Nearly a month of special training finally came to an end.
Dragging their exhausted bodies, the four returned to the city.
They were tired But the results were undeniable.
Silas lay on his bed inside the Team Rocket base dormitory, staring at the ceiling as he slowly clenched his fist.
Strength.
He could feel the difference now.
Sharpedo had successfully broken through to the Elite level.
Along with his ace Crawdaunt, Silas now possessed two Elite-tier Pokémon. He was no longer someone who had just stepped into this rank.
Because even among Elite trainers…The gap was enormous.
Some had only one Elite Pokémon.
Others had full teams And then There were people like Lucian.
A trainer who could overwhelm an entire squad with just one Pokémon.
"So this still isn't enough…"
Silas murmured.
There was no room for arrogance.
Not yet.
His dormitory was spacious—over a hundred square meters.
Compared to the cramped "matchbox" rooms of ordinary Rocket grunts, this place was almost luxurious.
As expected of a Platoon Leader's residence.
Even in the Hoenn branch, where resources were limited, the conditions here still surpassed ordinary rooms at a Pokémon Center.
In one corner of the room, special training setups occupied a large space.
A portable water pool.
A heated sand field.
Sharpedo and Crawdaunt rested in the water, while Sandile buried itself comfortably in the warm sand, only its eyes peeking out.
Floating gently within the pool was a special item Sea Incense.
A faint fragrance spread through the water, subtle yet constant.
Even from the bed, Silas could smell it.
Sea Incense functioned similarly to MysticWater, enhancing Water-type moves But when used over long periods in a Pokémon's living environment…It produced another effect.
A slow, steady improvement in growth and potential.
Of course, it couldn't compare to Silas' custom-made enhancement potions.
Those were explosive.
This was gradual.
If Sharpedo's base potential was 100 ,His potion could push it to 130… even 140 But Sea Incense?
After a year…Maybe 110.
However, it had one major advantage.
It wasn't a consumable.
It could benefit multiple Pokémon at once And once its effect plateaued, it could even be resold with minimal loss.
Possibly even profit.
Of course, maintenance was required.
The incense materials needed refilling.
Its quality would slowly degrade over time.
Otherwise, an item like this would never reach someone like him.
It would've been monopolized long ago.
Silas shifted slightly and opened his Pokédex.
The first thing he saw ,A city-wide alert.
A Severe thunderstorm warning.
When he returned earlier, the streets had already felt different.
People moving in a hurry.
The black market unusually tense.
The atmosphere felt Heavy.
Like a storm was coming.
"Thunderstorm…"
Silas narrowed his eyes.
"A powerful Electric-type Pokémon…"
He had a suspicion But nothing confirmed.
He scrolled further.
Messages.
Selene.
And May.
The two of them sent him messages almost every day.
Silas let out a faint chuckle and replied one by one.
.....
After finishing everything, he ordered dinner.
A simple meal.
Quickly eaten.
Then he lay back down to rest.
In the corner, Honchkrow stood silently.
Night belonged to it.
Darkness was its domain.
Silas had long entrusted night watch duties to him without hesitation.
A soft movement.
Umbreon slipped out of hers Poké Ball.
She glanced at Silas wrapped tightly in his blanket before curling quietly beside his pillow.
Her golden rings glowed faintly in the darkness.
.....
Morning came.
Silas woke up to a notification from Archer's badge.
Assembly. His office.
No breakfast.
No delay.
He got ready and left immediately.
Along the way, Rocket grunts straightened and saluted.
Respect.
Because on his chest The insignia of a Platoon Leader.
Within this base, that rank already stood near the top.
....
Standing before the door, Silas knocked lightly.
"Lord Archer. Black sky requests permission to enter."
"Come in."
The moment he stepped inside The others were already there.
Rose.
The twins.
Silas lowered his head slightly.
"Greetings, Lord Archer."
Archer smiled faintly.
"Tell me… how was the training?"
"Are you satisfied with Lucian's arrangements?"
Satisfied?
No one dared say otherwise.
Lucian was Archer's trusted subordinate.
To complain…Would be the same as questioning Archer himself But this time It wasn't just fear. They had truly improved.
Their Pokémon.
Their strength.
Their survivability And most importantly The combat suits.
"Good."
Archer nodded.
Then his tone shifted.
"This mission… is a personal one."
"And because of its importance…"
"I require certain guarantees."
He clapped his hands.
Lucian stepped out from the hidden door, his expression as cold as ever.
His gaze swept across all four of them before he spoke.
"Remove your disguises and register your fingerprints and facial data."
The room fell silent.
Four square devices were placed in front of them, their cold metallic surfaces reflecting the tension in the air.
In that moment, everyone understood what this meant.
This was not just a procedure.
It was a pledge.
A binding contract.
Once done, there would be no turning back.
Silas lowered his gaze slightly, his thoughts racing.
If they agreed, they would be completely tied to Team Rocket from this point forward.
Their identities, their existence—everything would be recorded But if they refused…Silas didn't need to think further.
No one here would be allowed to walk out alive.
The so-called "choice" placed before them Was never truly a choice.
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(End of chapter)