Very soon, since Cain and the others were not lacking in strength, it did not take them long to arrive at the Hoenn League headquarters.
Wallace and Phoebe could also ride their Pokémon.
After what had happened in the Space-Time Continent, both Wallace and Phoebe had deliberately begun training Flying-type Pokémon. However, raising Pokémon is not something that can be achieved overnight, so their mobility was still somewhat limited.
Upon arriving at the League's entrance, they discovered that many people were already waiting there, most of them leaders of various large and small families from the Hoenn region.
These families were loyal supporters of the Hoenn League, so to a greater or lesser extent, they always had members occupying important positions within the League.
It was precisely thanks to these families, which supplied talent consistently every year, that a fundamental part of the League's backbone was formed.
Although the League was currently striving to train trainers from the general population, this had only just begun, so these families continued to be of great help.
The reason for their presence was obvious: the Mega Evolution demonstrated by Cain.
If they could obtain first-hand information, even with only a three-day advantage, for these families it could represent a turning point in their destiny.
Small and medium-sized families wished to become great families, while the largest ones aspired to become giants like the Stone family, capable of influencing the entire Hoenn League and even the entire Pokémon League.
Even a family like the Stones —would they not want to learn this information before anyone else?
However, since Steven was Cain's friend, and Vivian had been his companion and was now his direct subordinate, and since their relationship was quite good, the Stone family did not need to send anyone to contact him, thus avoiding generating unnecessary resentment.
Although Cain had said during the broadcast that he would reveal everything in three days, those present were not fools. They understood that this was directed at the entire League and even the whole world, and that Hoenn, as Cain's region, would receive special treatment. Otherwise, he would not be able to justify it to Juan.
Cain had also anticipated this, so he and Drake did not stop at the entrance, instead mounting Salamence and flying directly inside.
Flight prohibition?
This was the Hoenn region, and those entering by air were a Champion, two Elite Four members, and high-ranking League officials... who would dare stop them?
Thus, the families who had been waiting eagerly could only watch helplessly as Cain and the others flew into the building.
But although they avoided the first obstacle, they could not avoid the second.
Inside the building, another group of people was waiting for them — the true core of power of the Hoenn League, those who truly determined the direction of the entire region.
Juan was there together with the Ice-type Elite Four member, Glacia; the Dark-type Elite Four member, Sidney; the head of the Jenny family; the head of the Joy family; and the heads of the various departments.
These were the people who could truly converse on equal footing with Steven and Cain.
After recalling their Pokémon, Cain and the others, guided by Drake, approached.
"You have worked hard. The stability of the Hoenn region would not be possible without your efforts," said Juan, observing them carefully, especially Cain and Steven.
They were Hoenn's future.
Juan, already advanced in age, felt an indescribable satisfaction every time he saw talents like them.
Perhaps... this was the highest level of "cultivation."
With people like them, even if he retired now, he could do so without worries.
Especially Cain, Steven, Wallace, and Phoebe. Juan knew that at their age, he had been far behind them.
"Let's go inside and talk. I believe everyone is impatient," said Drake with a smile.
His words touched on the key point, and everyone directed their gaze toward Cain, some with obvious enthusiasm.
Especially the heads of the Jenny and Joy families.
These two families, even larger than the Stone family, although dominated by women, also recruited young male talents every year to strengthen their lineage.
Moreover, these men did not lose their freedom, and with the support of both families, they also grew in strength, thus strengthening the families themselves.
At the time, both families had attempted to recruit Cain, offering conditions that no one else could match.
But neither had imagined that he would grow so quickly.
Now, with the power Cain had demonstrated, he was no longer someone they could control, not even if both families joined forces.
A genius with power comparable to that of a regional Champion... and not yet twenty years old!
Moreover, he now possessed a secret capable of shaking the entire Pokémon world.
Because of this, not only the Hoenn League, but the entire Pokémon League was mobilizing, possibly giving rise to a major event in the coming years.
Both leaders could not help but feel regret.
If they had known this beforehand, they would have done everything possible to recruit him, even granting him complete freedom.
Seeing Steven beside Cain, and Vivian as his direct subordinate, their regret only deepened.
If they had acted earlier...
They looked at Joy Yui and Ayame Jenny, also Chief-level Investigators, who were no inferior to Vivian.
It was not too late yet.
Without Cain knowing, both leaders had already made a decision.
Among everyone present, Cain and Steven were the most talented. But Steven, as a member of the Stone family, was not recruitable.
Cain was the only option.
Although now, with his status, it was no longer a matter of "recruitment," but of "cooperation."
Many in the room shared this idea.
Thus, with their own thoughts in mind, the high-ranking officials of the Hoenn League entered the main conference room.
Drake, as Champion, and Juan, as president, took the main seats.
The League's system had always been like this: the president handled administration, while the Champion and the Elite Four were responsible for combat and defense.
Previously, Juan had occupied both roles, but now Drake shared the burden.
Now everything was in order.
(End of Chapter)