Aaron arrived at the small hilltop and released both Snorlax and Frogadier.
Frogadier continued to rely on its signature technique, Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu. Its number of clones had now reached ten, further accelerating the rate at which its skill proficiency increased.
As for Snorlax, it didn't have Frogadier's game-breaking Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu. It could only improve its skill proficiency through honest training. Fortunately, Snorlax's astonishing perseverance and diligence more than made up for it, so there was no real problem.
Aaron let Snorlax continue training to steadily raise its skill proficiency.
If he had enough money, training at a skill academy would greatly increase the speed of improvement. Unfortunately, his funds were limited, so Snorlax would just have to make do for now.
Looks like I need to find a way to make some money, Aaron thought to himself.
...
Evening soon arrived.
Aaron took out Energy Cubes for Snorlax and Frogadier.
"Good work today, Frogadier and Snorlax!!"
"Eat up…"
Snorlax and Frogadier plopped down and happily munched on the Energy Cubes.
Aaron smiled as he gently rubbed Frogadier's small head and Snorlax's huge belly. The feeling was incredibly satisfying.
Leaving his shadow clone behind to continue skill training, Aaron headed home with Snorlax and Frogadier.
When he got home, his mother had already prepared dinner. After washing his hands, Aaron sat down at the table. He quickly noticed that tonight's meal was unusually lavish—and every dish was one of his favorites.
"Mom, Dad… I'm heading to the Training Camp tomorrow. I won't be back for a month."
"The Academy sent us a message at noon," his mother replied. "Eat more—it's all your favorite food. I heard the meals over there aren't very good…"
"Make sure you stay safe, take care of yourself, and don't go looking for trouble, okay?"
As she spoke, she served him some roast pork, her eyes slightly red.
After all, this was the first time Aaron would be away from home for such a long time. It was only natural for her to feel emotional.
"Mom… don't worry. I'm not a kid anymore. I know what I'm doing."
"And I'll be back before you know it…"
Aaron gently reassured his mother, Celia.
"At the training camp, remember to obey orders. Don't talk back to the officers, understand?"
His father, Victor, reminded him from the side.
"Got it, Dad!"
Aaron nodded.
As for his younger sister, Lily…
She was busy eating.
After dinner, Aaron went out again. He walked along the street and stopped in front of an egg gambling shop.
That's right—Aaron was here to restock… well, not exactly.
He was here to gamble on eggs.
While he still had some time, Aaron planned to pick out a Pokémon with good potential for his sister. If she started training it now, by the time of next year's College Entrance Exam, the Pokémon would have gained a decent amount of strength, making it much easier for her to get into a good university.
Aaron deliberately avoided the Champion Pokémon Shop. He suspected he was already on their list of key individuals to watch.
There might even be a photo of him posted at the entrance with a sign that read:
"No dogs or this person allowed inside…"
...
Aaron arrived at a shop called Always-Win Egg Shop.
There were quite a few people inside, which suggested the quality of the Pokémon eggs here was fairly decent.
He stepped up to the counter and immediately activated his System. One by one, the attributes and skills of the Pokémon eggs appeared before his eyes.
[Name: Psyduck Egg]
[Gender: Female]
[Nature: Jolly]
[Type: Water]
[Ability: Damp]
[Pokémon Potential: Advanced level]
[Egg Move: Hypnosis]
...
[Name: Pidgey Egg]
[Gender: Male]
[Nature: Rash]
[Type: Flying]
[Ability: Keen Eye]
[Pokémon Potential: Advanced level]
[Egg Move: Air Slash]
...
[Name: Pichu Egg]
[Gender: Female]
[Nature: Jolly]
[Type: Fire]
[Ability: Intimidation]
[Pokémon Potential: Champion level]
[Egg Move: Morning Sun]
...
The Pokémon eggs lined up before him were like pretty models on a runway, quietly waiting for Aaron's appraisal.
Finally, in an inconspicuous corner, a red-and-gray Pokémon egg caught his attention.
It was a rare Growlithe egg.
Growlithe was an exceptionally rare Pokémon. Once it evolved into Arcanine, its base stats total would reach 555. On top of that, its Pokémon Potential was at the Champion level—truly outstanding.
And dogs were loyal by nature, making it perfect for his little sister.
Aaron spent 50,000 to buy it.
This time, he wasn't foolish enough to hatch it on the spot. Instead, he spent an extra 2,000 to buy an incubator and took everything home together.
...
When he returned home, his mother immediately noticed the incubator with a Pokémon egg inside.
Celia stared at it in shock.
"Son… why do you have another Pokémon egg!? Did you gamble on eggs again!?"
Victor's expression didn't look very good either. He assumed Aaron had become addicted to egg gambling—and where did he even get the money to buy another egg?
"Where did this money come from!?"
"Have you gotten addicted to egg gambling!?"
Aaron instantly understood what they were worried about and quickly explained.
"Mom, Dad… this money is from a scholarship the Academy applied for me. This egg is for my little sister."
"She's taking the College Entrance Exam next year. It's about time she had her own Pokémon."
Hearing this, his parents' expressions finally eased.
Aaron secretly let out a sigh of relief.
After all, the principal had indeed said he'd applied for a scholarship on Aaron's behalf. Using that as an excuse was perfectly reasonable.
"So what kind of Pokémon is inside that egg?"
"Hurry up and hatch it…"
"Lily, come out here! Your brother bought you a Pokémon egg!!"
Celia hurriedly called Lily out.
Lily looked at Aaron with a strange expression. This jerk actually bought her a Pokémon egg?
It couldn't be a Rattata egg, could it…
She couldn't help thinking that to herself.
"Lily, come on… press this switch on the incubator and it'll hatch!"
Aaron handed the incubator to her.
Although she wanted to refuse, with both of their parents watching, she felt too awkward to do so. She shot Aaron a glare and pressed the incubation button.
"I just want to see what kind of ugly Pokémon it is…"
...