Chapter 316: Intel on Ashkule
"That kid saw me, so why did he run off without saying hello? Strange."
Adil had also noticed Alim's odd behavior, but like Basalt, he didn't give it much thought, just grumbling about it inwardly. With the Tribal Gathering just around the corner, he had too much on his plate.
"Bro, why do you care about him? A guy like Alim just makes me sick."
Reya affectionately linked her arm with Adil's, pouting. "Bro, my Grotle has evolved into a Torterra now. Do you think I have a chance of getting into Capital University?"
Reya had always longed to go to Capital University. It was the top university in the Alliance and her brother's alma mater. Although she had never been, she had heard so many stories about it that she had developed a sense of belonging.
"Capital University?"
Adil thought for a moment, then shook his head. "It'll be tough. But if you can't get into Capital, you can always consider Centralis University. Your chances of success there would be much higher."
As he spoke, Adil unconsciously glanced at Basalt.
Even if Reya did get into Capital University, he would have already graduated by then and wouldn't be able to look after his little sister.
But Centralis University... that was a good option now.
There were two main reasons.
The first, naturally, was Basalt. Adil really wanted to set his sister up with him. So far, it hadn't been very effective; there was no spark between them. Of course, it might just be too soon. Adil felt he could wait it out.
The second reason was the Quicksand Domain.
From Basalt, Adil had learned the origin of the technique: it was a research achievement from Centralis University. That meant students from Centralis would definitely have priority access, possibly even over the Weather Bureau.
Even Adil himself was incredibly envious of this technique.
"Bro, didn't you used to say that the universities in the south weren't a good fit for us Roba people?"
Reya was stunned. She had no idea what her brother was scheming.
The southern and coastal regions were humid, which was bad for sandstorm teams. The entire Roba Tribe knew this. And Centralis University was in a place that was both southern and coastal. Logically, it should be the last place they'd want to go.
"That was then, this is now."
Adil cleared his throat. "Anyway, just listen to me, you won't go wrong. When have I ever steered you in the wrong direction?"
"Well... alright then." Reya fiddled with the hem of her clothes and didn't argue.
At this point, the sky was growing darker. Basalt and Amuyar had also finished their training. They returned to Adil's home, chatting all the way.
"Big Brother Adil, have you ever been to the Ashkule volcano cluster? Amuyar told me that a lot of Fire-type Pokémon live there, including Numel and Slugma. I was just wondering if there are any Rolycoly there."
Basalt looked at Adil with anticipation. As a desert expert with his level of strength, Basalt figured he must have been to Ashkule.
Adil's eyebrow shot up. "What? You want to catch a Fire-type Pokémon?"
"Yeah." Basalt rubbed his hands together, not bothering to hide it. "I heard it's a great place for Fire-types to live, and I've always wanted to go, but never had the time. I also heard there are a lot of strong wild Pokémon there, and the risk is high if you're not at the Pro-level."
"You heard right. The Ashkule volcanic zone is extremely dangerous. Most Fire-type Pokémon are hot-tempered. If you trespass on their territory, a fight is almost guaranteed. And if they're in a group, you're in big trouble."
A haunted look appeared in Adil's eyes, as if he had some bad memories of the place.
"If you want to go, I can give you a map of the Ashkule region. I can also show you the mountain route our Roba Tribe has scouted over hundreds of years. It'll help you avoid a lot of the dangerous areas."
Adil was very generous and open with Basalt.
He smiled and added, "If you have a specific target, I can even tell you which areas your target Pokémon are most active in."
"That... how can I accept?"
Basalt rubbed his hands together, an unconcealable grin on his face.
This was an amazing, unexpected gift. The favor Adil was offering was huge. But knowing Basalt, he'd take what he could get.
"You look like you're having no trouble accepting it," Reya's voice cut in at just the wrong time.
Basalt's smile froze. He was embarrassed. "Was I being that obvious?"
"Little sister, what are you talking about?"
Adil put on a stern face and scolded Reya. "You can't be so rude to our guest, do you understand?"
How am I supposed to build a good relationship with him if you keep doing that?
"I know, hmph." Reya pouted and ran off, looking aggrieved.
"Basalt, Reya's just been spoiled by me. I hope you don't mind," Adil said, clapping him on the shoulder.
"Not at all, not at all. Reya is just being herself. I like that. It's so much better than those other girls who are always putting on an act."
Basalt knew how to play the game. He wasn't about to say something stupid.
"Really?"
When Basalt said "like," Adil's spirits lifted.
Was that some kind of hint? Or... a probe?
And so, the relationship between Basalt and Adil grew even more harmonious.
...
That night. Somewhere in a dark, gloomy house in Roba City.
A faint candlelight flickered, illuminating Alim's face. He was sitting rigidly, his aura weak.
Across from him sat a man completely shrouded in a black robe, hidden in the shadows.
Behind the robed man stood a Pokémon with Unown-like patterns on its body and many eyes that glowed with an eerie light.
The Pokémon was currently releasing a powerful psychic energy.
"Adil? From the description, he sounds like a tough opponent. It seems I'll have to wait until after the Roba Tribal Gathering to make my move."
The robed man stepped out of the shadows, an excited smile on his face. "I was just planning to lie low here to avoid the heat, but I can't believe I'd run into such a gifted Larvitar. Not only does it have Sand Stream, but it has also mastered that terrifying quicksand secret technique. Truly, the great one is watching over me!"
A Larvitar was still a cub. Even if it had a trainer, there was still room to... re-educate it.
"It's just a shame I have to abandon this hideout."
The robed man looked around the bare, squalid room, a trace of sadness in his voice, but it was quickly replaced by excitement. "A gifted Desert Tyrant, and with that... in the future, I will surely be able to unite the power of the true believers, ascend as the Caliph, and establish the world's sixth great Pokémon League!"
A look of fervent longing appeared on the robed man's face.
It was a grand and sacred cause. And he would surely succeed.
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