In the swamp, Tetsuya began to observe the Slowpoke one by one. In fact, identifying that Slowpoke was very simple. He only needed to use his hand to sense around the Slowpoke's body.
That Slowpoke possessed extremely strong psychic capacities, and an energy barrier formed by psychic power would surround its body. When bringing a hand close, there would be a kind of invisible resistance.
Among the dozens of Slowpoke, Tetsuya tested them one by one. Fortunately, Slowpoke would not move once lying in a place… cough, otherwise, it would have been complete chaos and truly difficult to keep track of.
However, none of these dozens of Slowpoke showed any sign of psychic resistance.
He could not help feeling somewhat disappointed. It was very likely that that Slowpoke had not yet been born. After all, the time when Will met that Slowpoke was probably about ten years later, when Will had challenged the various Leagues and failed to obtain ideal rankings.
After being busy for an entire afternoon and gaining nothing, Tetsuya let out a long sigh.
At this moment, the nun who was raising the Slowpoke walked over and said, "Young man, why not have a vegetarian meal here? I will go replenish food and water for the Slowpoke."
"Mm, thanks."
At this point, it was not convenient for him to leave. He could only stay here for the night. He had spent five thousand Pokédollars in vain and discovered nothing. It was truly unwillingness in his heart.
After the nun added food and water to each small wooden hut, the Slowpoke also began returning to the huts to eat.
The nun brought Tetsuya back to the small wooden hut where she lived, prepared a vegetarian meal for him, and called toward the room, "Slowpoke, come out to eat!"
After the nun called out, a Slowpoke slowly walked out from inside the room.
This Slowpoke had vacant eyes and stared straight ahead. It immediately attracted Tetsuya's attention.
Tetsuya walked over and reached out to stroke it. Sure enough, there was an invisible force blocking him…
"This Slowpoke…?" Tetsuya asked.
"This is the offspring of the priest's Slowbro. I was specially instructed to raise it. It is said to be prepared for an important person," the nun said.
Tetsuya nodded and said, "Oh? An important person?"
"I only know this much… However, this Slowpoke does not know any move. I truly do not know which important person would want such a Slowpoke," the nun said helplessly.
This Slowpoke was too similar to Will's one. Could it be that Will was the "important person" of this priest?
Tetsuya carefully thought about the priest's appearance. 'There was indeed some resemblance…'
Had he guessed something he should not know?
What Will had said about being "fated" with this Slowpoke was indeed nonsense. Who would catch a Slowpoke that did not know any move? So it turned out that Will and this priest had an… 'Unspeakable relationship!!!!'
Such scandals certainly could not be spread. The priest and Elite Four Will were both people of status.
Sure enough, this Slowpoke itself was not simple. It was just that his plan to fish in troubled waters would not work.
In this temple, he was alone. Robbing was absolutely impossible, and if he stole it, he would be the greatest suspect.
Tetsuya's heart itched. Such "prey" was right before his eyes, yet it was so distant!
After barely finishing dinner, Tetsuya could only suppress the greed in his heart. He absolutely could not make a move now. He would leave early tomorrow morning. For the time being, he could not harbor thoughts about this Slowpoke.
---◓---
Rising early, Tetsuya was eager to leave this place. After all, such a Slowpoke he had long dreamed of was right before him, yet he could do nothing.
Tetsuya and his Pokémon had breakfast and were just preparing to leave.
The priest was leading his pupils in their morning lecture. Seeing that Tetsuya was about to leave, he asked, "Young man, are you leaving today?"
"I apologize, I have some urgent matters and must leave," Tetsuya said, giving a slight bow.
"Since you are about to leave, and you donated quite a sum of incense money to this temple yesterday, according to our temple's rules you may fish for a Pokémon in Lake Slowpoke. The Water-type Pokémon in the lake are all extremely spiritual. If you can fish one up, that would be a great fate for you," The priest said.
'…Fishing for a Water-type Pokémon in Lake Slowpoke?'
He had never heard of any human being able to fish up a Pokémon from Lake Slowpoke. Who could truly be without desire? Even a Pokémon like Slowpoke could not fish up the Water-type Pokémon inside the lake… let alone himself!
This priest was truly good at painting illusions for people. Perhaps it was merely a bit of psychological comfort after he had donated so much money.
'"May I use Pokéfood?" Tetsuya asked.
"This…?" The priest hesitated for a moment. "Fishing naturally allows the use of bait… However, any Pokémon that is fished up must retain three years of incense fate at this temple!
This Water-type Pokémon will carry your wish and guard it for you in Lake Slowpoke. After three years, you may return to the temple to fulfill your vow. After fulfilling it, you may take this Pokémon away."
Tetsuya nodded. It was simply not appropriate to expose the priest's methods of using "divine" pretexts to deceive people in such a place.
To put it plainly, if Tetsuya fished up a Water-type Pokémon and returned three years later to "fulfill his vow", then if he wanted to take the Pokémon away, the breeding expenses for those three years would certainly have to be paid, as well as the incense money for fulfilling the vow.
In this way, the priest would make a guaranteed profit without loss. If he could not fish up a Pokémon, then the five thousand in incense money would truly become incense money… 'Heh.'
Even if he did fish up a Pokémon, it would still remain here for three years!
After three years, regardless of whether he came to retrieve the Pokémon or not, there would be no loss to the priest.
As for Tetsuya, his purpose was naturally to fish up a Shellder. First, Shellder was the most "spiritual" Pokémon within Lake Slowpoke.
Secondly, it was for his Ice-type team. The Ice-type raising/training guide Sheila had given him recorded Pryce's methods for Cloyster and Froslass, and the strength of Sheila's Cloyster had been sufficiently astonishing.
Therefore, as long as he could fish up a Shellder, he planned to take it. If he could not fish one up, he would have no choice but to give up.
---◓---
Holding the Fishing Rod, Tetsuya came to the fishing spot at Lake Slowpoke and took out Swinub's Pokéfood. Since they were all foods favored by Ice-type Pokémon, Shellder -with its Ice type evolution Cloyster- would certainly like them as well.
Taking out a can of Swinub's Pokéfood, Tetsuya scattered it and then cast the Fishing Rod.
These were cool foods favored by Ice-type Pokémon. Ordinary Water-type Pokémon did not like such flavors. Several Magikarp and Goldeen came over to eat a few pellets in succession, but after discovering that it did not suit their taste, they quickly left.
Two Goldeen and one Magikarp also accidentally bit the hook hidden within the Pokéfood, but Tetsuya released them all. His target was not these ordinary Pokémon.
Tetsuya stared closely at the surface of the lake, waiting for Shellder to take the bait…