Many people regret that after putting so much effort into training their starter Pokémon to a certain level, when they encounter higher-quality Pokémon, their starter no longer meets their expectations, and they have to abandon it.
That kind of wasted time can affect an entire lifetime.
Not everyone can, like Steven and Lance, start with a high-quality Pokémon and train it without worrying that it might fall behind in terms of abilities.
For this reason, those members of the League elite who start with a high-quality starter Pokémon are the ones who, in the long run, become more powerful.
In his past life, Cain also faced the situation where his Pokémon's quality didn't measure up, leading him to switch Pokémon frequently and lose the bond with them. When he faced truly strong enemies, those new Pokémon weren't willing to fight to the end for their trainer and ended up fleeing.
This was the reason Cain died so easily in his previous life.
Is the difference between an elite-level trainer and a quasi-elite level trainer that great?
Yes, it's big!
But so big that you don't even have a chance to escape?
No!
If one is willing to sacrifice some Pokémon to cover their retreat, escape is still possible, though with great losses.
But in his previous life, Cain had only one Pokémon willing to protect him: Murkrow. No others did.
In this life, Cain values the bond with his Pokémon even more than their quality.
Therefore, anything that can improve the quality of his Pokémon has an extremely high value, even if intermediate energy blocks don't have a very significant effect.
According to the system's calculations, intermediate energy blocks still have some effect on Pokémon with light green, green, and even dark green quality.
However, for Pokémon of light blue quality or higher, the effects are no longer as evident. In fact, for those with dark green quality, seeing tangible changes might take a long time.
High-quality energy blocks might be needed.
But even so, if someone found out that Cain possessed large quantities of these energy blocks, others wouldn't even need to make a move; Team Rocket would be the first to act.
It wouldn't be Team Rocket's high command, who probably wouldn't care, but rather the middle ranks, like captains or officers, who definitely wouldn't be able to resist the temptation.
However, Cain's expectations aren't that high. He just needs the improvement in his Pokémon's quality to more or less align with his own progress.
...
The plane is much faster than a boat. Cain spent the entire flight meditating with his eyes closed, and when he opened them, he had already arrived in Saffron City, a city that never sleeps.
Thanks to his meditation, Cain felt very well, so he didn't waste time in the city.
Sabrina, the Gym Leader of Saffron City, still gives Cain a certain sense of fear.
Sabrina is powerful and unpredictable. Cain doesn't know when he will reach a level where he no longer fears her or where he can resist her psychic abilities.
Cain shook his head in silence, knowing he still has a long way to go.
He took a taxi directly to the southern district of Saffron City.
Generally, flying on Pokémon within the city is not allowed. If you do, the police have the right to arrest you.
Of course, if you have enough power that they can't catch you, or they simply don't dare to, then you can fly freely.
Obviously, Cain doesn't have that power yet.
Two hours later, Cain arrived once again on the outskirts of Saffron City.
This was the third time he had come here.
The first time was for data from the Pokémon Day Care, the second to cross Diglett's Cave to Vermilion City, and now, on this third occasion, he's preparing to head to Challenge Island, where he will face his final trial.
In this place, there were no longer any restrictions on Pokémon, so Cain released Tropius and jumped onto his back.
Now that Cain and Tropius had been together for a while, Cain trusted Tropius to carry him in flight without needing Slowpoke for protection.
Once on Tropius's back, Cain took out a few Pokéblocks and gave them to Tropius.
From the way Tropius narrowed his eyes in satisfaction, it was clear he was happy. For him, flying a bit in exchange for delicious food wasn't a big deal.
As long as the sun was shining, his Chlorophyll ability kept working, and flying barely consumed any energy.
With a gentle flap, Tropius stirred up dust on the ground and began to rise slowly.
After gaining enough experience as a flying mount, Tropius could now fly very steadily, and Cain hardly felt any unbalanced movement while on his back.
Additionally, Tropius's back was quite broad, so Cain could even lie down comfortably if he wanted to.
Once they reached a certain height, Cain gently patted Tropius's back, and he immediately flapped a bit harder and soared forward.
Thanks to the Chlorophyll ability, his flight speed was quite good.
Although Tropius isn't especially fast in battle, this doesn't affect him when flying in a straight line to travel.
At least, his endurance is unquestionable. As long as there's sunlight, Tropius could fly all day without getting tired.
Following Cain's directions, Tropius flew swiftly toward Vermilion City.
In the air, Cain encountered several wild Pokémon, but they all avoided Tropius.
Even if they didn't recognize Tropius, Pokémon like Fearow or Pidgeotto could sense his imposing presence.
Although Tropius isn't a Dragon-type Pokémon, the presence of his dragon lineage is still unmistakable, just like Gyarados in the sea. In this sky, Tropius is like a sovereign.
Among a group of Pokémon whose average level is around ten or twenty, who would dare to challenge a level-forty Tropius?
So, with no obstacles, two hours later, Cain could already see Vermilion City.
Before entering the outskirts of the city, Cain had Tropius descend. After giving him some Pokéblocks, he returned him to his Pokéball.
He was about to go back under Team Rocket's watchful eye, so anything he could keep hidden, he would hide for now.
After all, it was Umbra who temporarily took him off Challenge Island, but in the end, he has to return.
Additionally, given the special nature of this final trial, it's certain that many people will be watching Cain, although not necessarily the high command. Probably, several captains already have their eye on him.
On Challenge Island, Cain had already proven himself superior to the others, and now, with Umbra's interest and his entry into the Shadow unit, some see him as a threat.
It's not that Cain is a direct threat to them, but to the subordinates they've sent.
This was the main reason Cain decided to go to the Hoenn region to train. Who knows how many eyes in the Kanto and Johto regions were watching him?
Umbra's name doesn't guarantee his safety one hundred percent, and although his life might not be at risk, his abilities could be exposed.
But in the Hoenn region, it's different. Team Rocket has not yet infiltrated there, so what Cain did in Hoenn isn't widely known.
In a way, he has managed to hide part of his power.
(End of chapter)
-------
Merry Christmas! May this season be full of joy, love, and fulfilled dreams.