Early the next morning.
Inside Himeko's villa.
In the living room, the morning news was playing on TV.
"Last night, an explosion occurred in the city's villa district. No one inside the villa survived. The City Defense Forces' person in charge stated that the incident may be related to an evil organization."
"Unrest among the Pokémon in Dragon Valley in the northern part of the League has intensified. The Military has already dispatched Trainers to support and resolve the situation."
"This year's Pokémon Conference has concluded. Trainer Ms. Isobe Himeko displayed astonishing strength and crushed her way to the championship!"
After that news segment ended, the TV began replaying highlight footage from Himeko's championship match.
Lopunny and Kirlia's nimble, graceful figures appeared on the screen.
Only Shiko did not.
Because right after yesterday's match ended, Shiko's special evolved form was reported immediately, and it drew the attention of the League's upper echelon.
After they finished watching the battle recordings, they made the decision on the spot—without the slightest hesitation—to seal away all related material.
On one hand, it was to protect Shiko's safety.
After all, if that video leaked out, it would instantly attract the attention of those evil organizations.
If they could successfully figure out a method to make Charmeleon evolve into such a terrifyingly powerful form…
Then for those evil organizations, it would unquestionably be an enormous piece of good news.
Their strength would surge in a short period of time.
Maybe they really could pry at the current situation of the Great Axia Alliance.
And besides evil organizations…
The other major alliances would naturally also become interested in Shiko.
When that happened, they might use underhanded methods—steal, snatch, forcibly abduct Shiko for investigation.
And then things would be hard to handle.
So, after weighing these reasons, the upper echelon resolutely decided to lock down and destroy all image and video materials.
Even the citizens of Wintergreen City were issued instructions not to leak any secrets.
As for Shiko himself…
At this moment, he was sprawled in the villa's garden, lazily basking in the sun.
This main quest evolution task had, once again, brought him quite a few rewards.
Four hundred experience points.
It directly boosted him from Elite-tier to Level 40—the early stage of Gym-level.
In addition…
There were thirty extra points of base stats as a bonus.
Ten points went to Attack.
Ten points went to Special Attack.
And ten points were placed into Speed.
After the allocation was complete…
His total base stats rose from 600 to 630.
He had already surpassed the base stats of an ordinary pseudo-legendary Pokémon.
His talent also jumped up another notch.
From Sect Leader-level, it was pushed up to Master-level.
And his evolution's level cap…
Rose from 90 at Sect Leader-level to 100!
Level 100.
In games, that was already the ultimate limit of growth.
But in the real Pokémon World…
That was merely the growth limit for Pokémon below Legendary Pokémon.
Those revered as Legendary Pokémon—
Each and every one of them…
Was an existence above Level 100.
They mastered laws and authority.
They were the true gods in the hearts of humans and all Pokémon.
Besides those two rewards…
There were also three type-boosting gems.
A Fire Gem.
A Steel Gem.
And a Dragon Gem.
They were all exactly what Shiko wanted.
After absorbing them all…
The three kinds of law power within his body rose by another 0.1%.
Unlike the tiny numerical increase shown in data—
After absorbing these gems, Shiko could clearly feel the three-type energy being nurtured inside him…
Had become far stronger and more vigorous.
It made him unable to stop himself from longing for the future.
When the time came…
When he truly grasped a full 50% law power…
What kind of terrifying existence would he become!?
He even had a somewhat crazy idea.
Even though…
WarGreymon's evolution requirement…
Was simply 50% Steel law power and 50% Dragon law power.
But what if he maxed both of those laws out—raising them all the way to 300%—and only then evolved?
And even more outrageous—
What if he also raised the Fire law power within him to 100%?
How strong would the WarGreymon that evolved successfully be then!?
Just thinking about it…
Made Shiko feel excited.
On the long dining table in the living room…
A large group of people were seated in a circle.
Among them, the only familiar face was Aisa.
As for the others…
They were all dressed in suits, looking refined and gentle.
On their chests…
They wore the badges that represented their identity and background—emblems of Pokémon universities.
These people…
Were the presidents of various Pokémon universities in the Great Axia Alliance.
After rushing here overnight…
They wasted no time gathering together…
To recruit Himeko into their schools.
"Himeko-san, our First Pokémon University can provide you with the highest-spec treatment."
"A standalone villa dormitory, and all your Pokémon's daily Pokéblocks fully covered."
"In addition, materials and items worth ten million per month, plus a one-time annual scholarship of fifty million."
"From the Pokémon in our Pokémon Breeding Center, you may freely choose whichever you like."
"Finally, we will also hire an Elite Four-level Trainer to be your teacher—one-on-one guidance—so you can rapidly improve."
The president of First Pokémon University stood up as he spoke.
As soon as his words fell…
The other presidents immediately followed, one after another.
The conditions they offered were similar.
The only differences…
Were the monthly value of materials and items…
And the scholarship amounts.
The more lavish ones—
For example, Imperial Capital Pokémon University—
Offered materials and items worth twenty million per month…
And a one-time annual scholarship of eighty million.
It was an exaggerated number that made people gape.
However…
After listening to the benefits those presidents offered…
Himeko's expression remained calm.
In the end, her gaze settled on Aisa.
She wanted to hear what conditions this Elite Four-level Trainer…
Would offer.
"Food, lodging, and treatment are the same as theirs—villa, Pokéblocks fully covered."
"I also have Elite Four-level guidance—personally. I will guide you myself."
"Additionally, the Military will help you find several scientists and Pokémon Breeders, specifically responsible for assisting you in training and raising your Pokémon."
"But the Military can't give you scholarships as high as theirs, nor monthly materials and items at such huge values."
"At most, we can give you eight million a month in subsidies."
When Aisa reached this point…
She seemed afraid Himeko would think the Military was too stingy, so she added another line.
"My own monthly subsidy is about the same as yours—only three million."
"The Military isn't stingy. These are rules that have existed for a long time."
"We don't raise idle people, and we don't need useless people."
Aisa glanced at Himeko.
After seeing Himeko give a slight nod…
And noticing there was no displeasure on her face…
Only then did Aisa relax a little.
"In the Military, there's only one way to make money—take on more missions."
"The bonuses and rewards are very generous. With your strength, what you earn definitely won't be less than what these presidents are offering."
"Besides that, all supplies the Military obtains through exploration will be sold to our members first, at a low price."
"Just the cost price—usually only one-tenth of the market price."
One-tenth!?
Even Himeko was startled.
Seriously?
One-tenth!?
But after thinking about it…
She could understand.
After all, the Great Axia Alliance's Military was an extremely massive organization.
They monopolized most of the item trade on the market.
Without profits that high to sustain it…
It would be impossible to support such a huge department.
Himeko nodded.
Frowning slightly…
She began to think.
Weighing both sides comprehensively…
The conditions on Aisa's side were indeed more attractive.
The difference was—
On the Pokémon university side…
Everything was given unconditionally.
On the Military side…
Everything depended on earning it with your own strength.
But honestly speaking…
That one-tenth cost price…
Was far too tempting.
"Shiko, what do you think?"
After thinking for a while, Himeko still decided to ask for Shiko's opinion.
"Military."
Shiko answered without any hesitation.
He was aiming straight for type-boosting gems.
Those things were monopolized by the Military.
And Military members could buy them for only one-tenth of the cost price.
Under those conditions…
The benefits promised by the Pokémon universities could be completely ignored.
"I'll go with what you say!"
After getting Shiko's answer…
Himeko also made up her mind.
She lifted her head.
In an instant, everyone's eyes turned toward her in unison, waiting for her final decision.
(End of Chapter)
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