It was summer.
Cool air drifted through the villa as the air conditioner hummed quietly.
Mr. Mime returned with a glass of iced Coke and handed it to Chen Ran.
"Thank you."
Chen Ran set it aside for now and released the red-and-white Poké Ball.
A flash of red light—
Nuzleaf appeared.
Its normal body color was brown, but this one's shade was noticeably lighter. It had a long pointed nose and a pale brown mask-like marking stretching from its face to the back of its head, topped with a leaf.
The key difference?
The leaf on its head.
"A normal Nuzleaf has a green leaf," Mother Wen explained calmly. "This one's leaf is bright red."
Under the chandelier's light, the red leaf stood out vividly.
No doubt—
It was a Shiny.
Chen Ran had already checked its data earlier.
---
Nuzleaf (Shiny)
Level: Lv.12
Type: Grass/Dark
Ability: Chlorophyll
IVs: HP (31), Attack (31), Defense (21), Sp. Atk (31), Sp. Def (15), Speed (20)
Talent: Gym-level
Moves: Absorb, Growth, Rollout
---
Shiny Pokémon generally had slightly higher talent ceilings.
Of the four Shiny Pokémon Chen Ran had caught, three were Elite-level. This one had reached Gym-level talent.
Its HP and both attacking stats were perfect.
If raised as a main team member, it would perform well.
As a team's ace, however—
It would struggle.
Mother Wen observed carefully.
"Good proportions."
"Healthy limbs."
"Solid potential."
In just a few sentences, she assessed its external condition with professional precision.
"As for its Ability, we'll need to test that."
Chen Ran nodded.
In this world, no one could instantly see a Pokémon's Ability like he could.
Breeders required testing methods.
"There are many identification techniques," Mother Wen explained. "For example, Nuzleaf typically has Chlorophyll or Early Bird. Its Hidden Ability is Pickpocket."
"If it's Chlorophyll, its Speed increases in sunny weather."
Chen Ran quickly added, "When I caught it, its Speed noticeably increased under sunlight."
He improvised smoothly.
No need for further testing.
"That would confirm Chlorophyll," Mother Wen said with a small smile.
---
Nuzleaf looked conflicted.
It still believed Chen Ran was its Trainer.
Chen Ran crouched and gently held its hand.
He spoke softly, reassuring it.
In truth, Nuzleaf would never thrive on his team.
Charmeleon and Riolu alone outclassed it by miles.
Talent differences were brutal.
Better for it to join Wen Xiaoke and receive consistent care.
After a quiet heart-to-heart, Nuzleaf finally nodded.
"Ye~"
Agreement.
Everyone was satisfied.
---
Next—
Chen Ran released Larvitar.
The true reason for this visit.
"Kira!"
The quasi-legendary landed on the floor.
Wen Xiaoke and her mother both reacted immediately.
A pseudo-legendary Pokémon always drew attention.
Especially one from overseas.
But soon—
Their expressions changed.
"This Larvitar…" Mother Wen frowned gently. "Its condition is not ideal."
She circled it twice, examining posture, bone structure, and eye clarity.
After a long pause, she shook her head.
"Sorry, Chen Ran."
Even a senior Breeder Master?
Chen Ran felt a slight drop in his chest.
But she continued.
"My expertise lies in physical breeding and conditioning. This issue is internal—psychological development and early growth foundation."
"In short, this Larvitar missed its natural developmental stage."
Chen Ran nodded.
Larvitar should grow underground, consuming rocks and soil, strengthening its body and will.
Instead, it had been dug out early and fed artificially.
Its physique and mentality had both suffered.
"I can't fully fix this," Mother Wen admitted honestly.
"But—"
She gestured to Mr. Mime.
A gold-trimmed business card was brought over.
She handed it to Chen Ran.
"I can recommend someone."
Chen Ran glanced at the name printed on it.
His eyes widened slightly.
Σ(⊙▽⊙a
This name—
Even he knew it.
The person printed on that card was one of the top Pokémon psychologists and developmental specialists in the country.
If anyone could repair Larvitar's broken foundation—
It would be this person.