Next to the farm villa, Alex was leisurely dozing off under a tree. Beside him was a newly built garden, where Florges was meticulously tending to her flowers. Alex had been enjoying a leisurely half-month.
During this time, he would help Grandpa and Grandma milk Miltank in the mornings and occasionally check on his Pokémon's training progress. In the afternoons, he would follow Grandpa to learn various pharmacological knowledge. Every day was simple yet fulfilling.
"This is the right way to live, isn't it, Florges?"
Florges gave Alex a sidelong glance and continued to tend to her garden. Watching the flower seeds Alex collected from various places gradually grow and bloom, Florges's heart was filled with joy. Such days were indeed pleasant.
Meanwhile, Alex's Pokémon had made significant progress in their strength during this period. Drakloak, with its previous accumulation, improved at an extreme speed, directly reaching Level 56. Swampert and the others, who had been traveling and battling continuously before, hadn't been able to calm down and settle properly. After this half-month, they all made progress. Swampert broke through to Gym Leader level, now at Level 52, Florges was at Level 48, and Leafeon at Level 43. Togepi made the most progress, already at Level 35, but unfortunately, it still hadn't evolved. It was currently sleeping upstairs.
Suddenly, Gardevoir appeared in front of Alex with a Teleport.
"Shana~"
(Alex, your Grandpa is calling you.)
Alex scratched his head in confusion, not understanding why Grandpa was looking for him. "Then just take me there."
Gardevoir nodded gently, stepped forward, and took Alex's arm. The next moment, Alex's eyes blurred, and he was already in the living room on the first floor. At this moment, Grandpa John and Grandma Mary were accompanying a handsome silver-haired young man.
Seeing Alex, Grandma Mary waved, "Alex, come here quickly, this is the heir of the Stone Family. You young people should get to know each other and interact more often."
Alex suddenly realized, this was the famous money-sending child, Steven Stone.
Steven stood up and extended his hand towards Alex, "Hello, I am Steven Stone. You must be Alex, the Breeder genius from two years ago, right? It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
Alex looked at the noble young man in front of him, chuckled softly, and reached out to shake Steven's hand. "What genius, it's all just rumors outside, Mr. Stone doesn't need to mind. Your name has been a household name recently, congratulations on winning this year's Ever Grande Conference Champion."
Grandma Mary smiled, "Alright, you two young people are talking so formally, just like us old folks. Come over and have some tea."
Both readily agreed. Steven picked up the tea in front of him, took a small sip, and after savoring it, exclaimed, "What wonderful tea!"
Alex introduced from the side, "All these teas are meticulously cultivated by my Grandma. If Mr. Stone likes it, you can take some with you before you leave."
"Then I won't be modest," Steven smiled and accepted. "I came here this time to complete the transaction between our two families. We have already surveyed Fool's Valley, and it is indeed as the intelligence stated. Its value is very important to our Devon Corporation, thank you, Mr. Smith, for providing us with the information."
Steven paused, then continued, "I have brought the shiny Beldum and its breeding method you requested, as well as two top-grade Dawn Stones."
Saying that, Steven took out a Luxury Ball and opened it, "Come out, come meet your future Trainer."
"BETA~"
Beldum had a crown-like structure above its head, a long torso, and a large claw on its rear. Its head was almost spherical, embedded in a ball-and-socket joint at the front of its torso, with a large red eye in the center. This Beldum was indeed shiny silver, and it was currently observing Alex. And all the data about Beldum appeared before Alex's eyes.
**Pokémon: Beldum (Shiny)**
Level: 17 (Early Intermediate)
Aptitude: Quasi-Champion
Ability: Clear Body
Gender: None
Moves: Tackle, Take Down, Zen Headbutt.
Looking at the data in front of him, Alex was very satisfied. Starting with Quasi-Champion aptitude, it was almost a certainty that it would reach Champion level after training.
"Hello, Beldum, I'll be your Trainer from now on."
Beldum seemed to sense something, flew forward, and rubbed against him. Alex smiled and patted his head.
Steven, standing nearby, seemed a bit surprised, "I didn't expect this child to accept you so quickly. Many people from our Stone Family have tried to catch it before, but unfortunately, this child didn't take to any of them."
"Really?" Alex was a little surprised, "Maybe it's fate."
Steven didn't comment, opened his backpack, took out two small boxes, a manual, and a Pokémon Egg with patterns similar to Togepi's eggshell.
"This is Beldum's breeding manual, two top-grade Dawn Stones, and Togepi's Pokémon Egg, all for you. As for the minerals for Beldum's growth, someone will deliver them later."
Alex was a bit surprised, he didn't expect to also get two top-grade Dawn Stones. But this was perfect, both Togepi could be arranged. Then he glanced at the Togepi's Pokémon Egg.
**Pokémon: Togepi (Unhatched)**
Level: 0
Aptitude: Elite Four
Gender: Female
Moves: Covet, Heal Bell, Present
The potential was also good; with proper training and evolution using a top-grade Dawn Stone, it would be enough to reach Champion level.
Grandpa John spoke at this moment, "You're paying such a high price, is it for some fossil revival technology?"
"That is indeed the case." Steven sighed, "Unfortunately, we've encountered a bottleneck. However, with the appearance of Fool's Valley, I believe we will soon have constructive breakthroughs."
Alex recalled that the fossil revival technology seemed to rely on the dream energy of something called Dream Mist Torch. He didn't know what stage Devon Corporation's research was at. But this had nothing to do with him; he had already gotten what he wanted, and that was enough. Anyway, they would eventually figure it out, so Alex didn't meddle further.
Just then, an anxious voice came from outside.
"Mr. Smith, this is bad. Pokémon are attacking Green Canopy Town, please go take a look."
...