Aspiring to become a Pokémon trainer

Only the tip of its thick tail unconsciously swept slightly across the beach, revealing a trace of unease and dependence within it.

It is, of course, a child, and Nanyin is happy to use its broad wings to shield it from the scorching sun and nurture a tender and pure heart.

"Buy~"

A soft, gentle call broke the delicate silence.

Eevee had nimbly leaped onto the broad back of the other creature without anyone noticing, its ribbon-like tail swaying contentedly, and its little paws curiously stepping on the hard blue scales, as if testing the weight-bearing capacity of its new companion.

It raised its little head and called softly in the direction of Nanyin, then patted the thick neck of the Flying Dragon with the tip of its ear, soothing the big guy with its kind words and actions.

As the eldest sister, no matter how much the younger generation grows, she will always protect them.

"Koubu~" also got up from the bed, rubbing its eyes. Seeing the huge creature in the middle of the courtyard, it immediately abandoned its sleepiness, excitedly waving its hair ribbon, which wrapped around the creature's body, as if marveling at the changes that had occurred overnight.

The room was instantly filled with the soft sounds and vibrant energy of Pokémon just waking up.

Sensing the flow of energy in her wrist, Nan Yin did not disturb the guest any further. Instead, she turned her gaze away and walked towards the small kitchen area attached to the room.

It's still early, but some preparations need to be made in advance.

The compact fruit processing table unfolds at your fingertips, and the simple knives fly between your palms with fluid, graceful movements, like the art of dance.

The tropical dragon fruit, a specialty of the Hoenn region, is quickly peeled and cut into chunks, revealing its plump and juicy flesh in an enticing orange-yellow hue; the grapefruit is seeded and sliced, releasing a mild, sweet aroma; and several angular sand berries are carefully peeled to reveal the seeds inside, which gleam with a strange, energetic sheen.

She even took out a small bottle of precious Dragon Eye Fruit Powder—an energy supplement specially formulated for Dragon-type Pokémon. During her time at the Galar Dojo, she combined it with Master Honeyleaf's Max Soup recipe and made her own improvements.

Various tree fruit chunks and energy powders are skillfully mixed in her hands, then drizzled with a small amount of fresh Moo Moo milk to enhance the flavor. Without lighting a fire, relying solely on the complementary flavors and energies of the tree fruits themselves, a colorful, naturally fragrant, and mildly energizing 'Morning Dew Salad' is created.

This was prepared for Salamence, to soothe its restless energy after evolution and help it adapt to its new power system more quickly.

Next up are the other little guys. Eevee likes the sweet and sour taste of berries, Eevee prefers fruit and vegetable pieces with a fresh, grassy aroma, and Winged is keen on the lingering spiciness of extra spicy.

Her movements were light and precise, and in a short while, several small and exquisite dishes were placed on the dining table, making people's appetites whetted.

"Well......"

Perhaps drawn by the aroma from the kitchen, a soft, indistinct call came from the direction of the bed. Korne buried herself even deeper between the pillows and blankets, only a few strands of her curly blonde hair showing.

She was like a sleepy cat, lingering on the edge of dreamland, only to be awakened by the cravings in her stomach and a slight rustling sound.

Nan Yin picked up the salad bowl that belonged to the Flying Dragon and walked over to the other person.

Despite their drastic changes in appearance, everyone still lowered their heads, sniffed, and stared longingly at the tempting aroma in the basin.

The years it spent in its shell were so long that it almost forgot what food tasted like, but it still suppressed its emotions and waited for the girl's signal.

"Don't worry about being stingy, eat up." Nan Yin placed the food bowl in the cleared space she had specially prepared in front of it.

Just as the saying goes, the young Heavenly King has long since broken free from the constraints of wealth. He no longer worries about how to raise a dragon beast, nor does he fret about being unable to support these children for the rest of their lives.

Once given permission, the Salamence immediately lowered its head, its movements both hurried and restrained, as if afraid of knocking over the food bowl and causing any problems.

It gulped down the food, making satisfied, slightly clumsy chewing sounds. The special salad seemed to suit its taste perfectly and effectively soothed the newborn, untamed energy within it.

Without looking away, Nan Yin watched it quietly for a while, making sure it was eating peacefully, before turning and walking to the bedside.

