"Dipplin?"
Lucas paused for a moment, studying Kieran carefully.
Perhaps feeling shy and timid, Kieran instinctively looked away, his face flushing red as he glanced elsewhere.
At that moment, Lucas suddenly understood.
So, according to the information Alder gave him, the student who brought a strange apple and an Applin to Blueberry Academy—leading to the discovery of Applin's new evolution—was actually Kieran, standing right before him?
Kieran, rarely having such a chance to show off, nodded gently. He took out a Poké Ball, cupping it in his hands, and softly called, "Come out, Dipplin."
The next moment, a beam of light from the Poké Ball hit the grass, slowly coalescing into the form of a Pokémon.
Compared to its Applin phase, Dipplin was indeed much larger.
From inside the apple, blade-like structures pointed skyward. Dipplin's eyes peered out from the side, and behind the apple, a large, syrup-dripping tail emerged. It looked rather amusing.
Unlike Lucas's own Applin, this Dipplin seemed braver, showing no strong reaction to its surroundings or to strangers.
As soon as Dipplin appeared, a special sweet scent filled the air—like honey, sweet and rich, instantly relaxing everyone.
Kieran introduced, "This is Dipplin's ability: Supersweet Syrup! It was first discovered with this Pokémon. The aroma can dazzle opponents, making them drop their guard and making Dipplin's attacks more likely to hit!"
"I see."
Lucas nodded, giving face even though he already knew this from Alder's notes.
He then took out two Poké Balls of his own, releasing Applin and Serperior.
"I'm looking for a chance to evolve my Applin too," Lucas explained briefly why he'd come to Apple Hill first.
Serperior, who intimidated Kieran a bit, was ignored for now. But when Kieran saw Lucas's Applin, his usually dull eyes immediately sparkled with surprise.
Oh my gosh!
He'd actually raised an Applin—just like his idol!
That's right.
Ever since Lucas's battle with Alder at Blueberry Academy, Kieran's secret object of admiration had shifted.
Originally, he had idolized the carefree Champion Alder, always wishing he could be strong and free like him. But after that public match, Lucas's overwhelming power and his Swampert became Kieran's new inspiration.
A weak, timid boy at the bottom of his class, Kieran desperately wanted to be as dazzling and strong as Lucas.
Lucas set Applin on the ground. Backed up by Serperior, Applin grew bold enough to approach Kieran's Dipplin.
Riding on a borrowed sense of bravado, Applin confidently greeted Dipplin.
Kieran's Dipplin, well-trained, showed no hostility towards Applin—just curiosity, as if looking into a mirror from the past.
Kieran's heart pounded. He opened his mouth, wanting to muster the courage to ask Lucas how to become stronger.
But just then—
Carmine, who had been silent, trotted over carrying a basket of shiny apples.
No one knew when she'd left.
"Mr. Lucas, I went and got some apples from someone I know. Would you like to try them?" Carmine lifted her fruit basket, her face full of hope.
With his sister's voice dominating, Kieran had no choice but to swallow his request, looking a little forlorn.
He vaguely sensed that his sister also wanted to attract Lucas's attention—and he couldn't compete with her.
Kieran picked up Dipplin and stepped back, giving Carmine space.
Lucas didn't miss this little scene. After a moment's thought, he accepted Carmine's offer.
"Thank you."
Lucas took three apples from the basket, giving one to Applin, one to Serperior, and keeping one for himself.
The apple was crisp, with the perfect balance of sweet and tart, bursting with juice—a truly delicious flavor.
Compared to the small slice Sean had given him before, these freshly picked Kitakami apples were undeniably tastier. Their worldwide reputation was well-deserved.
Carmine, hearing Lucas's praise, puffed up with pride.
Meanwhile, Kieran and Dipplin quietly shared an apple without saying a word.
Serperior tasted her apple with elegance, offering only a reserved, "Not bad."
Perhaps the unique local farming methods made these apples special, but to Serperior, nothing could compare to those grown on the farm—especially the ones matured by her own "adopted son."
Applin's reaction was more intriguing.
It darted into one of Carmine's apples at lightning speed, devouring the flesh. Carmine thought for sure Applin would choose this Kitakami apple as its new home.
After all, Kitakami apples are the best in the world.
But to Carmine's confusion, after burrowing through the apple and eating half its fill, Applin simply returned to its original apple—without even a moment's hesitation.
As if even Kitakami's apples couldn't compare to the one it already called home.
Even Kieran's eyes went wide in disbelief.
There was actually an Applin who refused to live in a Kitakami apple?
With questions swirling, Carmine led Lucas and Kieran to the center of Apple Hill.
Here stood a towering tree, likely taller than several buildings—a truly scientific marvel for an apple tree.
A huge group of Applin clung to its branches. While Applin could use more moves than Magikarp, their arsenal was still quite limited.
Most of their attacks weren't very powerful. Many hadn't even learned egg moves, so their battles relied on brute force—whoever was stronger got to stay on the tree.
As a result, it often "rained" defeated Applin, tumbling from the branches.
Luckily, the apple shells had toughened over time, so even from a high fall, the worst they'd suffer was dizziness.
Beside the tree, many residents of Mossui Town had gathered, applauding whenever an Applin climbed higher.
The arrival of Lucas and his companions drew attention. The townsfolk glanced briefly at Kieran and Carmine, but scrutinized Lucas for much longer—then turned back to watch the Applin scuffle.
