Steven ended the battle with a frustrated look in his eyes. In truth, the outcome couldn't really be blamed on his command.
After all, Anorith was appearing in the world for the first time.
There was absolutely no previous battle experience to draw upon. Even the way it used its moves was something completely unfamiliar.
None of its data had been properly tested yet.
As the saying goes, know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle.
But right now, Steven barely even understood his own Pokémon.
"Silas, let's have another battle once my Anorith evolves!" Steven said unwillingly, clearly dissatisfied with the result.
Silas knew he had won somewhat unfairly. He rubbed his nose awkwardly.
"Sure. I'm traveling with the goal of competing in the next Hoenn League Ever Grande Conference. If you're interested, we can have a proper battle there."
Steven paused while tending to Anorith's injuries.
"The next Ever Grande Conference… interesting."
Meanwhile, Silas was applying medicine to the scratches on Sandile's back scales, completely unaware that his casual remark had planted the seed of competition in Steven's mind.
....
After giving their Pokémon basic treatment, the two handed their Poké Balls to the medical staff who had arrived.
The Solans family naturally had professionals trained for this work. These medical staff had all graduated from Joy Medical Academy branch campuses.
After all, only members of the Joy family themselves could enroll in the academy's main campus.
Once again, Silas felt the immense influence of these ancient families.
Every aspect of their lives reflected centuries of accumulated power and tradition. Through marriage alliances and internal systems, they had monopolized countless opportunities for advancement.
No wonder they were known as millennium-old noble families.
...
"Wow~ Brother Silas, you were amazing!"
Selene ran over excitedly from where she had been watching the battle.
Her eyes sparkled with admiration.
Steven noticed his cousin's gaze immediately.
Her eyes were practically shining like stars as she looked at Silas.
Steven sighed inwardly.
Looks like my cousin has reached that age…
Meeting a gentle and talented young man like Silas during her first stirrings of romance ,it was only natural she would develop feelings.
Unfortunately, the Solans family probably wouldn't agree to something like that.
Still… maybe I can help Silas out a little.
Steven had already developed a favorable impression of Silas.
After their previous encounter, he had even asked his family to investigate some basic information about him.
The result was surprising.
Silas's story was practically the perfect example of a genius rising from nothing.
He was born into the direct lineage of the Pokémon League, but his parents had died early, leaving him alone.
Later, he received support from Gym Leader Norman and the Joy family, and had displayed extraordinary talent as a Pokémon Breeder.
....
While chatting with Selene and Steven, Silas could clearly feel the friendship between himself and Steven rapidly deepening.
Perhaps that was just how men bonded.
Sometimes a single Pokémon battle was enough to turn strangers into friends.
...
As evening arrived, the sun slowly sank toward the horizon.
"Hm… Chikorita, I wonder if you'll like this kind of Poke block Cube."
Selene took out a Grass-type poke block Cube and fed it to her newly obtained Chikorita.
Everyone released their Pokémon onto the lawn and began preparing food for them.
Silas also released all five of his Pokémon.
The moment they appeared, Steven and Selene were immediately drawn to two of them:
Crawdaunt and Sharpedo.
"My goodness! Brother Silas, the star on your Crawdaunt's forehead is huge!"
It was Selene's first time seeing Silas's Crawdaunt.
The Chikorita in her arms even shrank back timidly.
Steven nodded quietly in agreement.
As expected of someone known as a genius breeder, Silas's Pokémon were raised extremely well.
Although they might not match the quality of Steven's Metang, they were still outstanding.
After all, Steven's Metang had been raised under a custom breeding program designed by several famous breeders, personally hired by his father.
Even the minerals and poke block Cubes it consumed were top-grade products.
Yet Crawdaunt was known for its violent temperament. But the Crawdaunt Silas had raised was surprisingly docile.
Its shell was also a deeper crimson color than usual.
Steven couldn't help but feel impressed.
Silas's breeding talent was truly remarkable.
....
Selene, on the other hand, didn't analyze things as deeply as Steven.
But even she could tell that Silas's Pokémon had been trained extremely well.
"Brother Silas, could you design a training plan and custom poke block Cubes for my Chikorita?"
Selene suddenly asked eagerly while holding the little Pokémon up.
In her mind, if Silas helped raise Chikorita too…
It would feel like they were raising something together.
Just thinking about it made her heart flutter with sweetness.
Silas had no idea what kind of fantasies the girl in front of him was imagining.
He hesitated.
"Well… although I'm a junior breeder, I've never accepted private commissions before whether it's breeding plans or custom Pokeblock Cubes."
Back when he was traveling, he rarely stayed in one place long enough to gather detailed data.
He also spent most of his time in the wild.
So even during his popular days in Rustboro City, he had never taken private orders.
"It's fine! Brother Silas, I trust you!"
Selene patted her chest confidently.
After thinking for a moment, Silas realized this might also be good practice for him.
"Alright. But I can only handle Pokémon below the Elite level. Anything beyond that is beyond my ability."
Even Silas's strongest Pokémon, Crawdaunt, hadn't yet reached Level 40 Elite class.
"Of course! Don't worry,I'll definitely pay the breeders costs."
Selene eagerly pushed the Chikorita into Silas's arms before he could change his mind.
Silas picked up the small Pokémon and began collecting data.
He pulled out a variety of instruments from his spatial backpack . measuring tools, scanners, and other strange equipment.
After a dazzling sequence of movements, a complete examination report was produced in less than half an hour.
"Looks like I'll have to stay up late tonight,"
Silas said with a smile.
"I'll show you a preliminary training plan tomorrow."
Designing a proper breeding program required precise data and repeated adjustments.
A quick check wasn't enough.
Anything less would be irresponsible to the client.
...
Selene looked up at the sky.
"It's getting dark. Cousin Steven, are you staying here tonight?"
Steven recalled his Pokémon and shook his head.
"No need. Uncle Sebas should be here soon."
"I've already obtained the fossil research data. It's time to return and report to the family."
Sure enough, a luxurious extended sports car soon drove up.
An elderly man stepped out.
Silas recognized him immediately.
It was the same old man he had encountered in the desert before,the one with the powerful Bastiodon.
The old man respectfully walked up to Steven and presented a delicate gift box with both hands.
"Young Master Steven," he said respectfully.
"These are the Dusk Stones you asked us to collect."
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(End of chapter)