“Korne,” she leaned down, her voice even softer, carrying the coolness of the morning dew, “it’s time to get up.”

The person under the covers stirred, and the blond head finally lifted reluctantly from the pillow.

Korni was still sleepy, her amber eyes misty with tears, and her cheeks flushed from sleep. She drowsily looked at Nan Yin, who was so close to her, her delicate and aloof face seemingly bathed in soft light in the morning glow.

"Nanyin..." She subconsciously reached out and cupped a strand of her friend's hair, her voice as soft and sweet as a freshly baked cake, "Let me sleep a little longer, just a little longer..."

That dependent posture and coquettish tone softened Nan Yin's heart slightly. But her face remained calm; she simply pinched the former's cheek gently with her cool fingertips.

“Mingming, it was you who repeatedly told me last night to wake me up so I could practice with my apprentice Xiong. Look, that little guy is even waiting for you with longing eyes.”

Korne followed her gaze and saw the short figure standing alone in a corner of the courtyard, intently punching and kicking as if no one else was around. Beside him, Erguipeng also ran to the door, peeking out to watch their conversation.

The girl's face flushed even redder in comparison to the other person's, partly from embarrassment and partly from the warmth evoked by the heartwarming scene.

She finally woke up completely, threw off the covers, and sat up.

"Okay, okay!" She puffed out her cheeks and glared at Nan Yin with feigned displeasure, but the slight curve of her lips couldn't hide her good mood at that moment.

Just as the atmosphere in the room was warm and cozy, a gentle knock sounded on the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

The rhythm is soothing, with Mikoli's usual composure and the voice that the two are familiar with.

As the door opened slightly, a man with emerald hair leaned against the wall, looking relaxed and carefree. Behind him, a travel-worn young man took off his hat, which was damp with dew. There were a few mud stains on the hem of his expensive suit, and his usually meticulous blue hair was slightly disheveled.

It's Daigo.

"Looks like I arrived at just the right time?" Slightly hoarse from his long journey, his gaze passed over Mikoli and landed on several figures around the dining table, especially the Flying Dragon. "This is truly... a surprising transformation. Congratulations, Nanyin."

Just as Metagross is to Steven and Garchomp is to Cynthia, they accompany their trainers from the beginning and later become their respective symbols and representatives. The same is true for Salamence, which accompanied the girl from the very beginning of her journey.

"Kang Jin!" The bronze behemoth detached from the sphere at its waist again and was about to advance further when the young man pressed down on its arm with a hammer.

“Hey, take it easy.” Daigo sighed and pressed down on Metagross’s cold arm, his tone more indulgent than stern. “It still can’t stop thinking about your snacks. Even that time we were side by side in the snowfield, it almost made me, a mediocre trainer, look bad.”

"Pfft~" It was hard to hide his laughter, and Mikoli, who had been listening in, couldn't help but laugh.

"Alright, Daigo, stop standing in front of those two ladies and making them uncomfortable."

"I always hope that all the troubles in the world can be set aside and not affect those who are not involved."

It was a deep sigh.

“Annoyances may be put aside, but ‘trouble’ will come knocking on your door, just like us.” The bald man gave his friend no room for excuses.

Helpless, Daigo straightened his tie and raised his voice again, sounding quite sincere and earnest.

"On this day, the aftermath of the Dark Night incident gradually subsided, and the solution for dealing with Loz was initially finalized. None of this will interfere with your future journey, Nan Yin. As for the whereabouts of Wujitana... or rather, the new energy balance solution for Galar, several champions, including Zhulan, have reached an agreement through their joint efforts, and it has been decided through discussions to temporarily place it by your side."

First, discuss the good points, then mention the bad points; this is part of the sales pitch.

"Thank you for your help."

Knowing how difficult it was to persuade the alliance's administrators to entrust the fate of the world to one person with the legend of Wuji Tana, which could affect an entire region at any moment, Nan Yin naturally did not hesitate to express her gratitude.

"This is our duty. Since that legendary figure is willing to go along, forcing him would be a pointless move."

