c181: Zvitch's Attention! The Strength of Devon Corporation
Qin Yun's recent battles had been carefully recorded and archived.
Rustboro City, known as the headquarters of the Devon Corporation, often attracts elite and professional-level trainers due to the abundance of resources and advanced trainer tech.
He came from an ordinary family background.
"Qin Yun?"
Even Kenin, once considered an unattainable figure, was now within reach in Qin Yun's eyes.
Qin Yun stepped into the Devon Department Store.
Just as he was about to leave, a sense of pressure caused him to pause, narrowing his eyes at a familiar figure approaching.
Inside, he gazed at the variety of high-grade items and couldn't help but sigh—there was simply too much on offer.
The Dragon Kingdom is divided into nine main war zones, each governed by one Champion and four officially titled Elites.
Zvitch's investment in him had no strings attached—it was pure potential betting.
Devon's influence was critical. Without Devon, Qin Yun wouldn't have advanced so quickly.
In truth, his current power already rivaled Kenin's and was steadily approaching the level of Norman, the Petalburg Gym Leader known for his balanced powerhouse style.
A three-star Elite of Qin Yun's level could easily be appointed Gym Leader of a major city.
Zvitch had seen countless talents, including his own son, Steven Stone, whose strength as a Champion-class trainer was undisputed.
Securing a fourth-tier Elite like Qin Yun would bring huge prestige and practical advantages to Devon's expansion.
Especially during his last few performances, Qin Yun had demonstrated incredible battle instinct and rare Pokémon synergy.
At the very least, Devon expected every potential candidate to be a professional-grade trainer or higher.
Currently, only two fourth-tier Elites besides Steven were affiliated with Devon, and even they treated Zvitch with great deference.
Behind every powerful conglomerate, a trainer of immense strength must stand guard—otherwise, no matter how wealthy the company, it would always be vulnerable to outside threats.
After purchasing the berries and enhancement items he needed, Qin Yun prepared to leave.
Jianmen, Zvitch's personal bodyguard and trusted assistant, had already investigated everything about Qin Yun.
Zvitch was easily recognizable, and Qin Yun remembered him clearly from televised League conferences.
Pokémon with high growth potential required an official certificate for legal acquisition; otherwise, even buyers with status would be turned away.
The fourth-tier Elite ranks dominated their respective regions and were eligible to compete for one of the eight "quasi-Title" Elite spots, typically commanding at least three Pokémon at Champion-level strength.
Even restricted and limited-edition resources were stocked in bulk here—far beyond what was available in Jiangcheng or other mid-tier cities.
Back then, while Devon was still sizable, it was nowhere near today's transnational scale. The difference was like comparing a Magikarp to a Gyarados.
Zvitch and he had once been classmates, their friendship rooted in youth and shared dreams.
The 33-floor department store catered to all consumers, but above the 13th floor, access was restricted to high-clearance personnel only.
In contrast, the U.S. Alliance spans 50 states, each with a Champion and four Elite-ranked trainers. While their nurturing system isn't as refined as the Dragon Kingdom's, their total combat power remains superior.
Zvitch eventually shifted focus to business, and with his help, Devon had become a corporate behemoth.
Steven inherited that talent—perhaps even more ruthless than his father when it came to strategic decision-making.
With Steven at the helm, Devon's security was all but guaranteed for the next few decades.
Although Steven's upbringing was more privileged than Qin Yun's, their current standings weren't that far apart.
"Zvitch?"
To raise a Champion-level Pokémon, it must possess SS-level potential at a minimum—even then, the odds were slim.
Qin Yun had analyzed every stage of development in detail.
Elite-tier Pokémon often originated from trainers who knew how to maximize the strengths of high-potential specimens.
Zvitch had studied vast resources and strategies just to give Steven the optimal development path.
Jianmen nodded firmly, acknowledging Qin Yun's potential.
The more they learned, the more monstrous Qin Yun seemed.
Every Pokémon he used—be it Gardevoir, Fomantis, or his SSS-grade Pikachu—was packed with unique traits and elite-grade instincts.
He categorized the three-star Elite rank into various sub-levels based on experience and combat potential.
Even Pokémon at the theoretical peak of growth could fall short of reaching S-rank unless paired with considerable resources, training, and luck.
The Dragon Kingdom Alliance boasts the highest number of Hall of Fame inductees—over 100—surpassing even the U.S. Alliance by more than ten.
Title Elites are defined by having a minimum of three Champion-tier Pokémon.
The 33rd floor marks the end of Devon's commercial zone. Floors above it house executive offices and research labs.
Zvitch, aware of his own limitations as a trainer, knew that becoming a fourth-tier Elite required both a powerful Pokémon and the luck to survive countless high-stakes battles.
"Is this... Devon's strength?"
His interest in Qin Yun grew stronger.
Jianmen, his most trusted partner, was considered mid-tier among the third-level Elites.
Zvitch had personally watched Devon rise from humble beginnings to a corporation spanning multiple regions and alliances.
With proper guidance, Qin Yun had the potential to surpass Kenin in the future and rival even Norman's strategic depth.
He started with a mid-tier Ralts, then won the Rookie Tournament using Fomantis, and steadily rose through the ranks—each of his battles had been scrutinized and documented.
High potential didn't guarantee Elite status—many trainers failed midway through evolution thresholds.
As the head of a transnational giant, Zvitch knew far more than most League officials.
"President Zvitch, I can arrange a meeting with Qin Yun immediately," Jianmen said with calm certainty.
Qin Yun wandered into a premium store inside the complex, where even the lowest-potential Pokémon were B-grade, and some were near A-grade.
At the third tier, the trainer must achieve an S-grade performance at the Elite level, often qualifying them for Gym Leader status.
Unless Devon produces a future Champion-class trainer, its prestige will inevitably decline in the long run.
Devon Manufacturing Co., Ltd., a 66-story skyscraper, is the tallest building in Rustboro and the technological heart of Hoenn.
The first tier comprises ordinary three-star Elites—strong, but replaceable.
The U.S. Alliance, with the most professional and Elite-level trainers in the world, surpasses the Dragon Kingdom in sheer volume, even though its high-end power is less concentrated.
The Department Store is located in the basement and first floors of the Devon HQ.
Qin Yun's innate potential arguably surpasses Zvitch's, but the latter had no real interest in being a trainer—business always came first.
However, even the best-potential Pokémon required intensive effort to reach S-rank capability.
The Dragon Kingdom Alliance continues to hold the global record for most Champions and Title Elites.
But it wasn't until Steven ascended to near-Champion status that Devon truly became a global force.
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