In reality, an S-rank Water Stone contains an enormous amount of pure Water-type energy. It not only allows Eevee to successfully evolve into Vaporeon, but also significantly enhances Vaporeon's affinity with Water-type energy, strengthening its control and long-term growth potential. In contrast, a C-rank Water Stone can only barely trigger Eevee's evolution into Vaporeon and offers no additional benefits at all, while a D-rank Water Stone may even fail to induce evolution entirely, wasting the stone in the process.
This is the true meaning of item tiers in the real Pokémon world.
For example, the B-tier [Dragon Scale] that Xia Yu obtained was shed from a powerful Dragon-type Pokémon. Judging by its purity and energy density, it most likely came from an exceptionally strong Dragon-type such as a Dragonite, Salamence, or a similar high-ranking pseudo-legendary Pokémon. On the other hand, a D-tier Dragon Scale would more likely be shed by relatively weaker Dragon-type Pokémon such as Altaria, Druddigon, or others of similar strength.
Although the items share the same name, the difference in grade creates a vast gap in actual effectiveness. This was precisely why Xia Yu was extremely satisfied to obtain a B-grade [Dragon Scale] as his very first system reward.
Without any hesitation, Xia Yu took the [Dragon Scale] out of the system space and gently placed it on the little buzzing bat, hoping to accelerate its growth and push it toward evolving into a true Soundwave Dragon as soon as possible.
[Noibat]
Gender: Male
Type: Flying / Dragon
Potential: King Level
Ability: Telepathy
Moves: Gust, Moonlight, Tackle, Absorb, Supersonic, Haze
Newly hatched Noibat possessed six moves. None of them were especially powerful, but several were highly practical. Moonlight was an excellent recovery move, extremely rare among newly hatched Pokémon, while Supersonic was a notoriously annoying sound-based technique capable of inducing confusion.
While gently teasing Noibat and strengthening their bond, Xia Yu was also thinking seriously about making money.
Raising Pokémon was an extremely expensive endeavor. Xia Yu was about to enter his final year of high school and was already considered an adult by societal standards. Before owning Pokémon, he barely needed any money. But now that he had officially begun raising a Pokémon, expenses were piling up rapidly. Xia Yu knew very well that he couldn't rely on his parents forever.
In truth, Xia Yu had already thought of two viable paths to making money.
The first option was to rely on the system's ability to identify Pokémon potential. This method was extremely fast and profitable, but it came with serious risks. If anyone with malicious intentions discovered his ability, Xia Yu's life would be in real danger.
The second option was to start a legitimate business.
Among all possibilities, Xia Yu valued the stone and item collection trade the most. Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, Dynamax, and Terastallization all relied on auxiliary items to function.
At present, only one Z-Move had been officially revealed to the world, announced two years ago. Even so, a single Z-Crystal was already priced at over 100 million, and there was still no true public market for it. Whenever a Z-Crystal appeared on the black market, it was instantly snapped up. Even ordinary Gym Leader–level Trainers weren't qualified to compete—at the very least, one needed strength close to the Elite Four.
Z-Crystals alone were enough to drive Elite Four Trainers insane.
Xia Yu couldn't even imagine the shock that would shake the world once Mega Evolution, Dynamax, and Terastallization—technologies that hadn't yet been discovered—were revealed.
To Xia Yu, this wasn't just danger.
It was opportunity.
However, he also understood the risk. If he stockpiled too many Evolution Stones or Mega Stones and lacked the power or influence to protect them when Mega Evolution was announced, the Xia family would be dragged into a bottomless abyss.
"Compared to Mega Evolution and Dynamax, Terastallization is far more common and easier to accept," Xia Yu thought calmly. "It has a lower threshold and only requires Tera Orbs."
"The impact of announcing Terastallization will be much smaller. It's the safest choice to reveal first. After accumulating enough strength and wealth, I can move on to Dynamax, and finally Mega Evolution."
Xia Yu continued refining his plan. Beyond selling Tera Orbs, recharging Tera energy itself would also become a long-term profit channel.
Once a Pokémon uses Terastallization, the energy inside the Tera Orb is depleted and must be recharged before it can be used again. Selling the orb was a one-time deal, but charging it was a continuous business.
"Tera Orb…"
After thinking for a moment, Xia Yu opened his phone and searched for news related to Terastallized Pokémon.
"A crystal Onix has been discovered in Qiongzhou Province…"
"A Terastallized Eevee was spotted in Altamira Cave, with a diamond-shaped crystal on its forehead…"
"A crystal Gyarados discovered in Valencia has caused a massive tourism boom…"
Most reports pointed toward the Iberian Peninsula, while a small number appeared in Qiongzhou Province.
"I'll go there after the college entrance exam," Xia Yu decided.
He then posted an online message offering to purchase rare stones.
After finishing everything, Xia Yu played with Noibat for a while before opening his textbooks and studying seriously.
If he couldn't become the strongest Trainer, then becoming a Pokémon Professor was also a powerful path.
And so, Xia Yu set his goal—Xishu University, with Capital University and Shanghai University as his true targets.
Chapter 5 – First Victory
"Ding!"
At nine o'clock the next morning, Xia Yu was still playing with Noibat when the doorbell rang.
"Xia Yu! Open up!"
Wu Yaozu stood outside, sweating profusely.
"Old Wu?" Xia Yu laughed.
After barging inside, Wu Yaozu noticed the Noibat.
"That's… a Dragon-type?!"
"This is my Pokémon."
Wu Yaozu froze.
"What?!"
Moments later, they stood in the basement battle arena.
"Go, Charmander!"
Charmander appeared proudly.
Xia Yu released Noibat.
"Mission triggered: [First Victory]."
Xia Yu's eyes sharpened.
"Noibat, Tackle!"
Telepathy allowed Noibat to react instantly.
"Charmander, dodge!"
Charmander leapt back.
"Dragon Tail!"
"Fly up!"
Charmander's attack missed completely.
"Flamethrower!"
"Moonlight."
Light washed over Noibat.
"Supersonic!"
The sound waves struck true.
Charmander staggered in confusion.
Wu Yaozu clenched his fists.
"…I lost."
Xia Yu smiled slightly.
His first victory was complete.