Chapter Summaries

Leafeon learned how long a thousand years was, escaped Little Zapdos, and found comfort sleeping near Mark. Mark discovered that reading "The Witch's Forest" resonated with his Grass-type ability, revealing an image of Xerneas and a possible life-cultivation method connected to Leafeon's evolution.

• Butterfree showed Leafeon how thousands of blocks represented a thousand years, leaving Leafeon shocked by how long Jirachi had to wait between awakenings.
• Leafeon reached Clear Stream Lake, evaded Little Zapdos, and fell asleep near Mark and Jirachi inside Fallen Sky Mountain.
• Mark studied Leafeon's cells and plant samples, then felt a resonance while reading "The Witch's Forest" and saw an image of Xerneas.
• Mark drew Xerneas and learned from Leafeon that it often saw the Pokemon in its dreams and that Corinne had read it stories from the book.
• Mark concluded that Corinne's stories and research had likely helped Eevee evolve into a special Leafeon, but decided Caterpie should follow its own evolutionary path.

Mark and his Pokémon trained with The Witch's Forest, and Mark and Multi-Magnemite gained the most after their thoughts and lives began synchronizing. Caterpie mastered a Psychic-type Activated State and became ready to evolve, but remained bewildered until the Hia Kingdom's Academy Cup tournament was about to begin.

• Caterpie used Mark's account of The Witch's Forest as a reference for finding its own path of evolution, while Leafeon and Ivysaur gained the most among the other Pokémon.
• Mark discovered that reading The Witch's Forest improved his Grass-type power and physical fitness, while training with Multi-Magnemite gradually synchronized their lives and strengthened his Cyber Aura Martial Arts.
• Over twenty days, Mark replenished Multi-Magnemite to 503 Magnet Pokemon subunits, raising its Strength and Constitution potential and helping it learn Railgun (Aggregated Railgun).
• Caterpie comprehended the Psychic-type Activated State, stabilized the simultaneous use of all three Activated States, and became ready to evolve.
• Caterpie remained dazed and unable to decide on its evolution until the Hia Kingdom's Academy Cup tournament was about to begin.

Caterpie prepared for the Hia Kingdom Academy Cup Tournament and became eager to win a limited-edition Poké Ball set. Mark agreed to take his Pokémon to Maple Leaf City, where Hack Pokemon Academy would compete in the semifinals in three days.

• Caterpie failed to learn Swords Dance but mastered Psychic Terrain, which improved the response speed of its Psychic-type moves.
• Caterpie discovered that the provincial tournament's first- and second-place prizes were collector's edition Poké Ball gift sets and told Mark it wanted to win one.
• Mark saw that the Pokémon were restless and decided to leave for Maple Leaf City immediately.
• Mark checked his Spirit Control Panel and noted that Little Zapdos had become one of his Spirits Controlled, while Vikavolt still needed more study before it could earn Points.
• Mark boarded the Vikavolt Magnemite Aircraft, and Leafeon asked to come along.

A wandering Pokémon visited the Silver Plate Battle Arena in Maple Leaf City and became curious about Mechanical Freak Mark after seeing a match preview. It spotted a white-coated human who looked like Mark and approached him.

• The little fellow read a flyer for Hack Pokemon Academy's upcoming match and decided it would leave before the match took place.
• After hearing spectators discuss Mark and his Ivysaur's possible battle against Mega Venusaur, the little fellow learned that Mark was called Mechanical Freak.
• The little fellow disappeared before spectators could identify it and bounced through the arena while watching Mega Venusaur defeat Gyarados.
• The little fellow noticed a white-coated human who looked almost exactly like Mark in the flyer, except he lacked the Magnet Mechanical Arm.

Mark watched Tang You’s Mega Venusaur defeat Xia Jun at the Silver Plate Battle Arena, where the commentators revealed Mark as Tang You’s opponent in three days. Mark then encountered the curious Victini, which decided to stay and watch their upcoming match.

• Mark went to the Silver Plate Battle Arena and watched Tang You’s Mega Venusaur defeat Gyarados and Rapidash while Caterpie admired a flyer calling it the Strongest Caterpie in History.
• The commentators showed Mark in the stands and announced that Hack Pokemon Academy had sent him to scout the arena as Tang You’s opponent in three days; Tang You made a throat-slitting gesture at the camera.
• Tang You recalled Mega Venusaur, sent out Mega Gyarados, and defeated Xia Jun’s Feraligatr and Quagsire, prompting Xia Jun to concede.
• Mark learned that the next doubles match could include Tang You again and wondered whether he could compete in both the singles and doubles matches.
• A pale-yellow creature flashed Mark a peace sign before disappearing, and Mark recognized it as Victini; Victini chose to stay at the arena for the next three days to watch him.

