Steven ended the battle looking quite frustrated. In truth, this wasn't due to poor commanding, after all, Anorith was appearing in battle for the first time.
Previously, there had been no experience whatsoever to reference. Even the motion patterns of its moves were being seen for the first time.
Its various stats hadn't undergone precise testing either.
As the saying goes: know your enemy and yourself to guarantee victory.
Right now, forget knowing the enemy, he barely understood his own Pokémon, his knowledge remaining vague and unclear.
"Sieg, once my Anorith evolves, let's have another battle!" Steven clearly wasn't satisfied with this match's outcome.
Sieg knew his victory had been somewhat hollow. Scratching his nose somewhat awkwardly, he said: "Sure. I'm planning to challenge the Tournament that the Hoenn League will host next season, that's my traveling goal. If you're interested, we could have a proper, fair match on the tournament stage!"
Steven tended to Anorith's wounds, and hearing Sieg's words, murmured: "Next season's Grand Tournament? That's interesting..."
Sieg was treating the scratches on Sandile's back scales, unaware that his casual remark had given Steven the idea to enter the competition.
After both simply treated their Pokémon's wounds, they handed the Pokéballs to arriving medical personnel.
The Solance family naturally had specialized talent in this area. These medical workers had all graduated from Joy Academy branch campuses.
After all, only Joy family members could attend the main Joy Academy campus.
Sieg once again marveled at prominent families' resources. Deep foundations everywhere, monopolizing advancement opportunities through intermarriage, no wonder they were called millennium-old dynasties!
"Wow~ Sieg, you're so amazing!"
Luna bounced over from her spectating corner to the pair's side, looking at Sieg with complete admiration.
Steven watched his cousin's eyes practically sparkling with light when looking at Sieg, like little stars, and became certain of his suspicions.
His cousin had just reached the age of first love, and encountering a refined and gentle young man like Sieg, she'd inevitably fall for him.
He sighs.
"Unfortunately the Solance family probably won't approve. I should help Sieg more, play matchmaker a bit."
Steven still held an appreciative attitude toward Sieg. Especially after their previous encounter, he'd specifically had his family investigate Sieg's basic background.
They'd discovered he perfectly fit the template of a rising genius.
Born from League-affiliated descendants, both parents deceased with no relatives. He then gained investment from Gym Leader Norman and the Joy family and displayed impressive talent for Pokémon breeding.
Sieg dealt with the chattering Luna while conversing with Steven, clearly sensing their friendship rapidly growing.
Perhaps male bonding was just that inexplicable, often a single Pokémon battle was enough to become close friends.
Evening approached as the sun set westward.
"Um~ Chikorita, I wonder if you like this kind of Pokéblock?" Luna pulled out a universal Grass-type Pokéblock.
Everyone released their Pokémon on the lawn, preparing Pokéblocks and other food for them.
Sieg also released all his Pokémon, a full five in number. Especially the rather imposing Crawdaunt and Sharpedo, which instantly captured Steven and Luna's attention.
"Oh my goodness, Sieg, your Crawdaunt's star marking is so huge?!"
Luna was seeing his Crawdaunt for the first time. Even the Chikorita in her arms was frightened into timidity.
Steven also nodded approvingly from the side. No wonder he was praised as a genius breeder, his Pokémon training was truly impeccable.
While not matching his own Metang, it was definitely praiseworthy with a distinctive style.
But one must remember that his own Metang had training plans meticulously designed by several highly respected breeders hired by his father. Even the minerals and Pokéblocks it consumed were premium grade.
Moreover, Crawdaunt were temperamentally aggressive Pokémon, yet Sieg's was remarkably docile. Its shell also appeared deeper crimson than that of typical Crawdaunts.
Steven was secretly amazed by Sieg's breeding talent.
Luna beside them, though not thinking as deeply as Steven, could still tell from her prominent family background that these Pokémon were extremely well-trained.
"Sieg, could you design a training plan and specialized Pokéblocks for my Chikorita?"
Luna suddenly held Chikorita up to her chest, asking hopefully.
In her view, if Sieg could also participate in jointly raising her Pokémon, wouldn't that be like raising a child together? Chikorita would be their shared creation. Thinking this, Luna felt all fuzzy inside.
Sieg didn't even suspect what this she was fantasizing about, but his face showed hesitation.
"Well... while I am a Junior Breeder, I've never accepted private commissions before, whether training plans or Pokéblocks."
After all, with constant traveling previously, he couldn't stay long in one place to collect timely Pokémon data.
Plus, he frequently operated in the wild, unlike other traveling trainers. So even during his popular period in Rustboro City, he hadn't accepted any private commission orders.
"It's fine, Sieg, I trust you!"
Luna patted her chest confidently, completely trusting Sieg.
After brief consideration, Sieg realized this was also an opportunity to train himself: "Well, I can only manage breeding for Pokémon below Elite level. If they exceed that level, I'd be helpless."
Sieg's currently highest-level Pokémon, Crawdaunt, hadn't yet reached the Elite-level standard of 40. Much less designing training plans for other Pokémon.
"Yes, yes, yes! Brother Sieg, don't worry, I absolutely won't shortchange your breeding fees."
Luna looked like a little wealthy heiress, hurriedly stuffing Chikorita into Sieg's arms, afraid he might change his mind.
Sieg held up the little cutie, beginning to collect data while retrieving simple equipment and instruments from his spatial bag.
Then came a large pile of materials and various unusual devices. Finally, through a dizzying display of actions, in just under half an hour, a comprehensive examination report was completed.
"Looks like I'll be working late tonight. I'll have a preliminary training plan for your review tomorrow." Sieg said with a smile.
Such training plans typically required precise data and various revisions to fully produce.
It wasn't something you could simply examine once and create, that would be irresponsible to clients.
"Um~ It's getting dark. Steven, are you staying here tonight?" Luna glanced at the twilight about to fade.
Steven recalled all his Pokémon and said: "No need. Alfonse should arrive soon to pick me up. I've already obtained the fossil Pokémon collaboration data, it's time to return and report to the family."
Sure enough, a luxury sports car approached from the distance. An elderly man emerged, the same elder with the powerful Bastiodon that Sieg had encountered in the desert.
The elder walked respectfully to Steven's side, presenting an exquisite gift box with both hands.
"Young Master Steven, here is the Dusk Stone you commissioned."