Grandpa Chen and Grandma Chen stopped teasing and simply smiled as they walked toward the house.
After all, both of them were League-certified top breeders.
They could tell at a glance that little Dreepy was already at an Elite pinnacle and on the verge of evolving.
When their grandson had suddenly claimed, a year ago, that he'd found an egg, they hadn't paid much attention at first.
Eggs of unknown origin often hatched Pokémon with mediocre potential; they assumed it was a childish fancy.
But when the little Dreepy hatched, even Grandpa couldn't recognize what species it was right away.
Only Grandma recognized it: a recently catalogued Galar pseudo-legendary—Dreepy. After running tests, the elders found the hatchling's potential extraordinary.
Only then did they take notice. After some research, they realized it was a late-blooming pseudo-legendary, similar to the Hydreigon line—its evolution timing unusually delayed.
So it was not surprising that it hadn't evolved yet. With pseudo-legendaries, patience was expected.
Grandma suddenly remembered something and fretted aloud.
"I heard when Dreepy evolves into Drakloak, it can split off a smaller Dreepy that sits on its head. And when it evolves into Dragapult, it needs two Dreepy on its head."
"Why don't we talk to the League? Maybe we can arrange to trade for a couple of Dreepy from the Galar region."
Grandpa just chuckled.
"When Shi'er hatched it, I already asked around." he explained patiently. "Dreepy's evolution is somewhat like Metagross—one is a fusion evolution, the other is a split-type. For Dreepy, the split version demands high aptitude, but this little one is more than fine."
"When it evolves into Drakloak, it can split off one Dreepy to sit on its head. Later, when it becomes Dragapult, it'll split a second one. The split-off Dreepy can't evolve; they survive by depending on the big one. So you don't need to worry."
"Is that so? Well, that's comforting." Grandma nodded, then sighed in wonder. "Pokémon truly are miraculous creatures."
Grandpa agreed. "No kidding. Even the researchers and Professors are still digging into Pokémon mysteries."
At that moment, a three-meter-tall Swampert barreled toward them on its hind legs, with Chen Shi sitting on its shoulders, waving energetically.
"Grandpa! Grandma! I'm back!"
Grandma dropped her cane and hurried forward, her face lighting up. As Swampert drew near, Chen Shi signaled for it to put him down, then helped steady his grandmother.
"Careful, Grandma. Don't rush—what if you tumble? I'm not dead yet, you know."
Grandma peered at the now-matured boy, worry and tenderness in her eyes.
"Look how tanned you are. You must have gone through a lot this year."
"Grandma, tonight I'll make something delicious for you."
"Alright, thank you, Shi'er." Chen Shi answered with a smile.
Grandpa approached and, seeing his grandson, finally let his anxiety ease.
"How long do you plan to stay this time?"
Chen Shi paused, then answered cheerfully:
"Grandpa, I'm not going traveling anymore. I'll stay on the farm and take care of you both."
The elders' faces brightened instantly.
A whole year was enough—staying was perfect. Having him nearby made them feel secure. After all, he was the only descendant of the Chen family. Their son and daughter-in-law had died suppressing a Pokémon rampage when Shi'er was barely over one; they had experienced the sorrow of losing a child once and couldn't bear to go through it again.
"You haven't let your breeder knowledge slide, right?" Grandpa asked.
Chen Shi grinned confidently.
"Grandpa, do you really not know me? If you asked me to take the exam, I'd bring back the Advanced Breeder certificate by tomorrow."
Grandpa laughed out loud. He knew his grandson wasn't boasting—his talent was extraordinary.
At eleven, Chen Shi could already take the intermediate breeder exam, but the old man held him back three years. A fourteen-year-old intermediate breeder still shocked the League: most intermediates were in their mid-twenties. Chen Shi's passing had branded him a prodigy destined for Master Breeder status.
So hearing that his grandson was now an Advanced Breeder was no surprise.
"Raa-chii~"
Swampert interrupted, impatient. Weren't they talking about food? It had been told there'd be something delicious.
"Raa-chii~"
It waddled up to Grandpa and patted its belly—no translation required.
Grandpa sized up Swampert, nodding approvingly. The giant's muscles were well-defined; its vitality screamed Elite-level—truly impressive.
Looking at the big lug, Grandpa playfully scolded:
"You're just like your mother."
Then added, "There's some premium Combee honey inside—go fetch it. But don't you dare eat it on the way; bring it home and I'll divide it up later."
"Raa-chii~!"
Swampert bounded away, thrilled. Premium honey already—what a welcome home!
Chen Shi watched, a wry line appearing between his brows. That goof—what an embarrassment.
Grandma chuckled:
"He really is like his mother. Such a little foodie."
"Since Shi'er's back, let's call everyone over and have a reunion dinner."
The pair agreed with pleasure.
Not far off, more Pokémon were running up. Grandma rubbed her eyes, puzzled.
"Old man, look at that Pokémon—I don't recognize it."
Chen Shi and Grandpa turned. Chen Shi's face brightened with a small, mysterious smile.
When Florges and Leafeon drew near, Grandpa examined them and hesitated.
"Isn't that the newly discovered Leafeon subspecies from a while back?" he muttered. "I remember someone on the research forum published a paper comparing Leafeon and Glaceon—some researcher with terrible decision-making posted it."
"Oh? I didn't expect Shi'er to have one of the newly discovered Eeveelutions." Grandma laughed softly.
"Bui~" Leafeon greeted politely.
"Flaah~" Florges bowed elegantly.
"Good children." Grandma smiled. "If I recall, Shi'er asked us a couple months ago to find him an exquisite Shiny Stone—must be for your evolution, Florges."
"Flaaah~" Florges answered with a grateful nod.
Chen Shi suddenly remembered and quickly added:
"Grandma, I need one more Shiny Stone, please—this one's for someone else."
He held up Togepi, who had been quiet since they left.
"Chakki-doyii~" Togepi offered a shy, trembling greeting.
Grandma hesitated.
"A Shiny Stone isn't a problem. If needed, we can trade with the Zifuqi family for one."
She frowned slightly. "But I thought Togepi's evolution form wasn't fully understood yet—are you sure it evolves by Shiny Stone?"
Chen Shi paused, choosing not to explain.
"You'll see when the time comes."
Grandma didn't pry and simply nodded.
"Alright, let's head home—it's getting late, and weren't we having a big dinner tonight?"
Chen Shi smiled and walked back with his grandparents.
As for the gluttonous, lovable Swampert, it was naturally forgotten in the excitement.