Although they had taken a bit of a detour, the harvest was far more bountiful than expected!
First were the system rewards:
[Challenge Mission: Communicate with the Ancient Dragonite] Completed!
[Reward: 3 high-grade rare candies, 1 Ancient Crystal, and a permanent 100% increase in Dragonite species favorability!]
High-grade rare candies could directly increase a Pokémon's level and could create miracles at critical moments.
As for the Ancient Crystal, its specific use was unknown for now, but it was certainly no ordinary item.
100% Dragonite species favorability! This meant that in the future, whenever he encountered any Dragonite, Dragonair, or Dratini, their initial favorability would be at maximum! The difficulty of capturing, communicating, or seeking help from them would plummet! This was a massive hidden benefit!
The non-system rewards were equally astonishing:
The Mysterious Conch—a token of friendship from the Ancient Giant Dragonite, equivalent to a super trump card.
The massive sum of 500,000 alliance coins paid by Bill—solid wealth that resolved any economic concerns for the future.
However, what made Roy's heart race with anticipation was another mission reward.
The emotional storyline mission with Misty!
[Main Mission: Become Partners with Misty (Completed)]
[Mission Reward: Psychic Constitution—Obtain the basic aptitude to cultivate and utilize Psychic powers!]
Psychic powers!
In the Pokémon world, alongside a few abilities like Aura Power and Viridian Power, this was one of the most practical and powerful special abilities!
Telekinesis, Telepathy, Teleport, Future Sight... when cultivated to a profound level, its power was boundless!
Although he had achieved good results relying on the system-rewarded 'Friend of Nature' and basic 'Aura Power,' Psychic power was a different system with a broader range of applications and immense potential!
Taking advantage of the gap while Delia and the Misty sisters were preparing lunch and chatting by a distant stream.
Roy walked behind a large tree and thought to himself:
"Claim reward—Psychic Constitution!"
In an instant!
A cool yet majestic invisible energy seemed to erupt from the depths of his soul!
It instantly flowed through his limbs and bones, finally gathering at the acupoint between his eyebrows!
Roy felt a 'buzz' in his head, as if a long-obscured film had been suddenly punctured!
In the depths of his eyes, a faint, azure light like stardust began to shine.
Roy took a deep breath, concentrated his mind, and tried to mobilize that newly awakened power.
A faint cooling sensation came from between his brows.
He locked his gaze on a thumb-sized pebble near his feet.
With a thought: "Rise!"
The small stone wobbled slightly.
Then, extremely slowly and unsteadily, it floated up from the ground!
It rose to about knee height and stopped.
Roy could feel an invisible but very real 'force' lifting the small stone.
This force was still very weak, and controlling it was quite taxing.
He thought again: "Rotate!"
The small stone began to clumsily rotate in the air with jerky movements.
He held it for about five seconds.
Roy felt a slight swelling sensation between his brows, and the power quickly receded.
The small stone fell back to the ground with a 'clatter'.
"Phew..."
Roy let out a breath, but an excited smile appeared on his face.
It worked!
Even though he could only move such a tiny thing for a short duration.
This was genuine Psychic power!
To be able to use Telekinesis on the very first day of awakening!
This starting point for his talent was already terrifyingly high.
One had to know that many apprentices at the Saffron City Psychic Gym couldn't even make a spoon bend slightly after years of hard cultivation.
Let alone moving an object out of thin air.
"Psychic Constitution... truly overbearing!"
Roy's heart burned with excitement.
This was just the newly awakened, most basic state.
As long as he found the correct cultivation method, continuously trained, and developed more applications... Telepathy, Psychic Defense, even Teleport and Future Sight... the future was infinitely bright!
As for the cultivation method... Roy wasn't in a hurry.
He would figure it out slowly; he had to go to Saffron City sooner or later anyway.
That was the headquarters for Psychics in the Kanto region. He could find a way to get some cultivation techniques and experience then, even if he had to spend money to buy them.
Or... a playful glint flashed in Roy's eyes.
When the time came, it wouldn't be impossible to get in touch with that dangerous 'Psychic Queen' Sabrina.
High risk often meant high reward... After claiming the reward, Roy was in high spirits.
During the subsequent journey, he focused his primary energy on Pikachu.
It was going to solo the Vermilion Gym.
Therefore, Roy decisively adopted a 'concentrated cultivation' strategy.
Almost all wild Pokémon they encountered that were suitable for Pikachu to practice on were left to it.
With the bonus from the 'vip experience badge' (which adds an extra 20% experience points gained from defeating Trainers or wild Pokémon), Pikachu's experience bar grew rapidly.
The distance from Bills Lighthouse to Vermilion City was not short.
During that time, they crossed forests, passed through meadows, and traveled along the coastline.
Pikachu used Thunder Shock on countless Spearow, Pidgey, Rattata, Oddish, and Tentacool (in the shallow waters along the shore)... Pikachu's combat experience and level increased at a visible rate.
When the tall building silhouettes of Vermilion City could be seen in the distance.
The aura around Pikachu surged..
[Pokémon: Pikachu, Level: lv36 → lv40 (Pseudo Gym-level)]
Pseudo Gym-level!
