On their way to the Pokémon egg supplier's main store, Auron glanced curiously at his father.
"Dad, if it's so important to have multiple Pokémon for the top schools, why do teachers, relatives, friends, and even people online always say you should focus only on training one before the exams?"
Ashen smiled knowingly. "People who know about this won't openly share it. The only reason I'm telling you now is because I saw how well you battled this morning—I think you've got a real chance at getting into Skyspire."
He continued, "The reason it isn't shared online is because if someone tries training two Pokémon at once and ends up failing, that'd just ruin their future. So, for the top ten universities, everyone quietly agrees not to broadcast it. Of course, there's some self-interest too—they'll privately advise their own family or friends. If no one tells you, you'd end up just like I did back in my day."
"Of course," Ashen rubbed Auron's head gently, "even if someone tells you, you still have to consider carefully whether you really can raise two Pokémon effectively before the exams."
Ashen paused and then added warmly, "But seeing that you already developed your own improved energy cube recipes—something many professional Breeders can't even manage—I believe you can handle training two Pokémon at once. That's why I decided to bring you along to choose your second partner."
"Oh, I see now," Auron mused aloud. "So, top universities use battles as a way of distributing rare resources?"
"Exactly," Ashen confirmed. "Even some companies and stores run Pokémon battles for advertising, offering varying prizes. Didn't you love watching those when you were younger?"
Auron laughed. "So that's why I'm pretty good at commanding Pokémon—I've been studying these battles my whole life."
"Haha, you cheeky brat."
Their conversation ended with laughter as they reached the entrance of the main Pokémon egg supplier. Looking up at the sign that read "Love Pokémon Store," Auron sighed admiringly.
"If Mom could ever open a Pokémon store this big, she'd probably explode with happiness."
Ashen chuckled softly. "You're right. Looks like Dad's gotta work harder then."
Laughing, the two entered the store. Ashen approached the receptionist at the front counter.
"We spoke to your manager earlier about coming to look at Pokémon eggs this afternoon."
"Certainly! Right this way, please. The manager is already expecting you."
The receptionist guided them deeper into the store, knocking gently at the manager's open door. Inside stood a man in a suit, giving instructions to workers carefully placing Pokémon eggs onto shelves. Hearing the knock, he turned around, eyes immediately lighting up when he saw Ashen.
A flattering smile appeared as he hurried over to shake Ashen's hand.
"Dr. Vale, your presence honors our humble store! You should've called ahead—I would've greeted you at the entrance myself!"
Ashen shook hands politely and smiled. "No need to trouble yourself. I heard you received a batch of high-quality eggs today, and my son here is preparing for his college entrance exams. We'd like to pick out a Pokémon with great potential."
"Oh, of course! These are the ones. We're almost finished unpacking. You can look through what's already been set up, though prices might—"
"Price isn't an issue," Ashen interjected calmly, "as long as we find the right Pokémon."
"Ah, Dr. Vale is indeed generous! Feel free to browse as you please," the manager praised enthusiastically, stepping aside.
Auron followed his father to the Pokémon eggs. There were fewer crates than at his mother's shop—only eight or nine, each with just five eggs.
The manager hurriedly explained, "High-quality Pokémon are rare even for our breeding farm. This batch represents all the high-quality offspring from the last half-year."
They nodded and began examining the eggs. As Auron looked at the first egg, the system automatically activated, displaying its information clearly in his mind.
Pokémon: Corsola
Gender: Male
Type: Water, Rock
Ability: Hustle (Boosts Attack but lowers accuracy)
Potential: Blue
Moves: Harden, Tackle
Egg Moves: Water Pulse, Confuse Ray
Auron glanced skeptically at the manager. Clearly, not everything he says can be trusted. Corsola can't evolve, and with that kind of potential, it'd make exams harder, not easier. Even offspring of strong Pokémon aren't guaranteed to inherit great potential.
He continued checking the next egg.
Pokémon: Shroomish
Gender: Male
Type: Grass
Ability: Poison Heal (Heals instead of harms when poisoned)
Potential: Purple
Moves: Absorb, Tackle
Egg Moves: Seed Bomb, Rest
"Hmm, not bad. A Poison Heal Breloom would be useful. Shortlisted."
Auron continued through the boxes. Among the first two crates, only Shroomish and Petilil seemed promising. Others either had poor long-term prospects or belonged to the Grass type—which was weak in early battles and evolved slowly.
In the third crate, one Pokémon caught his attention:
Pokémon: Skorupi
Gender: Female
Type: Poison, Bug
Ability: Sniper (Powers up critical hits)
Potential: Orange
Moves: Poison Sting, Leer
Egg Moves: Venoshock, Slash, Crunch, Toxic Spikes
This Skorupi's impressive. Great potential, powerful moveset, perfect ability, Auron thought excitedly.
Noticing his interest, the manager stepped closer. "This egg is from a Skorupi whose father is a Golisopod. There's a good chance it inherited the powerful move Slash."
Auron nodded. "I'll keep looking."
Unfortunately, he already had Zubat—a Poison-type—and wasn't sure about training multiple Pokémon of the same type so early. Still, Skorupi made the shortlist.
He finished browsing through all eight crates without finding a Pokémon he was truly set on. His shortlist now had five eggs:
Purple potential Shroomish (Poison Heal)
Orange potential Skorupi (Sniper)
Purple potential Sandile (Intimidate)
Blue potential Torchic
Purple potential Houndour (Flash Fire)
None felt like the perfect choice.
Seeing Auron's hesitation, the manager approached again.
"Young Mr. Vale, if you're not in a hurry, two more crates will arrive shortly. Perhaps you might prefer something from those?"
Auron looked at Ashen questioningly.
"It's your Pokémon—your decision," Ashen encouraged gently.
"Then I guess we'll wait a bit longer."
A few minutes later, staff brought in the final two crates.
In the first egg of the new crate:
Pokémon: Whismur
Gender: Female
Ability: Rattled (Boosts Speed when hit by Dark, Ghost, or Bug moves)
Potential: Purple
Moves: Astonish, Pound
Egg Moves: Rest, Snore, Extrasensory, Hammer Arm
Not bad, Auron thought, but Loudred's evolution ability isn't as useful as Whismur's. I'll pass.
Moving to the next egg, Auron's eyes suddenly widened in shock.
"This one! This is it!" he declared eagerly. "Dad, I've decided. This egg is calling out to me—I can feel it."
Ashen nodded without hesitation. "Manager, we'll take this egg."
"Certainly! Right this way, gentlemen—I'll get you checked out immediately."
(End of Chapter)
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