Pokémon: Starting with a Bound Entry System

Chapter 82: The Ocean Temple, Child of Water

At the moment of hatching...

Hikaru felt overwhelmed.

Manaphy had a peculiar instinct—it would treat the first being it saw as its parent or someone deeply bonded.

And now:

"Manaphy?"

Sure enough, the freshly hatched Manaphy dove straight into Latias's embrace.

It was an adorable Pokémon, resembling a little droplet of water, with two long antennae-like extensions on its head and a gem-like red marking on its chest.

Latias, who was still very much a child herself, froze, hearing Manaphy's soft cries that unmistakably meant "Mommy."

She turned to Hikaru in panic.

"I... I don't know what to do!"

Hikaru, suppressing a chuckle, shrugged. "Well, no choice now. Let's take it to Aqua Grace and explain the situation."

He hadn't anticipated Manaphy's hatching to be so perfectly timed.

---

Manaphy's Stats:

Pokémon: Manaphy

Ability: Hydration

Gender: ???

Potential: Tier-1 divine beast

Level: 34

Moves: Surf, Ice Beam, Blizzard, Psychic, Flash, Substitute, Rest, Protect, Return, Safeguard...

Even as a newly hatched Pokémon, Manaphy had already reached Level 34, befitting its status as a mythical Pokémon.

---

At Aqua Grace's Gym

Hikaru explained everything to Aqua Grace.

She looked at Manaphy, nestled affectionately in Latias's arms, and shook her head with a smile.

"It's fine. That egg has been in my care for over a decade. If it didn't hatch during that time, it means it doesn't belong to me."

Seeing Manaphy's close bond with Latias, she added, "It's clear that it has chosen its companions. But don't forget—Manaphy is no ordinary Pokémon. Its ultimate destiny lies in the ocean."

Hikaru nodded in agreement. He knew Manaphy was the Prince of the Sea and would one day return to the ocean.

Aqua Grace turned serious. "Come with me. I imagine you're curious about the origins of this Pokémon."

Manaphy's existence wasn't officially documented in the Pokémon League's Pokédex.

---

Following Aqua Grace, Hikaru and Latias entered a room where the egg had previously been stored. Aqua Grace retrieved a stone tablet, flat and inscribed with ancient script.

"You've heard of the SS-tier oceanic secret realm, the Ocean Temple, haven't you?"

Hikaru nodded.

The Ocean Temple was legendary.

Aqua Grace began reminiscing, "When I was about your age, I was the champion of the Guangdong Provincial League. But I was young and reckless, believing I could conquer anything. So I ventured into the ocean to explore."

"The ocean, however, is not a place for novice trainers. On my very first day…"

Hikaru, Latias, and even the newly hatched Manaphy listened intently as Aqua Grace recounted her tale.

She had initially encountered calm seas, capturing some excellent water-type Pokémon. But nature was unforgiving, and as a mere novice trainer, she was no match for its power.

Caught in a violent storm, she was swept into the Ocean Temple—a stroke of fate that saved her life.

Accompanying her at the time was another individual.

Inside the temple, they each obtained something: she, an egg, and the other, a crystal.

"And a fragment of text," Aqua Grace added, lifting the tablet for emphasis.

While Aqua Grace took the egg, her companion took the crystal and later became a pirate, now known as the most notorious pirate lord of the seas.

"That crystal likely bestowed some kind of power," Aqua Grace continued. "Now they're after the egg, hoping to complete whatever scheme they have in mind."

"After becoming a champion-level trainer, I returned to search for the temple. But it had disappeared."

She shook her head, her voice tinged with regret.

---

Aqua Grace handed the tablet to Hikaru.

"This notebook contains translations of the ancient text. I consulted many experts, but the only word we could decipher was 'ocean.'"

Hikaru hesitated but asked, "May I take a look?"

Aqua Grace nodded.

Hikaru took the notebook, his Aura powers activating almost immediately. The symbols on the tablet seemed to resonate with his mind, transmitting their meaning effortlessly.

---

The text read:

> "We created the Ocean Temple to honor the Prince of the Seas—Manaphy.

It is said that Manaphy possesses mysterious powers to command all Pokémon of the ocean.

However, only those of the Water People may enter the Ocean Temple.

Human eyes cannot see it..."

---

Aqua Grace was astonished.

"You can read this?"

Hikaru nodded. "I'm an Aura user. I can sense the emotions left behind by the person who carved these symbols."

It wasn't entirely true, but Hikaru needed a plausible explanation.

She nodded, still impressed. "Aura powers, huh? They're quite rare. The last Aura Guardian and their Lucario perished long ago."

---

Meanwhile, Manaphy had climbed into Hikaru's lap, rubbing against his chest affectionately.

"It seems it's already quite fond of you," Aqua Grace remarked with a smile.

Hikaru's face froze. If Aqua Grace understood what Manaphy's cries of "Daddy" meant, she might not find it so endearing.

---

After Leaving the Gym

Aqua Grace looked at the stone tablet and sighed.

"You already knew what the text meant, didn't you, sister?" she murmured to herself.

"Have you come to claim Manaphy?"

Few people knew the truth: the infamous pirate queen, the Dragon Empress, was Aqua Grace's estranged sister.

---

System Notification

Purple Skill: Trait Duplication

> Allows duplication of an existing skill. If the skill is below purple grade, it automatically upgrades to purple.

Hikaru considered his options carefully after some consideration decided to reproduce [Son of Water].

This entry is bound.

At that time, Hikaru gave it to Yuki senpai.

---

The upgraded trait was renamed:

Water People

> Allows the user to breathe underwater. Significantly increases affinity with water-type Pokémon and boosts their growth rate.

Hikaru's eyes widened in surprise.

Could this skill grant him the same status as the "Water People" mentioned in the ancient text? Did this mean he could enter the Ocean Temple?

These questions would have to wait.

For now, one thing was clear—Manaphy had a natural affinity for the sea. As soon as they reached the beach, it was splashing about joyfully, bonding even more deeply with Latias.

---

The Rare Pokémon Guidance skill had also activated, pointing Hikaru toward the open sea.

According to the guidance, there was a Pokémon with at least champion-level potential waiting to be discovered.

With that in mind, Hikaru successfully passed his advanced trainer assessment in Lightwater City.

Then, alongside Manaphy and Latias, he set sail.

---

To Be Continued...

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