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Inside Wayne's room.
Wayne opened the Metagross breeding manual PDF that Steven had sent him.
The title page contained Steven's personal insights about the Metagross evolution line.
The Beldum family consists of Pokémon highly sensitive to magnetic fields. Training should emphasize magnetic field manipulation and control...
With a brain that functions like a supercomputer, Metagross excels in Double Battles and Multi Battles, capable of adapting to complex combat situations with remarkable efficiency.
Metagross demonstrates exceptional learning capabilities that surpass most other Pokémon species.
I recommend focusing on cultivating Metagross's independent battle judgment and self-learning abilities...
While Metagross possesses superior physical capabilities, in my humble opinion, trainers should still prioritize maintaining balance between its mental and physical attributes.
"'Humble opinion?' Mr. Steven is being way too modest," Wayne muttered with a slight smile.
Wayne agreed completely with Steven's assessment.
Even if a particular Metagross had slightly weaker special attack capabilities, trainers could compensate through strategic use of Tamato Berries or similar stat-enhancing items.
The second page displayed a comprehensive table of contents divided into sections: Diet and Nutrition, Abilities and Characteristics, Natural Habits, Move Training Priorities, Weakness Countermeasures, Battle Tactics...
Steven had even created different breeding plans tailored specifically for Metagross with different Abilities—Clear Body versus Light Metal.
The manual also included detailed information about Mega Metagross and the changes that occurred during Mega Evolution.
In short, this was an extraordinarily detailed and professional guide.
Some of the Steel-type breeding knowledge contained within would even prove applicable to training his Lucario.
If Steven ever publicly released this Metagross breeding manual, people would probably fight tooth and nail to get their hands on a copy.
After carefully reviewing the entire manual, Wayne clearly understood Steven's core breeding philosophy:
Let Metagross figure things out independently and develop its natural learning abilities.
Wayne only needed to provide timely guidance when Metagross made mistakes, or simply wait patiently for it to realize its errors on its own.
Wayne printed out the entire document, planning to give it to Metagross when he returned home that evening.
"Son, come help me in the kitchen!"
Dad called from downstairs, tapping on Wayne's door with his spatula.
"Coming!"
That evening.
After recalling all the Pokémon staying at the Breeding Center into their Poké Balls, the welcome banquet officially began.
Since quite a few people were attending, Wayne and Leon decided on a relatively simple hot pot dinner. A divided hot pot—half mild, half spicy—sat in the center of the round table.
Wayne had personally prepared both the clear broth base and the spicy broth base from scratch.
For the spicy side, Wayne had stir-fried an extra-spicy hot pot base that could probably melt steel.
Beef, lamb, and fish were all available in generous portions, along with an assortment of fresh vegetables.
Uncle and Aunt had also joined the celebration.
Leon chuckled warmly and announced, "There are no formal rules tonight—just eat, relax, and get to know each other!"
The employees, as if they'd planned it beforehand, brought drinks and began introducing themselves to Wayne one by one.
"Hello, Young Boss! My name is Kinsley."
Kinsley had an incredibly sweet smile. Her eyes curved like crescent moons when she grinned, instantly making people feel comfortable and welcome.
When Fumie first met Kinsley, she'd immediately decided to assign her as the front desk receptionist.
If Wayne could somehow check Kinsley's stats like a video game character, her Affinity rating would probably be at Master Level.
Looking at Kinsley's friendly face, it would be nearly impossible for customers to get angry or upset.
"Nice to meet you," Wayne said warmly.
Wayne clinked his glass against hers and took a sip of his drink.
"Big Brother Wayne! My name is Shion, and I'm here as an apprentice to learn Pokémon breeding!"
Shion wore her hair in twin pigtails. She looked quite young—probably only twelve or thirteen years old.
Wayne had a vague impression of her. He remembered seeing Claire working with her earlier.
"Make sure you learn well from Sister Claire," Wayne encouraged.
Claire was twenty-five years old this year, and Wayne usually addressed her respectfully as Sister Claire.
"I will!" Shion replied enthusiastically.
Shion bowed respectfully in response, but her twin pigtails swung forward and accidentally smacked Wayne right in the face.
"Ah! I'm so sorry!"
Realizing what had just happened, Shion's face immediately flushed bright red, the color spreading from her neck all the way to her earlobes.
"It's fine, don't worry about it," Wayne assured her with a light laugh.
The introductions to Wayne also served as an opportunity for new and veteran employees to get acquainted and build rapport with each other.
