Time passed quickly. After leaving the ke, Paul headed to a nearby Pokémoer to rest for the night.

  The m, as the sun rose, Paul resumed his jouroward Saown. Refleg on the events of the previous day, he came to a realization: it's better not to release Pokémon unless he was certain of their potential and value.

  If a Pokémon showed exceptional talent, he might treat it with a more siderate attitude. However, when faced with a Pokémon that didn't meet his standards and had a poor temperament, it was simply frustrating.

  As Paul walked through the woods outside the town, his attention turo the wild Pokémon in the area. Once he received his Pokédex from Professor Rowan's b, he'd be able to assess their potential directly. For now, he could capture them in advand evaluate them ter.

  "Elekid, get ready to battle," Paul aossing a Poké Ball into the air.

  From the Ball emerged Elekid, its fists already in motion from its earlier training. Paul poio a Budew basking in the sunlight, its flower bud opening and closing atop its head.

  "Elekid, use Thunder Punch."

  The Budew had noticed Paul as soon as he threw the Poké Ball. Its flower bud glowed with a greenish light, releasing a whip-like tendril aimed at Elekid.

  Absorb.

  Elekid sneered, shattering the attack with its Thunder Punch. With swift precision, Elekid closed the distand nded a decisive blow. The Budew was sent flying, rolling across the ground before ing to a stop.

  "Poké Ball, go!"

  Paul wasted no time. Before the Budew could fully lose its ability to battle, he threoké Ball. It struck the Budew, transf it into red light and abs it. After two shakes, the ball went still.

  Budetured.

  "Let's keep going. There's another Pokémohere. Take it down," Paul said, gesturing toward a Shinx peering out from a patch of grass.

  The Shinx, its blue and bck fur shimmering in the light, showed no fear despite being discovered. Its ears and tail, adorned with star-like patterns, twitched with excitement as it locked eyes with Elekid, ready for battle.

  Under Paul's orders, Elekid used Quick Attack, accelerating toward Shinx with its hand glowing white, preparing Brick Break. The Shinx responded with a terattack, its teeth glowing with a cold, eerie light. Bite.

  Just before impact, Elekid twisted mid-charge, evading Shinx's bite. It followed up with a precise Brick Break, striking Shinx's head and breaking its momentum. Shinx crumpled to the ground, uo tihe fight.

  "Challengie such a pap? It must have the Rivalry ability," Paul muttered, pig up Budew's Poké Ball.

  He examihe fallen Shinx and cluded, "Rivalry boosts attack painst Pokémon of the same gender but weakens it against the opposite gender. A double-edged sword."

  While Rivalry might be acceptable on some Pokémon, Paul found it less desirable on Shinx, which had access to better abilities like Intimidate uts. With Elekid's top-tier potential already secured, he had no i in capturing an average Shinx.

  tinuing through the woods, Paul's attention was drawn to a red cricket-like Pokémon standing upright with "whiskers" resembling an instrument. It was her than Kricketune, known for its helpful nature.

  "Don't uimate it. Use Thunder," Paul anded with a serious expression.

  Although Kricketune was of little value to him, its singing could put even Elekid to sleep, warranting caution.

  After a series of battles and captures, Paul finally arrived at Professor Rowan's b by noon.

  "Ding-dong~"

  "The door's open. e in," a voice called from inside.

  Paul ehe b's main hall, where several researchers and assistants were w. Among them stood an elderly man with white hair and a beard, clearly Professor Rowan. Two other boys were also present—one wearing a red beret and the other with spiky yellow hair. Both wore scarves, one red and the reen, and sported uches on their left wrists.

  The two boys looked familiar, and Paul quickly formed a guess about their identities.

  "Professor Rowan, I'm Paul from Veilstoy. I tacted you earlier about pig up my Pokédex," Paul said, bowing slightly in respect.

  "Perfect timing. I give all three of you your Pokédexes at once," Professor Rowan said, smiling as he handed over two red Pokédexes and one be.

  "Thank you very much," Paul said, accepting the bck Pokédex.

  "Thanks, Professor!" the boy in the red beret said politely.

  "Thanks a lot, Professor~" the spiky-haired boy added, then turo his panion. "Lucas, now that we're official trainers, let's have a battle!"

  "Another one? Didn't I beat you yesterday?" Lucas replied, exasperated.

  "That doesn't t! Yesterday, Piplup and I weren't familiar with each other. There's no way your Chimchar should have beaten us. This time, I'll win for sure!"

  Seeing Barry's persistence, Lucas relutly agreed. "Fine, but there are others here. Let's battle ter."

  Turning to Paul, Lucas introduced himself. "Hi, I'm Lucas, and this is Barry. We're both rainers from Twiown. We came here to pick up our Pokédexes today."

  "Just to pick up Pokédexes?" Paul asked, notig something odd.

  "Well, yesterday, while we were at Lake Verity, a group of Starly attacked us. We found Professor Rowan's briefcase, which had three Poké Balls inside. Each of us took oo fight off the Starly," Lucas expined.

  "Since we were already pnning to get our starter Pokémon, Professor Rowan gave them to us early. Today, we're just here for the Pokédexes."

  Professor Rowan added, "There were inally three Poké Balls in the case, but when it fell, one rolled away. Despite searg, we only found one damaged ball, and its Pokémon was gone. Hopefully, it'll find its way back."

  Sensing the somber mood, Professor Rowan ged the subject. "Alright, young trainers, there's a battlefield in the backyard if you want to test your skills. Let's go."

  With that, he led the way outside.

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