Chapter 357: Sylvie's Request
That day, Basalt, as usual, walked into the long-unseen classroom right as the final bell was about to ring.
As the annual ranking match, the event held high gossip potential. Students were gathered in small groups, excitedly discussing who had improved their strength recently and who to watch out for.
The loudest voice belonged to the class president, Frank. Since he came from a wealthy family and was skilled at making friends, he had the widest network and the most information.
But the moment Basalt stepped into the classroom, all conversations ceased. Every eye focused on the newcomer.
"Basalt? You're back!" Frank was momentarily stunned, then rushed forward with enthusiasm.
Basalt, the freshman superstar, still had a resounding reputation.
Of course, before Basalt left for the desert, no one would have dared to question that title. But now, the situation was uncertain. It was known that Basalt had gone to the desert primarily for a research project. This meant his training must have been neglected. Even if he hadn't neglected training, the conditions in the desert surely couldn't compare to the university, with its full set of training facilities, professors available for guidance, and strong classmates for sparring. Basalt wouldn't have had any of those conditions in the remote desert.
Of course, Basalt's possible "decline" was only measured against other geniuses like Shane and Roman. For an average student like Frank, Basalt was still unattainable. After a whole academic year, many of them had only just passed the Advanced-rank certification—about half the class. The other half was still at the Intermediate-rank. Even if Basalt had stood still, they still couldn't beat him.
"Just got back!" Basalt smiled. "The final exams are so important, I definitely had to show up!"
You didn't show up for the last semester's finals, though, the other students silently grumbled.
After trading some casual chatter with Frank, Basalt slipped away to find Sylvie. She had been signaling him with her eyes several times since he entered the classroom.
"Long time no see!" Basalt smiled as he approached. "How's the Deerling?"
After spending some time with Sylvie, Deerling had decided to follow her. So, Deerling was now registered under Sylvie's name.
"I promised the Exeggutor ruler that if I helped Deerling find a suitable trainer, it would give me another vial of Fountain of Life water. I guess I need to make a quick trip to Saffron City soon," Basalt thought, his eyes shining. After all the recent consumption, his existing Fountain of Life water was almost gone, mostly absorbed by Marshtomp.
With that boost, Marshtomp's strength had skyrocketed and was probably close to evolution. Once it evolved into Swampert, it would definitely be Pro-level.
However, compared to the Groudon Scale and the Smooth Rock Crystal, the Fountain of Life was still a less potent "cheat." This was why Marshtomp seemed less conspicuous in Basalt's team.
"I think I'll let Marshtomp take the lead in today's battle," Basalt decided internally.
"The Deerling is already a Sawsbuck now!" Sylvie smiled softly.
"Oh? It already evolved?" Basalt raised an eyebrow, but wasn't surprised. Deerling had a strong foundation and had received the Fountain of Life water to boost its potential before leaving the secret realm. After almost a year, evolution was only logical.
"Right, Basalt, I have something important to talk to you about." Sylvie's expression turned serious, though she looked a little embarrassed.
"What is it?"
Sylvie looked at Basalt earnestly. "I need the Fountain of Life water. At least ten milliliters."
"Fountain of Life water? Ten milliliters?" Basalt's eyes went wide, and he instinctively recoiled. Ten milliliters is an entire vial! Sylvie's appetite is a bit too large, isn't it?
Wait a minute! How does Sylvie know I have the Fountain of Life water? And how does she know it's exactly ten milliliters?
"Damn that Deerling! It betrayed me!" Basalt mentally cursed.
"Basalt, don't blame the Deerling," Sylvie pulled him back, her eyes pleading. "Just hear me out first, then decide whether you want to accept. Even if you refuse, I won't force you."
"Alright, tell me," Basalt sighed, sitting down again.
Taking a deep breath, Sylvie spoke slowly. "Basalt, you know about the Azure Lake Secret Realm, right? I know, the rumor about me and the secret realm has always circulated around the school. The truth is, all those rumors are true."
Basalt had heard the rumors about Sylvie when he first started university from Leo. But Sylvie herself had always been secretive about it, so no one knew the truth. Now, she was admitting it.
"So, there really is a secret realm in Azure Lake, and a powerful Milotic lives inside?"
"That's right. My Feeby evolved after obtaining one of that Milotic's scales, making me its inheritor. That's why I go into the secret realm every weekend to train. It's the reason my strength has improved so quickly."
A nostalgic look appeared in Sylvie's eyes. Before going to Azure Lake, she was just an ordinary high school student, barely making the county team. But after visiting the lake, she became highly sought after by Centralis University. The Azure Lake Secret Realm was a true treasure trove, rich in Water-type energy and life energy. It was perfect for training Water and Grass-type Pokémon.
"And then?" Basalt's heart was racing. He knew the focus of the story was coming.
"Milotic goes out to sea alone every year. I don't know where it goes or what it does. But this time, it was ambushed by a mysterious person who tried to capture it. Milotic used everything it had to escape, but it was severely injured and its core life force was damaged."
Sylvie's eyes filled with worry. "With Milotic's strength and recovery, external injuries aren't a concern. But core damage is serious. It either needs years of slow recovery or some kind of heavenly treasure. But Milotic has an important mission to complete and can't wait that long."
"So... Milotic needs the Fountain of Life water to restore its life force?" Basalt raised an eyebrow.
"Exactly!" Sylvie nodded honestly. "I found out from the Deerling that you might have the Fountain of Life water, so I came to ask for your help."
"But Milotic won't take your Fountain water for free. In exchange, Milotic can offer you a superior-grade Mystic Water, and it will allow your Marshtomp to enter the Azure Lake Secret Realm to train."
"A superior-grade Mystic Water?"
Basalt was stunned. That was worth over a hundred million Pokédollars. His only superior-grade item was Cradily's "Miracle Seed," which he had acquired from the Life Energy Bureau.
But compared to ten milliliters of Fountain of Life water, the Mystic Water was still less valuable. The Fountain water was measured by the drop! Ten milliliters... that was dozens of drops.
However, considering the second condition, Basalt thought it wasn't a bad deal. The Azure Lake Secret Realm was a natural treasure. Since Marshtomp's boost wasn't huge, layering another "cheat" on top of it was a good idea. Plus, if he helped Milotic, he could enter the secret realm and form a connection with a powerful Pokémon. Milotic was at least on the same level as Mega Venusaur. A true big shot.
"Basalt, is that acceptable?" Sylvie's large eyes stared at him hopefully, filled with anxiety that he might refuse.
"Well... alright then!" Basalt conceded "reluctantly."
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