The most significant function of the Fire Crystal was its ability to increase a Fire-type Pokémon's elemental energy, making their Fire-type moves more powerful and their temperature more intense.
At the same time, it also had the ability to improve a Pokémon's potential. For any Pokémon below cyan qualification, consuming this crystal would instantly raise them to cyan aptitude.
Fire-type Pokémon gain the maximum benefit from this treasure, while other types can only enhance the power of their Fire-type moves.
The Fire Crystal was undoubtedly among the top three fire-related treasures in existence.
Julian had never expected to find such a rare item in the magma. Although he currently didn't have a Fire-type Pokémon, this discovery alone was enough to convince him to seek one in the future. Owning a treasure like this was too valuable an opportunity to pass up.
He couldn't help but compare the Magmortar clan to his own team. Their lack of talent was apparent, none even reaching the cyan aptitude level. They clearly didn't have the same drive and discipline as his Steelix.
Storing the Fire Crystal in his system space, Julian noticed something else. The Dowsing Machine showed another valuable item hidden beneath the magma, its signal initially concealed by the strong energy of the Fire Crystal.
"There's more down there. Keep diving," Julian instructed the tired Magmortar.
Magmortar was about to mention the Magmarizer, having already provided Julian with the treasure. However, Julian's firm order made it clear he wasn't done yet.
Magmortar: Might makes Right, sigh.
Shooting a resentful glance at Julian, Magmortar took the Dowsing Machine again and plunged into the lava.
After about ten minutes, it emerged once more, this time carrying a massive, dark red stone that radiated intense heat.
The stone weighed dozens of pounds and looked incredibly dense.
"Fire Ore," Julian murmured with a smile. "Aron will love this."
"Don't think you can fool me. There's plenty more down there. You and your subordinates are going to dig them all out for me, and once that's done, I'll give you this"
Julian promised, holding up a box of high-grade Fire-type energy cubes. To tempt them further, he gave one to Magmortar.
Magmortar quickly fell under the spell of the delicious energy cube and, with renewed vigor, led its Magmar underlings back into the lava, now working as Julian's miners.
Fire Ore was a valuable material in which most Fire Stones were formed.
While it was beneficial to the Magmortar clan, they didn't prioritize it since magma provided them with more significant benefits.
Had magma not been their primary resource, they might have been more reluctant to allow Julian to mine.
Each time a Magmar emerged, it carried a large chunk of Fire Ore, some weighing up to a hundred pounds.
In return, Julian rewarded them with basic energy cubes. Though these cubes were of lower quality, they were unlike anything the Magmar had ever tasted, making them eager to keep working.
The mining operation continued until nightfall, and by the end, the Magmar had hauled up an impressive seventy to eighty tons of Fire Ore.
With the Dowsing Machine now showing no further treasure, Julian concluded the digging session.
As promised, he handed over the high-grade energy cubes and a Magmarizer to Magmortar.
In return, the leader barked an order, and a heavily scarred, sturdy Magmar stepped forward, its eyes gleaming as it gazed at the Magmarizer in Magmortar's hands.
The younger Magmar clearly sensed that this item was very important. The other Magmar shared similar expressions of longing, but none dared speak up, restrained by the authority of their leader.
Magmortar, however, hesitated for a moment, unsure how to properly use the Magmarizer.
(T/N: for anyone asking how did he evolve than, well that's the thing he just knew this thing was related to his evolution somehow but didn't know how to use it properly.)
Julian noticed this and spoke up, "Just attach it to Magmar."
A bright white light enveloped the scarred Magmar, and it began to evolve. When the light faded, a powerful new Magmortar stood before them.
"Well done" Julian said, smiling slightly.
The Pokémon's aptitude had shifted from green to cyan with the evolution, marking a significant transformation in its potential, and this guy was already half way to cyan.
Normally evolution alone was not enough to make a breakthrough, but it was clear that this Magmar had accumulated enough strength over time, combined with a bit of luck, it broke through its previous limits.
The evolution had fundamentally transformed the newly evolved Magmortar, setting it on a potential path toward becoming an Elite-level Fire-type Pokémon.
Even though the new Magmortar's aptitude had turned Cyan, Julian didn't have any desire to catch it. It had its responsibilities here as the future leader of the Magmortar clan, especially given the looming threat from the Magcargo clan.
Besides, Julian preferred to raise his Pokémon from a young age, building deep bonds that allowed them to reach their full potential.
Steelix was just an exceptional case, as he himself came to Julian, who just decided to keep him.
The newly evolved Magmortar roared in excitement, feeling a surge of power.
Flames shot from its mouth, soaring into the sky, and the remaining Magmar, along with the older Magmortar, joined in, firing off celebratory blasts of fire.
The Volcano's night sky glowed a bright red, illuminated by their fiery display.
After the celebration, the leader Magmortar and the newly evolved Magmortar approached Julian, their expressions filled with gratitude.
"Don't thank me," Julian said, shaking his head. "You earned it."
In truth, he had only given them a box of high-quality fire energy cubes, a Magmarizer, and some basic energy cubes, all of which were insignificant compared to the rare treasures he had gained: the Fire Crystal and tons of valuable Fire Ore.
The Magmortar clan didn't realize just how much they had given away, but their gratitude still made Julian feel a little embarrassed.
'As long as the employees work hard enough, the boss will change his villa next year.'
In the end, it was a deal where hard work was rewarded, and Julian certainly didn't mind playing the role of a "black-hearted boss," as he put it.
He gave them a small incentive, and in return, they mined for him treasures beyond their understanding.
Bidding farewell to the Magmortar family, Julian decided it was time to leave the Volcano area.
He'd normally set up camp for the night, but with temperatures still soaring around 50 degrees Celsius, sleep was out of the question here.
"Let's head back to the Rock area and check it out," he said, mounting his Metagross.
Julian hadn't forgotten about the treasure he'd seen there earlier. Though someone had reached it first, he wanted to confirm whether it had been dug up or if it was still waiting for him.
With that, he and Metagross left the Volcano area, heading for the Rock zone.
*****
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