Based on the earlier "Reverse Gravity" move, it was clear to Steven that Carver had a natural talent for developing battle techniques.
If Carver became a full-fledged Trainer, he could easily take that talent further.
If he ever became a Champion, he could earn money through competitions and endorsements.
And even if he didn't, he could still work in a field related to Pokémon or Trainers using his rich travel experience.
Seeing the look on Steven's face, Carver suddenly wanted to laugh.
Steven was empathizing with him!
But truthfully, Carver didn't need Devon Corp's financial aid right now. The daycare was finally running smoothly—those resources should go to aspiring Trainers who actually needed them.
"I wasn't finished earlier," Carver said, shaking his head. "At first, I didn't have any big dreams. I just wanted to earn enough to support myself and Stufful. But now..."
"And now?" Steven asked, curious.
Carver looked at Stufful and the Clefairy around him and replied:
"Now, I just want to run this daycare with everyone—take care of more Pokémon, gather all the ones I love, and raise them in the backyard. That's my dream."
"That's a great dream," Steven said softly, admiringly.
Carver smiled, then turned the question around: "So, Steven, what's your dream? Becoming League Champion?"
Steven nodded. "That's just one goal on my journey."
"Then is there something you really want to do?" Carver asked again.
Steven looked a bit embarrassed.
Carver tilted his head. "Hmm?"
"To be honest," Steven said, "I really like stones. Fossils, meteorites, rare minerals deep underground… I know it sounds odd to some people, but to me, they're fascinating."
As soon as he started talking about rocks, Steven's eyes lit up with elegance and confidence.
Carver just stared. Yup, this is definitely the Steven I know.
"Speaking of which… I happen to have a few stones that are pretty rare, even on this planet," Carver said.
He stood up and fetched a few meteorites that had been gifted to him by the Clefairy.
The moment Steven laid eyes on the shimmering stone, he was stunned.
A beautiful stone he'd never seen before!
He looked up at Carver, his eyes burning with desire. His face practically screamed: I want it!
"What do you think?" Carver asked casually.
Steven immediately had the impulse to spend a fortune just to buy it.
"It's incredibly rare," he said, eyes locked on the stone. "It doesn't seem to be from this world… The glow and structure suggest it's from outer space."
Carver nodded. Classic Steven. His guess was spot-on.
"Carver, would you be willing to sell this stone?" Steven asked at last, unable to hold back.
"Sorry," Carver shook his head. "It's not for sale."
Steven's eyes dimmed in disappointment.
But then Carver continued, "However, I'm open to a trade."
Steven's eyes lit up again in an instant.
He straightened his posture. "What do you want in exchange?"
Carver glanced at the Clefairy watching nearby and said, "Moon Stones."
Moon Stones?
Steven blinked, then quickly realized—Clefairy evolve into Clefable with Moon Stones. Carver probably wanted them to evolve the ones in his daycare.
Moon Stones weren't common, but for Steven, they weren't exactly rare either.
Ever since he'd started collecting rocks at age seven or eight, he'd bought plenty of evolutionary stones.
His stone vault probably had more of those than anything else.
And a Moon Stone might be purchasable—but a meteorite like this was priceless!
"Deal," Steven agreed without hesitation.
Then he paused, remembering he didn't have any Moon Stones on him right now.
Getting one would mean going all the way back home…
Not to Rustboro, but to Littleroot Town on the eastern side of Hoenn, where he kept his rock collection.
After a brief pause, Steven explained his situation.
He expected Carver to ask him to return later once he had the stones—but instead, Carver said:
"In that case, why don't you just take the stone with you now? I'll be here waiting for the Moon Stones."
Steven was stunned. He's trusting me with this?
He felt deeply moved by the trust Carver showed him.
Steven nodded seriously, took the meteorite, and left only one sentence behind: "Please wait here for me."
Then, with his three Pokémon, he left the daycare.
Carver watched him go, a complex expression on his face as a message appeared before his eyes:
[Name: Steven Stone]
[Age: 10]
[Gender: Male]
[Special Ability: Money Power]
[Status: Healthy]
[Mood: Excited]
[Joy: 80]
[Affection: 50 (He sees you as a trustworthy partner)]
[Bio: I'm first, I'm strong, and I'm awesome! — Steven]
Carver, who had accidentally used his system's inspection ability on Steven, was speechless.
Did I get the wrong kind of system? I can even see humans' data now...?
What the heck is "Money Power"?!
And Steven's affection level shot up to 50 just like that? So easy to win him over?!
Still, Carver wasn't worried about entrusting the meteorite to Steven.
As a transmigrator, he knew exactly what kind of person Steven was.
The same Steven who, in the face of Groudon and Kyogre's clash, would step up without hesitation to protect Hoenn.
What really surprised Carver was that his system could read human data too.
So, humans really are a kind of Pokémon, huh?
If Steven's special trait is Money Power, would Lance's be "Dragon Mastery"?
"I wonder if I'll ever meet Lance," Carver murmured.
Lance, Cynthia, Ash, Misty… He really wanted to meet them all.
Determined to bring back the Moon Stones as quickly as possible, Steven didn't linger.
He hopped on Skarmory and flew straight toward Littleroot Town.
After a full day and night of flying, they finally reached his hometown.
Steven opened the door and carefully placed the rare meteorite into his vault of treasures.
Then he turned to his collection of evolutionary stones.
Over the years, he had gathered quite a few.
Now, they would finally serve a purpose.
He packed a Moon Stone into his bag and then glanced at another part of his treasured rock collection.
He picked up a round, marble-like gem—clear and glassy with streaks of orange inside.
This one's not for the trade—it's for our budding friendship, Steven thought.