After returning to the Pokémon Center, Silas slept soundly until dawn.
When he woke early in the next morning, he found that ₱500,000 Pokédollars had been transferred into his League account.
"The Eevee egg only has about 16 hours left until it hatches… I'd better not risk going out into the wild today."
Silas thought for a moment, then picked up his Pokédex and began browsing through the internal archives of Petalburg Gym. Much of the knowledge inside was brand-new to him.
"Tsk, tsk… I didn't expect Moyan Flower to have such applications. Wind Flower combined with Morning Dew can create a potion that attracts Flying-types…"
His eyes widened as he scrolled further.
"This… this is Dragon Dance training material!"
Silas eagerly flipped through the rare documents. The knowledge recorded here opened his eyes, as if he'd stepped into an entirely new world. He absorbed every word and diagram greedily, feeling the power and wisdom hidden within them.
Knowledge is power!
Time passed without him noticing, until sunlight streaming through the window reminded him it was already noon.
"…It seems accepting Norman's investment really was the right choice. If I'd been left to fumble on my own, I would never have gained access to knowledge monopolized by the League."
Among the materials, Silas found a detailed method for teaching Dragon Dance. Crawdaunt had inherited the move genetically, but had never been able to master it-something that had always weighed on him.
Now, finally, there was a chance to fix that!
"First, copy this instructional video…"
One method showed a Dragonite performing Dragon Dance step by step. Silas couldn't understand the Dragonite's words, but Crawdaunt certainly could.
He also discovered the need for a special potion to strengthen dragon bloodlines, requiring Axew scales, woobat's fur, and the blood of a Druddigon.
Just reading the recipe gave him a headache. Dragon-type materials were always among the most expensive of all.
Stretching, he left his room and decided to head downstairs. At the Pokémon Center's cafeteria, where he claimed his free trainer meal that came with trainer status and enjoyed the food.
As he ate, he overheard Nearby a pair of trainers who were chatting excitedly.
"Hey, did you hear? A new shop opened on the street nearby. Supposedly, they even have a Item Crafter!"
"Really? I don't know about that, but I heard they put a Mystic Water Drop up for sale this afternoon. Supposedly it boosts Water-type moves by over 20%!"
Silas's eyes lit up immediately.
Mystic Water!
If he hadn't read the Gym archives this morning, he wouldn't have understood the second term that came up in their chatter—
Item Crafters.
The so-called "Item Crafters" were a mysterious profession, rarer even than breeders. In modern times, most battle items were produced using minerals and machinery. This mass-production method was cheaper, faster, and reliable but limited. Only simple attribute-boosting items like Charcoal or Mystic Water could be made.
But in ancient days, Item Crafters used parts of Pokémon themselves to forge powerful tools. Items like Life Orbs, Toxic Orbs, or Quick Claws… those couldn't be replicated by machines, only by crafters.
Because the League strictly forbade trading in Pokémon remains, such artisans had become reclusive and scarce. Unlike breeders who formed communities, crafters were infamously solitary. Two breeders might meet and exchange formulas with mutual respect. But item Crafters? They would sooner fight to the death and steal each other's secrets.
Over generations, the craft had withered, passed down only through rare master-apprentice lineages.
Silas clenched his fist. 'A Mystic Water… perfect for Crawdaunt. With the funds I just received, I have to try to get it.'
The city was bustling thanks to the new Gym. The Pokémon Center was packed with trainers, and outside, new buildings rose one after another.
After lunch, Silas followed the navigation on his Pokédex to the newly opened Pokémon shop.
Inside, the crowd was thick. Dozens of trainers stood around a glass display case, staring at the shimmering blue droplet inside.
"Wow… a Mystic Water that boosts Water-type attacks by 20%… and it costs ₱1,000,000 Pokédollars! That's half the price of a starter Pokémon!"
Silas's mouth twitched. He had expected it to be expensive, but not that outrageous. No wonder no one was buying-it was a fortune for most trainers.
He quickly calculated. Even after purchasing it, he'd still have some funds left in reserve.
"…Damn it, I'll buy it!"
But when he approached the counter, the clerk shook his head with a stony face.
"Apologies, sir. The Mystic Water is for display only. Not for sale."
Silas froze, then cursed inwardly. Around him, other trainers muttered knowingly. Clearly, he wasn't the first to be refused.
"This is just a gimmick. They use a rare item as bait to lure customers, then sell ordinary supplies like berries and Pokéblocks on the side."
Sure enough, the surrounding shelves were stacked with common goods that were selling steadily.
Silas was about to give up when he remembered Norman's words from yesterday: "With your upgraded League authority, you'll receive privileges in many places."
Taking a chance, he showed the shop owner his updated trainer ID and League clearance through the Pokédex.
The change was immediate.
"Ah, honored customer! Of course we'll sell it to you. And with your clearance, I'll even give you a 10% discount."
The Mystic Water was carefully packed into a fine gift box and presented with both hands.
Silas accepted it, lips twitching as he thought of the clerk's dismissive tone only minutes earlier. The contrast was almost comical.
'…So this is the power of League authority? Just one level higher, and I'm treated completely differently.'
As he left the store, Silas couldn't help but reflect. The League's authority system resembled a rigid hierarchy of noble ranks from ancient times. Ordinary civilians were commoners. Direct-affiliate trainers like him were the aristocracy. And climbing higher meant privileges unimaginable to the masses.
"No wonder the Alliance doesn't care about the lives of commoners at the bottom. With such a rigid system, they'll never fear rebellion. No Organization can overthrowit…"
He sighed, shaking his head.
'It's an unfair world ', Silas thought, clutching the Mystic Water. 'But as long as I'm one of the winners… I won't complain.'
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(End of chapter)