Chapter 313: A Double Evolution
Adil's home was large, with a small courtyard in front where various fruits and vegetables were growing, giving it a rustic, farmhouse feel.
When they learned guests had arrived, Adil's parents not only prepared a great feast to welcome Basalt, allowing him to taste many of the Roba Tribe's specialty dishes, but they even lit a bonfire in the small courtyard.
Although they were desert people, the Roba Tribe was also a people of song and dance. After a few drinks, the party started.
Even Basalt, who didn't usually drink, couldn't help but break his rule and take a few sips in such a festive atmosphere. Fortunately, the Roba Tribe's wine wasn't a milk-based alcohol, but a genuine grape wine, otherwise he might not have been able to stomach it.
As for Reya, she wore purple adornments, and as she danced, she looked like a beautiful purple butterfly in the firelight.
All the other young Roba men, except for Basalt, were completely mesmerized.
"She's just as beautiful as some of those top actresses," Basalt thought, taking a sip of wine, feeling that Reya's beauty was indeed top-tier.
"Too bad I'm more of a fan of a different style," Basalt shrugged, his gaze shifting away from Reya without any lingering.
Adil, who had been watching Basalt, nodded silently in admiration. "As expected of a top-tier genius who's seen the world. He isn't swayed by a pretty face. His resolve is firm!"
"Big Brother Adil, thank you for your hospitality!"
Noticing Adil's gaze, Basalt quickly raised his cup in a toast to express his thanks.
"Don't be so formal. We're brothers, why speak so distantly?" Adil smiled and sat down next to him. "Basalt, actually... I have a favor to ask."
"Huh? A favor?"
Basalt was stunned. Why did he suddenly have a bad feeling about this?
As a general rule, if someone had a "favor" to ask, it was best they didn't ask. If they had something they "didn't know if they should say," it was best they didn't say it. This was the secret to a life free of trouble.
But he was eating their food, drinking their wine, and watching their girl dance. It was going to be hard for Basalt to refuse.
"Basalt, you have a Cradily, right? And as far as I know, the Life Energy Bureau prepared a sufficient amount of Life Energy Nutrient Fluid for it. That stuff is incredibly beneficial for Grass-type Pokémon!"
Seeing that Basalt hadn't immediately refused, Adil rubbed his hands together excitedly.
He glanced at Reya, who was still dancing, and said with some embarrassment, "To be honest, Reya is about to go to university. But her strength... she's still a bit short of getting into a top-tier university. So, Basalt... do you have any of that Life Energy Nutrient Fluid left? Would you be willing to part with some? I'm willing to trade the secret technique for 'Rock Polish' for it."
"Life Energy Nutrient Fluid?"
Basalt's tense heart instantly relaxed. That's all he wants? He'd really been worried for nothing. He thought it was going to be something difficult.
"Ah, wait. After Cradily evolved, the Life Energy Bureau seems to have stopped providing me with the nutrient fluid..." Basalt scratched his head, feeling a bit awkward. But that wasn't a big deal. With his connections, getting a bit more was a simple matter.
"Hold on!" Basalt suddenly realized. "Did you just say... Rock Polish?"
Rock Polish. That was a high-level status move, a speed-boosting move that was perfectly suited for Rock-type Pokémon.
And, of course, perfectly suited for Larvitar!
"That's right, Rock Polish!" Adil nodded, his face full of pride. "To be honest, this is the secret technique I'm most proud of developing. Although its depth can't compare to the techniques from the great masters, it has its own unique characteristics. If it weren't for Reya, I would never offer it as a trade."
It was clear that Adil cared for his sister Reya a great deal.
At the same time, from Adil's description, Basalt got a new understanding of his technique.
Adil's Rock Polish could actually be used during battle.
A normal Rock Polish required the Pokémon to stop and polish its body. But Adil's secret technique was different. It could use the opponent's body and moves to polish itself. Battling and boosting at the same time! In a sense, this was practically a new move, no wonder Adil was so proud of it.
"Deal. I accept," Basalt nodded eagerly.
He might not be "profiting" from this trade, but he definitely wasn't losing.
Although his Larvitar already knew Dragon Dance, its mastery of the move was not progressing smoothly. To put it bluntly, it took a long time for it to execute, the boost wasn't very strong, and its proficiency wasn't increasing much even with practice. It was clear that Larvitar's affinity for Dragon-type energy was low, which had always been a source of regret for Basalt.