Mark explained Victini’s origins and abilities to Jirachi and Caterpie while watching Chuantang Pokemon Academy defeat Huoma Pokemon Academy 3–1. After the match, Leafeon revealed it had befriended Victini, and Jirachi proposed using Leafeon to lure Victini out.

• Jirachi asked Mark about Victini, and Mark explained that Victini was a Mythical Pokemon associated with victory and limitless energy.
• Mark and Caterpie watched Chuantang Pokemon Academy defeat Huoma Pokemon Academy 3–1, learning how students could compete in multiple Academy Cup matches.
• Leafeon shared a piece of cake with Mark, but Jirachi snatched it to learn its flavor and made Leafeon cry.
• Leafeon told Mark that its new friend had V-shaped orange ears and blue eyes, and Jirachi realized the friend was Victini.
• Jirachi suggested using Leafeon to lure Victini out because Victini seemed to like Leafeon.

Mark and his Pokémon spent three days resting and searching for Victini while Hack Pokemon Academy prepared for the match. Their physical examination reports shocked Dean Cao, who recognized that Mark's Caterpie had reached Heavenly King-level strength and began to suspect that Mark's Golisopod was the mysterious Conferred Spirit "Pale Warrior."

• Mark arrived at the Nia Hotel, where Gu Dan outlined the upcoming schedule and teased him about facing Tang You; Caterpie answered with a flexing pose.
• Jirachi arranged snacks and perfume to help Leafeon attract Victini, who appeared to eat with Leafeon but vanished before Mark could reach them.
• Mark and his Pokémon spent the next three days searching for Victini and following Gu Dan's pre-match arrangements, finding the break relaxing and restorative.
• Dean Cao examined Mark's reports and learned that his native Caterpie had exceeded its Species Limit, making it Heavenly King-level; he ordered the reports concealed.
• Dean Cao saw that Golisopod's Aura exceeded the measurable threshold and watched footage of the S-Rank Secret File Pokémon "Pale Warrior" driving Zapdos away, leading him to suspect Mark's Third Uncle, Gym Leader Qian of Clear Stream Gym.

Dean Cao discovered evidence linking Mark’s Third Uncle, Gym Leader Qian, to the Rom Federation’s Metamorphosis Laboratory and its Wimpod research. Meanwhile, Mark prepared to face Tang You in the Academy Cup quarterfinal Vanguard Battle, which was about to begin.

• Dean Cao learned that Mark’s Third Uncle descended from Qian Cheng and had ties to the Metamorphosis Laboratory, where researchers had studied Gigantamax and Wimpod.
• John and George punished an intruder, gave him a Memory Potion, hypnotized him, and made him a new villager of Clear Stream Village.
• Mark received encouragement from his Hack Pokemon Academy teammates before entering the Silver Plate Battle Arena for his match against Tang You.
• The arena screen listed Mark’s six Pokémon and Tang You’s six Pokémon as officials conducted pre-match inspections.
• The commentator revealed that Tang You was Little G, the Rising Star List’s “Dragon Partner,” and described Mark as the seventeenth-ranked “Mechanical Freak.”
• As the battle was about to begin, Mark appeared absent-minded while the crowd cheered for Tang You.

Mark faced Tang You in the Battle Arena and sent out his Gigantamax Ivysaur against Tang You’s Mega Venusaur. Ivysaur unleashed Max Overgrowth, transforming the field into a primeval forest and leaving both Pokémon hidden from view.

• Mark noticed Victini and Leafeon together in a ventilation duct before the match began.
• Tang You won the coin toss and chose to send out his Venusaur first, while Mark asked the referee about Battle Arena boundary rules.
• Tang You Mega Evolved Venusaur, but Mark recalled Ivysaur and then sent it back out Gigantamaxed at nearly 30 meters tall.
• Ivysaur used Ingrain and Growth as Tang You ordered Mega Venusaur to attack with Earthquake and Grass Knot, but neither move stopped it.
• Mark’s Ivysaur unleashed Max Overgrowth, and the green storm transformed the battlefield into a forest that concealed both Pokémon.

Mark discovered that Ivysaur’s Gigantamax move, Max Overgrowth (Clear Stream Forest), recreated the forest and connected Ivysaur to its distant blessings, while Ivysaur continued growing during its battle with Tang You’s Mega Venusaur. Ivysaur overwhelmed Mega Venusaur with its enormous size and relentless plant attacks, leaving the audience stunned by the revelation that it was only a little over three months old.

