Outside the room, a small group had already gathered.
Leon stood with Dai Yui, while Machamp and Incineroar loomed nearby. Even Mizuki, whom Austin had not expected, was present, her Glameow perched neatly on the windowsill.
They were attempting to look discreet. They were failing.
Under their collective stare, Blue shifted uncomfortably, as if every glance pressed against his back.
"Let them in."
Austin opened the door and looked at them one by one. "What exactly are you all doing here?"
Leon and Dai Yui immediately straightened, whistling as if they had merely wandered past by coincidence. Incineroar and Machamp followed their lead, trying to appear casual.
If Austin and Blue had not sensed them earlier, the act might have been convincing.
Mizuki, however, was honest.
"I was about to ask that myself."
Austin answered calmly, "I'm learning Breeder knowledge from Senior Blue."
Blue was four years older than Austin and far more experienced in Pokémon breeding.
Mizuki adjusted her glasses, unable to hide the envy in her eyes. "You really live well."
Austin did not argue. With Zenith and everything else at his side, he knew he had little room to deny it.
Blue stepped forward. "And these are?"
"Mizuki and Dai Yui. Both are Breeders. They care deeply about Pokémon."
Blue's gaze moved briefly to Incineroar and Glameow, then back to their Trainers. A faint smile formed.
He had no reason to turn away anyone who truly loved Pokémon.
"Come in."
Dai Yui and Mizuki exchanged glances, visibly flattered.
Dai Yui trembled outright. "I've got goosebumps!"
Blue almost reconsidered his decision.
"Study properly," Leon said to Austin, giving him a look that clearly meant everything depended on him.
If Austin mastered the material, Leon would benefit as well. There was no need to crowd the room.
With Rhyperior and Zenith already taking up significant space, and Dai Yui far from small himself, adding Leon would have made it unbearable.
The brief commotion settled.
Blue's expression turned serious. "Observe."
Austin took out Citrus-Pinap scented oil and began joint care for Rhyperior with steady, practiced movements. Mizuki and Dai Yui stood to the side, writing quickly.
Zenith watched as well. After its final evolution, its capacity for self-learning had become remarkable.
Blue patted his long-time partner. "Rhyperior, how does it feel?"
"Rhy!"
Rhyperior lifted its arms and roared in satisfaction.
"Very good," Blue said with approval. "Rhyperior is pleased."
The afternoon passed quickly. Blue lectured for four hours without pause.
He was clearly pleased with Austin, Mizuki, and Dai Yui. Teaching them seemed to reignite something in him.
His approach resembled that of Professor Oak. He wanted to pass on as much as possible while he could.
Finally, Blue glanced at his Pokégear. "We still have more to discuss. Let's continue tomorrow morning at eight."
"Understood. We're leaving now."
Dai Yui and Incineroar grabbed Mizuki from either side and carried her toward the door.
"We're going!"
"I can walk myself!" Mizuki protested.
"Meow!"
Glameow leaped down and hurried after them.
Once outside, Dai Yui lowered his voice. "How much did you actually understand?"
Mizuki hesitated. "Enough. Mr. Blue's foundation is too strong. Without solid basics, it's hard to keep up. What about you?"
"Not that much."
His foundation was easily the weakest among them.
Noticing his embarrassment, Mizuki spoke gently. "I have several Breeder notebooks, all my own notes. You can copy them."
Dai Yui froze, then burst into tears. "Thank you so much. I'm truly moved."
He and Incineroar clung to each other dramatically.
Mizuki's lips twitched. "Is that really necessary?"
Back inside the room, the atmosphere shifted.
Austin noticed Blue's serious expression. "What's wrong?"
Blue handed over his Pokégear.
"Take a look for yourself."
Austin finished reading the lengthy report on the Pokégear.
In simple terms, it meant one thing.
Feebas no longer had a Trainer.
Its former Trainer had been a deeply concealed Pokémon poacher who operated under multiple fake identities.
He had been caught illegally hunting Shieldon at the foothills of Mount Coronet. While fleeing by car, he sped downhill across an open field without slowing down and lost control completely.
Officer Jenny later traced him by dismantling the false identity he had left behind. The file ended with a clear, high-definition photograph.
The man looked ordinary. Middle-aged, average height, unremarkable features. Without context, no one would have suspected he was a poacher.
Blue lowered the Pokégear slightly. "Well? Is it him?"
Austin shook his head. "I've never seen Feebas's Trainer. My dad will have to confirm."
Leon leaned forward at once. "It's him. Our surveillance caught him."
Blue nodded. "Let's verify it properly."
The poacher had shown up on the first morning of business at Black Crest Jubilife Breeding House, which made locating the footage easy. Leon quickly pulled up the surveillance recording.
"There. That's him."
After comparing the video with the photo, Blue gave a firm nod. "That confirms it. Can you copy this footage for me?"
Leon answered loudly, "No problem. I just don't know how."
Austin stepped in without comment and transferred the file to Blue's Pokégear.
"What do you need it for?" Austin asked.
Blue sent the clip to Officer Jenny. "To clarify Feebas's identity."
He folded his arms. "Since Feebas no longer has a Trainer, it should stay here for now."
He did not ask for Austin's or Leon's approval. He already knew their answer.
Austin nodded. "Of course. In its current condition, releasing it wouldn't be appropriate."
In truth, he had no intention of releasing it at all.
He planned to raise Feebas himself, help it rebuild its confidence, and guide it toward evolution. When the time came, he would let Feebas decide its own path.
Blue's lips curved faintly. "Good. Feebas will also make an excellent breeding case study."
He spoke as if drafting a research topic.
"On the Restoration of Confidence, From Feebas to Milotic."
For Blue, everything eventually returned to breeding.
"Feebas is a clear example of how critical a Pokémon's mental health can be."
"Metagross."
Zenith's metallic body gleamed as it recorded the discussion internally.
. . .
Evening arrived quietly.
Blue had intended to return to the city center, but Leon persuaded him to stay for dinner.
When Blue saw the table covered in dishes, he paused.
"You can cook?"
Austin replied calmly, "My grandfather taught me."
Blue nodded with understanding. He had eaten the old man's cooking before.
For a grandson, inheriting that skill was natural.
In many ways, Austin's relationship with his grandfather mirrored Blue's bond with Professor Oak.
After dinner, the atmosphere shifted.
Blue's gaze sharpened.
"Let's finish the day with a battle."
. . .
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