Cain wasn't sure whether that antenna had been intentionally left behind by Xerneas or if it had simply ended up there by chance.
Being Xerneas a legendary Fairy-type Pokémon and a top-tier one at that, even a single fallen hair from its body couldn't be underestimated.
Similar to how a strand of Mew's hair drastically boosted Slowking's psychic power.
Of course, that was mainly because it contained Mew's blood.
This antenna was clearly something of a higher level than hair—at least comparable to the level of blood.
Its value was incalculable.
When Cain retrieved the antenna, Ralts and Carbink fixed their eyes on the object he held.
Carbink, due to its timid nature, didn't show much reaction.
However, Ralts looked as if it was about to jump up and snatch it.
Cain smiled at them but didn't hand over the item.
He hadn't yet determined its specific function nor understood what intention Xerneas might have had.
With Xerneas's capabilities, it wouldn't have left that antenna there without a reason. There had to be a purpose.
However, since Cain couldn't see it, there was no way to ask.
Although Xerneas is a legendary Pokémon, it has a very gentle temperament. Normally, when it sees humans, it simply leaves quietly, without showing aggression.
Unless someone actually provokes it.
On the other hand, the other legendary Pokémon of the Kalos region, Yveltal, isn't so reasonable.
One represents the giving of life, while the other symbolizes the absorption of life. They are opposing Pokémon.
According to legend, Yveltal caused great destruction in the forests and was stopped by Xerneas, after which it turned into a cocoon of destruction and fell asleep somewhere in Kalos.
No one knows exactly where.
Cain stayed a bit longer at the spot, making sure there was nothing else he could recover, and then left on Flygon's back.
After his departure, another Pokémon appeared near the spring.
Its two blue eyes, with a cross at the center, looked at the disappearing Flygon on the horizon, though it was impossible to tell what it was thinking.
...
Drawn in by Xerneas, Cain had crossed the river directly.
Since it had turned out that way, he decided not to rest and flew straight toward the outskirts of Shalour City.
When the sky began to brighten, Cain arrived in the city, holding Ralts in his arms, while beside him walked Carbink, whose diamond on its forehead was now glowing pink.
He headed directly to the Pokémon Center.
They rented a room, and Cain collapsed on the bed, closing his eyes.
What he needed to investigate in Shalour City could wait.
While lying there, Cain continued to ponder Xerneas's purpose.
Suddenly, an idea lit up his mind, and he sat up quickly.
This startled Ralts and Carbink, who had just gotten comfortable.
Cain stared at Ralts for a while before slowly shaking his head and turning his gaze to Carbink.
If there was any Pokémon by his side that might interest Xerneas, it would undoubtedly be Carbink.
Or rather, Carbink in the middle of its mutation.
After all, both were Fairy-type Pokémon. When Carbink evolves into Diancie, it too could possess the power to grant life.
The difference is that Xerneas can give life to all living beings, while Diancie can only do so to Carbink.
But it's still a power of the same origin.
At first, Cain thought it might have been Ralts's exceptional talent that attracted Xerneas. But upon reflection, with Xerneas's experience, it had likely seen many outstanding Pokémon.
So it could only be Carbink, undergoing mutation.
That was the only explanation that made sense.
To confirm his hypothesis, Cain took out the antenna.
Upon seeing the antenna, Ralts and Carbink immediately perked up.
In the daylight, the antenna looked like an impeccably white ivory horn, without the fluorescent glow it had shown during the night.
Cain activated the system's scan and efficient analysis capabilities, placing the antenna over Carbink.
Ralts, seeing Cain place the antenna on Carbink, showed a disappointed expression, with envy in its eyes toward Carbink.
However, it didn't dwell on it.
Childish thoughts are always pure; if its trainer hadn't given it the item, it was probably because it was better suited for someone else.
It was just a little jealous.
Yes, jealous.
Upon contact with the antenna, Carbink felt as if a dormant force within its body was beginning to awaken.
Cain closely monitored the scan and analysis results from the system.
Carbink's mutation progress, measured to the thousandth, began to advance.
Normally, even a thousandth of progress would take a long time, but now, with just contact with the antenna, the advancement was ten times faster.
"So that's it," thought Cain.
Was it the energy in Carbink's body that was awakening and had been sensed by Xerneas?
Or was it simply a coincidence, and Xerneas had left behind some energy to help Carbink?
Regardless of the reason, Carbink had gained tremendous benefit.
The antenna not only accelerated its mutation process, but also purified its Fairy-type energy.
Although it could also be useful for Ralts, since both shared the Fairy type, it was clearly more suitable for Carbink.
There was something Cain didn't understand.
Why did Xerneas want to help Carbink?
If everything followed its natural course, there should exist a Diamond Kingdom in the Kalos region. However, he wasn't sure if Diancie had appeared.
He couldn't figure it out.
He decided not to think about it anymore for now.
The appearance of Xerneas had already been a surprise.
On this journey along Fourrage Road, besides capturing several Gogoat and Skiddo, Cain's Pokémon had also improved in strength.
The one who had progressed the most was Blaziken.
Since the opponents were mostly Grass-type Pokémon, Blaziken had a type advantage, so he became the primary fighter, reaching level 39, very close to entering the advanced level.
Aside from Blaziken, Lairon reached level 36, and Pupitar reached level 38.
Both were striving to level up. Having accumulated enough time and experience, they only needed to reach the right level to evolve.
After evolving, they could show their true potential.
Although their levels weren't that far behind Blaziken, the difference in battle was becoming increasingly evident.
Both Pokémon were determined. In Cain's second group of Pokémon, only they remained, and though they didn't say it outright, deep down they had a strong desire for self-improvement.
Aside from them, Swampert had been fighting for several days, but its level remained stuck at 49, just brushing the quasi-elite level.
Politoed had also gained a level, reaching level 43.
Overall, Cain's second group of Pokémon was starting to catch up.
Soon, they'd be able to take on important battles.
Especially once Blaziken could Mega Evolve.
Once it reached the right level, it would become one of Cain's trump cards—a card capable of unleashing extraordinary power in critical moments.
(End of chapter)