• Mark realized Max Overgrowth (Clear Stream Forest) recreated Clear Stream Forest and might let other Pokémon benefit from its blessings inside the arena.
• Mark considered whether Gigantamax Energy could help merge Clear Stream Forest with Fallen Sky Mountain, but an explosion interrupted his thoughts.
• Tang You directed Mega Venusaur to attack Ivysaur, while Ivysaur used Growth and expanded from thirty-six meters to forty-two meters and kept growing.
• Mega Venusaur struck Ivysaur with Giga Impact and Stomping Tantrum, but Ivysaur barely swayed before its plants shoved Mega Venusaur away and attacked relentlessly.
• The commentators praised Mark’s strategy and revealed that his giant Ivysaur was only a little over three months old and had evolved shortly before the Academy Cup.

Mark’s Ivysaur defeated Tang You’s Mega Venusaur, and Caterpie later knocked out Altaria after a brief scuffle with Little Zapdos over who would battle next. Tang You then surrendered as Little Zapdos finally entered the field.

• Ivysaur bombarded Mega Venusaur with Seed Bombs until Venusaur was knocked unconscious, giving Mark the victory in their matchup.
• The commentator explained that Ivysaur had been preparing Vine World Descent, and Tang You sent Altaria into the air to stall until Gigantamax ended.
• Mark recalled Ivysaur, and Caterpie and Little Zapdos fought over who should battle next until the referee showed them yellow cards.
• Caterpie calmed down, entered the arena, and defeated Altaria in twenty seconds.
• Little Zapdos took the field after Caterpie, and Tang You surrendered.

Tang You’s Altaria was overwhelmed by Mark’s Muscular Caterpie before it could Mega Evolve, leaving Tang You to realize that Chuantang Pokemon Academy still had to face Mark in later matches. After Mark’s Pokémon celebrated their victory, Victini appeared and gave Mark a new power, which showed up on his Spirit Control Panel.

• Tang You’s Altaria was beaten unconscious by Muscular Caterpie before it could Mega Evolve, and Tang You surrendered the Vanguard Battle.
• Tang You heard spectators discuss Mark’s strength and realized Mark could also compete in Chuantang Pokemon Academy’s later matches.
• Mark’s Pokémon celebrated in the Battle Arena, where Victini joined Jirachi and the others.
• Victini landed on Mark’s shoulder, made a V-sign, and awakened a new power within him that appeared on his Spirit Control Panel.

Mark discovered that Victini’s power had given him the Chosen by Victory Star talent, then helped Hack Pokemon Academy defeat Chuantang Pokemon Academy and reach the Fallen Leaf Province Academy Cup finals. Back at the hotel, he noticed Victini’s power had grown stronger after their victories and prepared to ask what it was.

• Mark read the new Chosen by Victory Star talent on his Spirit Control Panel before tournament staff sent him off the arena.
• Gu Dan arranged for Mark to replace Kike in the second doubles match, and Mark explained that the unknown, invisible creature accompanying him was not his Pokemon.
• Mark and Aya defeated Li Yi and Kainon Dion in the rocky-field doubles match, earning Hack Pokemon Academy its second point.
• Zhou Kuan narrowly won the third singles match, and Hack Pokemon Academy swept Chuantang Pokemon Academy 3–0 to advance to the provincial finals.
• Mark returned to the hotel with Victini, Leafeon, and Jirachi, sensed Victini’s power had grown after their victories, and beckoned Victini to ask about it.

Mark questioned Victini about the mysterious power it had given him and learned that Victini had arrived in this world around 390 years ago. After Mark connected Victini’s strength to his recent victory, Victini discovered its power had indeed grown.

• Mark asked Victini to explain the power it had put into his body, but Victini could not identify it.
• Mark used photos on his Rotom Phone to help Victini recognize Rome City and the Sky Duel Battle Arena as its hometown.
• Victini recalled arriving in Rome City around 390 years earlier, living there for a century, and traveling the world after the Morning Sun Empire’s civil war destroyed the city and arena.
• Victini explained that it appeared beside Mark because it sensed he was a good person and believed he had a high chance of winning.
• Mark asked whether Victini’s power had grown after Hack Pokemon Academy’s three-to-zero victory, and Victini found that it had.

Mark tested Victini and concluded that its undeveloped power grew whenever he won, then discovered that Victini’s influence could guide outcomes in competitive activities. The chapter ended as a sinister Ghost-type Pokemon lunged at Mark through the window.

• Jirachi tested Victini’s strength, and Mark suggested Victini was an ungrown Mythical Pokemon whose power increased when he won.
• Victini taught Jirachi and Mark’s other Pokemon how to use its invisibility technique, though Victini fell asleep during further questions.
• Mark’s Pokemon watched horror movies and played games, while Victini began winning despite its poor gaming skills.
• Mark tested Victini’s power in games and sports, finding that it gave him a precognitive, causality-related advantage that could also aid Pokemon battles.
• Caterpie and Golisopod noticed a sinister Ghost-type Pokemon enter through the window and lunge at Mark.

