In Wyvernia, Julian stayed for over eight months, spending almost the entire time in secret realms.
It took nearly four months to explore Wyvernia's three Top-tier secret realms, where he obtained a Rock- and Ground-type Ultimate treasure: the Diamond Core.
The next four months were spent exploring thirty-five Advanced-level secret realms in Wyvernia, including three Special Advanced ones, yielding two more Ultimate treasures.
One was a Dragon-type Ultimate treasure—Dragon Scale Fruit, which could double a dragon-type Pokémon's defense. This was given to Garchomp.
The other was a Steel-type Ultimate treasure—Steel Crystal: if used by a non-Steel-type Pokémon, it reduces damage taken from Steel-type moves; if used by a Steel-type Pokémon, the power of Steel-type moves increases by 30%.
As for the other treasures, there were over a hundred in total. Though not as rare as the Ultimate treasures, any of them would still be enough to spark fierce competition if released to the public.
With his Dowsing Machine, Julian could locate treasures in secret realms as clearly as knowing where the bathroom is in his own house.
Naturally, Julian gave the Steel Crystal to Metagross.
Over these eight months, Metagross had fully recovered from its injuries and had even advanced from peak Elite-level to early Pseudo-Champion level.
After using the Steel Crystal, its level rose again from 81 to 82.
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Pokémon: Metagross (Steel/Psychic)
Level: 82
Potential: Purple
Ability: Light Metal
Held Item: Metal Coat
Gender: Genderless
Moves: Tackle, Steel Beam, Confusion, Metal Claw, Bullet Punch, Flash Cannon, Magnet Rise, Psychic, Scary Face, Hammer Arm, Meteor Mash, Take Down, Agility, Hyper Beam
TMs: Iron Head, Zen Headbutt, Iron Defense, Reflect, Protect, Light Screen, Psycho Cut, Shadow Ball, Gyro Ball, Psyshock, Trailblaze, Bulldoze, Mud-Slap, Aerial Ace, Icy Wind, Rock Tomb, Brick Break, Thunder Punch, Rest, Teleport, Psychic Fangs, Hard Press, Giga Impact, Future Sight, Focus Punch, Earthquake, Heavy Slam, Body Slam, Ice Beam Rock Slide, Grass Knot, Ice Punch, Fire Punch, Recover
Egg Moves: None
Note: Enhanced by the Heart of Arceus—all stats boosted, potential increased.
Note: After absorbing the Blacklight Core, the Pokémon continuously absorbs sunlight to restore its stamina (limited to Steel- and Rock-types)
Note: After using the Steel Crystal, Steel-type moves' power increased by 30%.
---
With Metagross's current strength, after Mega Evolution, it could defeat Leafeon one-on-one without Moltres's help—unlike last time, when the battle was much more brutal.
In these eight months, Julian explored a total of three Top-tier secret realms and thirty-five Advanced-level secret realms—keeping himself extremely busy.
This was only possible in Wyvernia. If he was back home, it would be a different story.
Given his current status, it would be easier for him to enter Advanced-level secret realms than before, but Special Advanced-level secret realms would still be a challenge, and as for Top-tier secret realms, he would have to exchange contribution points for entry.
And what were these contribution points? Simply put, they were earned by taking on tasks from the Trainers Association—such as capturing dangerous fugitives or destroying strongholds of evil organizations.
In other words, you have to do good deeds—do enough of them, earn enough contribution points, and then you can exchange them for entry tickets to Top-tier secret realms.
As for how Julian was able to enter Wyvernia's three Top-tier secret realms and thirty-five Advanced-level ones without any obstacles—it was entirely due to his outstanding performance during this kidnapping incident.
Not only did he keep himself safe, but he also dealt with an early-stage Champion-level Pokémon and even forced Wyvernia to become dependent on Drakoria.
So, naturally, Drakoria had to reward him accordingly.
That reward was a free access to all of Wyvernia's Secret Realms—but only once. After that, if Julian wanted to enter again, he'd have to follow the usual rules.
After spending over eight months in Wyvernia, Julian finally returned home in Lake City.
He had assumed that after all this time, Tina and Love would have long since gotten over their anger. But instead, he couldn't even get through the door.
Tina stood at the entrance, looking at him with feigned confusion. "Who are you? Why are you standing in front of my house?"
"Dee~ Dee~"
Indeedee: "Should I chase him away?"
Love was even holding a broom in her hands.
Julian eyed the broom handle—'solid wood. That's probably gonna hurt if it hits me.'
"Mom, it's me! Your favorite son! Love, your baby's back home!"
Julian grinned, flashing what he thought was the most flattering smile of his life.
As he spoke, he hugged Celebi tightly in his arms—'if Love really swings that broom at me, I'm using this little shit as a shield.'
"Son? My son's been missing for over eight months. Honestly, if you hadn't said it, I almost forgot I even have a son," Tina said sarcastically.
Indeedee: "Dee~ Dee~" (To be precise, it's been 256 days.)
"Not missing! Not missing! Look—your son is back! I even brought you gifts!" Julian quickly shook his head, rummaging through his backpack to pull out the presents he'd bought for them.
For Tina, it was a set of high-end cosmetics from Wyvernia—her usual brand.
For Love, it was a blue hat and a matching silk scarf.
Seeing them accept the gifts, Julian let out a sigh of relief and was about to step inside—only to find they were still blocking the doorway.
'Huh? You took the gifts but still won't let me in?'
'Are you trying to scam me?!'
Celebi: "I'm going in first."
Watching Celebi flutter out of his arms and glide effortlessly into the house, Julian was dumbfounded. He pointed at it and said, "Why does Celebi get to go in?"
Indeedee: "Dee~ Dee~" (We're only targeting you.)
Julian: (⊙ｏ⊙)
Such bluntness left him speechless.
"Okay, okay, I admit it, I was wrong—I shouldn't have risked my life like that…"
Finally realizing the issue, Julian hurriedly apologized.
Tina sneered, "Oh, so now you know you were wrong? When you risked your life going into Wyvernia, did you ever stop to think about me? I almost divorced your father because of you!"
As she spoke, the anger she'd bottled up for eight months finally erupted. She reached out and pinched Julian's ear, yelling, "You little brat! Do you think just because they call you some 'genius' and you're a Pseudo-Champion trainer, you're invincible?"
"Do you think you're all alone in this world? If something had happened to you, what was I supposed to do?!"
Though she was holding his ear, she wasn't actually using much force. Even so, Julian immediately put on an exaggerated pained expression and cried out, "Ow ow ow! Mom, I was wrong! I was wrong! My ear's gonna fall off!"
The moment Love heard this, she immediately made Tina let go. Scolding was one thing, but pulling its cub's ear?! That crossed the line.
Tina didn't think she'd used much strength, but seeing Julian's pained expression, she reluctantly let go of his ear.
Indeedee: "Dee~?" (Does it hurt?)
She gently rubbed Julian's ear—which had actually turned a little red—and shot Tina an accusatory glare, as if saying, 'Look what you did to my baby's ear!'
Tina sighed helplessly. "Weren't we supposed to be on the same side? How did you switch teams so fast?"
Indeedee: "Dee! Dee!" (You started using force! We never agreed on that!)
Tina: "I barely even touched him! This brat is just pretending."
Julian clutched his ear with a pained expression and sniffled, "Love… you're the only one in this family who truly loves me…"
Indeedee: (●^o^●).
*****
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