After finishing a lunch filled with an incredibly awkward atmosphere, Cain and Steven discussed a few details regarding their cooperation in the diamond business.
From now on, diamonds would be a renewable resource for Cain, so all he needed to do was follow the agreement previously established with Joseph Stone.
As for Steven, Cain could fully trust him.
However, aside from the two of them, there was one more person following like a shadow—Vivian!
When she found out that Cain and Steven were planning to start a company together, Vivian suddenly said she wanted to join in as well.
To women, the dazzling brilliance of diamonds was something irresistibly tempting.
But whether Vivian joined or not didn't really concern Cain. His only role was to supply the diamonds as an investment, while the Stone family would handle personnel allocation.
Cain's role would be that of a silent partner—he'd simply collect his share of the profits while others handled the selling.
After a short conversation, Cain was ready to leave.
After all, in half a month, the big battle would take place.
"Then let's schedule the first delivery for after the competition ends. In the meantime, we'll establish the company's basic structure," said Steven.
"Perfect. We'll talk again after the battle," Cain nodded.
Steven smiled. "Then you'd better train hard. I want to see your true strength. The two of us can't hold back—we'll show everyone how brightly we shine, the Twin Stars of Hoenn!"
Cain laughed as well, patting him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, I won't let you down."
Then he looked toward Vivian and said, "Vivian, I might not be able to handle the official matters for now, so I'll leave them to you."
Vivian waved her hand nonchalantly. "Relax, relax."
Cain nodded, then turned to the Kirlia floating beside him, who immediately understood—she used Teleport.
Just at that moment, Cain remembered something. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a pink diamond the size of half a fist, and tossed it to Vivian.
"Since you like diamonds so much, take this as a gift." And in an instant, he vanished through Kirlia's Teleport.
Vivian caught it instinctively. When she opened her hand, her eyes turned into hearts.
"A pink diamond!"
They all knew perfectly well how valuable one of those was in the current market. Money wasn't the issue—the problem was that the supply was so scarce that even with vast wealth, one was nearly impossible to obtain.
That Cain could produce one that large was astonishing.
Delighted, Vivian quickly tucked it away.
Beside her, Steven teased with a grin, "Wow, Cain sure is generous. That looks just like an engagement ring for you, cousin."
Whack!
Before he could finish, Vivian jumped up and gave him a loud knock on the head.
With her face red from anger and embarrassment, she shook her fist at him. "Don't think I don't know where those rumors came from! You'd better clear this up right now, or else... you know what'll happen!"
With that, she happily left, pink diamond in hand, leaving Steven speechless.
"Huh... that hit didn't even hurt that much."
Women, women...
...
Under Kirlia's Teleport, Cain returned to the backyard of his villa in Leafy Town.
Although Kirlia had to use Teleport more frequently than Slowking, the speed was still quite impressive.
Upon returning and seeing his Pokémon resting, an idea suddenly came to Cain.
"Kirlia, I think it's about time," he said suddenly.
Kirlia froze, looking at him with her large, round eyes.
But slowly, she understood—her eyes began to shine with excitement.
Cain smiled and nodded. "That's right. You've waited long enough. I made you hold back your evolution all this time, but just now during the Teleport, I could feel your energy had reached your body's limit. If you evolve now, none of your extraordinary potential will go to waste."
Among all of Cain's Pokémon, which one had the greatest combination of innate talent and growth potential?
Kirlia!
To ensure that gift wasn't wasted, Cain had made her suppress her evolution and slow down her improvement.
All this time, she had been constantly consuming top-quality Pokéblocks, so now Kirlia's body had truly reached its limit.
So... it was time to evolve.
Kirlia nodded firmly.
She had waited so long for her final evolution—and now, it was finally happening.
As she relaxed her mind, a white light enveloped her entire body.
The instant she released all that built-up restraint, Kirlia began to evolve. That alone showed just how powerful her suppression had been.
Cain took out a quality-enhancing potion he had prepared and administered it to Kirlia.
They were in his territory, and the backyard was occupied only by his own Pokémon—no one else could approach.
Knowing that his dear disciple was evolving, Slowking immediately extended his psychic network, covering the entire yard. If anyone tried to get close, he would notice right away.
Kirlia's evolution proceeded smoothly.
Her long suppression had allowed her to accumulate enormous energy reserves. Her body had reached its peak in every aspect.
As Cain waited, one of his Poké Balls suddenly opened on its own, and a Pokémon emerged.
The moment she appeared, all the others stopped what they were doing.
Slowking and Gengar positioned themselves beside Cain, while Tyranitar and the others soon gathered, watching closely.
The Pokémon that had emerged on her own was none other than the Gardevoir Cain had kept—the one without pain sensitivity, almost devoid of emotion.
She was extremely obedient, carrying out every command her trainer gave. That was why Cain, feeling compassion for her past, had never sold her. Instead, he had kept her by his side—not for battle, but in hopes of someday giving her to someone trustworthy as a reward.
Because she was so obedient, he had never locked her Poké Ball. He hadn't expected that this emotionless Gardevoir would appear at this very moment.
The other Pokémon were well aware of her power—they had fought her before.
They feared she might interfere with Kirlia's evolution, so they reacted instantly.
But Cain raised his hand to calm them. He didn't sense any hostility from Gardevoir.
In her eyes—usually as still and emotionless as the surface of a lake—Cain, for the first time, detected a faint ripple of emotion.
Her gaze was fixed on the evolving Kirlia.
(End of Chapter)