"You're up?"
Coming out of the room, Natsuhiko saw Hilona sitting at the dining table carefully studying the document about Glaceon that Natsuhiko had written for her.
Her original plan was to try observing Natsuhiko's ancient Yanmega today, but it seems there's not enough time.
They must arrive at the trial gathering point tomorrow, and today she must take the last opportunity to bond with Glaceon so they can be better prepared for the trial in the alternate space.
The situation inside the alternate space is unknown, as is the level of danger; it's crucial to ensure one's condition is optimized.
Natsuhiko was a bit surprised looking at the steaming breakfast on the table.
"Did you make this?"
He pulled out a chair and sat down, casually picking up a sandwich and taking a bite, discovering that it tasted quite good.
"No, Aunt Meixiao from next door made it. When I'm here, she usually brings over some food," Hilona said, slightly embarrassed.
Natsuhiko realized.
No wonder.
Hilona, with looks, strength, talent, and wealth—if she also managed everyday matters like meals, that would be unusual.
"Here, you said my Glaceon's trait is Snow Concealment?" Hilona pointed to some descriptions Natsuhiko had written and asked.
"Yes, in the snow and wind on Celestial Crown Mountain yesterday, Glaceon's body exhibited a faint indistinct change. However, it may be because it just evolved and hasn't mastered its trait well, so it's not very obvious," Natsuhiko replied after sipping some hot milk.
Receiving breakfast every morning with a hot cup of milk certainly fuels your enthusiasm for the day.
Hilona nodded thoughtfully.
The trait "Snow Concealment" is good, but how to integrate it with her other Pokémon, into her lineup and system, is a significant challenge.
This is a test of her personal ability.
"Is Glaceon strong in special attack?"
"Yes, Glaceon's special attack ability is very strong, will be outstanding. If you pair it with a few suitable Pokémon, it will become an excellent special attacker. Of course, this is what you need to consider."
Glaceon's special attack ability is outstanding, coupled with the "Snow Concealment" trait will make it a very excellent special attacker in the snow team.
However, judging by Hilona's other Pokémon, restructuring her snow team just for Glaceon is not realistic; her ace Gabite would be the first to not adjust well.
"Hmm." Hilona nodded.
That's indeed an important matter that requires careful consideration.
But with her current Pokémon, Gabite and Lucario are physical attackers, Spiritomb, with excellent attribute pairing and decent double defense, can serve as a shield, Roselia is undoubtedly a controller and healer.
Thus, Glaceon as a special attacker could well complement Hilona's shortcomings.
Previously, Spiritomb doubled as a special attacker, now it can fully focus on being a shield.
As a Dark Type and Ghost Type Pokémon, Spiritomb didn't have any weaknesses until Fairy Type appeared.
Plus, with techniques like Curse, Life Sharing, Pain Split, and Deceit, it can't be a pure shield but can initiate defensive counterattacks.
"I'm done eating."
After finishing his meal, Natsuhiko stood up.
"Going out?" Hilona was a bit surprised.
The trial is tomorrow; shouldn't you focus on adjusting your condition today?
"Yeah, want to go to Celestial Crown Mountain again," Natsuhiko nodded.
Adjusting condition?
No need for that.
Just coming out of Regigigas's Alternate Space, their condition is great. No need to reinforce anything; time is short, maintaining the current condition is fine.
"Do you want me to go with you?" Hilona asked.
Natsuhiko waved his hand, "No need."
After speaking, he opened the door and went out directly.
Outside.
The sun was shining brightly, the weather was pleasant, and a silk-like curtain seemed to float above.
This was the flying snow blown down from Celestial Crown Mountain, forming a special phenomenon above Shenhe Town with the help of airflow and isolation.
Throwing a Pokeball, he summoned Yujira.
"Yujira."
"Yongji."
Yujira understood, its blue eyes shone, spoon pointing, using Instant Movement to vanish from Shenhe Town with Natsuhiko.
Upon reappearing, they were in the wind and snow on Celestial Crown Mountain.
It was here yesterday where Yujira's spoon reacted.
But yesterday's main goal wasn't this, so there wasn't any exploration.
Even today, Natsuhiko was mostly prepared to scout the path.
Tomorrow is the trial gathering, hence feeling rushed.
Today's goal is mainly to locate the general area, and after finishing the trial, conduct further investigation and exploration.
He again threw Pokeballs to summon Beedrill and Togetic.
Doublade emerged from his shadow.
Encountering the power of the wild Pokémon on Celestial Crown Mountain yesterday, Natsuhiko dared not be reckless, opting to summon all his main Pokémon.
Also, Cherrim poked out from Natsuhiko's inner pocket.
In this snowy weather, it curled up, barely revealing its tiny mouth.
"Let's go, and keep an eye on the surroundings," Natsuhiko warned, starting to walk through the snow.
Today's path was almost the opposite of yesterday's.
Yesterday's direction was the backside of Celestial Crown Mountain, while today it's the front.
Yujira stirred its psychic powers, directing the spoon, which flickered with a faint light.
And as they continued in the right direction, the light flickering on the spoon became more apparent.
"The direction is correct, but no matter which way we go here, the spoon's response is weakening, which means..."
After walking a long stretch, Natsuhiko finally arrived at a point where the spoon's light stopped.
Looking at the towering ice and snow ahead.
"Inside?"
"Beedrill."
"Sipi."
Beedrill moved forward, cleaving with Double Needle to execute Cross Cut.
Crack, crack—
Along with the breaking of a mass of snow and ice, and a minor avalanche caused by the rolling snow, supported by Yujira's psychic power, a dark ice cave filled with ice crystal prisms appeared in Natsuhiko's sight.
The cave was sizable, previously covered by thick ice layers and snow through many years.
"This must be it."
Gazing at the deep, seemingly endless cave leading into the depths of Celestial Crown Mountain, Natsuhiko hesitated.
Observing the time, it was no longer early.
And clearly, this cave can't be completely explored in one go.
"Whoa!"
Suddenly, a bright white icy beam shot out from the cave; Doublade, as Natsuhiko's closest guard, reacted immediately.
A sword swung out, enveloped by a faint green light, executing Continuous Slash combined with Holy Sword!
In urgency, Doublade instinctively used this low success rate combined technique.
The incoming "Aurora Beam" was successfully intercepted by Doublade.
Following the attack's trajectory, he saw a huge blue ice crystal prism snowflake.
"Cryogonal?"