Noticing this, Carmine whispered, "Sorry, Mr. Lucas. The townsfolk here are a little stubborn and xenophobic. That's why they stared at you—strangers draw attention."
"Xenophobic?" Lucas tilted his head.
Doesn't Mossui Town sell produce to outsiders? Don't they even run a tourism business? How could they be xenophobic?
What a contradiction.
Carmine nodded, lowering her voice, "But you're our guest, Mr. Lucas. As long as you don't do anything to provoke them, there won't be any problems."
"..."
Lucas was left speechless.
It's the modern era. How are people still so insular?
He didn't bother to ask what would "provoke" them. He'd only stay for a few days, so he focused on the Applin battle above.
As the number of Applin on the tree dwindled, the fastest climbers neared a particularly striking apple—much larger and greener than the others.
It looked half-unripe.
Carmine said nothing, but glanced at Kieran.
Kieran's eyes lit up as he quietly explained, "That's a Tart Apple. It lets Applin evolve into Flapple."
As soon as he finished, a dazzling light burst from high in the tree.
It was the light of evolution.
Everyone's attention shifted there. When the glow faded, a flying Pokémon appeared before their eyes.
It looked like a newly hatched reptile—not in an eggshell, but wrapped in apple skin.
Apple peels had fused into its wings and tail, and topped its head like a helmet.
One of Applin's evolution lines: Flapple!
Soon, another Applin touched a Sweet Apple.
Again, a flash of light—and a Pokémon that could be mistaken for a tortoise tumbled to the ground.
Most of its apple skin had fallen away, its body now plump and round.
Its back was covered with a woven, pie-like lace, and its "ears" were actually its eyes.
Another Applin evolution line: Appletun!
After a few more evolutions, the remaining Applin seemed to sense that the chance to evolve was over. They climbed down and returned to their "homes" on Apple Hill.
The townsfolk, faces beaming with satisfaction, dispersed, chatting among themselves.
But when passing Lucas, Carmine, and Kieran, they fell silent, only resuming conversation after walking away.
"Sorry, they don't want outsiders to know the secret of Mossui Town's apples..." Carmine apologized softly.
Lucas didn't mind. It was just Applin's ripening ability combined with other secrets. Even if they didn't say, he already knew.
He was more curious, "After watching for so long, why hasn't anyone evolved into Dipplin?"
At this, Carmine and Kieran fell silent.
After a while, Kieran finally whispered, "Because... they don't want Applin to evolve into Dipplin. Before the Applin gather, someone always picks the Syrupy Apple and destroys them."
"After evolving into Dipplin, they can't make the apples taste better anymore."
"Kieran, you..." Carmine sighed, not expecting Kieran to blurt out the town's secrets.
Lucas picked up Applin and calmly replied, "It's the ripening ability, right? I don't think that's much of a secret."
"My own Applin lives in a ripened apple, and its flavor is just as good as Kitakami's apples."
Both were stunned.
They never expected Lucas to know already. And he had a farm?
Wasn't he a teacher at Naranja Academy?
Kieran's heart fluttered with excitement. No wonder he admired Lucas—he was a teacher, a trainer, and a farmer, excelling in all three!
Carmine took a long time to accept this, sighing, "I only learned about this from my grandparents."
"This all started decades ago, after Mossui Town introduced Applin. The townsfolk discovered the secret and have kept doing this ever since."
"As for Kieran's Dipplin... you should tell Mr. Lucas yourself."
Carmine stepped back, nudging Kieran forward.
Kieran hugged Dipplin, whispering, "I guess I was just lucky. One day, while walking with Applin, I found a Syrupy Apple that had fallen from the tree. I took it back to Blueberry Academy as food for Applin."
"But after Applin ate the apple and crawled inside, it evolved. With the help of our teachers, we identified Dipplin as a third evolution line for Applin."
"Once there was a research direction, the teachers found more Syrupy Apple, bred more Dipplin, and even helped it evolve further... way beyond what I could do."
Lucas was silent for a long while after hearing Kieran's explanation.
He didn't know what to say.
Due to the selfishness of Mossui Town's residents, Dipplin's evolution line—which should have been discovered long ago—was hidden until Kieran accidentally brought it out into the open.
No wonder Carmine and Kieran seemed guilty while talking.
As some of the few students from Mossui Town to attend Blueberry Academy, they clearly knew this was wrong.
But they hadn't tried to stop it—only Lucas had discovered it.
Noticing it was nearly lunchtime, Lucas shook his head and gave them an out.
"We came a bit late today. Let's postpone Applin's evolution until tomorrow. For now, let's go back to Mr. Yukito's house for lunch."
He glanced at Applin and Serperior for their opinions.
Serperior didn't care, while Applin, having seen all three of its possible evolutions, was conflicted and hadn't decided yet.
Kieran and Carmine, feeling hungry, happily agreed and headed for their grandparents' house.
…
That afternoon.
After a satisfying meal and some bittersweet tea, Yukito smiled, "So, where do you want to go this afternoon?"
Kieran and Carmine looked at Lucas.
Clearly, they'd go wherever he wanted.
"Hm... First, I'd like to see the Loyalty Plaza built for the Loyal Three." Lucas mused, recalling the glowing mountaintop he'd glimpsed earlier. "By the way, I saw a mountain peak glowing before entering the village. Do you know what that is?"
…
…
PS: Support me and read advanced chapters at patreon.com/AbsoluteCode