Chapter 279: I Like Round Numbers

Pokémon: Gabite (Dragon/Ground)

Level: 25

Potential: Blue

Ability: Rough Skin

Held Item: None

Gender: Male

Moves: Sand Tomb, Tackle, Sand Attack, Dragon Breath, Stomp, Bulldoze

TMs: None

Egg Moves: Draco Meteor, Twister, Dig, Dragon Claw

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The newly evolved Gabite curiously examined its new body, moving its arms and legs experimentally. Then, with a splash, it leapt back into the Dragon Pool.

Evolution, for Pokémon, was a profound transformation. Each stage of evolution marked a deeper level of life.

Pokémon with two evolutionary stages often had greater potential than those with only one, though this wasn't always absolute—just a general trend.

Gabite's physical abilities had naturally improved significantly after its evolution. With its larger and stronger body, it could now absorb even more of the Dragon energy from the pool.

Feeling reinvigorated, Gabite approached Dragonite again, brimming with confidence.

Seeing how much stronger its little brother had become, Dragonite grinned widely.

At the same time, the Champion-level Dragonite, observing nearby, also smiled proudly at its son's progress.

Their goofy smiles were identical—so similar it would be impossible to deny their relation.

The Champion Dragonite looked curiously at Julian.

It had noticed that after Gabite consumed the potion Julian provided, its potential had undergone a remarkable transformation, which had then triggered its evolution.

Such a transformation was monumental for Pokémon, and the Champion Dragonite could sense just how significant this change was.

It glanced at its son again. Its earlier suspicions were confirmed: the rapid growth and progress its child had achieved in just a year and a half were largely thanks to this human.

Three hours later, Gabite emerged from the Dragon Pool again, clearly unable to absorb any more energy. Despite its reluctance, its level had risen from 25 to 30.

Even its Blue-grade potential now showed traces of Purple, about one-third of the way there.

Given enough time soaking in the Dragon Pool, it seemed inevitable that Gabite's potential would eventually reach the Purple grade.

The Dragon Pool's ability to enhance the potential of Dragon-type Pokémon made it a true treasure of the Dragon's Den Secret Realm.

After all, it could even improve Blue-grade potential—a feat beyond the current capabilities of humanity.

At most, humans could manufacture potions capable of upgrading Green to Cyan-grade potential, and even then, each dose was exorbitantly expensive and not guaranteed to work.

For humans to acquire Blue-grade Pokémon, they typically had to capture them in the wild, discover them in secret realms, or rely on rare treasures to enhance their potential.

"Alright, that's enough for now. You can come back another time," Julian said.

He reached out to pat Gabite, but then hesitated, recalling its Rough Skin ability, and quickly withdrew his hand.

The Dragon's Den's strongest Dragonite, the boss of the Den, was an ally. With this connection, as long as Julian had opportunities to enter the Dragon's Den, the Dragon Pool was practically his for unlimited use.

Gabite leaned its head toward Julian, prompting him to reach out.

Feeling the smooth surface of its head, Julian exclaimed with delight, "You can control your ability now!"

Gabite nodded. After evolving, it had gained control over its Rough Skin ability.

This was similar to how Tyranitar's Sand Stream worked.

A Tyranitar that wasn't skilled at managing its ability would automatically activate Sand Stream upon appearing, whether in battle or not.

Imagine being in a backyard and suddenly creating a sandstorm—it would turn the area into a desert in no time.

However, a Tyranitar proficient in managing its ability could control when to activate or deactivate it.

Gabite let out a soft cry, signaling to Julian that it was hungry.

Though it had just absorbed so much Dragon energy, this wasn't hunger—it was clearly a craving.

Julian didn't call it out. Despite Gabite being older than Dragonite by quite a bit, its mindset was still very simple.

Unlike Dragonite, who had traveled with Julian and seen the outside world, Gabite had spent its life in the Dragon's Den under its parents' protection, free of external influences or complex thoughts.

Julian pulled out a high-quality Dragon-type pokeblocks from the system inventory and gave it to Gabite. He also handed one to Dragonite's father.

After all, even if he didn't offer, the Champion-level Dragonite would certainly ask for one.

No Pokémon could resist the system's pokeblocks. None!

The Next Morning;

Dragonite had been soaking in the Dragon Pool for nearly 16 hours.

At first, it had looked relaxed, but as time passed, its expression grew increasingly strained.

Now, its face clearly showed signs of pain as its body became engulfed by the Dragon energy within the pool.

Champion Dragonite: "Hang in there. The longer you endure, the greater the benefits."

In those 16 hours, Dragonite's level had risen from 67 to 69, just one level short of reaching peak pseudo-Elite tier.

While it might seem like a mere two-level increase, for a pseudo-Legendary Pokémon like Dragonite, the experience required to level up was exponentially greater due to its strong foundation and inherent potential.

The liquid Dragon energy in the pool had visibly decreased, and Julian couldn't help but feel that Dragonite's body seemed slightly larger than before.

"Just endure another 24 hours to make it a full 40. I like round numbers," Julian casually remarked.

The Champion-level Dragonite gave him a shocked look.

'So, my son became this powerful not just because of resources, huh?'

Then, after a moment of reflection, it nodded in approval. 'This is how it should be'

Resources + Effort + Talent = Power

Dragonite's father initially thought that if his son could endure another ten hours in the Dragon Pool, it would already be a great feat.

But now, seeing Julian's casual suggestion to make it an even 40 hours, the Champion-level Dragonite realized its own mindset had been too small.

Champion Dragonite: "Let's aim for 44 hours then, make it a nice 60 hours."

Julian: 'You've got to be kidding me! I just thought 24 more hours was pushing it. You, as the father, want to push for 44 hours? Are you trying to send your son off to the afterlife?'

Dragonite: "Why not just make it 100 hours then?"

Champion Dragonite: "If possible, 100 hours would be perfect."

Time passed second by second.

There was no internet in the secret realm, so Julian couldn't use his phone to kill time. Instead, he entertained himself by playing on his handheld gaming console.

The Champion-level Dragonite watched curiously, and Julian handed it a spare console and taught it how to play.

Before long, the two of them were sitting together, engrossed in their games. For them, time flew by quickly.

But for the Dragonite soaking in the Dragon Pool, it felt like an eternity.

The relentless waves of Dragon energy were already a challenge, but hearing the cheerful or frustrated noises coming from his trainer and father playing games nearby made it even harder to focus.

A Day and a Night Later;

Finally, Dragonite burst out of the Dragon Pool. The surge of violent energy it emitted swept across the snow-covered peak of Dragon Mountain, scattering it into the air.

It had lasted 25 hours in the pool—an hour more than Julian's original estimate of 24.

After soaring freely in the sky for several laps to release its pent-up energy, Dragonite landed gracefully on the ground.

Julian immediately activated his Probing Eyes.

*****

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