After Tyranitar came Slowking, who had risen normally to level 77.
From this, it could be clearly seen that although fortuitous opportunities granted extremely rapid increases in strength, long-term steady growth was in no way inferior. In fact, the main advantage of steady growth was its solidity, with no risk of affecting the Pokémon's foundations.
The three core Pokémon of Cain's Sandstorm Climate were already at the Advanced Elite Four level or Quasi–Champion, and in an outburst they could even allow one or two of them to break through to the Champion level. That was Cain's most powerful trump card, something no one else possessed.
Slowking, while training, also had to instruct Gardevoir.
Anyone who has taught others understands that using a technique and teaching it are two different levels. To teach something, one must understand that energy or ability at a much deeper level.
Therefore, while Slowking was teaching Gardevoir, it was also examining itself, reviewing and consolidating its own power.
For both of them, it was a process of mutual growth.
Now, Slowking fit much better into the Sandstorm Climate together with Tyranitar. In the battle against Steven, the synchronization of the "dual core" had not been perfect, which was why Drake and Juan had said that they had not yet mastered it. But after this period of adaptation, they had finally achieved a true dual core.
Even Gengar, which had previously been considered a false third core, could now be called a genuine triple core.
Next came Florges and Honchkrow, both reaching level 76.
Honchkrow advanced tremendously, rising directly from level 70 to 76. This was because nearly all of its attention could be focused solely on increasing its strength.
But the greatest growth of Florges was not its level, but its quality. Its quality finally reached Light Purple-grade, thanks to Cain's arduous efforts.
Although it seemed like only a small advancement, to achieve that small step Cain had invested countless resources and effort.
When a Pokémon evolves, the use of quality-enhancing potions seems simple and effective, but that is because its physical form is changing and its internal structure is being reorganized.
In contrast, a Pokémon like Florges, with a completely stable form, was an entirely different matter.
Since its evolution, it had been consuming special Pokéblocks that slowly improved its aptitude. After Magearna joined the team, its influence further transformed its energy. Finally, with a final dose of a "strong stimulant," it achieved that advancement. The cost in resources, money, and Cain's exhaustion had been enormous.
Of course, it was not only Florges. Drapion and Weavile, both at level 75, also managed to raise their quality to Light Purple-grade thanks to Cain's full support.
Their maximum potential was now much greater.
Swampert, who also reached level 72, likewise managed to raise its quality to Light Purple-grade. Along with it, Politoed—the core of the rain team—had also increased its quality and reached level 72.
Both of them, together with Kingdra, constantly trained as a unit of the rain team. That was the best way to maximize their strength. Now, with the Initial Elite Four level, Swampert and Politoed could fully unleash the entire potential of the rain team.
Besides them, Blaziken and Aggron also rose to level 75.
As they were Pokémon that Cain had used for a long time in combination with the Sandstorm Climate, their rapid growth was no surprise. Their potential and the resources invested in them were no less than those of other Pokémon, especially as Pokémon with high potential and high resource conversion.
Aggron, which had eaten diamonds alongside Tyranitar for a long time, now displayed astonishing physical toughness.
In terms of physical defense, Aggron was definitely the strongest among all of Cain's Pokémon. Its metal armor was so resilient that even Tyranitar's frontal attacks could not break it quickly.
If its Mega Evolution was also considered, Aggron was practically a walking fortress. Neither Tyranitar, nor Blaziken, nor even Slaking could break its defense even when attacking with all their power.
Aggron had already understood this: its greatest advantage was defense. That was why it decided to push it to the extreme before worrying about increasing its offense.
Blaziken, which shared the same level with it, was Lucario's mentor and Slaking's favorite rival. The reason for its growth was similar to that of Slowking.
However, for Fighting-type Pokémon like Blaziken, strength does not depend solely on level.
Technique is also extremely important!
Slaking required constant periods of practice. It grew stronger each time, and Blaziken had to push itself relentlessly to improve.
In addition to the main Pokémon, Cain's other Pokémon also made notable progress.
Among those that reached the Elite level were Salamence and Kingdra, both reaching level 63. But Gardevoir recently surpassed them, reaching level 65.
Even Diancie and Magearna had reached level 65. This showed just how great the impact of this stabilization period had been.
However, if one were to speak of the greatest change, it was undoubtedly Lucario, Venusaur, and the two Altaria.
All of them completed their final evolution, rapidly increased their strength, and now had a solid combat foundation. Very soon, they would be able to catch up with the rest of the team and cooperate with them in high-level battles.
Lucario reached level 53 and its quality advanced to Dark Purple-grade; Venusaur reached level 52 and, thanks to the activation of its Shiny trait, its quality also reached Dark Purple-grade; while the two Altaria reached level 55, and their quality advanced to Purple-grade!
These four youngsters underwent a tremendous transformation, entirely tied to Cain's overall efforts.
There was no longer any Pokémon too weak to appear in battle.
And in addition to them, two other Pokémon also deserved special mention: Mismagius, at level 72, and Slaking, at level 73.
Mismagius, the central piece that allowed Cain to expand his influence to such an extent, was finally reaching an appropriate growth pace.
As for Slaking, although it was only level 73, when it unleashed its strength completely it was not inferior to any Advanced Elite Four–level Pokémon. The longer it spent accumulating energy, the more destructive its power became when released.
These were the changes in Cain's strength over this half year. Without a doubt, enormous.
(End of chapter)