Chapter 289: The Legend of the Roba Tribe
"Yeah! I'm only seventeen. What's wrong?" Amuyar blinked, then looked himself over, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Err..." Basalt was speechless.
This guy, Amuyar, was about his height but very lean. Combined with his dark, rough skin, he did look a bit older than his actual age. But he wasn't even an adult, and he was already a trainer? That didn't seem right.
Seeing Basalt's confusion, Finn stepped forward with a smile. "Amuyar is a Roba Tribesman, they're different from us. The boys in their tribe grow up around Pokémon. At sixteen, after their coming-of-age ceremony, they can legally raise Pokémon. So, in terms of training time, you two are actually pretty similar."
"I see!" Basalt understood. "But in that case, don't the Roba people have a huge advantage when it comes to university entrance exams?"
Other students take the exam at eighteen, having only trained Pokémon for a year, but Amuyar would have already been training for two or three years. How could they compete?
"Don't worry about that, the Alliance has considered it. For tribes like the Roba, their university entrance exam system is different from ours. But overall, the admission rates are the same," Finn shook his head. "Besides, they also have disadvantages. For one, their academic performance is generally lower. For another, resources are scarce out here, their training methods are limited, and the variety of Pokémon they have access to isn't very wide."
After Finn's explanation, Basalt's understanding of the Roba Tribe deepened.
"By the way, Amuyar," Basalt asked, "that powder you gave Marshtomp earlier, is it very valuable?" He had been deeply impressed by the Roba burn medicine.
"You mean this?" Amuyar took out the porcelain bottle again, shook it, and held it out. "This is Blazeberry Powder, made primarily from Pecha Berries mixed with Blazewort Root. It's not particularly precious, but the amount we can make each year is limited. If you want it, I can give you this bottle."
"Give it to me?" Basalt was shocked.
Pecha Berries were valuable berries, known for effectively healing burns. As for the "Blazewort Root" Amuyar mentioned, Basalt had never heard of it. But regardless, the effect of this Blazeberry Powder was so outstanding, it could potentially work wonders in a critical moment. Basalt had been preparing for wilderness exploration after reaching the Pro-level. He definitely wanted to stock up on special medicines like this, just in case. It could save a life.
"Yeah, it's yours." Amuyar grinned sincerely. "We're friends now. Consider this bottle my welcoming gift."
"Welcoming gift?" Basalt's mouth twitched. You, a seventeen-year-old kid, are giving me, a nineteen-year-old university student, a welcoming gift? You've got guts.
But the allure of the Blazeberry Powder was too strong; he couldn't refuse. However, taking it for free was impossible. Not in this lifetime.
So, Basalt took out a black and yellow Pokéball from his bag and placed it in Amuyar's hand. "This is an Ultra Ball. The environment inside is much better than a regular Pokéball, and the capture rate is much higher. Next time you encounter a Pokémon you like, you can use this to catch it."
He had noticed that all three of Amuyar's Pokéballs were standard red and white ones. Just as Finn had said, resources were scarce for the Roba Tribe. Some items they possessed were valuable but hard to sell, while other things they desperately needed were difficult to acquire. Quentin bringing back cream cakes and salt was proof of that.
"An Ultra Ball?" Amuyar's eyes lit up with joy. "That's great! I was planning to go out into the desert beyond the oasis soon to look for a Hippopotas, hoping to catch one I like. This Ultra Ball couldn't have come at a better time!"
Amuyar accepted it without any hesitation. He was very straightforward.
Seeing the match end, even though Amuyar had lost, the Roba people weren't particularly surprised. When the Centralis University research team first arrived, Amuyar had lost several matches in a row. They were used to it.
Seeing Basalt and Amuyar chatting happily, Finn smiled like a proud uncle and quietly withdrew. He had initially followed them, worried about a conflict breaking out. Now it seemed his worries were unfounded.
"Hippopotas?" Basalt's eyebrow shot up, immediately interested.
"That's right, Hippopotas!" Amuyar pointed to a flag fluttering nearby. "See that? That's the flag of our Roba Tribe. The Pokémon embroidered on it is Hippowdon."
Amuyar looked up at the sky, his thoughts drifting. "According to our tribal legends, only those who can catch a Hippopotas or Hippowdon that can control the sand at will are true heroes. And I, Amuyar, am destined to become a hero."
It was the simple dream of an earnest youth.
"Control the sand at will? The Sand Stream ability?" Basalt raised an eyebrow.
