Moonlight poured through the window, scattering across the desk.
Sieg held a delicate instrument, something resembling a dropper used in alchemy, and carefully let a single drop of Geofluid Essence fall into a vial within the apparatus.
What he was preparing now was a rather common potion among breeders, meant for newborn Pokémon.
The potion leaned toward a gentle balance, its ingredients rare but not impossibly difficult to obtain. Families with some standing would always ensure their children's Pokémon received a bottle of this.
After all, this medicine was universal, suitable for all species. Whether it was a pseudo-legendary or a bug from the backyard, regardless of typing, any Pokémon could take it.
Studies had shown that if two identical Pokémon were compared, one that had taken this potion and one that had not showed clear differences.
The former always surpassed the latter in overall growth, especially in energy control, where the improvement reached over ten percent.
Other aspects like physical strength, skill comprehension, and even level progression also showed a three to eight percent advantage.
Thus, Pokémon that never took such a potion were fated to begin behind the starting line.
Sieg himself had only learned of this secret medicine after becoming a junior breeder.
Ordinary trainers could not even catch a whisper of its existence. The League's gatekeeping was absolute.
Shaking away the distracting thoughts, Sieg steadied himself. He had not refined potions or Pokéblocks for more than half a month, leaving his hands somewhat unfamiliar with the process.
"Bloop… bloop… blub-blub…"
He glanced at the dark yellow liquid forming before him. As expected, the potion entered the tester and the readings showed deviation.
Sieg sighed, muttering, "As I thought, I'm rusty. Better warm up with some Pokéblocks before wasting more essence."
Geofluid Essence was priceless. Every failure meant drops lost forever, and using it as practice material made his heart ache.
The potion he was working on was an improved variant, one adjusted with materials aligned to the Ground type, specifically tailored for his Sandile.
Moving to another workbench, Sieg pulled out his Pokéblock crafting machine and began assembling its parts.
This device had been issued to him as a welfare benefit when he was registered as a junior breeder at the Rustboro's Breeder Guild.
It consisted of four modular components, each with a unique function.
He retrieved boxes of berries and certain special ingredients, all necessary for making Pokéblocks.
Every time he visited the black market, Sieg purchased a bulk of supplies. After all, Breeder's Guild branches could only be found in major cities, while adventurers like him often lingered in the wilderness or small towns. For him, the black market was the only reliable source.
Once everything was ready, he began.
Some ingredients were mashed into pulp or distilled into liquid. Then he drew out a jet-black berry.
Purify impurities, grind to paste, refine, fuse, add spices, mold, dry, and solidify.
The complex steps flowed smoothly beneath his hands, and soon, Sieg had crafted his first set of Pokéblocks.
From the outside, they resembled common Dark-type Pokéblocks, yet upon closer inspection, the shade was paler.
This was a custom batch made for his Murkrow.
The ratio was seven parts Flying, three parts Dark, matching Murkrow's natural gifts. His flying affinity far outshone its dark affinity anyways.
On the window ledge, Murkrow perched sneakily, watching intently. Occasionally he swallowed hard, eyes burning with greedy desire as he stared at the forming Pokéblocks.
But without his master's command, he didnt dare to act rashly.
"Here, it's yours!" Sieg called.
Murkrow launched in a blur, wings snapping open as it snatched the block in an instant.
The spices within already made Pokéblocks irresistible to Pokémon, and this one was tailored specifically for Murkrow, a perfect fit.
Sieg then crafted custom Pokéblocks for his Umbreon, Crawdaunt, and Sharpedo.
These were recipes he had refined countless times before, so the motions returned to him quickly.
His hands grew swifter, his technique flowing with renewed confidence.
Within just two hours, hundreds of Pokéblocks filled the trays. It was enough to feed his four Pokémon for three to four days.
As he noted the dwindling stock of berries, Sieg finally calmed his mind and returned to brewing potions.
Sharpedo's Water-type potential was stronger than its Dark one, especially with Aqua Jet, where it surpassed even Crawdaunt.
The two Pokémon often trained together, exchanging techniques they each excelled at.
Since they shared the Water and Dark dual-typing, much of their move pools overlapped, making them both rivals and partners in progress.
"Such a pity," Sieg sighed, "you've got Thunder Fang, Ice Fang, Fire Fang… but no Aqua Fang."
That was why he had bought a Walrein's tusk, hoping to enhance Sharpedo's biting ability and its affinity with Ice Fang.
"Crack-crack-crunch…"
The tusk was ground into fine powder. Sieg then shifted to preparing Blastoise's shell.
Every material he used came from Pokémon that had reached at least elite rank, equivalent to level forty and above.
Such Pokémon were rulers in small regions, even considered pillars within the League or Team Aqua.
Yet in the end, they were hunted and their valuable remains sold on the black market.
Stars shimmered outside, the moon growing brighter as time passed.
Sieg's eyes locked on the vial as he dropped in the final catalyst. The murky potion instantly transformed.
It seemed alive, as incompatible elements fused into harmony.
In only three minutes, a deep blue potion tinged with gray was born.
Sieg wiped the sweat from his brow and tested a droplet in the analyzer. Seeing the precise data, satisfaction filled his heart.
"Sharpedo, drink this."
He walked to the corner, where a portable water tank held his resting predator.
The beast opened its eyes, instinctively baring sharp fangs, only to quickly soften its expression when it recognized Sieg.
The potion bottle was tossed, and Sharpedo swallowed it whole, glass and all, before crunching down with terrifying strength.
The potion was consumed.
Sieg held his forehead, speechless. "Trust you to drink it like a true tyrant of the seas, Sharpedo."
Before long, the so-called sea bully drifted into sleep at the bottom of the tank.
When it woke again, it would emerge transformed!