🎆 Happy New Year! 🎆
Thank you all for the amazing support throughout this year. 💙To celebrate the arrival of the new year, here is a special New Year code:
🎁 Code:NewYear: F3B16
📅 Code validity:
Start: December 30, 2025 at 11:55 p.m.
End: January 2, 2026 at 11:00 p.m.
Enjoy it and let's start this new year strong. 🚀✨Here's to an amazing 2026! 🎉
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Cain was riding on his Flygon while flying toward Rustboro City.
Now, his Flygon was no longer able to keep up with his pace.
However, since there was no rush, it really didn't matter much.
Once his Shelgon evolved into Salamence, he would never again have to worry about the matter of a flying-type Pokémon.
...
Rustboro City.
Devon Corporation Building.
Inside Steven Stone's office.
At that moment, Steven's office had already been transformed by himself into a Pokémon training room.
As for the matters of the Devon Corporation, they had all been temporarily set aside.
The influence of the words Cain had told him before had taken effect. Steven sought out his father, spoke to him about his goals and thoughts, and his father agreed.
He allowed Steven to set aside all matters of the Devon Corporation for the time being to focus exclusively on training and raising Pokémon.
Having achieved first place in the Grand Sinnoh Tournament proved Steven's potential.
As a frequent assistant in League meetings, Joseph Stone knew very well the importance of strength.
Moreover, while he still remained vigorous, he saw no problem in letting Steven grow for a while longer.
The Stone family really needed someone who, through strength, could reach the summit.
Otherwise, others would always see the Stones first as a family of merchants, and only afterward consider their power as a clan, and finally, individual strength.
Steven was the person of his generation with the greatest chance of reaching the summit thanks to his own power.
Understanding everything that had happened and the reasons behind it, Cain couldn't help but sigh. In this life, Steven's growth speed was even greater; he would surely reach Champion level much earlier.
With the full support of the Stone family, it was uncertain what effects this would bring in the future.
The wings of the small butterfly called Cain were already forming a storm.
For example, even the mission he was about to take part in had something to do with him.
"Do you want something to drink?" Steven asked as he finished training with his Pokémon. With sweat on his body, he wiped himself with a towel.
That too he had learned from Cain.
If he wanted to increase the bond between Pokémon and trainer, training together gave very good results.
"A bit of whisky would be nice." Cain hesitated for an instant and then smiled as he replied.
Steven was surprised.
He had never seen Cain drink before.
"Whisky? Didn't you say you didn't drink? Besides, I think you're not even of legal drinking age, right?"
Although he said that, he still took a bottle of whisky from the refrigerator, added a few ice cubes, and poured a small glass for both of them.
The alcohol content wasn't high, drinking a little would have no consequences.
Steven was used to drinking just a bit; it made him feel more passionate when acting. He had even offered Cain some before, but he had refused. And now he was asking for it voluntarily?
Cain just smiled without saying anything.
Before, he had always abstained because he felt a constant pressure on his shoulders, forcing himself to keep his mind absolutely clear.
But now, with his strength increasing, his mindset had also changed.
"A little won't hurt." Cain took a light sip.
The taste was strong, but pleasant on the palate.
In his previous life, he had greatly enjoyed alcohol; it was his way of relieving pressure, to the point it became a habit.
But since his rebirth, he hadn't touched it again.
"I always told you: drinking isn't about the alcohol itself, but about the feeling. A small dose brings more passion to your work, but you mustn't overdo it. One glass a day is the limit." Steven commented with a smile.
That he had learned from his father.
He was a little older than Cain, so he already met the legal age to drink.
And since he only drank a little, no one questioned him.
Steven's level of self-control was very high.
Both sat on the sofa, drinking in silence.
No one interrupted that rare calm.
After a moment, Cain set his glass down.
"Did you also receive the mission this time?"
"Yes, I didn't expect it to arrive so soon." Steven replied with a smile.
After another silence, he added: "I didn't think Lance would move so fast. We also have to hurry. Everything that has happened in Hoenn during this time is also our opportunity..."
"That Lance... is about to challenge the Elite Four." A complex emotion flickered in Cain's eyes.
He had already considered that Lance would be fast and strove to grow as well, but he hadn't thought that even so that guy would get ahead of him.
Since they separated in Kalos, they hadn't spoken again.
Cain had gone to Ho-Oh's space, then to the Nebel Plateau, and afterward trained for three months in Mauville City.
In total, five or six months had passed.
And in that time, Lance's strength had changed drastically.
"Could it be that because of my words back then, Lance ended up letting go of his resentment toward the Drako family?" Cain felt a little uneasy.
It seemed he was influencing the future Champions of the regions too much.
In the original route, Lance should still be working as a Chief-level researcher in the Kanto region.
"But if Lance is going to challenge the Elite Four, what will we do? Just go witness it so we can envy him?" Steven asked with doubt.
Cain smiled wryly. "Isn't that so? Don't you know how our Hoenn region is right now? In turbulent times... I feel everything will become even more chaotic very soon."
After completely taking over Mauville City, Team Heaven had followed Cain's orders to establish an intelligence system.
They weren't seeking deep infiltration, but at least it allowed them to learn of major events in advance.
While the Hoenn League dealt with the Hunters Guild, Teams Magma and Aqua didn't sit idle; though they appeared withdrawn, in secret they made many moves.
In fact, several former members of the Guild ended up joining Teams Magma and Aqua.
Cain was convinced that those two groups would not remain quiet for long.
Steven curled his lips.
Even if they didn't go see, they already felt envious enough.
President Juan was unnecessary in all this.
"Will it be just the two of us going?" Steven asked.
Before Cain could answer, two figures appeared at the entrance.
"Cain! Steven! Here we are!"
One of them quickly ran toward them.
It was Phoebe.
At her side entered a flamboyant man in a white robe, carrying a harp in his arms: Wallace.
"You see, everyone has arrived." Cain said with a smile.
Phoebe ran up to them, and suddenly her nose twitched.
She looked at them in disbelief: "You two are drinking!? Cain, you're not even old enough to drink yet!"
Wallace also approached. "Looks like we caught you in the act."
Cain and Steven looked at each other and, without losing their smiles, spoke in unison: "Want some?"
Wallace was stunned for an instant.
Then he smiled and nodded: "Of course."
Phoebe froze, watching as Wallace joined the round.
In her mind, the image she had of the three completely collapsed.
(End of chapter)