"Arcanine!"
As the flames dissipated, Officer June anxiously rushed forward.
"How are you? Are you feeling any better?"
Feeling her trainer's concern, Arcanine raised its head and affectionately rubbed against Officer June.
At this moment, Grandpa John walked over and handed another calming agent to Officer June.
"Give it to him first."
June quickly took it and fed it to Arcanine.
Before long, Arcanine's aura gradually stabilized, and it fell into a deep sleep.
Officer June finally let out a sigh of relief, looking at Grandpa John with gratitude.
"Mr. Smith, thank you so much this time."
Grandpa John waved his hand, "Let's talk inside if there's anything."
"Okay." June recalled Arcanine and followed him into the villa.
...
In the living room, Grandma Mary brewed a pot of tea for everyone.
She asked, "June, what exactly is the situation with Arcanine's injury? If a Champion-level being had attacked you, you wouldn't have survived, would you?"
Officer June sighed, "Recently, two underground organizations suddenly emerged in the Hoenn region: one is Team Magma, and the other is Team Aqua."
Upon hearing these two names, Alex immediately understood; it turned out to be those two troublemakers, Maxie and Archie.
Then he heard June continue.
"We received intelligence some time ago that Team Magma's traces were found on Mt. Chimney."
"President Mitchell immediately ordered Senior Mula to lead a team to eliminate Team Magma."
"But unexpectedly, Team Magma's leader actually possessed a Champion-level Pokémon, as well as three high-level Fire-type Pokémon."
"My Arcanine was severely injured by the aftermath of the battle between Senior Mula and Team Magma's leader."
Alex's mouth twitched; so after all that, it was just from the aftermath.
"Team Magma..." Grandpa John pondered for a moment, confirming that he had never heard this name before. Presumably, it must be a recently risen force.
Grandma Mary said with concern, "Oh, June, you must be more careful when going on missions from now on. When encountering battles of this level, it's best to run as far as you can. This is not something you can get involved in yet."
June nodded slightly, "I understand, Grandma Mary."
Grandpa John instructed, "You'd best take Arcanine to Nurse Joy for a check-up. If there are no problems, don't let Arcanine battle again for half a month. If there are problems, come find me again."
Officer June immediately said, "I'll go now. I'll transfer the money to you later. Thank you, Mr. Smith."
After thanking Grandpa John, Officer June rushed out of Alex's house like a whirlwind.
Grandma Mary looked at the untouched tea and smiled helplessly.
"Indeed, it's the usual style of the Officer family."
Alex then finally spoke, "Grandpa, is Champion-level really that strong? Just the aftermath of a battle can make a high-level Arcanine like this, this..."
Grandpa John was silent for a while, then suddenly sighed.
"It's time to tell you some things now."
Alex immediately pricked up his ears, listening intently.
"Ordinary Pokémon, whether it's Grubbin, or the pseudo-legendary Garchomp. Their upper limit is actually high-level."
"Upon reaching that level, a Pokémon's physical fitness, as well as the intensity of its internal energy, have actually reached their limits."
"If they want to continue breaking through, they must break their own limits, and among these, perseverance, potential, and resources are all indispensable."
"But once they break through, then all of that Pokémon's stats will far exceed the high-level status."
"The gap between the two is like heaven and earth."
Grandpa John said regretfully, "My Sceptile, Salamence, and Venusaur. And your Grandma's Garchomp, they were all high-level long before you were born. So many years have passed, and they are still high-level."
Alex's eyes widened, "Doesn't that mean at least 16 years?"
Both elderly people nodded.
Grandpa John continued, "What they lack is not perseverance or resources, but potential. If there isn't some great opportunity, they will likely remain at this level for the rest of their lives."
"So that's how it is." Alex nodded thoughtfully.
Then he thought of Dratini; this guy doesn't need to be managed, its legendary aptitude is definitely the highest he has ever seen, and breaking through to Champion-level won't be difficult.
Swampert also has Champion-level talent, so Alex isn't worried either.
Although Togepi currently only has high-level potential, it can evolve twice more, and with the help of potions and a top-grade Shiny Stone, it will likely directly reach Champion potential later on.
Alex isn't worried either.
But even after Florges drank the potential potion made by Grandpa when it evolved into Floette, and used a top-grade Shiny Stone to evolve, it still only has quasi-Champion aptitude. Just like Garchomp and the others.
And Leafeon is also quasi-Champion.
Will these two only be stuck at high-level in the future?
Thinking of this, Alex shook his head sharply; no matter what, he must find a way to improve their potential.
He would never allow any partner to fall behind. Either don't capture them, or if he does, he must be responsible to the very end.
This was Alex's attitude towards Pokémon.
Grandma Mary said with a chuckle, "When your Grandpa's Swampert was pregnant, your Grandpa worried so much. He used so many herbs just to let it give birth to your Swampert with such high potential. He just didn't want you to suffer in this regard."
"But unexpectedly, you actually found a Dratini whose potential is much higher than Swampert's."
Alex felt a warmth in his heart; in his previous life, he was just an orphan, and in this life, although he lost his parents early on. But under the care of his Grandpa and Grandma, he had everything others had, and even better.
This made him feel a happiness he had never experienced before.
This was probably what family was.
"Grandpa and Grandma, don't worry, I will definitely not let you down."
Alex solemnly promised.
The two elderly people exchanged glances, smiled, and said nothing more.
...