"Miss Clair, thank you so much for everything during this time."
Adrian hurried forward to express his gratitude to Clair.
The special training had progressed so quickly not only because Gyarados had a solid foundation and trained hard, but also thanks to Clair's meticulous guidance.
"No need to be polite! You taught my Magikarp the Bounce technique, and I taught your Gyarados the Dragon Dance Secret Technique. We each got what we needed—it's fair."
Clair waved her hand casually, then reminded him, "Gyarados just finished performing the Dragon Dance Secret Technique—let it rest for a bit!"
"Got it!"
Adrian nodded, quickly activating an energy cube and channeling it into Gyarados to nourish its body.
Next, he took out a dragon gem and stuffed it into Gyarados's mouth, rapidly replenishing the depleted Dragon-type energy in its body.
"Thanks to the support Wille provided, otherwise this special training might not have succeeded."
Watching Gyarados crunch the gem like a bean, Adrian sighed with emotion.
During these two weeks of high-intensity training, Gyarados had to swallow at least two dragon gems daily; otherwise it simply couldn't keep going.
Forcing training without item support would inevitably leave a pokémon's body drained, and the consequences would only be worse.
So many dragon gems cost at least seven figures, yet Adrian's card held only a few tens of thousands—he couldn't afford it.
Fortunately, the Dragon Master scion was footing the bill.
"Wille is such a great guy! If I ever get the chance, I have to repay him properly."
Adrian gazed into the distance at Wille; sensing the stare, Wille looked back to see Adrian smiling sweetly at him.
It gave Wille an involuntary shiver.
He'd been willing to supply resources because he'd assumed Adrian owned only that one Gyarados, so gem consumption wouldn't be high.
But he'd forgotten that Adrian's Gyarados was enormous, far larger than average.
The bigger the pokémon, the bigger the consumption; accordingly, the energy supplements needed soared.
In the end, this single Gyarados's dragon gem usage equaled the combined total of three of Wille's own pokémon.
Still, the Dragon Master heir cared about face: words once spoken couldn't be taken back.
No matter how much Adrian's Gyarados consumed, Wille could only grit his teeth and provide.
Only when night fell would Wille toss and turn, unable to sleep; the past few days had left him looking haggard.
Noon arrived.
Kabu brought rice balls, and the group sat around the lake to eat.
"Pii~"
Little Pichu, rice ball in hand, munched happily.
"Miss Clair, Wille, thank you for your care these days. Gyarados has more or less mastered the Dragon Dance Secret Technique. What remains is just the slow grind of refinement—short-term results Will be hard to see."
After polishing off a rice ball in a few bites, Adrian clapped his hands and said, "So I should be heading back."
Hearing this, delight spilled across Wille's face.
Clair tried to persuade him earnestly: "The Dragon Sanctuary is rich in Dragon-type energy—a perfect spot to train Dragon moves. Why not stay a few more days and let Gyarados consolidate the results?"
Wille stared at Adrian, afraid he'd give in to temptation and agree.
"No thanks! Counting this trip, I've been in the Johto region nearly a month. My channel fans are spamming me to update; if I don't show up soon, I bet they'll call the police."
Adrian, resolute, shook his head. "Besides, the Indigo Conference is only a few months away. I still need five badges, and I only have two pokémon. If I don't hurry, I'll be in trouble."
At this point Adrian couldn't help sighing.
This journey to Johto had yielded far more than expected.
The only regret was failing to obtain a Dratini or catch any new pokémon.
But such things can't be forced!
"Adrian's right—a man must put his career first. Sister Clair, don't hold him back."
Wille patted Adrian's shoulder in feigned reluctance. "Bro, I wish you instant success at the Indigo Conference. When it's over and you're free, come to Johto and we'll meet again."
Moved, Adrian nodded firmly. "Deal! I'll definitely bother you then!"
Wille's hand froze mid-pat.
Seeing Adrian's mind made up, Clair didn't press further, only warning, "Adrian, with your Gyarados's current physique it can safely boost with Dragon Dance at most twice. Beyond that the load on its body Will be huge—remember that!"
"Understood!"
Adrian nodded gravely.
Six Dragon Dances are simple in the games, but in reality it's almost impossible—the strain on a pokémon is too great.
Even Lance's ace Dragonite might not manage it.
Just then, an elderly man wearing a Rayquaza-patterned cap walked in from the Dragon's Den entrance—it was the Dragon Elder.
"Why is the Elder here?!"
Sharp-eyed Wille spotted the Dragon Elder first and felt a stir in his heart.
During this training, Wille's pokémon had progressed slower than Adrian's Gyarados, but they'd trained ten extra days; diligence compensating for speed meant two of his pokémon had also initially completed the Dragon Dance Secret Technique.
Such results were outstanding among the Dragon Master Family.
So seeing the Dragon Elder arrive for an inspection, he itched to show off.
The Dragon Elder was the supreme leader of the Dragon Master Family.
If he caught the Elder's eye, future benefits would be plentiful and family resources would tilt in his favor.
With that in mind, Wille turned to Adrian with mischievous intent. "Adrian, we've known each other so long but never battled. You're leaving—how about a match?"
"A match?"
Adrian raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
Before heading to the Whirl Islands, his pokémon had been noticeably weaker than Wille's.
But after making a fortune at the Whirl Islands, both his pokémon had leapt in power; they were now on a different level.
Especially with the boost from Sea Kings Authority, Gyarados's strength had soared—an increase no weaker than Mega
Evolution, yet with no bodily strain, able to maintain the form anywhere with water for long periods.
Faced with Wille again, victory was no longer certain for either side!
"Letting Gyarados go all-out against Wille's pokémon in the Dragon Sanctuary doesn't sound bad."
Adrian's heart burned as he thought, "Perfect chance to gauge my current strength clearly——"
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