After an hour of beating and cruel loud bashing that Caleb received from his grandfather and his fire-type pokemon.
He was left at the facility with his Magby alone as the old wrinkled man left the room.
Within the span of time they were being beaten up. Caleb felt confused when he saw his grandfather staring at them blankly from time to time, and he swore he saw disappointment flashed for a second in his eyes as the bashing was ongoing. He felt clueless and a bit angry when he saw that.
"Get yourself some rest, Caleb." Before the old man left, he said some words.
"Because tomorrow, I'll be training you with your Magby and will personally be giving you pointers. Although I don't know what that brat Spencer was talking about, since that guy mentioned there would be great rewards regarding this year's unnatural rookie tournament I want you to at least try your best and be a part of the receiving end of it."
"Moreover, don't get cocky. I honestly thought that you and your Magby was strong for a moment. But you're weak as hell, remembering back to the days I trained your brother when he was at your age, he and his starter was much more stronger than you are now, can't say that I'm disappointed. But I can see arrogance in you, boy. The likes of which I passionately distaste."
Those were the last words his grandfather mouthed, along with a cold look on his face that made Caleb and Magby flinch uncontrollably. After that, he walked out and left him be in the training room.
"Damn it! I swear I'll pay him back someday... Ow!" Caleb hissed as he applied ointment on the bruises located on his body.
But, when he remembered the words his grandfather said. Caleb released a sigh that conveyed he refused to believe what he said before he left.
But then, he recollected something from his memory.
"Oh wait, I seemed to remember father mentioning yesterday that big brother used to be trained under grandfather when he was still a student." When he remembered the conflicting conversation they had last night, Caleb began to revise his thinking.
Charles Laurent, a brother who only has a few recollection of, was deemed a genius. With a feat, ranking 3rd on the trainer's examination years back which was extremely impressive considering there are thousands among the students who partake in the examination.
Unfortunately, he met his downfall way too soon as he was set up by some people, either in shady means or he was just unlucky to be there that day.
Cesar Laurent was a great trainer back at his prime, so whoever it was he would be mentoring, that person would definitely be trained brutally knowing Cesar's character.
Realization dawned on him as Caleb blinked. 'So does that mean he wasn't just saying those words to annoy me..."
He was strong as a trainer when compared to his classmates, in his whole batch for that matter and it made him very prideful because of his current capabilities. However, whenever he was training with his grandfather, he couldn't help but doubt himself and Magby's strength.
He felt utterly outclassed. Just Cesar's aura alone was a great reminder, it was then that he realized while he was the strongest in his class that even Diantha wasn't a match for him, whenever he would be compared to his peers that were trained by professionals he still lacked a few foundations.
For the first time in a long while. Caleb eyes turned blank, but then after a few moments of self doubt.
The arrogance within him was curbed into longing, longing for more strength.
"Hmph! I'll show you! Damn, geezer..."
Caleb closed his eyes and sighed again.
No matter how much he complained and cursed, he knew inside that what his grandfather uttered was spot on.
He is very still weak.
The momentary bliss he felt whenever he was praised and looked up upon by his classmates was extinguished, just by the words his grandfather coldly uttered made him touch reality.
When compared to real trainers and their pokemon. As a team, Caleb and Magby is still placed at the bottom rung.
Of course, he could always excuse himself since he still have a few years before truly starting his journey. But, does that really what Caleb felt?
It's not like he could voice his dissatisfaction even though his grandfather was just teaching him a lesson.
Take for example the incident that happened to him and his companions years ago at the park.
Could he even voice his dissatisfaction and spew excuses on the grunt because he felt unfairness, then that would be pretty ignorant and narrow-minded of him.
To prevent those situations, he got to gain and train his pokemon very hard and his future pokemons that he would catch along his journey. Only after he has sufficient prowess he could have the power and right to decide who to protect and who to punish.
Just like how the grunt destroyed the life of a daughter... Because he was powerful, there wasn't anyone who could stop him on that moment.
If Caleb possessed enough power to subdue that evil man, he could have prevented the situation from getting ugly.
With that thought, unknowingly there was a fire that burned much brighter in Caleb's eyes and heart with the resolve that a few could compare. Even though he already has this thought the day after the incident, his grandfather's words were like a fuel that made his will shine brighter than before.
After that he walked near his pokemon who was much more miserable looking than him.
Caleb couldn't help but laugh when he saw Magby glaring at a scorched spot on his belly.
"Magby! Mag! Mag! Magby!" *Look! Look at this! Why the heck does my skin smell burnt, am I even a fire-type!*
He roared at Caleb, venting his frustrations to his trainer.
This wasn't the first time Magby was pushed to this state. Every single time, he would always be so miserable when he was sparring against that arrogant Pyroar.
Caleb was amazed by his grandfather's Pyroar. His fire moves were horrifying to be against. It could even burn Magby's body! Which was infamous for their strong immunity towards fire-type attacks.
Caleb laughed bitterly. "Oy! Stop complaining to me, bud. I'm miserable too!"
"That old man didn't pull back his punches even though I'm his grandson."
"Anyway, let me see your wounds, I got some potions here to heal you up."
"Morever, this kind of training is good for us. Let's work harder next time and teach'em who's the real boss."
Magby nodded strongly at Caleb's last few words. But only time will tell how long that day would come.
After all, Cesar used to be a professional trainer, a strong one at that.
After a few sprays of the potion, Magby began to feel much better. After talking with his starter for a short minute, Caleb returned him to his pokeball so he could rest further.
He wasn't in the mood to train at the moment. He still felt a bit dejected by what his grandfather said.
So he decides to roam around the city to calm his mind for a bit.
With that decided, he wears the necklace with the pokeball Magby was contained in and swiftly left the center.
Inside his office, Cesar watched as Caleb left the building. Fully knowing what his words had brought to Caleb's head. He smiled as he noticed a brighter flame on his eyes.
"Atta'boy."
....
The Lumiose City is a large city nestled in the north-central part of the Kalos region. It is a prominent central hub of the region and is one of the most populous city in the pokemon world.
Tourism is a major industry of the city due to its famous landmarks, such as the Prism Tower, which serves as the city's symbol, and the Lumiose Museum. A wide variety of shops, cafés, and restaurants are spread throughout the entire city and are popular with both tourists and locals alike.
That's why Caleb would encounter foreigners that has different distinct features compared to the locals in Kalos.
At the moment, he was sitting on one of the fine tables in a Café called, Lysander's Café.
This was one of his go to places, since they make the best crepe desert in the whole of Lumiose City. Well, according to Caleb's palate.
"Here you go. Your seven 'Sweet Kalos Strawberry-Chocolate Crepe' and your 'Pokka Tea w/ Boba', enjoy."
A man with pale skin, with a muscular build, blue eyes and pointed red hair that was elegantly connected to his well maintained beard. The man was wearing a common Cafe Uniform with ornaments which enchanced the feel of coffee from the environment, lined in red with a fluffy gray collar and black dress shoes. On his left hand was a black glove which he used to serve Caleb.
Caleb immediately recognized the man, he smiled as his eyes brighten which only happens when he was with his friends or family.
It was obvious that Caleb and the man with practiced etiquette were very familiar with each other.
"Dude, I didn't ordered the Pokka Tea. What's up? Did you messed up?"
I would be uploading the chapters which I owe you guys, it just takes a few hours so bear with me.
Anywho, Happy Father's Day everyone!!!!