"Thank you for your guidance, Gym Leader Roxanne."
After receiving the Stone Badge, Silas bowed slightly and expressed his gratitude.
Having toured the last section of the Trainer School, he finally left. The gym procedures and official battle record would be handled later.
Silas returned to the Pokémon Center, handing his two Pokémon to Nurse Joy one after another. His newly evolved Sharpedo in particular required careful treatment.
Ding-dong~
"Trainer Silas, your Pokémon have been fully healed. Please check them."
Nurse Joy's gentle voice matched her delicate hands as she returned the Poké Balls with a warm smile.
Silas thanked her politely before leaving the counter.
What he didn't notice was Nurse Joy's gaze lingering on him with faint curiosity.
Silas… is this the trainer Sister Lin from Petalburg City told me to watch out for?
She quietly recorded Silas's Pokémon data and transmitted it to the Joy family's database. It was a routine task -one she had done countless times before.
...
Back in his room, exhaustion caught up with him. Silas collapsed onto the bed, asleep within moments. Today's long day of visits and battling had drained every bit of his energy.
As night fell, the moonlight spilled gently through the window.
Suddenly, one of the Poké Balls at his waist trembled.
Pop!
A small Eevee jumped out, her ears twitching nervously as she scanned the unfamiliar room. The darkness made her uneasy. Without hesitation, she scrambled under Silas's blanket.
Her fluffy tail stuck out, trembling faintly. When a cool draft swept by, Eevee quickly tucked her tail inside as well. Finally, curled up warmly, she wriggled about until she finally found a comfortable spot and drifted to sleep.
.....
The next morning, Silas stirred and felt something soft in his arms. Opening his eyes, he froze.
"Eevee…?"
"Eevui~"
Eevee blinked sleepily at him, her wide eyes hazy with drowsiness.
"You can't just come out of your Poké Ball like that," Silas scolded softly. "You need to listen."
"Veee~…"
The little Eevee's ears drooped, tiny forepaws hanging in front of her chest, looking utterly pitiful.
"…Don't tell me… you don't like being in a Poké Ball?"
At those words, Eevee's ears shot up. She nodded vigorously, eyes shining.
Silas sighed, rubbing his forehead. He gave a whole speech about obedience and safety, but Eevee's eyes began to glisten with tears, her small body trembling as though on the verge of crying.
"Alright, alright… I give up. You can stay by my side from now on."
"Veeee~!"
Eevee bounced happily in victory, hopping circles around the floor.
Silas couldn't help but smile at the sight.
.....
Later that day, after lunch, he stopped by a shop to buy a batch of berries he had Pokéblocks to make.
"Today I'll try the recipe that improves coat shine and beauty. That's you… 'Smooth'."
The "Smooth Cube Pokéblock" was one of the beginner recipes he had inherited from Professor Mira's notes. It was particularly popular for performance-oriented Pokémon - especially those used in films, where fur sheen mattered a lot.
The ingredients were arranged neatly on the table: Shroomish spores, hairs shed from a Sawsbuck (Spring Form), and petals from a Roselia.
Silas released the Shroomish he had captured in Petalburg Forest. Unlike the others he'd already sold on the black market, this one had the Poison Heal ability and even carried the inherited move Drain Punch.
After a bit of "friendly persuasion," the Shroomish obediently released its spores.
Silas ground a blue berry into juice, added the ingredients one by one into the mixer, then poured the result into the pokeblock machine. The paste-like mixture was molded into neat cubes, sprinkled with a hint of spice, then roasted until complete.
"Haa… seventeenth success. Looks like these lifestyle-type Pokéblocks aren't too difficult."
The golden-violet Pokeblock glimmered in the sunlight. When Silas pinched one between his fingers, it felt warm and smooth.
He broke a piece and tasted it. A subtle sweetness spread across his tongue.
"Mm. Should have a faint bitterness to balance the sweet, but this one's missing both."
It wasn't perfect, but for his first try, it was good enough. With practice, his proficiency would grow.
By the afternoon's end, he had produced over twenty Pokéblocks -three full boxes, with one left over.
"Come here, Eevee."
"Eeveee~!"
Eevee perked up from where she was hiding in the corner. At the sight of the Pokeblock Silas held, she leapt gracefully, snatching the treat in mid-air.
"See? Don't pout anymore. I've been busy, but now I have time for you."
Eevee squeaked happily, curling into his arms as he stroked her soft fur.
"Vee~"
.....
As evening arrived, the streets outside began to glow with lanterns and neon. Office workers flooded the roads, shops flickered to life, and the town bustled with energy.
Silas smiled, scooping up Eevee.
"Come on, let's go for a walk. Evening scenery is worth seeing too."
They stepped out together. Eevee's wide, curious eyes darted everywhere, soaking in the lively world outside.
For the little fox Pokémon, it was hers first time exploring the streets.
Suddenly, a car roared past with a sharp gust of wind.
"Veeeee!"
Startled, Eevee yelped and scrambled behind Silas, clinging tightly to his pant leg.
"Hahaha. Don't be afraid, Eevee. Just don't run into the road."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, a boy and his Eevee strolled along the busy street their laughter trailing far into the evening air.
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(End of chapter)