Under the tree sat an old woman basking in the sun.
Her cloudy eyes glanced at Natsuhiko, a glimmer flashing deep within her gaze.
"Granny Long, Elder Dracoflame asked me to bring Mr. Natsuka..."
Before Ryuzi could finish, Granny Long had already closed her eyes.
Ryuzi didn't say more and led Natsuhiko up the stairs.
Only after they reached the treetop did he quietly introduce, "Granny Long is the oldest elder here and the guardian of the Dragon's Nest. Even Elder Dracoflame holds her in high esteem. When something significant happens in the tribe, the elders consult with Granny Long."
Natsuhiko's thoughts stirred.
'Granny Long? Is she Xijana's grandmother?'
Does that mean Xijana really exists?
It seems Flint has found quite an impressive opponent...
Very soon.
The two ascended the stairs and arrived at the gigantic Dragon's Nest, where countless Pokémon Eggs lay quietly, varying in color and difficult to discern which Pokémon they belonged to.
Ryuzi spoke with pride, "The Dragon's Nest is the largest treasure trove of our 'Meteor People' and the place where all Dragon-type Pokémon in 'Meteor Village' breed. Every successful 'Dragon Tamer' begins by choosing their first Dragon Egg here."
Natsuhiko paused beside the Dragon's Nest.
To be honest, he was indeed a bit overwhelmed.
So many Dragon-type Pokémon Eggs, if sold, could probably buy at least a tenth of the Devon Company?
It took him a long time to recover from the shock.
"Ryuzi, where is the storage area for Bagon Eggs?" Natsuhiko asked.
"Uh, don't know." Ryuzi's expression was somewhat awkward.
"Gible then?"
"Uh, also don't know."
"Dratini?"
"...."
Natsuhiko looked at him seriously, "So, which Pokémon do you know?"
Ryuzi's expression became even more embarrassed, "...I...don't know."
Hearing this, a not-so-good premonition rose in Natsuhiko's heart.
He cautiously asked: "Then you...no, who knows?"
Ryuzi scratched the back of his head, "Actually...no one knows."
Natsuhiko: "???"
"Because we don't restrict the mating and breeding of all Pokémon, although these are all Dragon-type Pokémon Eggs, no one knows what's inside each egg..."
"Whenever a batch of our tribesmen reaches the age to become 'Dragon Tamers', they come here to choose their first dragon. For them, this is the first test."
Natsuhiko: "..."
It was indeed as he guessed, the worst-case scenario was that the 'Meteor People' did not nurture Pokémon in a nursery.
This results in all kinds of Pokémon potentially mating, leading to a mix of offspring with varied talents and aptitudes; the different parentage inevitably accompanies different "heights" at birth.
It's undeniable, this is a waste of resources.
If the 'Meteor People' could exercise some control, at least the offspring could become increasingly excellent.
But Natsuhiko also had to admit that the current approach truly fits the style of the 'Meteor People.'
Letting them grow wild, returning to nature, survival of the fittest.
This also relates to why Ryuzi wanted to learn battle techniques from Natsuhiko.
Because their Pokémon training and cultivation are more suited to wild combat.
This is their way of survival over thousands of years.
The result is...
"So, what you're saying is...I have to open a blind box?" Natsuhiko murmured.
"Blind box?" Ryuzi evidently hadn't heard of this novel term.
But now Natsuhiko was too weary to explain that concept.
He was despondent.
If he were to choose from this pile of Pokémon Eggs, there was a certain possibility of picking a highly valuable Pokémon Egg, perhaps a Quasi-God Pokémon with exceptionally excellent qualifications, but the probability was very low.
The more likely outcome.
Is ending up with a Dragon-type Pokémon Egg of low aptitude and not particularly rare.
For instance, the "Shame of the Dragon Race," Druddigon.
Pressing his lips together.
He took a deep breath and turned to ask, "Ryuzi, can I go in and take a look?"
"Of course." Ryuzi extended his hand, indicating that he could proceed at will.
Natsuhiko walked into the nest piled with Pokémon Eggs.
The Dragon's Nest was vast and of soft texture, so there was no worry of damaging the Pokémon Eggs placed upon it.
Moreover, as the enormous Dragon's Nest was exposed to sunlight, the warm rays bathed the Pokémon Eggs, providing ample warmth for them to hatch smoothly.
As he walked through the nest, each step represented crossing over many Pokémon Eggs.
Natsuhiko attempted to squat and touch the Pokémon Eggs, hoping to find some clues from their appearance.
The result was evident.
It was all in vain.
He considered whether Teacher Poke might help, perhaps with Teacher Poke's luck, he could select a Dragon-type Pokémon with outstanding talent.
But after a moment's thought, Natsuhiko decided to dismiss the idea.
Everything else could let Teacher Poke assist, but selecting Pokémon was a matter he had to handle personally.
This is a critical principle as a Trainer.
No matter which Pokémon he picked in the end, whether it had outstanding talent or not, he would dedicate himself fully to its training.
Talent might indicate whether a Pokémon was exceptional initially, but the final outcome depends entirely on the Trainer's nurturing.
Perhaps some Pokémon might initially exhibit unparalleled talent, far exceeding that of its peers, but if its personality and will do not align with the Trainer's, it might not be the best Pokémon.
Meanwhile, some Pokémon may seem ordinary in talent at first, but if it has a high affinity with the Trainer and relentlessly strives in training and battles, who knows which of the two Pokémon will ultimately achieve more.
A diligent ordinary person overcoming a lazy genius is not an impossibility.
Of course, this inevitably means putting in much more effort and cost.
Understanding these aspects, Natsuhiko's sense of gain and loss lightened significantly.
Letting out a long breath, he adjusted his mindset, remaining calm and composed.
Ryuzi stood beside, watching Natsuhiko, and upon noticing his state change, couldn't help but admire him internally.
'No wonder Mr. Natsuka, to adjust his mindset and release attachment to outcomes so quickly, is indeed crucial, yet rarely can people achieve this.'
Natsuhiko strolled through the Dragon's Nest, seeking the one he deemed most suitable.
He wasn't sure how much time had passed.
His gaze was captured by a Pokémon Egg in the corner, marked by blue and white irregular stripes and spots.
It lay there quietly.
But in Natsuhiko's eyes, it seemed markedly different from the other Pokémon Eggs.
Approaching.
He slowly extended his hand, carefully lifting it up, feeling the gentle warmth emanating from it.
Before he could examine it carefully, he was captivated by the depression it had occupied.
There, within the Dragon's Nest fissure, lay a smooth stone, reflecting bright lights under the sunlight.
"This is..."
Natsuhiko picked it up, spread it in his palm, his pupils involuntarily contracting.
"Mr. Natsuka, you don't have to mind about that item; it might have been brought over inadvertently by a breeding Pokémon. Are you certain about choosing this Pokémon Egg?" Ryuzi asked.
"Certain." A smile appeared on Natsuhiko's face.
He glanced at the Pokémon Egg and then at the stone in his hand.
His selection turned out to be quite good, didn't it?
"Little guy, you haven't even been born yet, and you're already bringing me good luck."
This stone, Ryuzi didn't recognize, but Natsuhiko did.
A rounded, transparent stone, with a core that seemed to contain various colors like a leaf.
This is....
Super Evolution Stone!