Multiverse Gourmet Hunter

Ater a long series of precise and complicated examinations, Professor Oak’s expression grew more astonished with every new result.

At last, the full report was complete.

The black Charmander’s physique already surpassed that of ordinary Charmander that had long since passed their infancy.

Every physical parameter was dramatically higher, and its overall health could only be described as flawless.

Most important of all—

This black Charmander was not merely a Fire-type Pokémon.

It was naturally both Fire and Dragon type.

”Dragon type?!”

Professor Oak stared at the readings on the screen in disbelief.

”The Charmander evolutionary line remains Fire type until Charizard, and even then Charizard is Fire and Flying. It only gains the Dragon type through Mega Evolution!”

”How could a newborn Charmander possess the Dragon type from birth?”

Unable to find any reasonable explanation, Professor Oak suddenly turned toward Haruto.

Haruto had mentioned that he might know the cause.

Meeting the professor’s gaze, Haruto gently stroked the black scales covering Charmander’s body before explaining,

”Arceus gave me this Charmander Egg.”

”Arceus also fused an entire Red Dragon into it.”

”The Charmander line already carries dormant draconic traits, but they’re extremely difficult to awaken.”

”The Red Dragon probably acted as a key, activating those Dragon-type traits before Charmander was even born.”

Its black scales were likely the outward sign of that complete awakening and fusion, much like the dark appearance of Mega Charizard X.

”Arceus... Of course!”

Understanding dawned on Professor Oak, and he nodded heavily as every doubt vanished from his mind.

This was Arceus, the creator deity of their world.

If Arceus had created the world itself, what could possibly be beyond its power?

Giving a Charmander the Dragon type from birth was hardly impossible. It could probably even transform an ordinary Caterpie into a Legendary Pokémon if it truly wished.

Once Professor Oak accepted that explanation, the intensity in his gaze toward the black Charmander grew even stronger.

A unique individual found nowhere else in the world.

A natural Fire-and-Dragon type.

Born with dragon scales.

Personally altered by Arceus.

The research value of this black Charmander could no longer be measured by ordinary standards.

Professor Oak had only just begun arranging the words to ask Haruto for permission to study it when Haruto took out a Poké Ball.

A flash of red light enveloped the newborn, drawing the black Charmander inside.

”Professor Oak, Charmander should rest first.”

Haruto spoke calmly.

He was not opposed to allowing Professor Oak to study it.

Just not immediately after it had hatched.

Haruto waited until the black Charmander had enjoyed a full day of rest before allowing the professor to begin his research.

It was not that Haruto intended to treat Charmander like a laboratory specimen.

The reality was simply that this Pokémon had been extraordinary from the moment it was born.

It naturally possessed both the Fire and Dragon types. Standard feeding schedules, training intensity, and development plans for ordinary Charmander would not merely be unsuitable—they might actively hinder its growth.

A normal Charmander primarily focused on Fire-type moves, speed, and explosive offensive power.

This black Charmander was fundamentally different and required a training program designed specifically for it.

Among everyone Haruto knew, no one was more qualified to create one than Professor Oak.

Without thoroughly understanding the black Charmander’s physical structure, balance between its two types, internal energy circulation, and developmental limits, even the finest Trainer would be forced to proceed through blind experimentation.

Haruto did establish one firm condition.

Nothing done during the research could cause Charmander even the slightest harm.

Professor Oak agreed immediately.

He despised research that harmed Pokémon as much as Haruto did.

Over the following days, the professor devoted himself completely to examining and analyzing the black Charmander.

Scans, endurance trials, type-resistance tests, energy-wave recordings—every procedure was gentle and meticulous. Haruto remained present throughout the process to ensure that nothing went wrong.

Several days later, Professor Oak placed a thick, data-filled training plan in front of him.

It covered everything in extraordinary detail: daily food portions, training duration, flame-control exercises, methods for guiding Dragon-type energy, and even exact schedules for sleep and time spent basking in sunlight.

With that scientific guidance, combined with the outrageous ingredients in Haruto’s possession, the black Charmander’s development accelerated beyond anything that could reasonably be called rapid.

Jewel Meat strengthened its physique and raised its base potential.

BB Corn dramatically accelerated its growth.

Puffer Whale restored its body.

Wyvern meat directly nourished its Dragon-type energy.

Charmander’s growth was so fast that even ”improving by leaps and bounds” felt inadequate.

Its body visibly grew larger and more powerful with every passing day.

