Five days had passed since we boarded the train.
The underground terrain, characterized by tunnels carved deep beneath the earth, was perpetually dark, with the world outside reduced to shadows and the occasional flash of bioluminescent moss as we journeyed toward Pallet Town.
The routine had settled into something almost comfortable. Mornings were spent with Gible—grooming, feeding, training exercises in the small cargo area Oak had converted into a makeshift practice space.
Afternoons were dedicated to discussions with Oak regarding the fundamentals of being a trainer, the intricacies of type matchups, and effective strategies for gym challenges.
Evenings, in contrast, were typically more serene, often spent engrossed in reading or observing the fading light outside the windows.
Elara maintained a largely solitary demeanor, engrossed in her research; however, I occasionally observed her studying Gible with a focused, analytical intensity, suggesting she was meticulously documenting every aspect of the Prism Transformation.
It was peaceful, in a way—a calm before the storm of what was waiting in Pallet Town.
I was sitting in my usual seat, Gible curled up beside me in a comfortable doze, when the system notification appeared.
[CONGRATULATIONS!]
The text blazed across my vision in silver letters, larger and more prominent than the usual notifications.
[GP THRESHOLD REACHED: 1,000]
I sat up straighter, careful not to disturb Gible. A threshold?
I'd never seen this before. The system had been straightforward until now—earn GP, spend GP on optimizations or transformations. But this was something new.
[REWARD AVAILABLE - CHOOSE ONE:]
[A. Information on the First Gym Leader]
[B. Information on Genetic Mutations]
[C. Information on a Rare Pokémon]
I meticulously evaluated the available options, considering the potential ramifications of each selection.
Information regarding the initial gym leader was anticipated to pertain to Brock, an assumption that appeared highly probable. However, the certainty of this remained unconfirmed.
Such knowledge would provide a strategic advantage in the impending confrontation, offering insights into his team composition, tactical approaches, and potential vulnerabilities that could be leveraged.
But no matter how hard I pressed Oak, he refused to give me any information on the Gym Leaders.
Information on genetic mutations. That was vaguer, but potentially more valuable in the long term.
Gaining insight into the mechanics of the Prism Transformation, investigating the potential for similar alterations in other Pokémon, and identifying the catalysts for these mutations would be pivotal to shaping my professional journey.
Information on a rare Pokémon. The most mysterious option.
Could this be a particular location? Or perhaps a method for capturing a specific Pokémon? Could it even be a clue regarding a legendary creature? The possibilities were endless and tantalizing.
I reached toward the interface, then hesitated.
'When do I have to choose?' I thought, directing the question at the system.
The response came immediately:
[Decision Deadline: 3 Days]
Seventy-two hours to decide which path to take. That was... generous, actually. The system wasn't forcing an immediate choice.
Before I could process that further, more text appeared:
[Additional Milestones:]
[5,000 GP]
[10,000 GP]
[25,000 GP]
[50,000 GP]
[75,000 GP]
[100,000 GP]
[Note: Higher thresholds unlock superior rewards. Accumulation must happen at one time. Spending GP will. keep you from your goal.]
This wasn't just a one-time bonus. This was a long-term progression system, a ladder of rewards that scaled with total GP held. The 1,000 threshold was just the beginning. Each milestone would offer something better, something more valuable.
And the system had said "held." Meaning I would have to save enough GP to choose between modifying my Pokémon or going for a milestone.
The strategic implications were staggering.
I dismissed the notification for now, filing the three options away for later consideration. Three days were enough time to carefully think through the choice, discuss it with Gible, and make an informed decision rather than an impulsive one.
But there was something else I could do right now.
I pulled up my current GP total:
[Current GP: 1,010]
One thousand and ten. More than enough for what I had in mind.
I looked down at Gible, still sleeping peacefully beside me. The little dragon had grown so much in three weeks. From a failed specimen deemed defective to a Level 7 powerhouse that had defeated three higher-level opponents simultaneously.
But there was still room for improvement.
He only had one perfect IV so far: Defense at 31, giving Gible exceptional durability. But I had five more options to choose from.
It was time to fix that.
"Gible," I said gently. "Wake up. We're going to do something important."
The little dragon stirred, his amber eyes blinking open. 'What's happening?'
"Time to get stronger," I said aloud, keeping my voice low so as not to wake Oak, who was dozing in his seat across the aisle. "Time for an upgrade."
Gible sat up immediately, fully alert. 'Another transformation? Like before?'
"Exactly like before. But this time, we're doing two."
I pulled up the Genetic Optimization interface and selected Speed as the target stat.
[GENETIC OPTIMIZATION: SPEED]
[Cost: 500 GP]
[Current IV: 0 → Target IV: 31]
[Warning: Process may cause temporary discomfort]
[Proceed?]
"This might hurt a little," I warned Gible. "But it'll be worth it. You'll be faster, more agile. Able to strike before opponents can react."
Gible's response sounded determined. 'Do it. I can handle it.'
I selected [YES].
A luminous silver emanation enveloped Gible, surpassing the ambient illumination within the train compartment.
The diminutive dragon's muscles tensed, rigid, as the system initiated a cellular-level genetic restructuring.
'Ah—' Gible's mental voice carried a note of pain. 'It hurts. Not terrible. Just... sharp. Like muscles getting pulled and stretched.'
I watched as the transformation took hold. The light pulsed in waves, each one seeming to reshape Gible's body in subtle ways.
The robust, heavily built structure began a subtle transformation, with a slight redistribution of mass.
Muscle fibers in the legs gained increased definition, optimizing them for explosive movement over sheer power. The caudal fin adjusted, streamlining its form to enhance balance during high-speed maneuvers.
This entire process took approximately 10 seconds, with the alterations observable in real time.