Before the training started, Shiro fastened an Everstone around Rookidee.
It had actually been Rookidee's own request. After learning that evolving too soon could limit its potential, it had insisted on wearing the stone to prevent any unwanted changes.
This way, it no longer had to deliberately hold back its level.
Shiro planned to keep the Everstone on Rookidee until it reached the intermediate level before letting it evolve into Corvisquire. After that, Corvisquire would continue wearing the Everstone, only removing it when it was close to the Gym level to break through in one go.
Currently, Rookidee's strength was already nearing that threshold, hovering around Level 19.
Its main focus in training at the moment was Tailwind.
Since it hadn't inherited many moves from its parents, its natural talent was average at best, making Tailwind especially difficult to learn.
However, the move Shiro wanted it to master the most was something else—Protect, the most versatile defensive move.
Unfortunately, Rookidee showed no sign of grasping it. Shiro was considering buying a TM to help it learn the move.
"Gaasstly!"
Out on the grassy field, Gastly gleefully floated in midair, its shadowy form flickering as dark energy swirled above its purple-black gaseous body.
A moment later, a distortion took shape in the air, and in the blink of an eye, a jagged hole matching its shadow's form appeared on the tree in front of it.
This was Night Shade, a high level Ghost-type move.
Gastly could barely pull it off at this point. Right now, its strength is roughly around Level 16.
Thanks to Shiro's focused training, Gastly had developed exceptional control over its Ghost-type abilities. It could even stay inside Shiro's shadow for brief moments.
Once it grew strong enough to stay hidden inside his shadow for extended periods, Shiro would essentially have a personal bodyguard with him at all times.
...
As the training continued, the sun rose higher, illuminating the small clearing nestled between the trees and the towering mountains.
By now, It was already noon.
This area was remote, and with Rhyperior standing guard, Shiro and his Pokémon could train in peace without any interference from wild Pokémon or passing trainers.
After feeding the exhausted Rookidee and Gastly the special berries—Blackwing and Darkshade—Shiro recalled them into their Poké Balls.
"Rhyperior!" he called.
The massive Pokémon turned its head sluggishly before being recalled as well.
With everything packed, Shiro set off, retracing his steps along the familiar path.
Just as he entered the woods, a brilliant red beam shot into the sky from a few hundred meters away.
"Dynamax phenomenon!" Shiro let out a surprised cry.
Before he could react any further, the ground beneath him trembled, and the surrounding trees quivered. He quickly stumbled behind a sturdy trunk for cover.
Dynamax was a signature phenomenon of the Galar region, caused by a meteorite crashing into the land thousands of years ago. That meteorite had contained Eternatus, a powerful Pokémon, whose energy had spread across Galar. Pokémon that absorbed this energy could undergo temporary transformations.
When a Pokémon releases this special energy, it distorts the surrounding space, making the Pokémon appear far larger than its actual size. Once Dynamaxed, a Pokémon's physical form expands dramatically, and its stamina receives a massive boost.
Normally, these special zones contained rare materials, attracting countless trainers eager to claim them.
"Dynamax..."
As the tremors subsided, Shiro slowly stood up, debating whether he should try his luck.
In the Wild Area, Dynamax occurrences happened randomly—sometimes a dozen in a day, sometimes only one or two.
He was well aware of the risks. Yet, even as his mind weighed the dangers, his body instinctively moved forward, drawn toward the phenomenon.
What if he got lucky and found something valuable?
He wasn't the only one thinking this way. As he carefully approached, three Corviknights and two Unfezants soared overhead, racing toward the same destination.
After walking for another few minutes, Shiro came to a halt.
Up ahead lay the boundary of the Dynamax phenomenon.
A massive dome of deep red energy, spanning several hundred meters in radius, engulfed the surrounding forest and grassy slopes. But what stood out the most was the group of trainers in gray uniforms stationed at the perimeter, shouting through megaphones.
"This area is now under the control of Macro Cosmos! Unauthorized personnel, stay back! This area is now under the control of Macro Cosmos! Unauthorized personnel—"
"Damn it, these Macro Cosmos guys think they own everything!" a trainer spat as he dismounted from his Unfezant.
His voice carried a little too far, drawing the attention of a nearby Macro Cosmos trainer. The man stomped over, his expression gloomy.
"The hell did you just say?"
"I...!" The trainer quickly waved his hands, scrambling to return his Unfezant to its Poké Ball. "No, no, big guy, you got it all wrong..."
Noticing the commotion, several other burly men in gray uniforms started closing in. Realizing he was about to be surrounded, the trainer turned around and ran.
Chasing someone through the forest wasn't easy, and the Macro Cosmos trainer didn't seem too eager to waste the effort. They let him go, retreating to the perimeter to resume their patrol.
Shiro watched for a moment, then turned and left as well, following his original path back toward the eastern shore of Lake Axewell.
He wasn't sure if Macro Cosmos always took over these Dynamax events in the Wild Area, but their trainers were strong—far beyond what he could handle.
There was no way he could sneak in unnoticed and scavenge anything.
...
By noon, the eastern shore of Lake Axewell was bustling with activity. As a well-known safe zone, it had become the largest trade market in the surrounding area.
The crowd was scattered yet lively, with people conducting business while keeping a reasonable distance from each other.
Just as Shiro stepped out from the sparse woods, a hurried voice called out.
"Hey, buddy! You got the goods? How much? I'll take it all."
The speaker was a man wearing a white hat and a matching face mask, with sunglasses concealing his entire face.
He carried a massive backpack, nearly half his height, and had a sturdy build. Blocking Shiro's path, he stood firmly in place.
Shiro paused, momentarily confused, then shook his head and waved dismissively, assuming the man had mistaken him for someone else.
Before he could take another step, the masked man quickly blocked his path again.
"Wait! Don't go just yet! I'll pay 1,000 Pokédollars for every Watt!"
"Watt?" Shiro blinked, recalling that in the games, Dynamax energy was measured in Watts and could be collected.
'Is that actually possible in real life too?'
While pondering this, he asked directly, "Are you talking about Dynamax energy?"
The masked man, clearly a Watt Trader, stepped closer, prompting Shiro to instinctively take a step back.
"So you do know..." the trader muttered, reaching into his pocket. A moment later, he pulled out a thick wad of Pokédollars. Gesturing toward the fading red glow in the distance, he continued,
"You did just come from there, right? You should have collected at least a hundred Watts of Dynamax energy. I saw the Macro Cosmos guys heading that way earlier. Once they leave, there's always plenty of energy left to grab."
Shiro followed his gaze, then shook his head.
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