Arin woke to a rare silence in the attic. Mrs. Varma was already gone for her trip, leaving him with a day entirely his own. He ate the cold egg bun and spicy chips she'd left behind, washed up at the pond, and dressed in his slightly oversized clothes.
Fuchsia City was different when he wasn't rushing through chores. The morning air was brisk, and the city was waking up: vendors setting up, trainers heading toward the Gym, and kids playing by the lakeside. Fuchsia was a blend of old and new-wooden houses and flowerbeds beside modern storefronts and neon signs. The city's reputation rested on the famous Safari Zone and Koga's Poison Gym.
Arin made his way to the reading room near the old Safari Zone, only to find it wouldn't open until 11. With time to spare, he wandered the city's eastern edge and found himself at the grand gates of the Safari Zone. The entrance was impressive, banners promising rare Pokémon and adventure. Arin's heart pounded-he'd dreamed of saving up for a trip here, maybe catching something rare after a few months of work.
He checked the price board and felt his stomach drop.
Entry: 5,500 PokéDollars for a 13-minute session. Safari Balls included.
That was more than Mrs. Varma's shop made in a week-enough to restock nearly all the shelves or feed a family for even longer. He watched a group of wealthy trainers pay the fee without a second thought and vanish through the gates, laughing about which rare Pokémon they'd catch. For most people, the Safari Zone was just a dream. Arin realized instantly that his plan to save up for a session was hopeless. The place was a playground for the rich, and the Warden, who managed it, was clearly making a fortune off those who could afford it.
He bought a cheap cup of tea from a street vendor and watched the crowds. Most people barely glanced at the Safari gates. The city's real life was in its markets and alleys, not behind those exclusive gates.
When the reading room finally opened, Arin was the first inside. He found a quiet corner and started digging through newspapers and books. He read about:
Professor Oak: The Pallet Town researcher was the region's leading authority on Pokémon. Oak's Pokédex had changed how trainers and scholars saw Pokémon, and he was famous for his radio shows and for mentoring new trainers.
Team Rocket: The papers were full of warnings about this criminal group. They were involved in theft, smuggling, and black market dealings. No one knew who led them; rumors spoke of a powerful boss, but no names or faces. Their operations were rumored to stretch from Celadon to Saffron and even Viridian City. Arin made a mental note to avoid Team Rocket and, based on what he remembered from another life, to steer clear of the Viridian Gym as well.
The Kanto-Johto War: An old article recounted the war that ended nearly sixty years ago. The conflict left scars on both regions, and the Pokémon League was created to bring unity and hope after the war.
Lance and the Elite Four: Lance, a young Dragon-type master, had joined the Elite Four just two years ago. His arrival was seen as a sign of a new era for Kanto's trainers.
He also read recent tech news:
Pokémon TCG Pocket App: The new digital card game was wildly popular, with millions of downloads and rising physical card sales.
Niantic Sells Pokémon Go: The company behind Pokémon Go had sold its division to Scopely, signaling a shift in the mobile gaming world.
Aeos Technology: New "Aeos tech" was being integrated into devices and research tools. Arin marveled at how Pokéballs could turn Pokémon into light and how PCs could store and heal Pokémon-technology far beyond what he'd ever seen.
In the breeding and training guides, Arin noticed something odd. There was no official way to measure a Pokémon's "potential" or IVs. Breeders relied on results and parentage, but the science was not public. There were only rumors that some Pokémon, even of the same species and level, grew faster or stronger than others. No one could measure these hidden numbers directly. Success came from trial, error, and experience.
He read about growth rates-some Pokémon leveled up quickly, others took much longer. The world attributed this to species differences, but Arin suspected the truth was deeper. He concluded that what trainers called "talent" or "potential" was really the effect of hidden values-IVs-shaping growth, stats, and learning speed.
He decided to keep his "Observe" ability secret. If the world ever learned to measure IVs directly, it would change everything-breeding, battling, and the value of Pokémon.
As the sun dipped low, Arin packed up his notes. Before leaving, he borrowed a stack of tech-related books: manuals on electronics, guides to circuitry, and volumes on computer repair. He knew understanding Mrs. Varma's PC would require more than intuition, especially with the differences in technology here. With these resources tucked under his arm, Arin felt a renewed sense of purpose. He was ready to tackle the challenge waiting for him back at the shop.
He left the library as the city lights flickered on, his mind buzzing with new knowledge and determination.
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