It had crossed a major level threshold!
Pikachu cried out "Pika Pika" excitedly, jumping up and down.
It could feel that it had become much stronger!
Roy also patted its head with satisfaction.
Very good.
With this strength, he should have more confidence facing Lt. Surge of the Vermilion Gym.
Even if the opponent brought out a true Gym-level trump card, Pikachu would have the strength to fight!
"Roy~"
A crisp voice called out.
Misty ran over, her face full of concern.
After a few days of adjustment and Delia's gentle guidance and comfort, she had completely recovered her former liveliness.
Of course, it was the liveliness of someone with a new status—Roy's official girlfriend.
She was no longer so shy that she didn't dare to get close like a few days ago; instead, she had become more clingy, though she would still blush occasionally when teased by Roy.
"Why have you been training so hard lately? Pikachu must be very tired, right?" Misty stroked Pikachu's chin, feeling a bit distressed for it.
Roy explained, "The Vermilion Gym is an officially certified intermediate Gym. The Gym Leader, Lt. Surge, specializes in Electric-types and is quite strong. The more Pikachu improves, the better our chances of winning."
He paused, looked at Misty's nearby pretty face, gave a wicked smile, and lowered his voice:
"What, feeling sorry for me? Then how about rewarding me properly tonight once we reach the city?"
As he spoke, his hand naturally slid onto Misty's perky buttock and gave it a firm squeeze.
It was full of elasticity and felt excellent to the touch.
"Ah!"
Misty gave a soft cry and hopped half a step away like a startled rabbit, her face instantly turning red as she glared at Roy reproachfully.
However, her eyes were watery and held no real force.
"Big pervert! No... not today!"
She fidgeted, her voice as quiet as a mosquito:
"Wait for me... wait until I buy new underwear to give to you... the ones those sisters gave me are too... too embarrassing. If you saw them..."
The more she spoke, the redder her face became. Finally, unable to go on, she turned and ran away, heading to feed her Goldeen and Staryu, pretending to be very busy.
Roy watched her fleeing figure, his shoulders shaking with laughter.
Just then, a wave of warm fragrance approached.
Delia had somehow quietly sidled up to Roy, her mature and voluptuous body almost pressed against him.
She stood on her tiptoes, her warm breath puffing against Roy's ear, and said in a soft, seductive voice that only the two of them could hear:
"Misty is shy. Tonight... let me 'reward' you."
"Whatever style you want to see... I'll wear it all for you."
As she spoke, her mature body gently rubbed against Roy's arm.
These past two days happened to be a time when her physiological desires were quite strong.
Previously, while traveling, there were no conditions for it, so she had endured.
Now that they were almost at the city, the thought of having a chance to be alone at night made her unable to hold back.
So she had also become a bit more proactive.
Roy felt the soft sensation coming from his arm and the undisguised invitation in Delia's words, and his heart heated up.
He reached back and put his arm around Delia's slender waist, giving those rounded buttocks a squeeze as well; it was a different kind of voluptuous smoothness.
"Alright." He whispered into Delia's ear with a wicked grin, "I promise to feed you full tonight."
"Mmm~"
Delia trembled at his squeeze, and an alluring soft moan escaped her nose.
Her legs felt a bit weak. She quickly looked up and kissed Roy on the cheek, her eyes glistening like spring water:
"Okay, love you~"
After saying that, she also ran off somewhat shyly, just like Misty.
However, she ran to Eevee, who was playing nearby, scooped Eevee into her arms, and began to vigorously rub its soft, fluffy fur.
"Bui? Bui bui!"
Eevee looked bewildered, crying out in a mix of comfort and confusion.
What's wrong with Master?
Suddenly so passionate... It twisted its little head, looking at Roy in the distance who was talking to Pikachu, and then at its Master who was holding it, her cheeks slightly red and her eyes moist and glowing.
Eevee's little head seemed to understand something.
That damnable Pikachu's Master!
He must have said something strange to its Master again!
Master is so excited she's losing herself again!
"Bui..." (Master, don't just rub me, give me something to eat...)
Eevee helplessly gave up struggling and slumped in Delia's arms, letting her vent her misplaced excitement and anticipation... By evening.
The three finally arrived at Vermilion City.
As an important port city in the Kanto region, Vermilion City was far more prosperous than the towns they had passed through before.
Tall buildings, wide streets, bustling pedestrians and vehicles—the air seemed permeated with the unique saltiness and vitality of a seaport.
Their goal was clear: head to the Pokémon Center first.
Let the Pokémon from their long journey get sufficient treatment and rest, while they also settled in.
However.
When they walked up to that familiar red building with the giant Poké Ball logo, they were stunned.
A long queue had actually formed at the entrance of the Pokémon Center!
Not just at the door.
Even the lobby inside was packed with Trainers!
The noisy chatter, the cries of Pokémon, the busy figures of Nurse Joy and Chansey... the entire center was overcrowded, a scene of immense bustle.
"What's going on?" Misty widened her eyes in surprise. "Why are there so many Trainers?"
Delia also frowned slightly. "It seems like there are several times more people than usual..."
Roy's gaze swept over the queuing Trainers; their Pokémon all looked charred and blackened.