After finishing with Diancie and Magearna, Cain called out two other Pokémon of his: Seadra and Vigoroth.
Both could evolve at any time, and only after doing so would they reach their true potential—only by completing that metamorphosis could they unleash their real strength.
Previously, Cain had either not had enough time to handle them properly or had considered that they weren't mature enough yet, so he decided to postpone it. But that "later" had stretched on for several months.
Now that he finally had some breathing room, he could give them the attention they deserved.
The first was Seadra.
As a key member of Cain's rain team, its evolution into Kingdra would be the turning point that completely transformed the group.
Only a Kingdra with the Swift Swim ability could allow the rain team to unleash its full power and become a true weather formation.
Although Cain's main battle style focused on his sandstorm team, with Tyranitar and Slowking as its cores, the truth was that Slowking actually fit even better as a secondary pillar in a rain team.
As Cain had reasoned before, Psychic-type Pokémon had that advantage—they could adapt as second or even third cores in almost any formation if given the right role.
That's why, once Seadra evolved, Cain's rain team could be considered complete.
Cain hadn't forgotten that he was also the Gym Leader of Leafy Town, specializing in Water types. Even if he had become the "Elite Four of the Sandstorm," he couldn't forget his original duty.
And if everyone knew that his specialty was the desert climate, surprising them with a rain team would be an unexpected trump card that could turn the tide of any battle.
So, Cain placed a Dragon Scale atop Seadra's head, activating the draconic power slumbering within it. Then, he poured an entire bottle of a specially prepared quality-enhancing potion into its mouth.
Immediately, Seadra's body was enveloped in a brilliant light of evolution, and under that mystical energy, it began to transform.
Beside it, Vigoroth watched impatiently, scratching his head in frustration; he nearly let himself get carried away and began evolving as well.
Fortunately, his will—tempered through years of discipline—managed to restrain him.
Even though he had reached level 61 since Cain caught him, Vigoroth's power hadn't increased much. However, his influence on the team had been enormous.
He had shared with all of Cain's Pokémon the techniques he himself had developed over years of training—movement control, energy flow management, physical precision—compensating for the weaknesses that arise when power grows faster than technical foundation.
That was why his presence was so important.
And precisely for that reason, today Cain would fulfill the promise he had made to him the day he captured him.
After several deep conversations with Norman, Cain had learned a lot about Vigoroth and his evolution, Slaking.
First, it had been confirmed that Slaking's Truant ability was an inherent trait that inevitably appeared after evolution. No known Slaking had ever managed to eliminate it completely.
That meant that keeping Vigoroth's tireless energy after evolving was nearly impossible.
But according to Norman, there was one way for a Slaking to unleash all its power when it needed it most: if it possessed a will strong enough, it could resist the urge to laze and maintain a state of maximum energy for a limited time after a long rest.
Cain explained all of this to Vigoroth in detail. Now, the decision was his.
"Here you go," Cain said, placing two items in front of him. "This is an Everstone. If you carry it, you can remain in your current form and keep training without evolving, no matter how much stronger you become."
"And this," he added, lifting a faintly glowing bottle, "is a specially formulated quality-enhancement potion made just for you. Its potency is over three times that of the ones I use on the others."
"If you choose to evolve, it will allow you to reach your absolute limit. According to my calculations—and the system's—your willpower is strong enough to withstand it."
Cain spoke seriously, setting both items before Vigoroth. No matter which he chose, Cain would support him and help him grow stronger.
And why was that potion three times as powerful?
Quality-enhancement potions worked by stimulating the Pokémon's hidden potential. Usually, Cain prepared standard doses—the maximum a Pokémon could endure without harm.
Even with his improvements, they still had side effects: after use, the Pokémon would be weakened for a time, the duration depending on the potion's potency and the user's willpower.
That was why Salamence, after using one such potion and evolving from Shelgon, had been able not only to Mega Evolve but also to carry Cain on long flights without tiring—his will was among the firmest in the team.
However, system analysis showed that Vigoroth's willpower surpassed Salamence's by at least threefold. Hence the new potion's proportion, calculated with a safety margin.
Moreover, it contained an enormous amount of pure energy materials that would cause his power after evolution to increase dramatically.
After so many years of stagnation, such a leap could only bring benefits. The only thing it would require was time—to master his new strength.
And if there was something he'd have plenty of as a Slaking... it would be time.
After hearing everything, Vigoroth hesitated for only a few seconds before deciding.
He grabbed the glowing bottle and drank it all in one go.
Cain smiled.
An Everstone and a potion of that level didn't even belong in the same world in terms of value.
Even if he pretended to be indifferent, deep down, he had hoped Vigoroth would make that choice.
"That's human nature," he thought. "One thing on your lips, another in your heart."
But that too... is part of being human.
(End of Chapter)