Chapter 481 - Using the first Catalyst

Looking at the incubator, which he hadn't seen in a long time, and the precious Larvitar egg inside, Aoki felt a mix of excitement and relief.

After waiting for so long and searching for countless solutions, the time had finally come for the egg to hatch.

Checking the incubation days displayed on the incubator, Aoki couldn't help but feel a bit helpless. If it weren't for the half-dosed catalyst that had worked last time, he had no idea when he would have found a way to hatch Larvitar.

Fortunately, this time he had acquired all three catalysts. However, based on the system's calculations, the catalyst's medicinal effect was too potent. Even with Larvitar's egg having been soaked in Earth Core Milk for an unknown number of years, it was impossible to use all three catalysts at once.

The best approach was to use them one by one.

Though the System calculated that the gradual method was optimal, the difference between the two approaches wasn't significant. Given Aoki's desire to accelerate Larvitar's development, he chose the faster route.

The sooner Larvitar was hatched, the sooner it could train alongside his second echelon of Pokémon. This synchronized training would not only save time but also help foster teamwork among the Pokémon.

Aoki had seen the impact of staggered training firsthand. Although Skorupi and Honchkrow had a good relationship, the difference in their training periods made it harder for them to fight in sync. It was only through intensive field training that Skorupi had improved enough to fight alongside Honchkrow and others.

With this in mind, Aoki wanted Larvitar to start its journey alongside the other second-echelon Pokémon.

He turned on the incubator.

In his hands lay an egg with a slender crack running through it.

Even though he had taken it out several times before, its weight always surprised him. Larvitar was naturally a heavy Pokémon, but the sheer weight of this egg was unusual.

Without overanalyzing, Aoki gently traced a finger along the crack, feeling the smooth surface. He retrieved a catalyst vial from his storage space, his hand slightly sweaty. Taking a deep breath, he focused. Whether Larvitar could hatch now depended on whether the catalyst would take effect.

Pulling the stopper from the vial, a strange scent filled the tree hollow. The four little Pokémon, who had been playing nearby, immediately turned their attention to Aoki.

"Slowking, create a psychic barrier around me," Aoki instructed.

In response, a light pink energy shield materialized around Aoki, isolating the scent of the catalyst.

Aoki carefully tilted the vial, allowing the liquid to drip onto the cracked egg.

The reaction was immediate. The egg absorbed the catalyst like a dry sponge soaking up water.

Aoki had initially planned to use his own psychic powers to assist in the absorption, but it seemed unnecessary—Larvitar's egg was actively drawing in the catalyst on its own.

A thought struck him. Had Larvitar developed some level of consciousness inside the egg after all this time? Could it be similar to Mismagius living in the dark caves, possessing an awareness even before hatching?

He activated his telepathy to probe the egg.

Though Larvitar hadn't developed full self-awareness, Aoki could sense its heartbeat growing stronger, its energy surging with vitality.

Inside the egg, two mysterious liquids—the original embryonic fluid and the Earth Core Milk—had mixed. This fusion had been the main obstacle to Larvitar's hatching. The extreme hardening of the eggshell was just a secondary issue. The real problem was that Larvitar's body had been unable to take shape.

But now, with the catalyst's help, the fusion process accelerated. The skeletal structure and delicate meridian system were forming rapidly.

According to the chip's analysis, if the catalyst had never been used, Larvitar might have remained dormant for another fifty years before hatching.

That was not an option.

However, even with the catalyst's effect, Aoki knew it was best to give the egg time to process the changes before administering another dose. Overloading the transformation could lead to instability.

He gently cradled the egg, rubbing it slightly. Even if his telepathy couldn't reach it directly, Aoki instinctively spoke to Larvitar, reassuring it in his own way.

After about half an hour, the catalyst's effects stabilized.

Aoki carefully placed the egg back into the incubator. The remaining two doses would be administered once he returned to Verdanturf Town, where he could properly prepare for Larvitar's arrival. The catalyst's effects were still working, and Larvitar's food supply needed to be arranged in advance.

It wouldn't be long now. In just a few more days, this egg, which had remained dormant for an unknown number of years, would finally hatch.

What kind of Larvitar would emerge?

Aoki was certain that a Pokémon bathed in Earth Core Milk for so long could not be identical to an ordinary Larvitar.

The only question was whether this change would be for the better or worse.

That answer would come soon enough.

He handed the incubator to Haunter, instructing him to return it to the shadows—the safest place in Aoki's arsenal. Mismagius, powerful enough to rival Elite-level trainers, lurked in that shadow realm. Though not suited for direct battle, its sheer strength ensured that no one could steal from Aoki's shadows.

Once Slowking withdrew the psychic barrier, Aoki resumed playing with the little ones for a while before drifting into sleep.

Tomorrow, they will return to Verdanturf Town.

As the Gym Leader of Verdanturf Town, Aoki needed to be in peak condition.

When Larvitar hatched, it would mark a new chapter.

Next would come the evolutions of Sneasel and Haunter.

Then, the focused training of his second-echelon Pokémon.

There was still much to be done, and Aoki needed to be ready.

With Slowking and Haunter keeping watch, Aoki allowed himself to rest, leaving the young ones outside their Pokéballs for the night.

At dawn, Aoki mounted Tropius and set off for Verdanturf Town once more.

This would be the true beginning of his rise.