Its once-small frame steadily lengthened and broadened. Its scales became thicker and harder, while the fiery crimson markings across them grew brighter.

Within a remarkably short time, the black Charmander surpassed one meter in height.

That was far beyond any other Charmander of the same age, and its physique already approached that of an ordinary Charmeleon.

The Fire- and Dragon-type energies within it surged like powerful rivers under the nourishment of Haruto’s premium ingredients, constantly washing through and tempering its body.

At last, after an intensive flame-control session, dazzling evolutionary light erupted around the black Charmander.

Its bones lengthened.

Its muscles expanded.

Fresh layers of scales formed across its body as its previously juvenile frame stretched into a more mature shape.

Its presence suddenly intensified.

When the light faded, a powerful black Charmeleon stood before Haruto.

It was a full meter and seventy centimeters tall.

That size already matched an ordinary Charizard.

Hard, ink-black dragon scales still covered its entire body. The once-faint markings between them now resembled streams of living fire, glowing and flickering through the gaps.

The flame at the tip of its tail was no longer orange-red. It had become a terrifying blaze tinged with dark gold, radiating intense heat.

Despite his delight at Charmeleon’s rapid evolution, a trace of concern passed through Haruto’s mind.

Evolution that happened too quickly could easily leave hidden problems.

Unstable energy, unfamiliarity with new moves, violent mood swings, or a weak foundation were all common risks.

Haruto immediately asked Professor Oak to conduct another full examination.

The results astonished everyone.

Charmeleon’s control over Ember, Flame Wheel, Fire Punch, and Dragon Rage was smooth and precise, and it could release or restrain each move without difficulty.

Its internal energy circulation was perfectly stable.

Its foundation was almost absurdly solid.

Every physical parameter exceeded that of an ordinary Charmeleon by an entire level.

Its mental state was alert, energetic, and confident, without the slightest sign of instability or aggression.

Professor Oak checked the results several times before finally sighing in amazement.

”Premium ingredients combined with scientific training have completely eliminated every drawback normally associated with accelerated evolution.”

”There is absolutely nothing wrong with this Charmeleon.”

Not only was there nothing wrong, but its basic combat ability was already approaching that of mature Pokémon that many Trainers had spent years raising.

Once Haruto received that confirmation, his final concern disappeared.

Since there were no hidden problems, there was no reason to stop.

To transform the black Charmeleon from a merely powerful Pokémon into a true battle partner, Haruto approached Lorelei and requested practice battles.

As an Ice-type Elite Four member, Lorelei possessed a wide selection of Pokémon and exceptional control over the rhythm of battle.

She could apply enough pressure to challenge Charmeleon while carefully controlling the intensity so that it would not suffer serious injuries.

She was the ideal training partner.

Their first battle immediately impressed Haruto.

Lorelei’s Ice-type moves were extremely powerful.

Even though an ordinary Charmeleon resisted Ice-type attacks, a direct hit from blades of ice or an Icy Wind could still slow its movements, inflict frostbite, and leave it weakened.

Haruto’s black Charmeleon reacted differently.

When the Ice-type attacks struck, it paused only briefly.

Light flashed across its scales, and it simply endured the force head-on.

Combined with the explosive power granted by its Fire-and-Dragon typing, Charmeleon grew more ferocious as the battle continued.

Its movements were somewhat inexperienced at first, but they steadily became smoother.

Its judgment grew sharper, and its battle instincts developed at an astonishing pace.

Every battle brought another transformation.

Under constant practical combat, uninterrupted nourishment from premium ingredients, and Professor Oak’s precisely tailored development plan, the energy inside Charmeleon finally reached another critical threshold.

That day, on an open field behind Professor Oak’s laboratory, the black Charmeleon threw back its head and roared.

The sound was no longer the immature cry of a young Pokémon.

It carried the unmistakable force of a dragon’s roar.

Evolutionary light erupted into the sky, illuminating nearly half the horizon.

Charmeleon’s body expanded at a terrifying rate.

Its bones thundered as they grew, and a pair of enormous wings unfurled from its back.

Layer upon layer of black dragon scales formed over its body like armor forged from dark metal.

The flame on its tail swelled violently.

Then something even more astonishing occurred.

Fire ignited not only along its tail, but across its limbs, spine, and the edges of its wings.

Flames intertwined with draconic pressure, producing an oppressive presence that made the air itself feel heavy.

When the light finally faded, a colossal black Charizard stood before them.

It towered over four meters tall.

Its entire body was as dark as ink, and raging flames coiled around its massive frame.