Chapter 393: Breaking Out of the Cocoon
After signing the contract, Abdullah arranged a fairly large-scale press conference to publicly announce Basalt's addition to the Sanctuary Club.
Honestly, this was Basalt's first time facing so many dazzling camera flashes; he could barely keep his eyes open.
Basalt was now curious about one thing: how do those celebrities on the red carpet manage to face the flashing lights without blinking?
Although Basalt was now a signed player for the First Division Sanctuary Club, due to his current skill level, he would first have to play a full season with the Sanctuary Club's "brother" club in the Second Division League, the Saints Club.
Ultimately, the Sanctuary executives would decide whether to recall him for the next season based on his performance and value.
After the press conference, Abdullah invited Basalt into his Rolls-Royce, where his female secretary opened a bottle of champagne and poured a glass for each of them.
Sipping the champagne, Abdullah smiled and said, "Basalt, with your current strength, playing in a low-tier Third Division match is completely meaningless. Starting as a substitute in the Second Division is just right. But don't worry, you're someone I have high hopes for. I'll talk to the head coach of the Saints and make sure you get plenty of opportunities to play and hone your skills."
Although Basalt had just obtained the Pro-level rank, his strength was enough to spar with seasoned Pro-level trainers.
Mainly because his Sandstorm was too impressive, and his Pokémon were all extremely unique.
However, while the Second Division League wasn't as prestigious as the First Division, it was still a professional league. With the strength Basalt had shown so far, being a substitute was appropriate.
"A substitute?"
Basalt raised an eyebrow, dismissive in his heart, thinking, "Look at my handsome face; does this look like a substitute's face to you?"
In the assessment, Basalt hadn't shown his full strength.
Zayne Zhang wasn't worthy of that!
Crucially, Basalt was currently in a period of rapid strength growth.
His Swampert had just evolved. Bronzong and Cradily had each received Celebi's elemental essence and were still in the process of digestion and transformation.
Numel and Pupitar hadn't yet evolved into their final forms and had plenty of untapped potential.
As for Excadrill, that guy had no limits!
What Basalt lacked now was just a little time to digest everything.
So Basalt decisively stated his plan: take a one-month leave first!
Give him a month, and Basalt was confident that upon his return, securing a main position wouldn't be a problem—maybe not guaranteed, but very likely.
Substitute?
The word didn't exist in Basalt's dictionary!
Abdullah didn't mind this and waved his hand to approve it.
Additionally, he thoughtfully advanced Basalt half a year's salary—a full 10 million yuan—directly. The remaining half would be paid monthly.
He knew that Basalt's family conditions weren't great, and raising Pokémon was an extremely money-burning endeavor; without resources, it was impossible to succeed.
"Boss is generous! May Boss have five sons!"
Hearing the money had arrived, Basalt immediately offered his blessings with delight.
"Hmm? Five sons?"
Abdullah frowned slightly, displeased. "Looking down on me? I already have five sons! Are you cursing me not to have any more sons in the future?"
"Ah, this..."
Basalt was stunned.
It took him a long time to realize that the Saudi Alliance practiced polygamy. As a member of the royal family, Abdullah had married early and already had children.
But he didn't expect to already have five sons!
Impressive!
"Then may Boss have ten sons?"
Basalt scratched his head and smiled foolishly.
"Ten isn't enough; twenty is more like it!"
Abdullah looked solemn.
Basalt's mouth twitched violently, and he felt a pang of sour envy. He was truly jealous!
Bidding farewell to Abdullah, Basalt stayed with Zhou Yuan for another day before returning to his university in Saffron City.
With the press conference held, the news of Basalt joining the Sanctuary Club couldn't be kept secret. Besides a large group of classmates and teachers, even Principal Mou Kangzhuang made a rare appearance to offer Basalt a few words of encouragement.
Bella Bai also chatted with Basalt briefly, though she wasn't in great spirits. He heard she was preparing for the final battle of the University League and was under immense pressure.
The final match of this year's University League was between Centralis University and Saffron University, with the winner taking third place in the league.
Saffron U and Centralis U—old rivals!
This direct confrontation would affect not only the league rankings but reportedly also the university rankings.
So not only was Bella under pressure, but Kong Linfang from Saffron U was also feeling the heat.
However, the onlookers were delighted; they loved watching handsome men and beautiful women "love and kill" each other!
Back in his private training room, while his Pokémon trained on their own, Basalt pondered his next plan.
Having absorbed Celebi's essence, Basalt planned to place Cradily in the East Pole Secret Realm to train with Mega Venusaur for a while.
Bronzong was in a similar situation. With its current psychic power, learning Trick Room would be a breeze, so a trip back to the Grassland Province was also in Basalt's plan.
Basalt believed these two Pokémon would not disappoint him.
Thump, thump, thump!
Just as Basalt was lost in thought, a crisp sound rang out, like someone knocking on a door.
Looking around, Basalt's expression changed dramatically.
The source of the sound was a gray-pink rocky object, shaped like an oval egg or a cocoon.
"Could it be..."
Basalt's mouth hung open as he trotted over.
Since he obtained this little ancestor, it had shown no movement. Basalt sometimes suspected he was wrong and that it was just a rock.
Fortunately, Cradily confirmed the presence of life inside, so Basalt hadn't given up.
Thump, thump, thump!
The rock egg shook violently, and the knocking sounds became frequent and rhythmic.
Seeing this, the Pokémon stopped training and gathered around curiously.
Crack!
After the knocking continued for a long time, accompanied by a muffled sound, a tiny crack finally appeared on the surface of the rock egg.
Then, the crack grew larger and wider until it covered the entire top of the rock egg.
Finally, a broken piece of eggshell was pushed open.
It was a Pokémon with a cone-shaped overall silhouette. At its base were stones containing diamonds, with a ring of fluff in the middle. Its head had blue eyes and diamond-shaped ears.
Its head also had diamond-like protrusions, and the shape of its ears made it look like a rabbit burrowing in the ground.
"Carb~ink~"
The Pokémon slowly opened its eyes, like a newborn baby.
It wasn't big, only about 30 centimeters tall.
"Carbink?"
Basalt's face showed a hint of disappointment.
He had thought a Diancie would pop out of the rock egg!
Contrary to Basalt's disappointment, the look Carbink gave Basalt was filled with unconcealed fear.
"Carb~ink~"
With a roar, a brilliant flash of light suddenly erupted from Carbink's body.
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