"Big Brother Wayne, I'm Alejandro. I'm responsible for berry field maintenance."
"If I'm not mistaken, you're actually older than me, aren't you?" Wayne asked with a friendly smile.
"Young Boss, my name is Remi, and I manage warehouse inventory."
The welcome banquet concluded smoothly and warmly.
After returning to his room, Wayne released Metagross from its Luxury Ball.
If Wayne's bedroom door hadn't been specially modified with reinforced hinges and an expanded frame, he'd have to keep repeating this releasing-and-recalling routine constantly.
Fortunately, Wayne's room was spacious enough that even Metagross and Arcanine sleeping together wouldn't cause space problems.
After all, Leon and his renovation team had specifically designed the house with Arcanine's size in mind.
Wayne placed the printed Metagross breeding manual on his desk.
"Can you read human text?" Wayne asked.
"Meta!" Metagross responded indignantly.
("Who exactly are you looking down on?!")
Lucario, serving as the qualified translator, even managed to convey Metagross's offended tone perfectly.
"This is your personal training manual. Study it yourself at your own pace," Wayne instructed.
Looking at the thick stack of papers, a large question mark practically appeared above Metagross's head.
"Lucario, you should also take a look. There are Steel-type move training methods in here that could benefit you too."
"Awoooo~!" Arcanine suddenly howled mournfully.
("What about me then?!")
Wayne scratched his head awkwardly. "Uh... I'll see if I can get something similar through connections. Just be patient for now."
As if suddenly remembering something important, Wayne snapped his fingers.
"Oh right! A breeding instructor is coming tomorrow for a visit. I'll ask her if she has any Fire-type training materials for you."
"Woof!!!" Arcanine barked excitedly.
("I'm counting on you!")
Wayne and the enthusiastically howling Arcanine didn't disturb Metagross any further.
At that moment, Metagross was completely absorbed in flipping through the breeding manual, though its reading speed was remarkably fast—almost superhuman.
Metagross's dark red pupils shimmered with an intelligent gleam.
"Meta! Meta!" it exclaimed occasionally.
("I see! So that's how it works! I've learned something valuable!")
Metagross now resembled an RPG protagonist who had just left the starting village, eagerly absorbing the wisdom and experience passed down by veteran warriors.
Watching Metagross with its extraordinarily strong self-learning capabilities, Wayne nodded in satisfaction.
During the daytime, Wayne had to manage the Breeding Center's daily operations, occasionally film educational videos, and in the evenings, he needed to continue studying advanced breeding knowledge...
He was so busy that he didn't even have time to play video games anymore.
The stronger Metagross's self-learning ability proved to be, the less Wayne needed to worry about micromanaging its training.
Maybe I should eventually let Metagross help me train other Pokémon in the future...
The next morning.
Morning training sessions were now completed independently by Lucario and the other Pokémon.
Wayne sat quietly beside the ornamental fish pond, which had warning tape pulled around its perimeter. He contemplated how to restore Feebas's shattered confidence.
If this rehabilitation task for Feebas had a difficulty rating, it would definitely qualify as Legendary-tier.
At the slightest rustle or sound, Feebas would immediately slip into the crevices between the rocks in the decorative rockery.
Through the ripples spreading across the water's surface, Wayne could tell that Feebas was trembling even now.
The biggest problem was that Feebas absolutely refused to communicate with anyone, leaving Wayne feeling completely at a loss.
Still, Wayne had no intention of giving up on the timid Pokémon.
"Do I really need to contact Yellow?" he wondered aloud.
If he could get in touch with Yellow, she might be able to read Feebas's memories using her special abilities.
That way, Wayne could properly diagnose the root cause and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
"Feebas, can we please talk? How about coming out to enjoy some sunshine?" Wayne called gently.
From deep within the rockery crevices, Feebas's eyes blinked as it cautiously observed Wayne.
Wayne reached into his bag and produced a bottle of Moomoo Milk.
"Is there anything you particularly like? Any favorite foods or treats?"
"Are you always hiding in the rockery crevices because you prefer darkness? Or does being in a narrow, enclosed space make you feel safer?"
"I promise I won't hurt you. Why don't you try coming out, even just for a moment?"
Wayne spoke like a patient friend trying to reach out to someone in need. He continued talking softly to Feebas, and before he realized it, time had passed quickly.
The clock showed nine o'clock already.
Just then, a distinguished visitor arrived at the Breeding Center.
It was Steven Stone himself.