"That final big gamble, the gambler won it after all."
Baimu pondered over the simulation just now.
Compared to the "coincidence" of progressing from the top sixteen to the top eight, the real turning point began when the gambler entrusted the Kuye Gym Leader.
During the gambler's era, were Gym Leaders considered trustworthy people?
He was unsure.
Perhaps the gambler was equally uncertain whether the Kuye Gym Leader would risk offending the Rocket Team to provide aid for himself and his grandson.
But faced with a giant like the Rocket Team, the gambler had no choice but to trust the only one willing to extend a helping hand.
Fortunately, not only did the person successfully rescue his grandson, but they also found them a way forward.
Unova is a distant land where the Rocket Team cannot reach.
The second big gamble.
The gambler staked his own life, intending to go down with the Rocket Team Member who had shamelessly wrecked his family and life.
This time, he won the bet again.
Poliwhirl evolved into Poliwrath, broke open the car shell sunk to the ocean floor, and rescued the unconscious gambler.
A sufficiently happy ending.
"Too bad the reward isn't that great."
Baimu looked at the four reward options and hesitated.
The level reward was a must, but among the remaining three, Earth Split was decent. However, none of his Pokémon could learn it, easy to get stuck like String Shot has until now.
But Pokémon clues...
He glanced at the few Pokémon clues piled up in the simulator, and silently chose Earth Split.
You never know, Earth Split might be used someday. If it's not for himself, it might become an heirloom for friends and family. Meanwhile, if he fixed his team members, Pokémon clues would become completely useless.
However, he still didn't have any fixed team member plans.
There are too many fascinating Pokémon in the world, and it's truly hard to part with.
As for talent...
[Hot-blooded Youth] isn't like [Superpower User] or [Villain], which are rare ordinary talents. With ten simulations, four or five times can pull this, it's a complete waste to select.
Having decided on the talent.
Baimu left the room, found the Altered-color Milotic by the pool in the Gym's Eco Park, singing beautifully under the moonlight.
The golden scales reflected a soft glow, and its pale blue fin-like hair seemed like drifting long hair.
In a daze.
The image of a glamorous sea siren singing under the moon appeared in his mind, but the numerous Water-type Pokémon crowded in the corner quickly brought him back.
The appearance of Altered-color Milotic was quite well-received in the Gym, mesmerizing countless Pokémon.
At this moment, they were all watching fascinatedly from afar.
"Milotic!"
He waved.
"Milo~"
Milotic's song abruptly stopped, and after a surprised glance, it swam over, twisting its slender and smooth serpent-like body.
As this creature is mainly a Water-type Pokémon, Baimu generally arranged for it to stay in the Gym's Eco Park at night. The moist environment helps maintain the balance of water and oil on its body surface, which is beneficial for its health.
Concerned it might be lonely, he sent Aggron over as well, but for now...
"Where's Aggron?"
Baimu glanced around, curious about the absence of the big monster.
"Milo~~"
Milotic first brushed against his cheek, then pointed its tail toward a spot in the distant forest.
Looking into the distance, he could barely see Aggron seemingly communicating with a Pokémon, intending to check it out later.
"Come, let's have a breakthrough!"
Baimu reached out to press on Milotic's brow, giving the newly acquired level reward to the creature.
Excellent guidance helps rapidly boost Pokémon's strength.
After a month of special training, he realized why Ash Ketchum always liked to do this; aside from anything else, raising energy levels really happens fast!
Previously, when in Mossdeep City, Altered-color Milotic's level was at the bottom, but now it has surpassed Galarian Corsola. The recent two-level boost put it beyond Porygon II, reaching an astonishing level sixty-six!
Out of these, only four levels were due to level rewards.
In other words, it leveraged its own power to advance over ten levels in less than two months.
Even surpassing the simulator's [Excellent] rating for Hydreigon.
Bear in mind the level rewards poured into speeding up Dragonair's evolution were spent without counting losses, putting in all that was available.
Back then, the simulation scores were superb, unlike the current consistent top-eight placements for two months.
"Milo~"
Altered-color Milotic carefully felt the new surge of strength within its body, its beautiful pupils suddenly constricting as it raised its head to sing.
"Woo—!!"
In an instant.
The air became more humid, a nameless wind slowly rose, and the moonlight became cloaked by clouds.
Baimu looked up, "Is this..."
Swoosh—
Fine rain soaked his face.
[Rain Seeking], perhaps?
Unexpectedly, the weather technique, self-studied for so long without success, got learned with a rise in level.
Milotic excitedly looked at the moderately cloudy sky, turning to brush Baimu's face again, gently chirping, then dove into the water to swim.
The other Pokémon in the pool felt the gentle rain, revealing smiles one after another. Upon hearing the wind, Aggron also approached and paused upon seeing its Trainer.
"Guh huh?"
"Wraah~"
Next to it, Swampert's voice sounded deep.
Baimu raised an eyebrow as he approached, his tone rising, "Hey? Since when did you two start hanging out?"
"Guh huh..."
Aggron, slowly approaching, paused in action and stood still, with a rather human-like look of speechlessness. It may not understand what "hanging out" means, but just from the tone it knew it wasn't anything good.