The second ten-day period had passed.
Two-thirds of a month had already gone by.
There were less than ten days left before Cain's decisive battle against Steven — the match that would determine which of the two would claim victory and become the first to join Hoenn's Elite Four.
During those ten days, Cain had his Pokémon grow accustomed to fighting within the Sandstorm Domain.
The ideal next step was to find opponents of similar strength and hold several battles, allowing his Pokémon to get used to how this double-core formation operated in real combat within the Sandstorm Domain.
As for those opponents, Cain already had them prepared.
Once he saw results from the training, Cain immediately gathered his things and set off with his Pokémon.
That was when the advantage of a private jet became apparent.
Though not particularly fast, such aircraft still surpassed non-Elite flying Pokémon in speed — and offered far greater comfort.
The plane took Cain directly over Mauville City and Slateport City before landing on a small island near Slateport.
There were already people waiting for his arrival. A large wooden ship with sails was docked beside the island, and several sailors in white uniforms were busy on its deck.
At the bow of the vessel stood an elderly man with a gray beard, wearing an imposing captain's uniform.
When the plane passed directly over the ship, Cain signaled the pilot to turn back — and then jumped down alone.
The free fall whipped his clothes against the wind, producing a sharp, cutting sound.
He enjoyed that feeling of freedom — exhilarating and thrilling — and just before impact, he stopped midair using his psychic power, hovering ten centimeters above the deck.
"Mr. Drake, sorry to keep you waiting." Cain, with a small travel backpack on his back, smiled at the white-bearded captain waiting for him.
"Kid, do you really have to show off your psychic powers like that?" Drake said with a laugh that was half amusement, half scolding.
However, upon looking closer, Drake was momentarily taken aback.
"Kid, it's only been a few days — how come you look even more handsome now?"
"Uh..."
Cain smiled awkwardly. "You know... men change a lot as they grow up. It's normal during development."
Drake didn't think much of it, though he looked at him with some curiosity.
"I heard that you've been holed up for days studying tactics for that battle coming up in ten days. Are you asking me to test those ideas for you?"
"Hehehe." Cain scratched his head.
That was his intention, though as a junior, he couldn't say it so bluntly.
"Actually, I also have some questions about Shelgon and other Dragon-type Pokémon, and I wanted to ask for your guidance." In front of Drake, Cain was always respectful and polite.
If there was someone who had truly helped him a great deal — apart from his breeding master, Matsuda Takashi — it was undoubtedly Drake.
They weren't officially master and disciple, but their relationship had already surpassed that: teacher and friend alike.
"Come, let me see your Shelgon first." Upon hearing that, Drake showed a hint of impatience — eager to see how Cain had raised it.
Cain nodded, took out Shelgon's Poké Ball, and released it.
Now Shelgon had already reached level 48. Its energy reserves were excellent, and it only needed to continue building up until evolution.
Drake's eyes shone when he saw it.
In the entire world, there were almost no people who knew more about Shelgon than he did, and Cain's training results were so outstanding that there was hardly anything to criticize.
"Excellent, excellent! You've raised this Shelgon wonderfully. No wonder you're the youngest Advanced Breeder in history — the Pokémon you train are nearly perfect." Drake couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
Cain, however, caught the subtlety: nearly perfect — but not quite there yet.
"Do you have any advice, Mr. Drake?" Cain asked humbly.
By his own estimation, Shelgon was already in its best possible state. Originally, it wouldn't have even reached this level without the support of Kommo-o's Dragon Scale.
Drake smiled with a deep, knowing expression.
"I already gave you my notes on Dragon-type Pokémon training. I didn't expect you'd actually manage to capture a Bagon and raise it into a Shelgon. From my experience, the talent of this Shelgon is even greater than my own Salamence had at that stage."
Cain nodded silently, not refuting him.
At this point, Shelgon's quality had already reached Purple, and once it evolved with the help of a quality-boost potion, it could at best reach Dark Purple quality.
It was very good — but still short of the goal Cain dreamed of.
"This represents my most important discovery. I thought no one would ever find it useful again, but seeing that your Shelgon has such talent, it's best I give it to you."
Drake smiled and took out a plain-looking notebook from his coat — filled with years of research notes on Bagon, Shelgon, and Salamence.
"This... this material is far too valuable!" Cain looked at the notebook with a complex expression.
Research results focused on a single Pokémon were a priceless treasure — like the Stone family with Aggron and Metagross, the Drako family with Dragonite and Kingdra, the Joy family with Blissey, or the Jennys with Arcanine. Each had their own unique breeding methods.
That was the essence of those families — their very foundation.
If Drake wanted, he could easily found his own lineage with Salamence as its symbol, one no less prestigious than the Drako family.
And yet, Drake didn't hesitate to hand it over.
Thud!
Drake tossed the notebook into Cain's lap and waved his hand. "I'm a solitary man — no heirs. So, I don't want everything I've learned to rot with me in the earth. Besides, I've also left my reflections there on the Elite, Elite Four, and Champion levels. Study them when you have time."
Holding the notebook, Cain felt its weight as if it were gold.
He nodded firmly, aware of the immense responsibility.
Drake patted him on the shoulder. "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. If you really feel awkward about it, then make it official — take me as your master. You already have Takashi, but that old bastard just took the chance when it came. He's your teacher as a breeder; I'd be your teacher as a trainer. There's no conflict."
Upon hearing this, Cain dropped to one knee and shouted loudly, "Master!"
Drake's words were true. Old Matsuda guided him in breeding, but as a trainer, the one who had supported him the most was Drake.
Now he was even entrusting Cain with his most valuable secret — recognizing him as his master was only natural.
"Excellent! Hahaha! In the end, I'm the one who came out on top. Come on then! Show me those combinations you've been working on."
(End of chapter)