No longer hiding anything, the blue-haired youth got straight to the point, speaking frankly. "A few months ago, I talked to you, Nan Yin, about an anomaly detected in Green Ridge City. There was a meteorite with a radius large enough to destroy the entire region, and following its trajectory, it was highly likely to force its way through the atmosphere and crash to the surface. That's why I asked you for help so early on."

“A week ago, the Green Ridge Cosmic Center updated its report, stating that their survey array had detected changes in the signal, with the source pointing to... Deoxys.”

The name seemed to freeze the air on the terrace for a moment. It referred to a legendary viral life form from the depths of the universe, with an unpredictable form and bizarre abilities.

“At first we thought it was interference from deep-space dust or equipment error,” Daigo continued in a low voice, “but after repeated calibration and tracking, we confirmed that it was not a false alarm. The trajectory of the signal was very…unnatural, with obvious energy transition characteristics, and it was continuously moving closer to the Hoennium near-Earth orbit.”

"Based on the judgment of the center of the universe, it may be in some kind of 'cruising' or 'searching' state, and the target... is most likely Hoenn."

The young man took an irregular, dark crystal from his briefcase and showed it to Nan Yin. "These are fragments that fell from the atmosphere after Rayquaza intercepted the extraterrestrial visitors."

"Preliminary analysis shows that its energy spectrum closely matches the wavelength of Deoxys. The center of the universe attempted to conduct a wide-area scan and tentative contact using conventional communication frequencies..." He paused, a hint of helplessness in his eyes, "but there was no response. It's like a silent meteorite, just 'gliding' along its orbit."

"What's the opinion of the person in charge of Green Ridge?" Mikoli frowned, her expression turning serious.

“Her exact words were—it is still observing, with some purpose that we cannot understand, but it will not change course due to any external factors. Forced disturbance or defensive posture may be interpreted as hostility.” Daigo repeated, his fingertips unconsciously tapping lightly on the table.

"Therefore, it suggests seeking the intervention of a trainer who can establish a 'special connection' with the legendary being to attempt a non-confrontational initial contact before it actually enters the Hoenn atmosphere and may change its form or behavior due to environmental stimuli."

The young man's gaze naturally fell upon Nan Yin. No further explanation was needed; both the companionship of Reshiram and the extraterrestrial venomous dragon on her wrist pointed to the only answer.

All that could be heard was the rustling of the sea breeze through the palm leaves and the crisp shouts of Korni instructing her bear apprentice on how to throw a punch in the distance.

Nan Yin's gaze fell on the dark purple crystal. A cold, pure feeling permeated her senses through the waveguide, giving her body and mind a profound sense of loneliness.

She remained silent, not speaking immediately.

Even after surviving numerous legendary battles, other calamities will still befall this world. These are equally devastating catastrophes, capable of destroying heaven and earth once more, from which no matter how one tries to avoid them, one cannot escape their impact.

Indeed, the girl is a butterfly from another world, capable of flapping her wings and soaring high, fanning a warm breeze, but the future altered by this is not within her expectations.

If my thoughts haven't strayed, this meteorite should have been brought by Deoxys in its search for its former companions, and it was safely neutralized by the Pokédex holder of Hoenn, without harming the earth.

It seems that she could find peace by staying out of trouble, and that refusing to get involved would also lead to a peaceful life. But life is unpredictable, and who knows what might happen first? At least, being caught in a passive situation and handing over her fate entirely to others is not her style.

Eevee, Gliscor, Salamence, Diancie, and friends from afar—there are so many things in this world that she can only cherish, so she will not let go, not even for a moment.

Her determination grew stronger with each passing day and night, and her response remained calm, yet carried the weight of a responsibility she had borne.

Just asking:

When do we leave?

Chapter 271 It Doesn't Care

The girl's question was tantamount to an affirmation, which slightly eased Daigo's furrowed brows, but the seriousness in his eyes remained undiminished.

“The sooner the better.” He sighed softly, his voice drowning out the rustling of the waves lapping the beach. “Deoxys’ orbital parameters could change at any moment. The Green Ridge Space Center is prepared at the highest level, and the meeting is this afternoon.”

