After finishing the procedures at Van Hoa Tang, Alex leisurely left the ancient building and headed straight toward the Oldale Town Fruit Wholesale Center. The street was much livelier than in the morning, with groups of merchants, locals, and Pokémon trainers bustling about. Laughter and chatter mixed with vendors' calls echoed everywhere, mingling with the sweet fragrance of ripe fruit, creating an atmosphere both vibrant and pleasant.
Inside the center, stalls were neatly arranged by fruit type—from plump bunches of grapes, bright red apples, to exotic fruits found only in distant regions. Alex carefully selected each piece, gently pressing to gauge ripeness and quality, sometimes pausing to inhale the delicate scent. After purchasing a large quantity of fruit along with other high-quality ingredients, he packed everything into a large sack, secured it carefully, then left.
Alex's home lay on the outskirts of Oldale Town, in a special location not far from Mount Chimney. The volcano stood majestically against the blue sky, with warm steam sometimes rising in faint wisps at dawn. Streams of water cascaded down the rocky slopes, carrying warmth and abundant minerals gifted by nature.
Moreover, the area was famous for its natural hot springs. Alex had wisely bought a house near one of these springs, convenient for relaxation and to utilize the water for training his Pokémon. In this world, people rarely stayed in one place for long, but for Alex, this land was an ideal resting point.
The villa he purchased spanned five acres, surrounded by low wooden fences and neatly tended garden beds. The price was under 20 alliance credits—a surprisingly cheap deal. Yet, here land ownership was never permanent; the value applied only for the present.
On his way home, a gentle breeze from afar carried the scent of damp earth and fresh grass. Occasionally, Pokémon flew overhead, their wings gleaming under the bright sun. Each Pokémon carried a trainer on its back, soaring at speeds far faster than any ground travel.
Alex looked up, a hint of longing in his eyes. He wished for a flying Pokémon to make long journeys easier. He had a candidate in mind, but that species was very rare in the Hoenn region. Alex would never catch a Pokémon just for transportation; to him, every Pokémon deserved dedicated training and care.
He believed that once tamed, they would become loyal companions, not mere tools. Catching one carelessly and raising it half-heartedly was something he absolutely refused.
"All done, let's go home." Alex smiled softly as he opened the gate and stepped inside. He pulled two Poké Balls from his belt; red light flashed then faded, revealing Riolu and Ralts.
"Luca!"
"Lalu!"
After the long journey, both had been cramped inside their Poké Balls. Freed, they immediately became lively. Riolu's eyes shone brightly, while Ralts gently swayed happily.
"Luka-Luka~"
"Lalu-Lalu~"
Both turned their gaze toward the backyard, where a hot spring pool Alex had built awaited. The water was fed directly from Mount Chimney, always warm and rich in minerals.
"All right, you two go ahead. I'll put the things away." Alex spoke softly. Riolu and Ralts happily ran toward the pool.
A moment later, Alex stepped into the warm water. The soothing heat enveloped his body like a gentle embrace, melting away all fatigue. He relaxed his muscles and closed his eyes, enjoying the moment. Riolu, on the other hand, excitedly swam around as if the pool were its personal playground. The pool was large enough for it to move freely without worry.
Ralts was quieter. It stood at the edge, gently massaging Alex's temples with its small hands, slow and meticulous.
While relaxing, Alex began calculating silently. "I earned 70 credits from selling the Arbok skins. Enough for a month's living expenses."
That sum was a fortune for an average family — even requiring years of saving. But for Alex, it was just the minimum, since he fed his two Pokémon premium food: grade N7 beef, milk from Miltank, the finest fruits... He believed perfect nutrition was the foundation for top physical and mental training.
"Next, Riolu will evolve into Lucario, and Ralts into Kirlia." He smiled slightly. The recent trip earned him 2,000 reward points, enough to exchange for two potential-enhancing medicines. Both Pokémon were ready to evolve, but he restrained himself, waiting for the optimal moment to unleash their full potential.
Suddenly, Riolu swam close and silently stared at him. Ralts also stopped and stood nearby. Both seemed to sense his thoughts through aura and psychic power.
"Haha, I know you're eager." Alex gently patted their heads. "Rest today. Tomorrow, I'll help you evolve."
"Luca~"
"Lalu~"
They instantly brightened, laughter ringing across the backyard. For them, as long as they followed Alex, everything would be fine.