Level forty to forty-one might seem like weak Pokémon scratching at each other, but in this world, it was a major hurdle that stopped most trainers in their tracks.
"It could be the Pokémon's limited talent. Or maybe it's already hit its ceiling. Sometimes, they lack the right resources, or there's an old injury holding them back. Maybe the training wasn't intense enough, or the battles weren't meaningful enough to push them forward. In short, anything lacking becomes a barrier to reaching the Gym level."
By the edge of the outdoor training field, Edgar sat comfortably on his purple Sableye stool, hands resting on his thighs as he continued speaking at a leisurely pace.
"There's no such thing as a Pokémon that grows stronger just by fighting a couple times. Without proper training, type-focused nurturing, or support items, they won't get far. What do you think this is? Some fantasy story or a game? Even the best Pokémon need to be raised with care. Training matters more than raw talent."
As he finished, Edgar let out a dry grunt and pointed at his throat. Marvin, who had been listening attentively, rushed over with the water cup he had prepared, offering it up with both hands.
The old man gave him a sideways glance and took the cup. Just as Marvin looked on in surprise, he took a gulp.
"Pfft, hiss! Hot! Way too hot!"
Edgar's face scrunched up like he was constipated. He pointed a shaking finger at Marvin and stammered, "Y-you... you brat..."
Marvin flinched and hurried to hide behind Shiro, calling out, "I was just about to say it was hot! You didn't even check or sip it, just chugged it. That's not on me..."
"Hmph!"
The old man's good mood instantly vanished. He let out a cold snort toward Marvin, then waved his hand. His Sableye stool stood up on its own and trotted off to the other side of the training field with him on it.
Allister silently followed after him, his short legs working quickly to keep up, leaving Shiro and the others behind.
Nessa frowned and shot an annoyed look at Marvin.
The boy raised his hands in surrender, showing as much apology as he could, and said helplessly, "He only ever says the same stuff anyway. It's always about Pokémon needing more experience and battles. But our Pokémon are doing fine. We're training them properly. Getting to the Gym level shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"Hm..." Shiro glanced around the field, then turned and headed back toward the tower.
"Hey, Shiro!" Marvin jogged to catch up, explaining, "I really didn't mean to make that grumpy old man storm off…"
"I know." Shiro hadn't taken Edgar's advice to heart anyway. He added, "I'm thinking about what I should do next."
Marvin scratched his head, confused. "But there's only ten days left before the official Gym Challenge. What else is there to do? We don't have any missions, right?"
"I'm planning to head out to the Wild Area and train my Pokémon," Shiro replied.
"The Wild Area?" Marvin's voice went up without him realizing. He tugged at his orange hair, looking torn. He also wanted to go with Shiro, but Granny Shae had been at the HQ these past few days, and it looked like she was seriously considering taking him as her student. He couldn't just throw that chance away.
"Ugh…" Marvin let out a heavy sigh. "I've gotta go see Granny…"
Shiro smiled and nodded. "Then go. She's an Ice-type Elite trainer. If it were me, I'd be right next to her every day running errands."
With that, Marvin waved his hand, and ran off toward the part of the building where Granny Shae was staying.
...
Back in his room at the tower, Shiro began packing his things.
Before the Gym challenge started, he planned to make a trip to Spikemuth and settle everything there once and for all. After that, he'd head to Lake of Outrage to fulfill the promise he made with Drakloak.
Ten days. Just enough time.
Though he already had camping gear, he wasn't satisfied with its quality. So he scrapped the old equipment and bought top-tier replacements through the company's black market—gear that could supposedly withstand a few moves from Advanced-level Pokémon.
He also gathered all kinds of survival tools, cramming everything tightly into his backpack. Then, he pulled out his Poké Balls and carefully polished each one with a clean handkerchief.
After over half a month of rigorous training and heavy resource investment, Corvisquire had reached Level 40. Just one more level, and it would cross into the next stage.
Shiro had equipped it with an Everstone, and was now considering when might be the right time to remove it. Once Corvisquire evolved, the boost from its transformation would likely push it into Gym-level. But there was no rush.
Haunter had also climbed to Level 37. Shiro had already prepared a Perfect-quality Linking Cord for its evolution. He planned to wait until it hit the peak of Advanced-level, using the evolution as a way to shatter its limits.
Given his current resources, evolution through magnetic-field communication was too much hassle. Plus, the potential gained from such a method didn't match that of an item-based evolution. Magnetic fields could substitute for items to a degree, but they didn't carry the elemental energy that evolution items did.
Growlithe was now Level 35, and Shiro had the same plan for it as the others—train until it hit the Advanced-level limit, then evolve.
Due to its already high level, Trapinch evolved into Vibrava just two days after joining. It was now sitting at Level 40. Like a hyperactive dragonfly, it loved zipping around and dragging Growlithe along on its chaotic flights.
As for Drakloak, it was living the good life—eating well, sleeping soundly. Even without training or battling, it had still gained a level and was now at Level 56. Dreepy had also reached Level 25.
Bzzz—
Shiro's communicator vibrated softly. He picked it up and answered the call he'd been waiting on for some time.
"I've shown your application to Chairman Rose." The voice on the other end was cold and clear. It was Oleana. After a short pause, she continued, "You'll need to specify your activity area."
"Somewhere in the northern part of the Wild Area," Shiro replied.
"Then stay north of Motostoke and south of Hammerlocke," Oleana instructed. "You're a public figure now. Keep your face covered and absolutely stay out of any towns. Understood?"
Shiro was silent for a moment before responding, "Got it."
'Looks like I won't be going to Spikemuth…' he thought, ending the call and slinging his backpack over his shoulder.
So be it. He could always head there after the Gym challenge began. No point rushing it. Revenge could wait a few more days. Not like holding it in would kill him.
With everything packed, Shiro stepped out of his room and made his way to the elevator, pressing the button for the first floor.
Oleana had already arranged for a Flying Taxi to wait for him below. It would take him to his target location, then leave. The day before the Gym Challenge, it would return to pick him up.
"Perfect," Shiro murmured. "Time to spend every minute in the wild… training, battling…"
The wide, circular elevator was empty save for him.
Ding!
The elevator doors slid open with a soft hum. He stepped out, passing through the curious stares of staff at both sides of the lobby counters, and walked up to the waiting Corviknight outside.
"Corv~ Corv~"
He climbed into the passenger cabin. The towering bird spread its wings, casting a deep shadow over the compartment below.
Its black iron feathers stirred in the fierce wind. Two loose ones broke off and drifted gently to the gray ground, coming to rest like fallen leaves before takeoff.
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