The young man paused, his gaze sweeping behind Nan Yin. He saw the Salamence, who seemed clumsy despite its enormous size, trying to play with its companions. He also noticed the girl and the bear in the corner of the courtyard. His shame and remorse deepened. "I know this is sudden, even unreasonable. The aftermath of Galar hasn't subsided yet; it should be a time for rest. But Deoxys's existence and its intentions are beyond conventional understanding."

It's a helpless feeling of being powerless.

Even as the champion of the Hoenn League, backed by Devon Corporation, Steven still has times when he's overwhelmed. In the past, the battle between Groudon and Kyogre nearly destroyed the land beneath their feet, and he used every trick in the book just to slow them down.

After ten days and ten nights of fierce fighting, in a scene of darkness and despair, even with the Three Sacred Pillars at their disposal, they were still no match for the power to move mountains and overturn seas. Sweat had already etched their exhaustion and injuries onto their faces.

At that time, the young trainer nearly lost his life.

To confront a legendary being with human strength is undoubtedly an unwise choice, so he prefers to place his hopes on equal communication.

"The risks of forcibly intercepting or attacking are immeasurable, and 'communication'... you are the only person we know of who has truly established a deep connection with the legendary beings of different dimensions."

"Whether it's Reshiram, Milton, or that Mutana."

One can see the sincerity and earnestness in those eyes as soon as one looks up.

"We need possibilities, so that even if a well-planned scheme fails, there is still hope as a foundation."

"I agree."

Extending my fingertips, I briefly shake hands with the former, having made a promise to her before, and naturally I cannot break it.

"Of course, there are conditions."

These words startled the two champions who were listening, and they were surprised. The girl in front of them was not the kind of person who was harsh and greedy.

"Mr. Daigo, this morning I saw in the morning paper that Devon Corporation has recently launched natural medicines specifically designed to promote Pokémon growth, as well as a series of cutting-edge products..."

The implication is not to demand anything, but to offer a way out for this unequal request, telling Daigo that we each get what we need, and there's no need to be overly humble.

Human relationships are nothing more than this. When wise people talk, they always grasp the key points and understand the other person's deeper meaning.

Of course, if we look at it another way, we can also see it as a white lie, a well-intentioned joke. In fact, it's quite amusing to see this usually serious girl make such a solemn vow for a plausible reason.

"Haha, those are just small items. Regardless of whether the matter is resolved or not, I will provide appropriate compensation."

With smiles on their faces, the tense atmosphere dissipated after this conversation.

"However, back in the snowfield, I clearly said that if you needed anything, Nan Yin, I could open up all my collection. I remember you refused quite decisively back then."

"What a pity, I've unearthed some precious Paleozoic stones, I'm afraid I'll have to spend a lot of money this time."

Clearly, this is a deliberate attempt at satire. Knowing full well the hidden meaning, the focus is deliberately placed on the surface, which will only lead to one result—

That was Nan Yin's fierce glare, exactly like Eevee baring its teeth. Her purple eyes no longer concealed their anger, and a rare hint of girlish naiveté appeared.

"Metamorphosis!"

When the bronze behemoth was called softly, the elf who had been waiting there immediately elbowed Daigo, causing him to fall to the ground in a very unseemly manner, which was quite amusing.

......

Green Ridge City, the center of the universe.

Spacious and grand, simple and clean in white – this is the full view of the council chamber.

The table was already full of people. Besides Daigo and Michael, there were several high-ranking members of the alliance whom Nanyin had met before, as well as several technical managers wearing Devon Corporation uniforms and looking very capable. At the head of the table sat an elderly man with a solemn demeanor and a white beard.

As Nan Yin and Ke Erni entered the conference room under the guidance of the researchers, almost all eyes immediately turned to them. There was scrutiny, curiosity, hidden doubt, and also the pure, eager anticipation seen in the leader's eyes when a key variable was identified.

Daigo stood up and gestured for Nanyin to sit in the spot he had specially made empty next to him. However, before the former could speak, an old voice rang out.

"He is indeed a handsome man, just as Mikkelsen and the others said, calm and composed, and young enough."

The one who spoke first was not someone else, but the old man sitting in the very center, with his back ramrod straight.

"According to the Alliance's reports, you were involved in the Dark Night incident not long ago, and even played a key role in it. Now you've rushed to the aid of others, extending a helping hand to something that has nothing to do with you. This goes far beyond what you can do."