The newborn Honedge was tiny, roughly the same size as a Piplup.
It would take some time before it grew to its normal size.
Steven examined the tiny Honedge, uncertain about what to feed it.
This little one seemed similar to Beldum—it didn't have a mouth...
"Legend says that Honedge absorbs human life essence, so it should be able to absorb energy too, right?"
Just like how Beldum satisfies its hunger by absorbing magnetism and energy from metal objects.
Steven retrieved a Steel Gem from his bag and offered it to Honedge, who was cradled in Empoleon's flippers.
"Awbo!"
How is one piece enough!
Give my precious baby another piece!
No—give it a whole backpack full!
"The little one was just born. It probably can't absorb all the energy from this Steel Gem," Steven said, rolling his eyes at Empoleon.
Honedge blinked its single eye and used its red cloth ribbon to wrap around the Steel Gem Steven offered.
The energy contained within the Steel Gem visibly transferred into Honedge's body.
Within moments, Honedge closed its eye and drifted off to sleep.
As an infant, it was still in that drowsy newborn stage.
Empoleon gently placed Honedge on the bed and carefully tucked it in.
Where was the "Emperor" demeanor? It was acting purely like a nanny!
The "Lord of the Surging Tides" had completely abandoned its character.
Since the team's newborn baby had fallen asleep, everyone took care not to make too much noise.
Even Aggron's usual "crunching" sounds while chewing rocks became inexplicably quieter.
Steven sat beside the bed, watching the sleeping Honedge while deep in thought.
If Honedge could absorb energy from gems...
Could it absorb nutrients from Moomoo Milk?
He'd soak it in a whole basin of milk!
After today's match, Steven remained in his room for the entire day.
By evening, Steven's Pokémon unusually skipped their training session.
Instead, they all watched over the newly born team member: waking up to play, playing until hungry, eating and then sleeping.
Honedge never expected to gain seven nannies the moment it hatched!
On the fourth day of the Ever Grande Conference,
Since Steven won his first match, he was scheduled for the opening battle today.
Inside the central stadium arena.
Steven stood on the battlefield, casually watching the countdown displayed on the large screen overhead.
Yesterday, he'd had Piplup by his side, but today it was Riolu.
There was no other choice—besides the newborn Honedge, only Riolu was relatively small enough to accompany him.
Besides, he needed to build up their bond.
Little Honedge was currently at the Pokémon Center, being watched over by Empoleon.
As for his battle lineup, Steven had already preset it.
After all, no one would be able to force him down to his last Pokémon anyway.
"Countdown complete! Player Youhei has not arrived! Therefore, this match is awarded to Player Steven, who advances to the top four!"
Steven truly hadn't expected someone to actually forfeit.
But thinking about it, it made sense. If someone got swept 6-0 in the quarterfinals match,
They'd return home to everyone pointing fingers and gossiping.
For instance, saying things like, "Look, that's the guy who lucked into the top eight but got swept 6-0 in the next round."
By forfeiting, they'd at least have some excuse or reason to deflect criticism.
Steven shrugged. It just meant he could return earlier to check on Honedge.
Come to think of it, this Ever Grande Conference felt like Steven was competing in a beginner's league.
The only dark horse should be that Trainer with the Sceptile.
His appearance was fairly ordinary—Steven didn't have much of an impression of him.
However, judging by his commanding skills during matches and Sceptile's combat prowess, he should be considered a worthy opponent.
At least Steven hadn't encountered a Trainer like those so-called "Legendary Pokémon Masters."
Even if he did, Steven felt confident he had a strong chance of winning.
If those Legendary Pokémon were truly that powerful, they probably wouldn't obediently follow such Trainers anyway.
So the odds of victory were still quite favorable.
Just two more matches, and Steven would become the Ever Grande Conference Champion.
Steven returned to his room and found Honedge lying on Empoleon's belly, with Empoleon sprawled on the bed, having fallen asleep at some point.
Is this how you babysit?
Steven gently picked up Honedge and placed it on the bed properly.
Empoleon, sensing something was missing, raised a flipper and patted its belly.
Upon realizing Honedge was gone, it abruptly sat upright, only relaxing after spotting Honedge lying safely beneath the covers.
"You fell asleep while babysitting, didn't you?" Steven said with a soft chuckle.
"Awbo..."
Empoleon paused, recalling what happened after Steven left.
Empoleon had gripped Honedge's hilt, drawn it from its sheath, and admired the blood-red blade.
It had mumbled "perfect" appreciatively.
Then it re-sheathed Honedge and positioned it at its waist.
Tsk!
Magnificent~
Honedge could only blink its eye in confusion.
Although it didn't understand what Empoleon was doing, seeing the joyful expression on Empoleon's face made it happy too.
While playing together, Empoleon had been infected by Honedge's drowsiness and fallen asleep alongside it.
"Awbo~"
Finished reminiscing, Empoleon hopped off the bed and stretched its body.
Babysitting is quite exhausting~
Steven narrowed his eyes, observing the nonchalant Empoleon.
He had a distinct feeling it had secretly done something mischievous while he was away.
You don't look anything like the "Lord of the Surging Tides" anymore!
Don't break character!
Steven checked his bag—the minerals inside were all accounted for.
At least Empoleon hadn't frantically fed Honedge minerals to absorb.
Honedge had just hatched, and its food intake was still very limited.
Consuming too much could easily lead to indigestion.
Aggron was a different story entirely.
Click, click, click—
All the Poké Balls at his waist automatically opened, and a group of large Pokémon gathered around little Honedge, observing it closely.
What does it mean to be a group favorite?
This is what being a group favorite looks like!
Even the usually stern Scizor gazed at Honedge with curiosity and doting affection.
Alright, even in front of Honedge, Scizor had broken character.
Indeed.
These Pokémon were all witnessing a newborn Pokémon emerge from an egg for the first time.
Understandable.
As for Honedge—it had gained a bunch of Champion-level nannies the moment it hatched!
What kind of privileged background is this?!
Steven watched as Honedge was surrounded, unable to even squeeze in himself despite being its Trainer.
Thinking carefully, the Steel and Ghost-type combination possessed eight 2× resistances, one 4× resistance, and three immunities.
Out of eighteen types, it had twelve resistances.
Only four types dealt super effective damage against it.
Plus, its evolved form, Aegislash, could switch between offensive and defensive stances, making it an exceptional battler.
In future Double Battles, Empoleon could even team up with Aegislash.
This way, Empoleon could block Fighting-type moves, eliminating one of its weaknesses!
But somehow...
The battle style is gradually becoming strange, hey!