They walked to the Pokémon breeding grounds to install the door to the small world.
Brian set it up on a large rock near the entrance. Golem and Steelix would remain stationed there to guard it.
Once it was ready, Brian registered everyone from the breeding center so they could enter. When the process was done, he led them inside.
The moment they stepped through, the air felt different—cleaner, fresher. Before them stretched a vast meadow, about the size of a football field, surrounded by towering ancient trees. In several spots, faint shimmering circles marked teleportation points.
"This… is this heaven?" Gats murmured, staring wide-eyed at the view.
"This is amazing," Lim said.
"It's really cool! Brother, can we come here often?" Ann asked.
"Yes, Brother! Can we come every day after school?" Ye Yan chimed in with eager eyes. Otto and Song Ye also looked at Brian expectantly.
"Of course. All of you are welcome," Brian said, glancing at Jeremy and the others as well. "And you can train here instead of outside. This small world actually helps improve talent."
"Really, Brian?" Leon asked, hopeful. They had known for a while—ever since Brian started selling Pokémon and eggs—that every Pokémon had a certain talent. They never questioned how he could tell; they simply trusted him.
"It's true," Brian said. "For example, Pokémon like Pikachu and Fearow need three months here to see results, while Raticate takes five."
"Why's that?" Ann asked.
"Because Raticate's talent is higher. Think of it like this: if Pikachu's talent is Orange, Raticate's is Yellow," Brian explained. He trusted his family enough to share his advantage openly.
"So, you really can see Pokémon talent, son?" Fiona asked.
"Yes. I didn't hide it to keep secrets, Mom—it's just that back then, I couldn't protect myself or you. I wasn't ready to tell anyone."
"It's alright," Fiona said warmly, fully believing him.
"This is great! So what about my Pokémon?" Ann asked excitedly.
"Your Eevee and Vulpix are Green talent—they can grow into Gym-level or even Master-level Pokémon," Brian said with a smile.
Gasps filled the air. Gym-level Pokémon… Ann remembered the day Brian saved her; now she knew he hadn't been comforting her—he had meant every word.
Brian looked around, noticing the curious stares. "Alan's Pokémon are all Green. Nova and Gats too. Jeremy and Lim's are Green as well—except Zigzagoon and Feebas, which are Blue. Blue talent can grow into King-level Pokémon."
Jeremy and Lim's faces lit up. King-level potential! Jeremy silently thanked Brian for suggesting they catch that Zigzagoon.
"Thank you, Brother Brian," Jeremy said.
"We're family," Brian replied with a smile.
"What about Mom and you?" Nova asked.
"Mom's Lopunny is Orange, and her Skiddo is Yellow. As for mine… take a guess," Brian teased.
They exchanged looks. "Higher than Green," Ann guessed.
"Blue?" Nova said.
"Correct. Both Eevee and Tangrowth are Blue talent," Brian said.
"Wow, so you're going to be a King-level trainer!" Ann exclaimed.
"Why not now?" Brian asked with a grin.
"Huh?" Ann blinked. Everyone froze.
"What do you mean, Brian?" Leon asked.
Brian chuckled. "I'm already at that level, Dad. That's why I can tell you all this now. I said I wouldn't reveal it unless I had the strength to back it up."
"So Tangrowth and Eevee are already King-level?" Leon asked.
"Impossible! Yesterday Eevee was only level 15," Lim said.
"That's true," Gats added. "And Tangrowth is rarely seen."
"Only Tangrowth," Brian clarified.
"That's still enough. One King-level Pokémon makes you a King-level trainer," Fiona said.
"With that, our family will be safer," Jeremy agreed.
"Haven't you seen Golem and Steelix? They're also our protectors," Brian reminded them.
"What, they're King-level too?" Leon asked.
"No, but both are at the peak of Gym level. They'll reach King-level in at most two years," Brian said.
"That's already incredible," Leon said. "With Tangrowth, Steelix, and Golem, our family could dominate Arca City… but it's better to grow quietly. Safety first."
"Exactly. Release your Pokémon here so they can train—their talents will improve. Dad, in five months, yours will reach Green and hit Senior level," Brian said.
Everyone released their Pokémon. Since they would be spending the day here, Brian closed the shop.
They explored only about five kilometers from the entrance, which was surrounded by forest. There, Brian discovered a Moss Rock. When Ann's Eevee touched it, it evolved into Leafeon—its form a meter tall, with leaf-like ears and tail. Everyone was stunned; the value of an Eevee had just skyrocketed from 50,000 to at least 70,000 Pokécoins.
Ann was shocked too. She had wanted a Flareon, but when Brian promised to find her another Eevee, she brightened again.
"What an elegant form. I think this is the most beautiful of the four known evolutions," Fiona said, a lover of Grass-types.
"No way, Mom. Flareon's beautiful too. Well… this one's elegant as well. What's it called?" Ann asked.
"Leafeon," Brian answered.
"A perfect name," Leon said.
Of course it is, Brian thought wryly—it's the real name. He was also glad that Leafeon's evolution, like Glaceon's, didn't come from a stone but from special places like Moss Rock. It made sense; even after twenty years of the Alliance, people still avoided deep forests. Some Pokémon were kind, but others—like Beedrill and Arbok—were dangerously aggressive.
Not far from the Moss Rock, Brian spotted a Leaf Stone mine about a kilometer away. He planned to sell five a day, restocking only once they sold out.
"This place is rich," Fiona said. "We can sell the Leaf Stones."
"Maybe even richer in evolution stones than Ammar's family's land," Leon agreed. They had only explored five kilometers, but the potential was clear.
"And for Grass-types, this place is perfect. They might even learn new moves here," Brian said.
With that in mind, he prepared to fully explore the small world—mapping resource sites like evolution stone mines and special locations such as Moss Rock, Ice Rock, and Magnetic Fields.