Living Room, Dai Yui House
He glanced at Blue's Pokégear. On the screen was a PokéStream account named Black Crest Jubilife Breeding House.
Dai Yui nodded. "You mean that account? That belongs to Austin. What, are you a fan of his too?"
Blue went quiet for a moment, unsure how to begin complaining.
"Someone asked me to check."
Dai Yui immediately caught the key detail. He adjusted his posture with a knowing look, as if he had already uncovered the mastermind behind it.
"Someone? Could it be Red, the guy who beat you?"
Blue stared at him.
Dai Yui waved it off. "There's nothing wrong with losing. Think about it this way: plenty of people never even get the chance to lose to Red. I still get called 58 City."
Blue laughed. "You're taking it well."
"I'm used to it."
That evening over dinner, Blue learned that Dai Yui had once been a three-time consecutive Champion of the Pokémon World Martial Arts Tournament.
After that, he reached the quarterfinals five tournaments in a row before being eliminated each time.
Although he carried the title of Champion, he had never won a Pokémon League Tournament, so his fame stayed within a specific circle. Those who followed competitive battling knew his record. People outside that circle, like Blue and Austin, had not known his name at first.
Blue searched Dai Yui's profile.
"Retired because of a leg injury? What happened?"
He had not noticed anything unusual about Dai Yui's movement.
"Deep vein thrombosis in my right leg," Dai Yui said calmly. "The doctor told me to retire. If I kept competing, it could turn life-threatening."
He paused. "After I stepped away from professional battling, it didn't affect my normal life."
They did not stay on the topic long. It was not pleasant, and Blue was not a doctor. He only offered what he could.
"I could help."
Dai Yui shook his head. "No need. My leg was treated years ago. I would rather focus on being a Breeder. That was always my real goal."
Blue smiled. "That's a good goal."
…
At Black Crest Jubilife Breeding House, Austin was in his room reviewing everything he had learned that day.
Grandpa Alex had not sent any message asking about his progress, yet Austin still gave him a detailed report. The reply was brief.
Understood.
Austin set his Pokégear aside and looked at Agni and Ryu.
"Where did you two go this afternoon? You were gone for hours."
Agni gave a low rumble and gestured in explanation. He had gone to Rose's place to play.
Ryu was more direct. He pointed toward the mountain behind the Breeding House.
"Into the mountain?" Austin frowned.
To find opponents.
Ryu answered through aura.
Austin sighed. "Be careful. Bring Potions with you next time. It's better if you move together."
Ryu nodded. I understand.
Austin clapped his hands lightly. "Come on. Let's check on Feebas."
Earlier that afternoon, he had told Feebas that its former Trainer, the poacher, had been arrested. It was free now.
He had not been sure how Feebas processed the news, so he chose to give it time.
What he did not expect was to see someone already sitting by the pond.
Under the thin moonlight, he recognized her. "Daniella?"
Daniella, the receptionist, stood up from the edge of the water.
"Oh, Austin. Ryu."
"Luca."
Austin looked at her in surprise. "What are you doing out here?"
"I heard from Mizuki about Feebas. I wanted to talk to it for a while."
Her voice grew softer. "I'm sorry. I should have asked first."
Austin shook his head. "You did nothing wrong. Thank you. I actually hope you'll spend more time with it when you can."
Daniella lifted her head.
"Really?"
Her eyes caught the moonlight and shimmered.
Austin looked at the quiet surface of the pond. "Feebas may have been hurt by people before. What we need to do is help it trust humans again, and make sure it does not get hurt like that again."
Daniella pressed her lips together, still uncertain.
"Can we really manage that?"
"Yes," Austin replied without hesitation. "We can."
Daniella clenched her fists, then broke into her signature bright smile.
"I'll do my best."
Her earlier hesitation vanished. In its place was determination.
Daniella leaned forward, resting her hands on her knees, and spoke gently toward the pond.
"Feebas, we'll wait for you. Take your time and get through this. You can do it."
"Luca."
Ryu's voice was low and steady. Through Aura, he sent encouragement straight into the water, a quiet pulse of reassurance.
…
The next morning.
Because of Red's strong recommendation, Blue had spent the previous night watching Austin Black's first four Trainer Guidance videos on PokéStream.
He had not expected much.
The first video, Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs, and the second, Hair Management, were more or less in line with what he had already seen in person. Solid, practical, nothing surprising.
The third video, Smoked Oran Berry Juice, was different.
That one caught his attention.
Even through a screen, Blue sensed something unusual about it. He had not tasted it himself, yet from Austin's explanation and the Pokémon's reactions, the recovery effect seemed stronger than standard oran or citrus berry drinks.
"I saw you drink the Smoked Oran Juice," Blue said, turning to Dai Yui. "What did you think?"
Dai Yui scratched his head. "It tastes good. You can actually taste the smoke."
Blue waited.
"That's it?" he asked.
Dai Yui hesitated, then his eyes brightened. "Oh. Right. After I drank it, I felt like the whole day's fatigue disappeared. It was obvious. Not just refreshing, more like my body reset."
Blue gave a small nod. That matched his impression.
Then there was the fourth video.
Energy Cube.
The Petaya Berry Energy Cube in that episode was almost flawless in color and texture. Austin's Pokémon food had already impressed Blue, but his control over Energy Cube blending and compression was at another level.
Blue reflected on his own work. The Cubes he made were about that standard. The difference was that he focused primarily on battle preparation meals. Energy Cubes were something he had learned along the way.
"Good morning."
Rose was out walking Growlithe as usual. She greeted Blue and Dai Yui with a nod.
"Good morning."
Blue recalled what Rose had said the previous day. He smiled. "You were right. He's interesting."
Rose covered her mouth lightly as she laughed. "That makes it more fun, doesn't it?"
…
At Black Crest Jubilife Breeding House, Blue arranged the schedule with precision.
"Eight to twelve in the morning. One to five in the afternoon. Is that fine?"
"No problem," Austin replied.
Mizuki nodded. Dai Yui also agreed without hesitation.
"We won't use the indoor classroom today," Blue continued. "We'll teach here."
He chose the fish pond where Feebas was temporarily staying.
Shion stood on her toes and raised her right hand high. "Can we sit in and listen?"
"You can," Blue said. "But you have to listen carefully."
"No problem."
Blue turned toward the group. "Today, we begin with Water-type Pokémon care."
The pond surface, which had been calm, rippled outward in soft circles.
Beneath the rock formation at the edge of the water, a faint light flickered in Feebas's eyes.
For the first time in days, the dullness had begun to lift.
. . .
Please do leave a review and powerstones, which helps with the book's exposure.
Feel like joining a Patreon for free and subscribing to 30+ advanced chapters?
Visit the link:
[email protected]/GRANDMAESTA_30
Change @ to a