Noon.
Baimu bid farewell to Xiaoguang at the dock.
The fastest and most efficient way to travel from Kaina City to Littleroot Town is undoubtedly by boat. Although you can travel by land, the route is exceptionally long.
The latter was concerned that Xiaogang might leave at any moment, so choosing to take the boat to Littleroot Town was wise.
Saying goodbye can suddenly feel sad, but they made a new agreement:
If they don't meet in the next few Gorgeous Competitions, they'll reunite at the Mikoli Club or the Grand Festival.
They are not just friends, but also rivals.
Unless one of them completely flops and can't collect five Ribbon Medals, they'll surely meet again eventually, without a doubt.
"See you later!"
Xiaoguang leaned on the railing, waving goodbye to Baimu below.
"Piplup, piplup!"
Beside her, Piplup was crying, reluctantly bidding farewell to a bewildered Mawile. It had been looking forward to traveling with the latter, but who would have thought the two Trainers had completely different routes, shattering its dream.
The love it had hardly regained was again to be cut off by the great distance.
"Mawile~"
Mawile waved politely, as a gesture of farewell.
This response made it happen.
Piplup on the boat cried even louder, flapping its small wings as if trying to fly, "Piplup, piplup!"
Unfortunately, its cries were drowned out in the whistle of the ferry's departure.
"Mawile?"
Mawile turned to curiously ask Baimu.
Baimu smiled and replied, "It says it likes you and really doesn't want to part... That's about all I can guess; I don't understand Pokémon language."
"Mawile!"
Mawile rolled its eyes at him, indicating, "If you can't understand, why pretend like you do?"
However, speaking of liking... If that's the case, then many of its bizarre actions before seem to make sense. Thinking carefully, it really was no different from the fangirling videos that Trainer showed it.
Having no concept of "liking," Mawile had its own set of ideas.
It's not that Baimu deliberately didn't explain what liking was, but that Mawile's mind wasn't at the stage to understand that concept.
For instance, romance means—spending time together every day, feeling happy and joyful seeing the other person, longing for the other to be with you for life.
Then does it mean it's in love with Trainer?
It experiences all those feelings!
Lairon must also be in love with Trainer, along with Chansey, Zweilous... So many Pokémon are in love with Trainers!
Faced with such a self-assured Mawile, Baimu found it difficult to explain the difference between a Trainer-Pokémon bond and a romantic relationship between genders. No theory could stand against that kind of obstinacy.
This one stuck firmly to its beliefs, impossible to change its mind with anything less than nine strong oxen.
Mawile needed to figure it out itself.
Having such a Pokémon, Baimu found it quite the challenge.
Watching the ferry gradually disappear into the distance, he turned around and said, "Alright, since we've seen her off, it's time for us to head out. Who's turn is it today?"
"Mawile!"
Mawile raised its little hands, mimicking a biting motion.
"Is it Zweilous's turn?" Baimu was quite surprised, though he had secretly hoped for it to be Zweilous's turn to see and learn new things.
But generally, he decided which Pokémon to take along based on the usual order.
After all, the idea is to avoid playing favorites or causing imbalance, except for Pokémon like Steelix, which due to its excessive size couldn't accompany them. Plus, it was very passionate about digging.
"Mawile~" Mawile yawned, pulling out its Pokeball from the Trainer's pocket, pressed the switch, and went back inside.
Yesterday, Baimu and Zweilous were busy until late, leaving it sleep-deprived.
Having to be particularly called out to say goodbye was truly bothersome~
Baimu helplessly stared at the Pokeball in his hand, "Can't help it with you, can I?"
Speaking of Steelix.
Lately, with Lairon's approval and encouragement, Steelix embarked on its mountain farming journey, using [Cultivated Land] to make the terrain fertile for big bro.
Even though Baimu had long supported its endeavors discreetly, earning Lairon's acknowledgment was different, making it put even more effort into working hard. At this pace, it was likely to level up a lot.
Don't think just because Ash Ketchum has Dr. Da Mu helping with Pokémon that Baimu would fall behind. He also has N's help, regularly feeding it glowing food, ensuring Steelix would keep up with the group.
Whether Steelix could outperform like Kingler was questionable.
If it could undergo Super Evolution, it shouldn't be an issue.
Before seeing Xiaoguang off, Baimu fetched the Steelix Evolution Stone that Laisa had polished from the Pokémon Center.
The previously sent batch of gemstones also had their value estimated—about 300,000 in total, which would be deposited into the Pokémon Bank account in a few days.
As for where to place the Evolution Stone on Steelix, Baimu had already decided long ago—
Behind the big head.
It had a recessed spot behind its head. Embedding the Steelix Evolution Stone and Metal Disc there and welding it ensured it wouldn't fall out.
Opponents generally wouldn't have a chance to target that spot.
Having acquired such a Legendary Level item, Steelix was naturally overjoyed and worked harder at cultivation.
In addition, the Steelix Evolution Stone also brought an additional sponsorship contract from Ocean Team.
Yesterday.
Despite feeling somewhat embarrassed, he still publicly said, "Thanks to Ocean Team for their strong support of me," because it was a matter of either refusing or doing what he agreed to after taking the money.
Asking for money and not doing what you promised is plainly unethical.
After a night of fermentation, the remark proved beneficial for Ocean Team, prompting them to consider increasing the amount for a longer partnership duration.
On the other hand, due to the overwhelming embarrassment, Baimu wanted to remove those lines he said after winning, even opting for extended terms without money.
After further discussions, Ocean Team agreed to his terms, submitting a new contract—increasing the sponsorship fee and partnership term, omitting any remarks after competitions.
It's not that Ocean Team was foolishly wasteful, but that the statement sounded too sudden, lowering both Baimu and their reputation as many felt the Gorgeous Competition was a dream-pursuing platform for young people, without overly commercial overtones.
Since it became known Ocean Team was an environmental group, their reputation began recovering, yet it taught Ocean Team a lesson.
Having just transitioned from a history-laden organization, they couldn't rashly do things that potentially harm their image.
While they weren't lacking funds, why couldn't they proceed in a rightful manner?
The entire Ocean Team hoped never to return to the days of being openly criticized, as they were striving for a better future.
Meanwhile.
In a secret base deep within the mountains and forests.
A man with red slicked-back hair, glasses, an elegant demeanor, and a red robe looked at the computer screen with discussions about Ocean Team. After a long silence, he spoke:
"Courtney, go meet this man called Baimu."
"Yes, boss~"
A violet-haired girl wearing a horned hood replied with a smile.