Chapter 228:
The Energy Ball continued to grow, its Aura power intensifying—almost rivaling even Serperior's Grass-type energy.
"No way…"
Such potent Aura power?
Hayashi Kaede instinctively opened Serperior's status panel.
[Pokémon: Serperior]
[Gender: Female]
[Ability: Contrary (+)]
[Potential: Gold]
[IVs: HP (31+2) Attack (22+1) Sp. Atk (29+2) Defense (28+1) Sp. Def (24+2) Speed (31+3)]
[Level: 52–55]
[Moves: Vine Whip, Leech Seed, Glare, Aura Sphere, Grassy Terrain…]
[Description: Noticed by the Tree of Life, possesses unique Grass-type energy and Aura power.]
Hmm…
The description now included "Noticed by the Tree of Life."
And the HP Inidividual stats had reached 31—the maximum.
Clearly, each Pokémon's gift from drinking the Tree of Life tea was different.
The Aura power Serperior had received was now fully on par with its Grass-type energy.
This was far greater than the small gift Gardevoir had received.
After checking that no other Pokémon had received gifts, Hayashi Kaede didn't hesitate. He picked up a cup of tea and drank it.
As the tea entered his stomach, he waited quietly for two seconds.
Then, an inexplicable power quietly flowed into him from the distant east direction.
Joy spread across Hayashi Kaede's face.
Indeed, just as a child doesn't cry every day, a gambler doesn't lose every time. This time, he had finally gained the power of Aura!
On top of the Psychic power and Veridian Power already within him, Hayashi Kaede carefully began to harness this newly awakened Aura power.
To his surprise, this wisp of Aura power couldn't be condensed into an Aura Sphere like the others; it could only extend outward for exploration.
It seemed the gift he received from the Tree of Life wasn't substantial.
But that didn't matter— Having it was better than having nothing at all.
As the sky darkened completely, the lights on some Pokémon began to fade. Only the colorful glow on Blaziken's body remained bright.
"Alright, everyone, time for bed," Hayashi Kaede called to all the Pokémon.
...
October 26th
As Hayashi Kaede expected, it rained today.
The autumn rain fell swiftly and fiercely, bringing a sharp drop in temperature.
The temperature plummeted to around ten degrees Celsius. The sky was overcast and gloomy.
Hayashi Kaede had thought that after yesterday's events, many people would visit the Breeding House today. In reality, while people talked about it, the number of visitors was about the same as usual.
In fact, because of the rain, there were even fewer.
"Perhaps it takes time for things to gain momentum," Hayashi Kaede mused.
Since it was raining, all challenges were canceled. He didn't want his Pidgeotto to battle in the downpour.
For deliveries, he had made small umbrellas for all the Pidgeotto to wear on their heads. The lower part of each umbrella had a windshield—it was basically a helmet.
As long as they didn't fly too fast, they would be fine.
After finishing breakfast at the Breeding House and finding himself with some unexpected free time, Hayashi Kaede turned his attention to the Sprigatito egg he had won from the egg gamble.
Since it was already close to hatching, it didn't need to be soaked in nutrient solution.
The cyan-green egg sat in a wooden box in Hayashi Kaede's room, nestled atop a Wooloo wool blanket.
He nurtured it with Veridian Power every night, brightening the egg's color and making the vitality of the little life within more apparent.
Hayashi Kaede looked at the egg.
[Pokémon: Sprigatito]
[Mother: Two-year-old, highly talented Meowscarada]
[Description: During incubation, exposure to Veridian Power will strengthen its affinity for nature. In forest environments, it may receive the forest's favor.]
[Egg Moves: Leech Seed, Ally Switch]
[Hatching Time: 22h]
After several days of nurturing, the egg's hatching time had significantly shortened.
Watching with him were Alolan Vulpix and the Eevees.
"Vulpix?"
Vulpix used its paw to scratch its mouth, looking at Hayashi Kaede in puzzlement.
Hayashi Kaede chuckled. "Of course you hatched from an egg like this. Did you think you popped out of a rock?"
Vulpix pouted, its curiosity growing.
When Pokémon are first born, their intelligence is higher than humans', but they aren't born with innate knowledge. They remember very little from right after birth.
Seeing a new life about to hatch, it couldn't help but feel excited.
"Back then, I entrusted you to Servine to take care of" Hayashi Kaede said, nostalgic.
Alolan Vulpix remembered that time. Back then, it had been the smallest Pokémon in the plantation.
Now, it wasn't the smallest anymore. Little Nine was slightly smaller.
Once this new friend hatched, it would become the third smallest!
Thinking about this, Alolan Vulpix stomped on the blanket in joy.
Hehe ( •̀ .̫ •́ )✧, soon it could be a big-sister-like presence, just like Serperior, helping the trainer care for the little ones~
Alolan Vulpix watched the Sprigatito egg with growing anticipation.
Hayashi Kaede was equally excited. Takagi Megumi's Sprigatito had been very clingy to her—how wonderful would it be if he also had a clingy Sprigatito?
Still, he picked up the starry-eyed Alolan Vulpix.
"Alright, it'll hatch tomorrow. No need to rush."
Then he left the room and went to the plantation.
Mew was unusually absent today; instead, it wandered around the plantation with Jirachi. Who knew what they were up to?
Getting closer, Hayashi Kaede could hear their conversation.
"Meeew~" (I've been to lots and lots of places, seen lots and lots of Pokémon.)
"Jirachi?" (Really? What kind of Pokémon?)
It seemed Mew was boasting to Jirachi about its vast experiences.
Mew hovered thoughtfully in the air. "Meeew…" (For example, two very, very big Pokémon. They fight every time they meet.)
"Meeew…" (One lives in the sea. Whenever it appears, the sky starts raining really, really hard. The other lives in a volcano. When it appears, the sun becomes really, really big!)
(TSL note: basically it is Kyogre summons rain with its Drizzle ability while Groudon's Drought ability, creat harsh sunlight)
(When they start fighting, the Pokémon I transformed into yesterday flies down from the sky. It's very powerful and beats up both of them together.)
"Jirachi?" (Why do they fight?)
Jirachi didn't understand.
"Meeew…" (I don't know. I've seen them fight several times. They only calm down after being beaten by the Pokémon I transform into. Maybe they like getting hit…)