Night fell across the forest.
A campfire crackled quietly beside a small tent, illuminating the surrounding trees with flickering orange light.
"Sharpedo, bear with it a little longer. These slash wounds aren't hard to treat."
Silas carefully wrapped the injuries across Sharpedo's body while speaking calmly.
"Sharrr…"
Sharpedo growled weakly, though it still endured the pain obediently. Braviary's suicidal fighting style had given Silas a headache.
Sharpedo's body was covered with several deep wounds left behind by Slash attacks. None of them were fatal, but the bloody lacerations looked horrifying and would require several days of recovery.
Silas placed Sharpedo into a portable water pool infused with Sea Incense, allowing the Water-type Pokémon to rest more comfortably before wiping the sweat from his forehead.
A qualified Pokémon breeder needed more than the ability to make Pokéblocks.
Emergency treatment ,Pokémon care ,Nutrition ,Training methods.
All of it was essential knowledge.
A true breeder had to remain calm no matter what situation their Pokémon encountered.
"Kraaaaw."
Honchkrow returned from patrol, several wild rabbits hanging from its beak. Silas hadn't eaten properly all day.
After leaving Slateport City that morning, he had spent nearly the entire day searching for Absol, camping near the lake, battling Whiscash, then escaping Braviary's pursuit.
At this point, he was starving.He quickly assembled a portable grill and began preparing the rabbits while taking cooking utensils and seasoning containers from his spatial ring.
Silas wasn't particularly skilled at cooking But simple roasting? That much he could handle.
As long as the food filled his stomach and restored energy, he wasn't picky. Especially in the wilderness. Only rich trainers obsessed over flavor out here. Soon, golden oil dripped from the roasting meat into the fire.
Sizzle
The rich aroma spread through the forest.
His Pokémon each performed their own duties naturally.
Honchkrow hid silently within the treetops, acting as the hidden guard protecting Silas's life.
Umbreon remained beside the tent openly, one hidden in darkness and one standing in plain sight.
Crawdaunt and Sharpedo rested inside the portable water pool. Sharpedo especially needed proper recovery after its injuries.
Meanwhile Sandile sat directly beside the grill, staring intensely at the roasting rabbit meat.
Its dark eyes practically glowed.
Despite usually being quiet and taciturn, Sandile became unusually energetic whenever food was involved.
Most of Silas's Pokémon survived mainly on Pokéblocks, specialized Pokémon food, and nutritional supplements he personally prepared But Sandile still retained the instinctive habit of tearing apart meat with its jaws.
Especially raw meat.The sensation of ripping flesh and tasting fresh blood greatly stimulated its predatory instincts.
Silas didn't entirely approve of the habit but he didn't forbid it either. Instead, he gradually transitioned Sandile from raw meat to cooked meat.
Inside the tent, Zorua curled itself comfortably inside a sleeping bag, with only its small head sticking out while watching Silas work.
At the moment, Silas had no intention of placing Zorua on the frontlines. Its primary task right now was observation.
Expressions.
Movements.
Behavior.
Everything would help Zorua better develop its Illusion ability in the future.Because of that, Silas often had Zorua imitate Honchkrow and the others.
Fortunately, the little fox actually seemed to enjoy it. Perhaps it was simply instinctive behavior tied to the species itself.
The smell of roasted meat soon became irresistible.Silas didn't bother masking the scent at all.
That confidence came entirely from his trust in Honchkrow. Sandile was practically drooling by now. Yet without Silas's permission, it didn't dare move.
It could only continue staring pitifully at the grilled rabbit. Silas chuckled slightly before finally distributing food.
Every Pokémon had its own bowl. Its own portions. Its own preferences.
Umbreon's meal always included desserts. Sandile's always included roasted meat.
Zorua's bowl always contained chocolate sticks. Every Pokémon had likes and dislikes.
Remembering them was one of the most basic responsibilities of a capable trainer.After dinner, everyone gradually settled down to rest.
Night watch naturally fell to Umbreon and Honchkrow. Both were nocturnal Pokémon and remained highly alert after dark.
One guarded the first half of the night. The other guarded the second half. Meanwhile, the remaining Pokémon finally relaxed completely.
....
The next morning.
Silas woke precisely at six o'clock.
The sun had only just risen. Moist air lingered within the forest while distant bird Pokémon chirped softly among the trees.
After returning Honchkrow and Umbreon to their Poké Balls for proper rest, Silas unfolded his map and began planning today's search route But before he could finish ,A dazzling white light suddenly erupted beside the tent.
Silas immediately turned toward it. The source of the light was Sandile.
Silas raised an eyebrow calmly.
"So it's finally evolving."
Honestly, he wasn't surprised. Sandile had already been on the verge of evolution for some time now. If anything, its evolution had occurred slightly later than expected.
Even Zorua poked its sleepy little head out from the tent curiously to watch. Inside the white glow, Sandile's body gradually lengthened.
Its posture shifted from crawling to standing upright. The silhouette became taller and fiercer.
Then The light shattered. A powerful bipedal crocodilian Pokémon appeared proudly in front of Silas.
Krokorok.
Compared to its Sandile form, the biggest change was its upright posture, making it far closer to its final evolution: Krookodile.
Most of Krokorok's body was brown except for its reddish belly. Its black stripes had become more numerous, while raised ridges appeared along its back.Its forelimbs had evolved into more hand-like claws.
Silas nodded with satisfaction.
"Krokorok."
"Rokkkkk!"
The newly evolved Pokémon proudly puffed out its chest. Still, Silas immediately began checking its condition carefully.
Pokémon evolution remained one of the greatest mysteries in the world. Even modern science still couldn't fully explain it. No one could guarantee evolution was always perfectly safe.
Fortunately Nothing unusual had happened.
The evolution was flawless.Its body strength had increased dramatically. Its control over Dark- and Ground-type energy had risen to an entirely new level.
Power surged through every part of its body. That was Krokorok's clearest feeling after evolution.
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(End of chapter)