Inside the room, Austin opened the Metagross breeding manual.pdf that Steven had given him.
The title page carried Steven's personal notes on Metagross.
The Metagross family is extremely sensitive to magnetism. Training should focus on magnetic control and precision.
With a supercomputer-level brain, Metagross excels in doubles and group battles. It adapts quickly to complex combat environments.
Metagross shows exceptional learning ability.
I recommend developing its independent judgment in battle and its learning capacity.
Its physical strength is already outstanding. Even so, you should maintain a balance between mental and physical training.
"Humble opinion. Mr. Stone really is modest," Austin muttered.
He agreed with the assessment.
Even if Metagross lagged slightly in mental endurance, items like Petaya Berries could cover that gap.
The second page listed detailed sections. Diet, traits, habits, move training priorities, counters to weaknesses, tactical planning.
Steven even provided separate breeding paths based on abilities like Clear Body and Light Metal.
There was also a section covering changes after Mega Evolution.
Overall, it was a comprehensive guide.
Some Steel-type breeding insights applied directly to Ryu as well.
If this manual ever went public, trainers would pay good money for it.
After reading carefully, Austin understood Steven's core philosophy.
Let Metagross think for itself. Focus on building its learning framework.
Austin only needed to step in when mistakes appeared or wait for Metagross to correct itself.
He printed the document and planned to hand it to Metagross later that evening.
"Son, come help!"
His dad knocked on the door, spatula still in hand.
"Coming," Austin replied.
. . .
Evening came quickly.
After recalling the Pokémon staying outside into their Poké Balls, the welcome banquet began.
With so many people present, Austin and Leon kept it simple. A double-boiled hot pot sat in the middle of the round table.
Both the clear and spicy bases were prepared by Austin himself.
He personally stir-fried the extra-spicy base.
Beef, lamb, and fish filled the table. Vegetables followed close behind.
(T/N: Hot Pot called Nabemono in Japan)
Uncle Hanson and Aunt Anabella joined in as well.
Leon raised his glass and smiled. "No rules tonight. Eat, relax, get to know each other."
One by one, the employees brought drinks and introduced themselves to Austin.
"Hello. Daniella again."
"Oh, I remember you."
Her smile was soft and warm. When she smiled, her eyes curved naturally, instantly putting people at ease.
Amanda Black took one look and silently patted her back for putting Daniella at the front desk.
Customers would struggle to stay upset looking at that face and smile.
Austin clinked glasses with her.
"Austin, my name is Shion. I'm here to apprentice and learn breeding."
Shion wore twin pigtails and looked no older than twelve or thirteen.
Austin remembered her. Mizuki had been mentoring her.
"Learn well from Mizuki."
"I will!"
Shion bowed deeply, her pigtails swinging forward and smacking into Austin's chest.
"Ah, I'm sorry!"
Her face flushed red from her neck up to her ears.
"It's fine. Don't worry about it."
The introductions helped new and old staff warm up to each other.
"Brother Austin, I'm Ao. I handle berry maintenance."
"If I'm not mistaken, you're older than me," Austin said with a grin.
"I'm Rimi. I manage the warehouse."
The welcome banquet wrapped up smoothly.
…
Back in his room, Austin released Metagross from its Luxury Ball.
If the door had not been reinforced, he would have needed to repeat this routine elsewhere.
Luckily, the room was spacious. Even Metagross and Agni resting together was not an issue.
Comrade Leon had clearly planned for Agni when renovating the house.
Austin placed the printed Metagross manual on the table.
"Can you read text?"
"Gross!"
Ryu translated with aura.
It meant, "Who are you looking down on?"
"This is your training manual. Study it on your own. Oh, and before I forget, this sheet has a list of names and their meaning for you to choose for yourself."
Metagross stared at the thick stack of pages and name sheet.
"Ryu, you can read it too. There are Steel-type move training sections inside."
Agni suddenly howled loudly.
"Nine!"
Ryu translated again.
It meant, "What about me?"
Austin rubbed his neck. "I'll see if I can get something... Hold on for now."
He snapped his fingers as something came to mind.
"Oh, right. A breeding instructor is coming tomorrow. I'll ask about you."
Agni's eyes lit up.
"Arcanine!"
Ryu translated the enthusiasm clearly.
It meant, "I'm counting on you."
Austin Black and the howling Agni did not disturb Metagross.
At that moment, Shiny Metang was fully absorbed in flipping through the breeding manual. Its reading speed was fast, but focused.
The dark red pupils shimmered with a sharp, almost sacred light.
"Meta! Metagross!"
Ryu translated smoothly.
It meant, "So that's how it works. I learned something, and I like the name Zenith."
Metagross, now, Zenith looked like a warrior who had just left the beginner village, greedily absorbing the experience left behind by its predecessors.
Watching this, Austin nodded in quiet satisfaction.
"Good choice. Let's push towards your peak together."
This drew a chorus of sounds from his Pokémon.
. . .
During the day, Austin stayed busy at the Black Crest Jubilife Breeding House. He handled operations, filmed content for PokéStream, and coordinated staff. At night, he still needed to study breeding theory.
He barely had time to touch a game console.
The stronger Zenith became at independent learning, the less pressure fell on him.
At this rate, it might even help train other Pokémon in the future.
…
The next morning.
Morning training was handled independently by Ryu and the others.
Austin sat beside the fish pond, which was surrounded by a clearly marked warning line. His attention stayed fixed on the water as he thought about how to rebuild Feebas's confidence.
If this were ranked by difficulty, it would be legendary level.
Even the faintest sound made Feebas dart deeper into the rockery gaps.
Judging by the faint ripples on the surface, Austin could tell Feebas was trembling.
The biggest problem was communication. Feebas refused to respond at all.
That left Austin with very few options.
Still, giving up was not on the table.
"Do I really need to find Yellow?"
If Yellow came, she could probably read Feebas's emotions and identify the root cause.
That would allow a precise solution instead of blind guessing.
Austin crouched slightly and lowered his voice.
"Feebas, can we talk? How about coming out and getting some sunlight?"
From within the narrow crevices, a pair of eyes blinked cautiously at him.
Austin slowly took out a bottle of Moomoo Milk and placed it where it could be seen.
"Is there something you like?"
"Do you hide here because you prefer darkness, or because small spaces make you feel safe?"
"I won't hurt you. You can try coming out. Just a little."
He spoke calmly, like a friend rather than a trainer.
Without realizing it, the time reached nine in the morning.
At that moment, a visitor arrived.
. . .
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