Champion-tier potential!
Gible's aptitude left Oliver completely stunned.
He hadn't expected his first Champion-potential Pokémon to appear so soon!
What shocked him even more was that, despite only being at Intermediate Late-stage, Gible had already mastered Dig. No wonder it had been able to sneak out of the Breeding Zone again and again.
"Since it was raised in the League's Breeding Zone, is it really okay for me to just capture it like this?" Oliver asked.
Yi Yunfei waved his hand dismissively.
"The Pokémon in the Breeding Zone are originally cultivated by the League to be distributed to meritorious individuals. Since this Gible is willing to follow you, there's no problem at all. Besides—"
He paused, then added casually,
"It keeps sneaking out to steal berries anyway. The management staff have long had headaches over it. Taking it away actually saves them trouble."
"That last part is the real reason, isn't it?" Oliver deadpanned.
"Ahem—haha." Yi Yunfei laughed awkwardly.
"Alright, let's head back. I'll report this matter to the higher-ups for you."
"Then I'll trouble you, Brother Yi."
After returning to the League headquarters building, Oliver bid farewell to Yi Yunfei and immediately went back to the hotel arranged by the League.
He couldn't wait any longer.
He wanted Milotic to see the Primordial Water.
Inside the room, Oliver released all three Pokémon.
"Miloo~"
"Garde~"
"Gi!"
Milotic and Gardevoir looked at Gible with curiosity.
Is this Master's new Pokémon?
Logically speaking, Milotic—who possessed traces of Dragon-type lineage—usually had a strong attraction to Dragon- and Water-type Pokémon. Tian Xin's Blastoise had been a clear example of that.
Yet Gible only glanced at Milotic once before looking away.
As if that irresistible charm simply… didn't exist for it.
"Let me introduce everyone," Oliver said with a smile.
"This is Gible. And these are Milotic and Gardevoir. From now on, we're all partners."
Milotic, ever proud, still lowered her head slightly in acknowledgment—her way of accepting a new teammate.
Gardevoir, however, was much gentler.
She took out an Energy Cube she had made herself and offered it to Gible.
"Gi?"
Gible pointed at itself in confusion.
This is… for me?
"Garde~"
Gardevoir nodded and placed the Energy Cube into Gible's hands.
The moment it smelled the strange but alluring fragrance, Gible swallowed hard—then stuffed the whole thing into its mouth.
"Gi!!"
So delicious! This is insanely good!
Having grown up in the Breeding Zone, Gible had never once tasted Energy Cubes.
There were berry trees in the Breeding Zone, but none of them were particularly precious. Hungry Pokémon simply picked and ate whatever was available—which was exactly why Gible kept sneaking into the Resource Zone.
It wanted better berries.
And now, this strange cube—something it had never seen before—was better than any berry it had ever eaten.
Amazing!
Seeing Gible's reaction, Gardevoir's fondness for it skyrocketed instantly. After all, no cook could resist the joy of seeing their food appreciated.
Oliver rubbed his forehead.
What kind of miserable diet did this kid grow up on…
That's a Psychic-type Energy Cube, and it's devouring it like that?
He then took out a Top-tier Dragon-type Energy Cube from his system inventory.
Gible, still chewing, froze instantly.
That smell—
What was that smell?!
Gible was, after all, a Dragon-type Pokémon.
Gardevoir's Psychic-type Energy Cube had been delicious, but it couldn't compare to the instinctive pull of a Dragon-type one.
Gible followed the scent and locked onto Oliver's hand.
That fragrant thing… was it coming from there?
It stared at Oliver in disbelief.
Is that… also for me?
After receiving Oliver's confirmation, Gible opened its enormous mouth and—
bit down.
On Oliver's entire hand.
Oliver's eyelid twitched violently. He immediately pried Gible's jaws open and pulled his hand free.
By then, Gible was already tearing up.
Having grown up without parents, it was a Pokémon that deeply lacked affection.
Now—
Such delicious food, shared so generously with it.
Master is too good…
I'll definitely train hard.
I'll become the strongest Pokémon.
I'll repay him!
Oliver, of course, had no idea what dramatic vows Gible was making internally.
He calmly took out a tissue and wiped the drool off his right hand.
Good grief.
At least it knew better than to bite down with its teeth.
Otherwise, my hand would've been finished.
Once Gible had gotten familiar with Milotic and Gardevoir, Oliver finally took out the special container holding the Primordial Water.
Under the curious gazes of the Pokémon, he said:
"This is the League's reward—a Legendary-tier resource. I chose Primordial Water, connected to Kyogre's power.
Gardevoir, Gible—don't worry. When I get the chance, I'll bring gifts for you too."
"Garde~"
Gardevoir gently expressed that she already had Lugia's Silver Wing and didn't mind at all.
Gible, still teary-eyed, expressed that as long as it had food to eat, it dared not ask for anything more.
Oliver opened the container and had Milotic swallow the suspended water sphere directly.
This method minimized energy loss during absorption.
As Milotic closed her eyes and entered a state of deep focus, Oliver opened the system interface.
Pokémon: Milotic
Status: Asleep — absorbing the primal power source of the Ocean's Incarnation, Kyogre, from a Legendary-tier resource.
...
Meanwhile.
"Hey, Old Qin," Yi Yunfei said over the phone.
"You know that Gible? It was captured today."
All Pokémon in the Breeding Zone were registered. Any capture or assignment had to be reported, even if it was done by an Elite Four.
"Which Gible?"
A moment later, Old Qin's voice suddenly rose.
"Wait—don't tell me it's the one you tried to capture before?!"
"Yep. Any objections?" Yi Yunfei replied casually.
"Gible volunteered to become my friend's Pokémon."
Old Qin nearly exploded.
"You know its background! Why didn't you stop it?"
"Why should I?" Yi Yunfei replied flatly.
"How well did Gible really live in your Breeding Zone? The material conditions were fine, sure—but its mental state was already in trouble.
"And the one who captured it is the discoverer of the Fairy type. That identity alone is more than worthy of being Gible's Trainer."
"You—!"
Old Qin sighed heavily.
"You only report it after it's done… I'll inform the Chairman!"
"Go ahead," Yi Yunfei said indifferently.
"Let the Chairman come find me if needed."
With a cold snort, Old Qin hung up and immediately reported the matter to the Chairman of the Xia Country Pokémon League.
Yet after learning that Oliver was the one who had captured Gible, the Chairman did not demand its return.
Instead, he smiled with deep satisfaction and said:
"Let's consider it…
returning to its rightful owner."
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