Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom-Chapter 510 - 509: Incredible Potential

"I'm just a beginner-level psychic, which isn't very helpful in everyday life. Only in battles, where I can use telepathy, can I gain a slight advantage," Cain said with a shrug.

However, hearing this, Steven felt like Cain was saying something akin to, "It's just like winning five million in the lottery, an insignificant amount of money."

While Steven didn't care much about such sums of money, the sentiment was clear.

"I, as one of the wealthiest in the Hoenn region, don't I have my own pride?"

So Steven simply nodded calmly, extinguishing the last trace of envy in his heart.

"I can only say, Cain, you truly have an exceptional talent!" Steven said in an even tone.

"It's just a matter of luck. Do you remember my Slowpoke? It's already evolved," Cain replied.

He then took out a Pokéball and released Slowking.

"This is..." Upon seeing the Pokémon Cain summoned—though it stood upright like a Slowpoke—it was over two meters tall.

Could this really be that clumsy Slowpoke?

"Is this Slowking?" Though it was phrased as a question, the meaning was clear.

Cain nodded and said, "Yes, do you remember the last time I asked for your help to find a King's Rock? By chance, when Slowpoke was holding the King's Rock and was bitten on the head by a Shellder, it was able to evolve into Slowking."

"So Slowking really is the evolution of Slowpoke. The King's Rock... That evolution requirement is truly rigorous!" Steven was already becoming immune to being surprised by Cain's discoveries.

After all, if it was related to Cain, it seemed almost normal.

"The point isn't Slowking's evolution. I've already provided the method of Slowking's evolution to Professor Oak, but it hasn't been made public yet—it needs verification."

Cain continued, "During Slowking's evolution, the massive increase in its psychic power caused me to awaken and boosted my psychic ability to the beginner level. But I've tried to improve since then, and it seems the beginner level is my limit."

"I understand," Steven said, nodding while stroking his chin. "A brilliant Slowking is indeed a very rare Pokémon, and this one seems to have been perfectly trained, with excellent talent for psychic abilities."

"..."

This is too much!

Steven gave Cain a look that signaled he should tone it down.

Please, stop showing off. Let me recover!

You went out to train and returned as the youngest trainer in history to reach the intermediate level. On top of that, you're the leader of the Guild of Breeders' youth talent group, and being the Gym Leader of Leafy Town seems like just a side gig.

Now you're telling me you're also a psychic, even if it's just at the beginner level? That still has a big impact on battles.

Do I, Steven, the absolute genius and affluent magnate, have no pride?

Seeing that Steven didn't want to continue discussing the topic, Cain didn't push it further.

After all, up until now, the fact that he was a psychic was known only to Steven.

He hadn't even told his master, Matsuda Takashi.

Perhaps he'd need to hint at it subtly because if Matsuda Takashi found out his student was a psychic from someone else, that could lead to a good scolding.

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Both decided not to dwell further on the subject.

Cain returned Slowking to its Pokéball and, along with Skorupi, continued climbing toward the mountain's summit with Steven.

There could be unknown dangers at the summit, but neither of them mentioned it.

Danger is the true essence of training!

The summit of the mountain is home to many Fire-type Pokémon, and although they were only halfway up, many Fire-types had been displaced downward due to environmental damage at the peak.

And since Skorupi is a Poison- and Bug-type, and Lairon is a Steel- and Rock-type, both Pokémon were at a disadvantage against Fire-types.

However, neither Cain nor Steven chose to switch Pokémon.

There was no need!

They hadn't yet reached the point where their Pokémon couldn't prevail.

Only when the opponent's type presents a disadvantage can true training occur.

Based on the type Lairon gained from the move Hidden Power, it was clear that Steven had certain means to counter Fire-types, which are effective against Steel-types.

On the other hand, Cain didn't have a direct counter for Fire-types, which were strong against Skorupi.

But if Fire-types couldn't land an attack on Skorupi, what use would that advantage be?

A critical hit!

That's the proper way for Skorupi to fight!

They walked along a mountain path, surrounded by dense forests.

With their continuous ascent, the temperature, which should have decreased with altitude, didn't; instead, it gradually rose.

And possibly due to the disruption of Fire-types, this temperature increase was inconsistent.

Many Grass- and Bug-type Pokémon living in the forest, disliking this rising temperature, had no choice but to migrate downward.

Since the Pokémon here were relatively high-level, their descent would force other Pokémon further down to do the same.

This chain reaction would undoubtedly have a significant negative impact on the Mt. Chimney ecosystem.

More importantly, common trainers at the mountain's base might not be able to handle these stronger migrating Pokémon.

Realizing this, Cain and Steven quickened their pace.

They needed to defeat these Pokémon faster.

Skorupi had honed its ability to find enemies' weak points to the extreme; now, with each attack, its critical hit probability had increased to thirty percent.

A terrifying probability.

This meant that, out of every three attacks by Skorupi, one would inevitably be a critical hit.

And with Skorupi's Sniper ability, it would deal tremendous damage to its opponent.

It didn't matter if the type was a disadvantage; that was astonishing explosive strength.

Additionally, with Skorupi's inherent physical strength, its combat talent was being maximized.

Skorupi's power was increasing at a visible rate.

Steven, observing Skorupi's progress, felt even more surprised and impressed by Cain.

Truly, Cain was exceptional at training Pokémon.

After this time in battle, Steven could tell that while Skorupi had incredible fighting instincts, its overall capability wasn't the best; it should have been slightly weaker than Lairon. Yet in facing enemies, Skorupi wasn't falling behind in the speed at which it defeated opponents. That was impressive.

One must remember that Lairon's quality was dark blue, with a level of 39, nearing the advanced level.

Steven might not have as precise an understanding of Pokémon levels and quality as Cain, but he could discern certain differences.

This Skorupi is no ordinary Pokémon.

If Skorupi evolves into Drapion in the future, its explosiveness and strength, coupled with its large size, would undoubtedly make it an excellent front-line attacker.

Its two pincers, along with its tail and mouth, provide four attack points, making it extremely difficult for any Pokémon to defend against all of them at once!

(End of Chapter)