If it weren't for having Larvitar and Excadrill (who was like a pseudo-weather setter thanks to the Smooth Rock Crystal), Basalt would definitely have caught a Pokémon with Sand Stream, either a Hippowdon or a Gigalith. After all, two weather setters were safer than one – that was based on experience.
"Unfortunately, Hippos that can control the sand at will are very, very rare," Amuyar said, a hint of bitterness in his voice.
(Game Note: In the games, Sand Stream is a common ability for Hippopotas and Hippowdon. Here, it's adapted to maintain the rarity of weather setters. Please don't fully equate this with the game mechanics.)
The tribe did raise a herd of Hippopotas, but unfortunately, captive-bred ones almost never had the Sand Stream ability. It was as if only a true king could earn the recognition of the sand. So, every year, aspiring Roba trainers would venture out into the desert to find and catch a wild Pokémon with the ability. If successful, they would not only earn the respect of the tribe but also be groomed as the next chieftain, receiving many benefits.
"Good thing I have the 'Imperial Seal' Smooth Rock Crystal. Doesn't matter if you're the true king or not; with the seal, you are mandated by heaven," Basalt thought, wiping sweat from his brow. Although Larvitar's ability was Guts, thanks to the Smooth Rock Crystal's energy, it could naturally summon sandstorms. He was safe.
Sure enough, having a cheat is the way to go. Otherwise, raising a weather-setting Pokémon was incredibly difficult.
After discussing Hippopotas, Basalt asked about the Blazewort Root. Amuyar answered everything readily, holding nothing back. At the same time, the guileless Amuyar earned Basalt's sincere respect. Basalt decided then and there that Amuyar was a friend worth having.
It turned out that Blazewort was a plant that only grew in volcanic regions. Because it grew in an environment rich in volcanic energy, it was highly suitable for Fire-type Pokémon to eat, helping to raise their internal body temperature and the power of their Fire-type moves. Blazewort was truly a treasure. The parts above ground could be eaten by Pokémon, while the roots underground could be made into a powder for external application. Absolutely amazing.
"Volcanoes? Are there any volcanoes around here?" Basalt raised an eyebrow, looking around. In his impression, volcanoes were mostly on islands; he had rarely heard of volcanoes in deserts.
"Of course!" Amuyar nodded. "The closest volcano is just a hundred kilometers away. It's a quick trip by Skarmory. Unfortunately, that volcano is too small, and the amount of Blazewort is very limited."
"I heard from the elders in the tribe that about three hundred kilometers away, there's a place called Ashkule, where there's a whole cluster of volcanoes. That's where the most Blazewort grows. The Camels that live there are also the best."
"But Ashkule, being such a treasure trove, is also home to very strong Pokémon. It's extremely dangerous. Only the strongest warriors of the tribe have a chance of surviving there. I'm still too young; I'm not qualified to go..." Amuyar sighed, recounting the information he knew.
Hearing this, Basalt silently memorized the name "Ashkule." When he had the chance, he definitely wanted to check it out. Not only could he harvest Blazewort, but maybe he could also catch a Numel or Camerupt he liked. Basalt was quite interested in the "Mini-Groudon," but he didn't know if fate would allow it.
Arriving at the oasis, having his Mudkip evolve, and making a new friend – overall, the journey had been quite good, setting aside the living conditions.
Because when night fell, Basalt found it really hard to adapt.
Need the toilet? You had to go outside the room. An en-suite bathroom? You wish. There was only the most primitive outhouse.
And the nighttime temperature was no joke. When Basalt went out to relieve himself, the sand on the ground had frozen solid. Taking a shower? You had to do that during the day when it was warm. Basalt had completely missed his chance on the first day. Because according to Quentin, Finn, and the others, Basalt needed to learn to endure. Six days without showering were still ahead. If he couldn't handle one day, how could he survive six?
Even worse, the signal here was terrible. Basalt instantly felt like he had regressed from 5G back to 2G. Even sending a text message depended on luck.
Fortunately, the blankets were sufficient, so at least he wouldn't freeze.
He passed the night like that. The next day at noon, Basalt quickly drew some water and wiped himself down. Swimming? Not a chance. Basalt didn't have exhibitionist tendencies. The water source pond was where many of the Roba Tribe women – sisters, aunties, grandmas – drew water and washed clothes.
Just as he finished drying off, Finn came over. "Get ready. We're heading out to the research outpost soon to relieve the next shift."
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