By the time Silas stepped out of the room, his palms were already damp with sweat.It wasn't just the pressure from Elder Joy Shizuka. More than that ,It was Lia's disappointed gaze that left him feeling uneasy.
The corridor outside was quiet.
Lia lowered her voice softly. "You... don't want this?"
Silas looked at the forced smile on her face and slowly shook his head.
"It's not that."
"I just don't want my entire life controlled by someone else."
That was his explanation Or perhaps–An excuse.
Thankfully, Lia understood what he meant almost immediately. Growing up inside the Joy family, she'd seen too many examples already.
At family gatherings, some of those who married into the family looked harmonious on the surface But behind closed doors?
Not necessarily.
Some had their futures tightly controlled through family pressure, political interests, or psychological manipulation. So she understood why Silas hesitated.
After a brief silence, Lia softly said:
"It's okay."
"As long as we keep getting stronger...One day, nobody will be able to control us."
Silas felt a faint ripple in his heart. Inside the conference room earlier, Lia had protected him despite her own disappointment.
That sincerity wasn't fake.
She forced a sweet smile onto her face. But those emotions only lasted briefly before absolute rationality buried them again.
'Before making a name for myself...'
'How can I let emotions become shackles?'
Silas's expression slowly returned to calm. His dark eyes regained their usual rational coldness. After returning to his luxurious room, Silas didn't rest immediately.
Whether it was:
• meeting Cynthia
• or facing the pressure from Elder Joy Shizuka
both only strengthened his desire for power.Turning pressure into motivation,That had always been one of his specialties.
Then his eyes shifted toward several carefully stored materials nearby.
"The ingredients from Rose's formula are finally complete..."
Silas attached tremendous importance to the nerve-reaction potion formula he'd obtained earlier.
After all He had personally witnessed the effects on Rose's Pidgeot. Even against Honchkrow's sneak attacks, that Pidgeot had reacted almost instantly.
That alone proved how valuable the formula was. One by one, Silas laid out the ingredients:
• Swiftfruit
• Rapid Root
• Keen Branch
•White Apricorn extract
The room gradually filled with the smell of medicinal herbs.Extraction,Grinding,Refining and Mixing.
The complicated process continued throughout the entire night.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
Time slowly passed.
Moonlight outside the window eventually faded into dawn. Morning sunlight climbed onto the desk.
At sunrise Silas finally looked at the completed milky-white potion resting inside a glass vial. A trace of satisfaction appeared within his exhausted eyes.
The discarded bottles and failed materials piled in the corner were proof of an entire sleepless night.
Now came the next question. Which Pokémon should receive it? After carefully weighing the pros and cons ,Silas chose Honchkrow.
There were two main reasons.
First: Honchkrow currently held the most responsibilities among his team.
It served as:
• aerial transport
• reconnaissance
• scouting
• night watch
• emergency support
Naturally, Silas invested heavily into it.
Second: Honchkrow's "steal-and-burst" combat style was currently the strongest offensive tactic Silas possessed.
In his estimation, when fully unleashed, Honchkrow could briefly contend against even pseudo-Elite-level opponents. Because of that Giving the potion to Honchkrow produced the greatest immediate value.
As for the formula itself?
Silas already had it memorized. The only issue was acquiring more ingredients later from black markets in future cities. Eventually, every Pokémon on his team would receive a dose. But right now Honchkrow came first.
Silas always made decisions through absolute rationality.
"How does it feel?"
He looked toward Honchkrow after it swallowed the potion in one gulp.
"Kraaaaw!"
The dark bird tilted its head thoughtfully.
Silas carefully recorded the reaction inside his notebook.
As a breeder, documenting medicinal responses was an important habit. After a brief examination, Honchkrow only reported one noticeable effect:
Its thoughts felt slightly clearer.Other than that,Nothing obvious yet.
Silas nodded slowly.
No immediate side effects.
Good.
Finally, he glanced toward the nearby clock.
8:00 AM.
Time for breakfast.
After all, meals aboard the Chansey Cruise were included with the ticket. Even if his own ticket had technically been gifted by the Joy family ,Free food was still free food But the moment Silas opened the door and He froze.
The entire corridor had descended into chaos. Passengers were running in panic.Some were pale and Others looked terrified. Silas immediately grabbed one passing man.
"What happened?"
The man hurriedly replied:
"Sea Pokémon attack!"
"The captain's mobilizing the ship guards right now!"
"Everyone's heading toward the shelter rooms!"
Silas's eyes narrowed instantly. Without hesitation, he rushed back into his room and immediately stored all important belongings inside his spatial ring.
At the same time, The cruise ship's emergency alarm system finally erupted.
WEEEEEEEE.
The piercing sirens echoed throughout the entire vessel. Sleeping passengers jolted awake. Doors opened everywhere as people rushed into the hallways.
Most ordinary civilians immediately headed toward the emergency shelters But some Trainers ,Especially those confident in their strength Started moving toward the deck instead.
Not only because of responsibility But because of the announcement repeatedly echoing through the ship's broadcast system.
"Attention all passengers!"
"The Chansey Cruise is currently under attack by a hostile Sea Pokémon group!"
"A League Level-1 Emergency Recruitment has been issued!"
"Any Trainer willing to board the combat deck and assist in repelling the Pokémon will receive substantial rewards!"
The broadcast repeated over and over. Money moved hearts. In this world, very few Trainers could completely ignore the costs of raising Pokémon.
Most people fought desperately for resources.
Silas naturally had no intention of missing this opportunity. Not because of the reward.But because this was an excellent chance to improve his public League record.
A visible achievement.
Something that could further raise his authority level inside the League system And if the Joy family added their endorsement afterward ,The value would increase even more. Of course, the probability wasn't high But even the possibility alone was worth pursuing.
Moving through the chaotic corridors, Silas quickly navigated toward the deck using his familiarity with the ship's layout.
By the time he stepped onto the combat platform ,The area was already crowded. Armed security personnel stood prepared near the defensive lines.
Alongside them were numerous Trainers dressed in travel gear And among the gathered crowd Silas spotted a familiar figure immediately. Long golden hair,Cold expression.
Glaceon beside her ,Cynthia had arrived as well.
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(End of chapter)