Cain, running with long strides, reached Blaziken's side.
He took out a Pokéblock and fed it to him, letting him sit on the ground to regain strength.
At the same time, he pulled out several healing sprays and began treating Mr. Ramos's Gogoat's injuries.
As a breeder, Cain was perfectly skilled at these simple treatments.
Soon, Gogoat opened his eyes.
Only then did Cain start treating Blaziken's wounds.
Mr. Ramos, wearing a peaceful smile, stood to the side watching Cain go back and forth, gently stroking his old partner with one hand as he nodded repeatedly.
"He's a good young man," Mr. Ramos said to himself.
Once everything was done, Cain gave Blaziken a pat on the shoulder, acknowledging his effort.
"Mr. Ramos, thank you very much," Cain expressed his gratitude.
"Young Cain, how about coming with me to the top of the tree for a look?" Mr. Ramos suggested, keeping his smile, making no mention of the battle.
Cain nodded.
After returning Blaziken to his Pokéball, he followed Mr. Ramos to the top of the tree.
That treetop was where Mr. Ramos usually lived, and occasionally Gym battles were also held there.
After all, strictly speaking, that tree itself was a Gym.
They walked up a series of crooked and uneven steps until they reached the top.
There, a large platform extended outward, with a battle field at its center. Around the tree grew plants that Mr. Ramos regularly tended.
Upon arrival, Mr. Ramos took out a pair of scissors and began trimming some plants, shaping them.
It was clear the plants were thriving, a testament to Mr. Ramos's care.
At the edge of the area, on a small raised platform, was a sort of tiny library, with shelves densely packed with books.
"When I have nothing else to do, I read here, drink tea, and take care of the plants," Mr. Ramos said with a smile.
They sat around a round table at the center of the little library.
Some Gym assistants—or perhaps apprentices—brought two cups of tea.
The fresh aroma of the tea filled the air, reinvigorating Cain.
"Try this tea. I grow it myself," Mr. Ramos said, gently blowing the floating leaves before taking a sip. His face showed an expression of delight.
Cain also picked up his cup and took a sip. A familiar sensation he hadn't felt in a long time washed over him.
Since arriving in this world, it was only the second time he had tasted tea.
Though it had a slightly bitter taste, it reminded Cain of his life on Earth.
After drinking it, he felt his body relax.
Noticing the change in his expression, Mr. Ramos smiled even more.
"Young Cain, don't pressure yourself too much. Sometimes it's necessary to relax. There are many good things in this world—you should explore them more," the elder advised wisely.
Even though Cain hid his stress well, to someone like Mr. Ramos, who was nearing a hundred years old, it was plainly visible.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting patterns on them, while the bitterness of the tea gradually turned into sweetness in their mouths.
As they drank, the young man and the elder quickly fell into a lively conversation.
Cain asked Mr. Ramos for advice on plant cultivation techniques.
Some things couldn't be found in books or records; they were knowledge Mr. Ramos had gained over decades of experience, existing only in his mind.
Mr. Ramos even gave Cain a book he had written in his spare time, filled with personal notes on cultivation techniques.
Since he preferred traditional methods, he didn't use computers and wrote everything by hand, considering it a way to cultivate one's character.
When parting, Mr. Ramos also gave him a large bag of tea he had grown himself.
Drinking tea was an excellent way to relieve physical and mental fatigue.
Cain gladly accepted.
After leaving the Gym, Cain didn't return to Coumarine City, but instead headed toward the other side of the mountain.
From the top of the tree, Mr. Ramos silently watched as Cain slowly walked away, nodded slightly, and returned to tend his plants.
Cain, meanwhile, had stepped onto Route 12.
Route 12, also known as Fourrage Road, was full of grassy fields and numerous ranches, among them one that particularly caught Cain's interest, where Gogoat and Skiddo were raised.
Of course, those ranches had owners.
However, aside from the Pokémon that lived on the ranches, there were wild groups in certain areas.
Even though the wild Gogoat and Skiddo were strong, the ranchers couldn't capture them and simply let them roam freely.
Fortunately, these Pokémon didn't have aggressive temperaments and would often appear near the ranches to graze.
Cain's target was precisely those wild Gogoat and Skiddo.
Capturing Pokémon from the ranches was not an appropriate option, especially considering his status as a League member.
Besides, these Pokémon were perfect for Blaziken and the others to train and battle against.
Apart from Gogoat and Skiddo, there were also other interesting Pokémon in the area.
Among them were Tauros, Mareep, and other herbivorous Pokémon, all valuable.
The knowledge gained from Mr. Ramos was recorded by the system and transmitted to the Porygon2 subsystem, which would allow better care for the plants and Grass-type Pokémon on the island.
Walking slowly away from Coumarine City, a vast prairie soon unfolded before his eyes.
The green grass and the blue sky blended together at the horizon.
In the grass, many Pokémon moved around carefree.
It was a true Pokémon paradise.
Cain avoided the official path established by the League, since on those trails only ranch Pokémon could be found, which couldn't be captured.
Because this area was remote, he hardly encountered anyone once he left the official path.
Cain released his Pokémon: Blaziken, Lairon, Pupitar, Politoed, and Swampert.
Swampert, who had been ready to participate in the Gym battle, redirected his stored energy into fighting wild Pokémon.
Although most of the Pokémon in the area were Grass-type, which put him at a disadvantage, Swampert didn't mind.
There were numerous Pokémon in the grass—Victreebel, Sunflora, Oddish, and Hoppip appeared everywhere.
There were also small groups of Gogoat and Skiddo.
Blaziken, as the group's leader, was the first to strike at the Victreebel.
Then they began facing the Gogoat and Skiddo.
There was no doubt that the wild Pokémon in this area were quite strong.
(End of chapter)