, one that could make a real difference in battle.
As he walked back toward the city, his thoughts drifted to Akari Hoshi. Was she also preparing for the entrance exam? Would they meet at the academy? Would they become friends... or rivals?
The night breeze carried the scent of adventure, and the academy loomed closer with every passing moment.
Kenji arrived home, his mind filled with possibilities. Ryūsei Academy awaited him, and he was ready to prove his worth.
But how would he fare in the exam?
The night held no answers—only the promise of challenges to come.