Ding—
The Pokémon Feebas captured by the host has evolved.
Congratulations to the host for obtaining Milotic.
Beep—
The host has used an item to evolve a Pokémon for the first time. Rewarding 200,000 points.
"Whoa!"
It actually rewarded 200,000 points?
Then why was I so stupid back then!
During the last battle against Shiba, Riku had been reluctant to exchange for the Prism Scale to evolve Feebas, wanting to save 100,000 points for emergencies.
Who knew that spending 100,000 points here would immediately return 200,000 points?
Not only did he get the Prism Scale, but he also made a 100,000-point profit.
If he had known earlier, Milotic might've already become an Elite-level Pokémon by now.
---
"Chi ya—"
The previously unsightly, even pitifully ugly Feebas had disappeared.
Now, outside the small wooden house stood a Milotic, with a cream-colored body and mesmerizing red eyes.
As expected of the most beautiful Pokémon in the world.
Even the picky and not-so-affectionate Ralts immediately trotted over at the sight of the stunning Milotic.
Milotic naturally liked Ralts too.
When it was still a Feebas, perhaps due to its inferiority complex or lack of proper limbs, it hadn't interacted much with Ralts.
But now, feeling Ralts stroke its sleek scales, Milotic was overwhelmed with joy.
It gently coiled its tail around Ralts and lifted it onto its smooth, silky back.
---
"Ralulalu—!"
Ralts was elated, even waving its small, white, fingerless hands.
---
"This scene is too beautiful," Riku sighed emotionally.
Then, gritting his teeth, he purchased an Exp. Share from the system shop.
The last one had come from a draw. Now that he was buying one, he realized it cost a whopping 100,000 points.
Fortunately, the system had just refunded his points thanks to Feebas's evolution—so it felt like a free gift.
Otherwise, Riku wouldn't have been so generous.
To give these beautiful Pokémon the strength to protect themselves, Riku immediately had Lapras, Gengar, and Metagross train Milotic and Ralts together.
He randomly chose a small island.
With Metagross—a pseudo-legendary Pokémon—present, Riku had no worries about safety.
---
After defeating around twenty Elite-level wild Pokémon, Riku noticed something strange.
Milotic's progress was normal.
Though the system didn't display an experience bar, Riku could roughly estimate its leveling pace.
But Ralts—despite also wearing an Exp. Share—hadn't leveled up even once.
This didn't make sense.
Ralts had just hatched and was likely at Level 5.
Milotic, as Feebas, had been raised to Level 15.
Given the battles fought, Ralts should have leveled up at least three times!
Riku was speechless.
Though he hadn't officially caught Ralts, the system would still notify him of any level-ups for Pokémon he was raising.
This could only mean one thing:
Ralts required over ten times the experience of a normal Pokémon to level up.
Just imagining that nearly made Riku faint.
---
Over the past two days, Riku had truly been raising Ralts like his own daughter.
Naturally, he wanted her to grow stronger and protect herself.
Not even a father or husband could stay by her side at all times—
Especially since Ralts, like the three silly birds and Red Shrimp, couldn't be stored in a Poké Ball.
With this in mind, how could Riku feel at ease?
---
"It's a long road ahead..."
Riku sighed but pressed on.
He had Lapras and Gengar continue training, while Metagross served as Ralts's personal mount.
Ralts happily rode on Metagross's head all day.
Despite Metagross's fierce appearance, it smiled broadly when interacting with Ralts—like a doting grandfather.
One trainer and a squad of Pokémon swept through the nameless island like locusts.
After defeating about a hundred wild Pokémon, Milotic finally reached Level 20 and learned its first Water-type move:
Water Pulse.
Just as Riku was about to let Milotic fight independently, darkness began to fall.
The wild Pokémon, sensing danger, hid themselves.
It was dinnertime, so Riku headed back to the small wooden house.
On the way, Gengar asked to return to Ghost Island.
Riku had promised earlier, so he kept his word.
After giving a few instructions, he let Gengar leave and return to its ghost-type descendants.
After dinner, Riku received a call from May.
Hearing her low tone, Riku immediately understood the situation.
He summoned Lapras and arrived at Tangelo Island within forty minutes.
Though it wasn't late at night, the streets were still lively due to a big market.
Riku, now a minor celebrity in the Orange Archipelago, received warm greetings wherever he went.
After navigating through elderly fans and flirtatious beach girls, he finally found May.
"Can't you stay?" she asked quietly.
"Once you leave, who knows when we'll meet again…"
"Sigh…" May sighed.
"There's no helping it. My dad called and asked me to return to Hoenn."
"He's busy and wants me to act as the Gym Leader in his place."
"I guess your dad's always wanted you to inherit the Gym," Riku said, forcing a smile.
It wasn't his place to object.
If he told her not to go, things would be awkward the next time he met Gym Leader Norman.
After all, a daughter taking over her father's legacy was an age-old tradition in any world.
They chatted for a while.
Just before parting, May suddenly leaned in on tiptoe.
It wasn't the first time.
Knowing he might not see her for a while, Riku took the initiative this time.
After a two-minute kiss, May's cheeks flushed crimson.
"Riku…" Nearly twenty minutes later, the two slowly pulled apart.
Still red-faced, May said,
"I hope you'll explore the world someday."
"The Orange Archipelago is nice, but it doesn't have strong Pokémon or trainers."
"Pokémon grow through battles—and so do their trainers."
"I'll consider it," Riku nodded seriously.
Lorelei had told him the same thing before.
Truthfully, he didn't need convincing.
Riku already planned to leave the Orange Archipelago someday.
Although his Pokémon were strong, the three silly birds, Red Shrimp, and the newly evolved Little Fish weren't particularly powerful yet.
Before venturing out, he needed to train them...
Not to protect him—
But to protect Ralts.
-----------More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 300 power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter