Martial Arts Heart!

"Okay!"

Mu Yun had just learned Riding, so he was eager to try it.

Following what he remembered, he put a foot in the stirrup and swung neatly onto the horse's back.

The smoothness of his movement made Ma Sitong pause in surprise.

But she quickly recovered.

With Mu Yun's physique, simply mounting a horse was no challenge for him.

But Riding took more than brute strength. What mattered most was technique: the freedom and ease that came from being in tune with a Pokémon, not brute—

"Neigh!"

Before Ma Sitong could finish the thought, an excited whinny rang out.

Mudsdale, who had looked as though it was just going through the motions, suddenly came alive. It reared up, its eyes shining.

It was as if this were a completely different Pokémon from the one she had just ridden.

Ma Sitong: ???

What's going on? Has my Mudsdale gone crazy?

She stared, her eyes full of confusion.

Before she could think further, Mu Yun took the reins and gently squeezed with his legs.

Like a soldier receiving his general's command, Mudsdale drove all four hooves into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Thud, thud, thud—!

Heavy, powerful hoofbeats reached Ma Sitong's ears.

To her shock and bewilderment, Mudsdale—a Pokémon built for long-distance travel—burst forward at a speed that rivaled Zebstrika and Rapidash!

Combined with its massive frame, it was like a heavy tank charging across a battlefield. The sight was breathtaking!

On its back, Mu Yun sat tall, his eyes bright. His bangs fluttered across his forehead, and he looked utterly free.

In the sunlight, he had the carefree flair of an ancient wandering swordsman setting out into the world.

What part of that looked like a beginner? He looked more experienced than she did!

"..."

*Geniuses are