Chapter 57: Shaking Off Cynthia

A few minutes later, Shellder's shell was smashed to bits by Happiny's flurry of punches. As for Shellder, it was, naturally, dead as a doornail.

Ace walked over and patted Happiny, who was still fuming, then picked up the mangled Shellder.

"Not bad, still edible."

Ace quickly rinsed off the sand with seawater, then soaked it in fresh water before slicing it into a platter of sashimi.

Ace and Cynthia ate half, while the rest, naturally, went into Happiny's belly.

Watching it chew, it seemed like it was still taking out its anger on the sashimi.

After eating their fill, Ace told Cynthia and their Pokémon to rest for a while before setting off again.

He, meanwhile, took out the S-rank reward package granted by the system.

There were two packages in total. The first two times Ace opened them, he got body enhancements. He wondered if there were any other options besides that.

"Open package."

He willed it, and both packages opened simultaneously.

"Congratulations, Host, Body Constitution +1."

"Congratulations, Host, you have received Healing Aura."

Healing Aura: After a Pokémon exits battle, it recovers 1 HP per second.

A comfortable sensation washed over him, lasting only three seconds as before, and Ace's physique was strengthened once again.

Fortunately, Ace had prepared early, buying loose-fitting clothes this time, so even with the physical changes, they weren't noticeable from his appearance.

He hadn't expected the system's reward packages to actually yield such a fantastical aura.

And this aura was quite powerful. Although it couldn't be used directly in combat, as long as a Pokémon exited battle, the 1 HP per second recovery would allow Ace to completely say goodbye to healing potions.

However, Ace wasn't sure how "exiting battle" was defined.

Did returning to a Poké Ball count as exiting battle, or did the battle have to be completely over?

This needed to be tested to understand its intricacies.

After resting, Ace recalled his Pokémon, then took Cynthia onto Lapras's back. Lapras carried them towards their destination.

"Where exactly are we going?"

Cynthia watched as they started moving again and couldn't help but ask, though she didn't hold much hope that Ace would tell her.

"Lavender Town."

Ace spoke, his sudden words startling Cynthia.

"We're going to Lavender Town?"

Cynthia quickly inquired.

"Yes."

Ace told Cynthia, "Once we reach Lavender Town, I'll start a period of special training to help you improve your strength."

"Really?!"

Cynthia was a little excited. Improving one's strength was something every Trainer dreamed of.

Ace nodded, then said no more.

The rest, he didn't tell Cynthia: that he would leave her once her Trainer level reached ten.

By then, Cynthia's strength should be sufficient to deal with Team Rocket grunts. As for the main quest, Ace had no intention of involving Cynthia.

Night gradually fell. Lapras brought them to a stop in the waters near Lavender Town.

After recalling Lapras, Ace and Cynthia entered Lavender Town before it was completely dark and found an inn to stay for the night.

The next day, Ace took Cynthia to an open space near Lavender Town and began her special training.

Ace relayed what Misty had taught him to Cynthia in the same manner.

And Cynthia, indeed worthy of being the future Sinnoh Champion, showed great talent in Pokémon battles. With Ace's patient guidance, Cynthia's strength improved rapidly.

Ace left his Pokémon with Cynthia for sparring, while he himself occasionally returned to Lavender Town.

Cynthia found Ace's actions a bit strange, but Ace explained that he was going to prepare some essential travel supplies.

Cynthia nodded. Immersed in improving her strength, Cynthia didn't find anything problematic with Ace's words. Once she knew, she immediately threw herself back into special training.

In this way, Ace helped Cynthia with special training for five days, and Cynthia's strength, as expected, rose to Level 10.

"Side quest (Cultivate Cynthia) completed. Quest evaluation: B. Reward: 5000 gold coins, three quest points."

After the side quest was successfully completed, Ace called a halt to Cynthia, and at the same time, he sighed inwardly; his previous preparations could now begin.

"What's wrong?"

Cynthia, who was directing Gible against Weepinbell, stopped and looked at Ace in confusion when he called them to a halt.

"I have nothing more to teach you."

Ace said, "So, let's part ways here. Following me is too dangerous."

As he spoke, Ace recalled Weepinbell and released Aerodactyl.

"Wait! Didn't we agree to fight together?!"

Cynthia was somewhat incredulous. Had she just been "abandoned" like this?!

"I said it before."

Aerodactyl took off with Ace. Looking at the increasingly small figure of Cynthia, Ace said faintly, "We were traveling together temporarily. Your current strength is enough to deal with regular Team Rocket members, so I'm relieved. Let's part ways here, never to meet again."

With that, Aerodactyl flapped its wings sharply and flew westward at extreme speed.

"Damn it! You think you can shake me off? No way!"

Cynthia was furious. She recalled Gible and immediately sent out Riolu.

"Riolu, track his aura! Let's go!"

Riolu immediately nodded, sensing Ace's aura, and quickly led Cynthia in pursuit of where Ace had flown.

The person and the dog quickly left Lavender Town, running westward, but after a certain distance, Riolu stopped.

In its perception, Ace's aura suddenly disappeared.

Such a situation could mean two things: either Ace was dead, or he had flown out of its sensing range.

The first option was unlikely, so it could only be the second.

"Did he get far away?"

Seeing Riolu stop, Cynthia also reacted and said to Riolu, "Where did his aura disappear? Let's go there first."

Riolu nodded and started running again, leading Cynthia towards the place where the aura vanished.

After the person and the dog left, Ace suddenly stepped out from a nearby bush, looking at their fading figures. He said, with a slight headache, "System, how long can this cloaking ability last?"

"One day."

"One quest point to cloak my aura for a day, that's reasonable."

Ace nodded. He used this system ability to mask his own aura, and at the same time, with the system's help, created a duplicate of his aura to lead Cynthia astray.

"Finally, they're gone."

Ace twisted his neck and said with emotion, "So now... Koga, let's see how strong you really are!"