Inside the cabin, Lucien carefully observed the newly shed Dratini's body.
He gently reached out and touched it. Dratini's body had become incredibly delicate and supple, like the finest silk.
Smooth, soft, delicate...
"Hm, it's gotten even bigger than before," Lucien thought to himself.
This was the primary manifestation of Dratini's ever-expanding life energy.
For a Dratini to evolve into a Dragonite, she must undergo countless molts until her life energy reaches a new level.
At that point, the miracle known as "evolution" takes place within her.
Evolution, for Pokémon, is a transformation of life itself.
Seeing this, Lucien felt a sense of accomplishment.
It meant his efforts had paid off, Dratini had grown tremendously under his care!
"Well done, Dratini!" Lucien patted Dratini's head.
Dratini nuzzled Lucien's palm affectionately with her head.
Seeing Dratini's gesture, Lucien couldn't help but smile.
Then, his gaze shifted to the pristine white dragon hide beside him.
Dratini's shed skin.
Lucien took it in his hand, and the next second, using the previously unlocked technology called [Basic Processing], Lucien's mind conjured up the detailed uses of this dragon hide.
[Dratini's Shed Skin: Strong and tough, it's an excellent material for crafting luxury goods like bags, and is extremely valuable.]
Dragon hide bags...
But Dratini was a Pokémon so rare that she was even once called a mythical Pokémon.
Raising Dratini on a large scale to collect their shed skins was obviously impossible.
But this also underscored the preciousness of this dragon hide.
It's just that, in their current territory, such a rare luxury item was of little use.
Even if they wanted to trade, they couldn't find a suitable trader.
"Phew!" Lucien stood up again and said, "Okay, I'll keep this dragon skin for you."
After all, this was a testament to Dratini's maturity, and the first shed skin was always a memorable one.
"Woo~!" Dratini didn't object.
Lucien smiled, then sat down at the table and continued to attend to the various matters within the territory.
It had just rained outside, and the air was thick with dampness.
But Lucien had the maid light the fireplace beforehand, and compared to the outside, the interior felt dry and comfortable.
Lucien was busy with his work.
The Pokémon played on the wooden floor.
A few of the more lively Minccino chased and played with each other, while one or two of the quieter ones gently cleaned with their furry tails.
The newly shed Dratini curled up on the cushion beside Lucien and closed her eyes to rest.
Snivy stood behind him, watching Lucien for a moment, then jumped onto a wooden shelf and began to meditate.
Everything seemed so warm and beautiful.
The rain stopped completely in the afternoon.
Lucien took Snivy to the orchard and farmland to check on the crops.
After a winter of growth, the crops in the farmland were already breaking through the soil. The tender, emerald-green wheat seedlings swayed gently in the breeze, looking full of life and hope.
Several farmers, carrying hoes, moved through the fields, weeding.
Dugtrio was nowhere to be seen, presumably having retreated underground.
And in the orchard, after Snivy's meticulous care for two weeks, the seeds had also begun to break through the soil, transforming into tiny, tender seedlings.
"Sure enough, Grass-type Pokémon can be extremely useful in farming!" Lucien couldn't help but think.
"Snivy, well done!" Lucien grinned, giving her a thumbs-up.
"Snivy,"
Snivy proudly folded her arms and turned away, refusing to look at Lucien.
"So, after this period of special training, have you become more proficient in controlling Grass-type energy?" Lucien asked.
Turning serious, Snivy nodded.
This special training method had indeed been very effective for her, Snivy could clearly feel the changes within herself.
Before, she could only condense a single Vine Whip to attack.
But now... Snivy even felt that she could release two Vine Whips at the same time!
Immediately, Snivy focused her energy, and the next second, two slender yet resilient vine whips extended from her neck.
Seeing this, Lucien was slightly stunned.
Two Vine Whips?
But he quickly realized what was happening.
"It seems you've made considerable progress during this period!" Lucien said with a smile.
"Snivy~"
"Well then, next, let's practice a new move," Lucien said, recalling the information about the move Magical Leaf. "First, try to condense the energy in your body into the shape of a leaf."
"Snivy…"
Snivy immediately began to experiment.
She mobilized the energy in her body, trying to condense it into the shape of a leaf.
But perhaps because it was her first attempt, she failed.
However, Snivy wasn't discouraged. She looked at a green leaf that Lucien had specially brought, and then began to try again.
"Try to imagine the shape of this leaf in your mind, or channel your energy into it, then slowly transform the tangible into the intangible," Lucien instructed.
Snivy did exactly as she was told.
After repeated attempts, she finally succeeded in using her energy to condense a sharp leaf.
The leaf was formed from precise Grass-type energy. It floated around Snivy, surrounded by a layer of rich green light.
A gleam of light flashed in Snivy's eyes, and the information engraved deep in her genes awakened at that moment.
Magical Leaf, under Lucien's guidance, she had mastered the technique for using this move!
"Snivy...Snivy!"
A burst of green light erupted from her body. In an instant, gleaming green leaves emerged and sliced through the air, whizzing forward.
With a piercing sound, the magical leaves struck the earth like blades.
Seeing this, Lucien nodded repeatedly.
As expected, after laying a solid foundation, learning new moves became much easier for Pokémon.
"Well done, Snivy!" Lucien praised.
His Snivy could take on five opponents at once, evading every attack, how could she be an ordinary creature?
Magical Leaf, scattering razor-sharp leaves to attack the opponent.
The move might seem simple, but when enough leaves are unleashed, it creates a terrifying storm.
Leaf Storm, the ultimate Grass-type move for Snivy.
Mastering it would greatly enhance her combat power.
Just as Lucien was thinking this, a dazzling white light suddenly burst from Snivy's body.
"Snivy?"
Snivy let out a cry of surprise as she felt her body changing.
Lucien's eyes widened instantly.
"Is that… evolution?!"
...
Bonus@300 PS