Every 5 Reviews - 1 bonus chapter
Every 100 Power stones - 1 bonus chapter
Karl and Eve were both half-Pokémon, half-human.
This rare nature didn't just let them share the same Psychic gifts as Lucia — speaking with Pokémon mind to mind, seeing through their eyes — it also let them channel Psychic power directly in battle. In every real sense, they were humanoid Pokémon.
When it came to raw potential, the two of them stood even higher than Lucia.
And yet deciding how to care for them properly remained a genuine problem. They had spent years shut away inside the laboratory, entirely cut off from the outside world, with no real grasp of everyday life or the simplest social customs.
Changing that would take a great deal of time.
"Are you two comfortable staying here?" Jacob asked, doing his best to soften his tone as he looked at them.
"Mm-hm." Karl and Eve gave small nods and answered quietly.
"Good. If there's ever anything you need, just tell me or Sylvia." Jacob said, watching them closely.
"Mm-hm." They still looked shy and uncertain, heads bowed as they murmured their reply.
Seeing how they were, Jacob didn't push any further. He simply smiled and said, "All right, you two rest here. Sylvia, let's go — we shouldn't keep bothering them."
"Mm-hm."
… … … …
Once the two of them had left the cave, Jacob turned to Sylvia. "Get them each a phone, and anything else that might help them understand more of the world. And try to take them out somewhere new every week, so they can experience life outside these walls."
"All right." Sylvia took his words to heart and nodded seriously. "Honestly, Karl and Eve are both very bright, and they work hard at everything — they're simply shy. And since you're rarely around them, I think that's part of why they're a little nervous of you too."
"You know how busy I've been." Jacob said with a helpless sigh. "And with the Pokémon Association keeping an eye on me these days, meeting all of you here at the laboratory is about all I can manage. I'll make more of an effort to spend time with them once things settle down. By the way — any word from Edwin or Whitney?"
"Whitney says security in the capital has tightened considerably, and it's hard for her to find a chance to meet with you privately these days."
"Edwin's end is going quite well, though. With Wynne and Som backing him fully, Team Rocket has taken control of the entire underground trade in Golden City. Last month's earnings alone were—"
Jacob nodded once he'd heard it all. "This is a delicate stretch of time for us. You're the only one who can safely reach them right now — I appreciate everything you're carrying. And make sure the construction crew Edwin arranged is standing by. Next time I'm in Golden City, I want our Gigantamax Corviknight and Gigantamax Lapras turned into an aerial stronghold and a sea stronghold, as fast as it can possibly be done."
"I'll remind him."
… … … …
With the various loose threads of Team Rocket and the laboratory finally tied off, Jacob could turn his full attention to preparing for the Level 3 Gym Leader League.
He had every confidence in his own strength, but he still meant to give it everything he had.
The moment he got home, Jacob submitted his entry to the Pokémon Association for the Level 3 Gym Leader League without delay.
Since he was already being watched by the Association regardless, he decided he might as well use the opportunity to enter the League — and make an impression while he was at it.
… … … …
Pokémon Association Headquarters
The staff member in charge of organizing the Level 3 Gym Leader League sat at his computer, quickly pulling up that day's stack of newly submitted applications.
"Jacob…"
"High School Cup Champion… eligible to bypass the Level N Gym Leader League entirely and enter straight into Level 3…"
"Wait — what?!" He murmured the name aloud, staring at the photo attached to the application. Something about it nagged at him.
"Jacob… High School Cup Champion…"
"WHAT?!"
He froze mid-thought, and then it hit him all at once.
Jacob?!
It was really him?! He'd actually gone and entered the professional Level 3 Gym Leader League?!
"Director! Director!" The staff member leapt out of his seat and sprinted toward Director Aaren's office, shouting the whole way.
"What's going on?" The office door swung open, and the stout, broad-shouldered Director Aaren stepped out.
"Director — Jacob signed up!" the staff member blurted, breathless with excitement.
At those words, every other head in the room turned to look.
"Jacob signed up?" The Director, far calmer than the rest, walked straight over to the man's desk to check for himself. "Let me see that."
"It's really him," the staff member said eagerly. "It says right there — High School Cup Champion."
Director Aaren leaned over the screen, studying the photo and the résumé attached to the application. Once he'd confirmed beyond doubt that it was indeed Jacob, a thoughtful look settled over his face, his brow furrowing deeply. After a long pause, he finally spoke. "When's the next Level 3 Gym Leader League after the New Year? Check it."
"The sixteenth of the first lunar month — a week from now," answered another staff member, the one who managed the schedule.
"Lock it in for that day." Director Aaren went on, "And the venue?"
"A standard Gym-level venue. Nothing especially large."
"Change it. Move it immediately to a Heavenly King-level venue — no, a Champion-level one. The Lie Kong Zuo Arena, up in the north of the city." Director Aaren waved a hand decisively. "That's the one that can hold the biggest crowd."
"Director… there's already an Elite-level Trainer exhibition match booked there that same day," the staff member said cautiously.
"Then move the venue, or move the match." Director Aaren didn't hesitate. "No need to rush the change through yet — wait until we've called Jacob and confirmed he's actually coming before you touch anything."
He paced the room with his hands clasped behind his back, brow still knit in thought. "Once his participation is confirmed, line up every one of our strongest Trainers from the Level 3 League for that day."
"Director… and if Jacob happens to lose?"
"Lose?" Director Aaren shot the man a look. "He's beaten Heavenly King-level Trainers before. You think our lineup is going to be the thing that stops him?"
"It's just — he's not allowed to Mega Evolve in these matches. So maybe—"
Director Aaren only shook his head. "Honestly, it might draw even bigger numbers if he loses. Either way works for us."
"Get word out to the press right away — let everyone know Jacob is entering the Level 3 Gym Leader League."
"Set ticket prices at the top tier."
"And get the television network on the line."
"Move — first priority is reaching Jacob, confirm which day works for him, and get him in for photos and a promotional segment."
"Go, go, go!"
"Handle this well, and everyone gets five tickets each."
… … … …
Buzz.
Jacob frowned at the unfamiliar number lighting up his phone screen.
"Hello, is this Mr. Jacob?"
"Speaking." Jacob answered.
"This is a representative from the Pokémon Association's Gym Leader Professional League. We've received your application for the Level 3 Gym Leader League." The voice on the other end was courteous, almost overly so.
"Oh — hello, hello." Jacob answered in kind.
"We've scheduled your Level 3 Gym Leader League match for next Saturday, at the Lie Kong Zuo Arena. Will you be available?"
"Saturday? Yes, that works for me." Jacob replied.
"Wonderful. Please be sure to arrive on time. One of our staff will be in touch shortly to arrange your photo session and promotional video."
"Oh… all right."