Gu Dan pursued a disguised assassin through the Night Market and suspected Phantom was targeting Mark, but found Mark safe in his hotel room. Mark then revealed that Dusknoir had escaped into the Spirit World, though Jirachi and Butterfree had sealed the space around it.

• A Forretress revealed itself as a Ditto disguise, while the middle-aged man transformed into a gelatinous giant and escaped with another Ditto that changed into Gengar.
• Gu Dan chased the fugitive to the Night Market, where Nolan’s Arcanine lost the man’s scent, leading Gu Dan to suspect the vanished assassin Phantom.
• Gu Dan realized Phantom’s attack downstairs might have been a diversion and rushed back to check whether Mark had been targeted.
• Mark told Gu Dan that a Ghost-type Pokemon had appeared in his room but escaped, while his Pokemon remained unharmed.
• After Gu Dan left, Jirachi removed its Mimikyu costume, and Mark concluded that Dusknoir had opened a passage to the Spirit World despite Jirachi and Butterfree sealing the space.

After Dusknoir escaped into the Spirit World, Mark planned to catch a Ghost-type Pokémon and discussed possibilities with Jirachi. A disguised assassin then entered Mark’s room, but Mark punched him and exposed his Ditto disguise and human-skin mask.

• Mark and his Pokémon stayed alert for Dusknoir to return from the Spirit World while he played cards with Victini and Jirachi.
• Mark decided to catch a Ghost-type Pokémon after the Academy Cup finals, and Jirachi suggested Mythical and Legendary Pokémon before failing to locate them with Small Wish.
• A hotel employee claimed he needed to install monitoring equipment, but Mimikyu and Victini sensed something suspicious about him.
• The disguised assassin tried to cut Mark’s throat with a hidden blade, but Mark punched him and revealed the Ditto and the gaunt man beneath a human-skin mask.

Mark captured assassin Ling Huan after discovering that his Ditto and Dusknoir were connected, while Golisopod showed new aura-sensing abilities and Ditto stirred Caterpie’s bloodline. Ling Huan woke up hanging upside down as Mark examined his Ditto with mechanical arms.

• Golisopod sensed that the unconscious attacker’s aura was connected to the Dusknoir that had previously ambushed Mark, and Mark realized Golisopod might need a new training method.
• Caterpie reacted to Ditto’s strange genes, and Mark speculated that Ditto’s bloodline might help Caterpie advance its Hundred Styles moves.
• A Sceptile, a second Ditto that transformed into Dragonite, and the returning Dusknoir emerged from the attacker’s Poké Balls, but Mark grabbed Ling Huan and made the Pokémon submit.
• Ling Huan recalled accepting a greatly increased bounty, sending Dusknoir to ambush Mark, and returning to attack him before everything went dark.
• Ling Huan woke up hanging upside down and saw Mark examining his Ditto with enormous Magnet Mechanical Arms.

Mark captured the assassin Ling Huan and learned that he had been hired to kill him, likely by someone from the Fulos Empire. After three days of research, Mark gave Ling Huan Amnesia Potion and hypnotized him into becoming Clear Stream Village villager Ling Liushu, then turned his attention to the academy finals.

• Ling Huan woke to find himself captured alongside his Pokémon and realized Mark had trapped him.
• Ling Huan learned Jirachi was nearby and begged Mark to spare him, offering to work for him.
• Mark questioned Ling Huan, who said the Ilan Principality was his homeland and guessed the Fulos Empire had ordered the assassination.
• Mark knocked Ling Huan unconscious and resumed studying Ditto and Dusknoir for three days.
• Mark gave Ling Huan Amnesia Potion and hypnotized him into becoming Ling Liushu, a new Clear Stream Village villager.
• The finals between Hack Pokemon Academy and Maple Leaf Pokemon Academy began.

Mark faced Ding Xuepeng in the Academy Cup finals’ Vanguard Battle after Maple Leaf Pokemon Academy chose Ding to wear down Mark’s team with Destiny Bond tactics. Mark sent out Little Zapdos, who eagerly prepared to battle Ding’s Gengar.

• Ding Xuepeng said in an interview that he planned to take down one or two of Mark’s Pokemon, and Hack Pokemon Academy’s team recognized him as a deliberate counter to Mark.
• Mark reassured his teammates that he could win the opening match, then entered the arena amid cheers from the crowd.
• Ding Xuepeng won the coin toss and sent out Gengar, while commentators explained how his Gengar and Weezing could use Destiny Bond to take opponents down with them.
• Mark sent out Little Zapdos instead of the Caterpie or Golisopod he had planned to use to test Ding’s tactics.
• Mark agreed to let Little Zapdos stay on the field if it defeated its opponent without much effort, and Little Zapdos excitedly aimed to defeat all six of Ding’s Pokemon.