But a Rock-type move like Rock Polish... needless to say, its affinity would be top-notch. Larvitar would pick it up in no time.
"Hey, don't agree so quickly!"
Adil held up a hand. "Because my Rock Polish is so special, my price isn't low. The Life Energy Nutrient Fluid you provide must be enough to last until Reya's Grotle evolves."
"Although her Grotle is on the verge of evolving, you know how evolution is. It's very unpredictable. You should think this through."
"Is that so..." Basalt frowned. In that case, wouldn't I have to trouble the Life Energy Bureau a lot?
After a moment's thought, he said tentatively, "Why don't you forget the nutrient fluid. I'll just give you water from the Fountain of Life instead."
"What? The Fountain of Life?"
Adil was stunned. Basalt even had water from the Fountain of Life? That was an incredibly rare treasure!
"Basalt, are you joking?"
"No. This is it. I only have a few drops left."
Basalt took out a small vial from his dimensional backpack. Inside was a single, tiny, emerald-green droplet.
When he had first obtained the Fountain water, Basalt had anticipated a future full of... negotiations... so he had specially separated a portion of it, drop by drop, into small vials, to be used for bartering at the opportune moment.
As for the rest, he wasn't taking it out.
Although Adil had never seen the Fountain of Life, he released his Cacturne to inspect it, and it immediately sensed the terrifying life energy within the vial.
"Cac-turne!"
The Cacturne's eyes lit up, and it clutched the vial, refusing to let go, as if it wanted to crush it and absorb the contents right then and there.
It wasn't just the Cacturne; Adil himself was clearly moved. But thinking of Reya, he finally suppressed his own desire.
"Here is the secret technique for Rock Polish." Adil handed over a USB drive. "As for this drop of the Fountain of Life, it's mine now."
"OK." Basalt nodded and put the USB drive in his pocket to study later.
At the same time, Adil called Reya over and had her release her Grotle.
Its entire head, back, and short tail were covered by a shell. The sapling from its Turtwig stage had grown into a small tree on its back, which occasionally bore brown, acorn-like nuts.
"Bro, what are you doing?" Reya asked, confused, unaware of what was about to happen.
This Grotle was her starter Pokémon. Adil had used his university credits to get it for her, wanting to give his sister the best. Plus, Grotle had the ability to sense where clean water would spring up, making it very suitable for the desert environment.
"You'll see."
Adil smiled and dripped the Fountain of Life onto Grotle's head.
Vmmm!
A rich life energy spread out, and Grotle was instantly enveloped in a verdant green light, an expression of bliss on its face.
A moment later, the light of evolution descended.
Grotle's body began to grow, the tree on its back becoming thicker and more lush, and its cry became deeper and more powerful.
Reya, Amuyar, and the others all stared wide-eyed. "It's evolving!"
Soon, a new Pokémon appeared. It was the Ground/Grass dual-type Pokémon—Torterra.
"Looks like I don't need to add a second drop," Basalt said with a smile.
At the same time, his gaze shifted to Amuyar.
Taking advantage of everyone congratulating Reya, Basalt pulled Amuyar aside and had him release his Cacnea.
"Basalt, what are you doing?" Amuyar was baffled.
"A small gift for you."
Basalt smiled and dripped a single drop of Fountain water onto it.
If it hadn't been for Amuyar, he would never have come to Roba City and would never have gotten the Rock Polish secret. Although the journey had been a bit winding, considering he would get to enter the Roba's Ancestral Secret Realm in the future, Basalt felt he had to show his appreciation. He also knew that Amuyar's Cacnea was on the verge of evolving.
A moment later, a scene similar to Grotle's unfolded. The Cacnea was enveloped in the light of evolution and smoothly evolved into a Cacturne, resembling a straw-hatted scarecrow.
"This..." Amuyar was so shocked he was speechless.
"No need to thank me. Don't forget, we're the best of friends." Basalt clapped Amuyar on the shoulder and laughed.
"Yeah."
Amuyar nodded seriously, deeply moved. This favor was too great, so great that it was hard to express with words. This must be what they call "a kindness too great to be spoken." In that case, he would just have to repay it with his actions.
That night, Reya not only toasted Basalt but also performed a special dance just for him.
Amuyar also kept toasting him, one after another.
In the end... Basalt blacked out.
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