Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit

Natsume-sensei: "How do I get Gastly to evolve?"

Blue Oak was utterly baffled by the question.

Is this something a Master-level Trainer should be asking?

Isn't evolution something that just happens naturally?

But Blue Oak seemed to realize something and couldn't help but frown.

Indeed, evolution is a fairly basic course, but it also involves incredibly profound knowledge.

Even to this day, the field of Pokémon evolution still has many unsolved mysteries.

For example, the principles of trade evolution, the symbiotic relationship between Slowpoke and Shellder...

To this day, there are still scholars like Professor Rowan around the world who specialize in studying evolution.

Among the known methods of evolution, such as evolving through accumulated battle experience, gathering attribute energy, or even evolving through emotions and bonds...

Different evolution methods can have a profound impact on a Pokémon.

Natsume-sensei must have thought of this, which is why he brought it up in the group for discussion.

"Almost fell into the trap of arrogance again," Blue Oak thought, holding his forehead, an image of someone wearing a sunhat appearing in his mind.

"But when it comes to the field of evolution, I do remember someone..."

Just as Blue Oak thought, Red also mentioned the same evolution expert.

Red: "That's a good question, but we're not exactly experts either."

Red: "@Blue Oak, you have Green's contact info, right?"

Among the three Pokédex holders from Pallet Town, Professor Samuel Oak described Red as "The Battler," Blue Oak as "Breeding Prodigy," and when it came to the field of evolution, it was Green who was hailed as "The Evolver."

Even Red himself would seek Green's advice when his Pokémon were about to evolve.

On Mt. Silver, Red handed a Pokéblock to the Pikachu on his shoulder and smiled to himself.

"Indeed, Natsume-sensei is quite thorough in his considerations."

In the group, Blue Oak seemed rather reluctant.

Blue Oak: "Can't find it."

Red: "Huh? Didn't you two used to be close?"

Blue Oak: "I haven't contacted her in a long time."

Lorelei, who had been lurking the whole time, couldn't help but smile like a proud aunt.

She had heard about the complicated relationships among the Kanto trio.

It was nothing more than a love triangle, with Yellow secretly having a crush on Red.

"Ah, youth," Lorelei said, holding her cheeks and chuckling.

"I'll add her. I got her contact info from Silver," Gold suddenly chimed in.

[Group member 'Gold' has invited 'Sunhat Jigglypuff' to join the chat group!]

Gold: "Sister Green, change your nickname, please!"

Green: "Huh? Why are all of you here?"

At this moment, Natsume, the group owner, silently looked up at the sky.

Is this my fan group or Red's harem?

The whole world knows Yellow has a crush on Red, except for the two of them.

Add to that the tangled mess with Green, and Misty, who has already stepped out of the competition...

Not to mention, Blue Oak is Yellow's mentor, and Green is the sister of "Evolver" Silver...

"What a messy circle!" Natsume sighed.

In the group, the outgoing Green was already chatting warmly with Lorelei.

It wasn't until Blue Oak reminded her that Green noticed the video of Gastly in the chat history.

After carefully observing it, Green nodded. "Gastly is indeed close to evolving."

"If possible, I'd like to take a closer look. Can the group owner do a video call?"

Natsume replied, "Of course, thank you!"

Although Natsume's true strength was unknown, even Red and the others were his followers.

With that first impression, Green assumed he was a senior and spoke with great respect.

[Group member 'Green' has sent you a video call request via the chat group!]

Natsume turned on the camera and had Gastly float over for Green to see.

On the screen appeared a girl with a round hat, reddish-brown shoulder-length hair, and a pretty face.

"Hello, Senior!" Green smiled, revealing her pearly white teeth.

Natsume paused for a moment.

Although being called "Senior" felt a bit off, explaining it would be too much trouble.

Natsume nodded. "I'd like to ask, what exactly should I do?"

Green thought Natsume was just being polite, so she continued cheerfully, "Senior, just keep training as usual!"

Natsume was confused.

Keep training as usual?

Does that mean I can just lie back and do nothing?

"From the breeding conditions, it seems this Gastly has been eating a lot of high-quality Pokéblocks, right?" Green observed Gastly closely, resting her chin on her hand and smiling.

"I can tell you've been very dedicated to training this Gastly, Senior!"

From the color of its mist, it seemed Gastly had been training in Toxic moves recently, using the extremely rigorous "Absorbing Toxins" method.

Despite the harsh training, Gastly seemed very close to its Trainer.

It seemed this Senior's training techniques were quite impressive!

"Indeed," Natsume nodded. "I've been training quite diligently lately."

"Gastly!" Gastly nodded seriously as well.

Green smiled. "In any case, staying close to your Pokémon will help it evolve faster."

"But it's best not to let it evolve during battle. There are too many variables there. It's better to equip it with an Everstone during battles."

"Plus, Everstones can help Pokémon learn moves earlier without affecting their evolution!"

Everstones can halt a Pokémon's evolution.

If Gastly were to evolve mid-battle, it might not be able to control its new form and could end up getting hurt.

Natsume nodded. "Thank you, Senior Green!"

"You're too kind, Senior Natsume!"

Green smiled. "I'll send you some materials on Gastly's evolution later. You can refer to them as needed!"

"Sure, sure."

With the guidance and tips from "Evolver" Green, Natsume felt more confident about Gastly's evolution.

But the Everstone in the system cost 1000 BP, and Natsume only had less than 100 BP left.

Reluctantly, Natsume went to the official Pokémon Sleep website to check the price of an Everstone.

"10,000 Pokémon Coins for a stupid rock?!"

Natsume gasped. "Are you kidding me?!"

It was just a fist-sized gray rock, completely plain, sitting quietly in a display case.

Yet, it was priced at a whopping 10,000 Pokémon Coins.

The official explanation was that recent studies showed Everstones could also affect Pokémon egg hatching, which had driven up the price.

Natsume checked online and found that this was indeed the market price.

In places like mines, miners often bred Excadrill or Dugtrio to help them excavate minerals.

If they were lucky, Pokémon with the "Pickup" ability could sometimes find Everstones in the mines.

Although the probability was about the same as panning for gold or searching for Tumblestones, Everstones were still considered valuable commodities in the mines.

Reluctantly, including handling fees, Natsume spent 12,000 Pokémon Coins to buy the Everstone.

The seller said it would arrive tomorrow.

And Piplup's quarterfinals were set to begin on Wednesday—tomorrow.

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