"Is it this little fellow?"
"Smo~"
Facing the palm that Gym Leader Ramos extended toward it, the Smoliv—having rarely interacted with strangers—grew frightened and instinctively burrowed into Silas's arms. Only Silas could give it a sense of security.
"Don't be afraid. Gym Leader Ramos is a very, very good person. He can help solve the problem that's stopping you from evolving," Silas said gently as he comforted it, then placed Smoliv onto his palm.
"Smo!?"
Other Smoliv might not care much, but the moment evolution was mentioned, this one immediately perked up, brimming with energy.
Its round little eyes blinked cutely, and the corners of its small mouth curved into a faint smile. It spun around atop Silas's palm, signaling that it was fine with being examined however they liked.
"Smo~"
"What a good child!"
Such an adorable and well-behaved Pokémon was impossible not to love. Gym Leader Ramos took out some snacks he carried with him and offered them over.
"Smo?"
Smoliv turned its head toward Silas.
"Go ahead and eat," Silas said.
"Smo!"
Taking small bites, Smoliv tasted the snack. It was delicious, and it happily narrowed its eyes in contentment.
With the snacks drawing its attention away, Gym Leader Ramos moved a little closer and began observing it carefully.
He gently squeezed the fruit on top of Smoliv's head—it was remarkably full and firm.
"Young Silas, I more or less know where the problem lies," Gym Leader Ramos said.
"Smo?"
"Really?"
Silas and Smoliv spoke almost at the same time. One human and one Pokémon looked at each other, then both smiled.
"Pokémon like Smoliv store inedible olive oil inside the fruit on their heads, and they also use that oil to fight enemies," Gym Leader Ramos explained. "The issue with your Smoliv is that it eats too much but doesn't expend any of that energy. All that excess energy is being compressed inside its body, which in turn suppresses its instinct to evolve."
In other words, Smoliv had been living too comfortably, without any sense of danger, and its plant instincts were holding back its evolution.
"I see!" Silas said in realization.
Thinking about it carefully, ever since Smoliv came to the ranch, it had hardly ever used the oil stored in its fruit.
Their way of obtaining nutrients was simply too easy. Most Grass-type Pokémon could generate energy through photosynthesis to sustain their lives.
They didn't need to compete for food in the wild, so the vast majority of Grass-type Pokémon tended to have gentle personalities.
Once he understood this, Silas continued asking, "Gym Leader, do I need to take Smoliv into battles next?"
"No need," Gym Leader Ramos replied, patting the old partner at his side. "Leech Seed."
Hearing its Trainer's command, the Gogoat spat out several seeds wrapped in Grass-type energy.
The seeds fell to the ground, took root, and quickly sprouted, turning into several vines that climbed up Silas's arm and eventually wrapped around the fruit atop Smoliv's head.
Suddenly attacked, Smoliv panicked and sprayed out sticky, inedible oil from its fruit.
The oil clung to the vines, slowing their movements.
Seizing the opportunity, Smoliv twisted its body free and darted straight back into Silas's arms.
"Smo!!"
While soothing Smoliv, Silas asked, "Gym Leader, this is…?"
"We're using moves to stimulate Smoliv's potential, letting her feel danger," Gym Leader Ramos explained. "With the accumulation she already has, once she senses danger, she'll naturally evolve into a higher form."
"Smo!?"
(Silas, I can do it—for evolution!)
Hearing the word "evolution" again, Smoliv gathered its courage and silently cheered itself on.
It stood once more on Silas's palm as the parasitic vines wrapped around it again.
And so, Smoliv began spraying oil nonstop.
Whenever it got scared, it would dive back into Silas's arms, seeking comfort and gentle pats.
This cycle repeated over and over again, nearly a hundred times.
The next time the parasitic vines wrapped around it, Smoliv didn't panic and spray oil. Instead, it let out a soft, childish cry.
"Smo!"
Immediately afterward, its body glowed with a pure white light, which completely enveloped it.
It had overcome itself, awakened its potential, and begun the first stage of its evolution.
Wrapped in that white glow, Smoliv's body grew taller, and limbs emerged.
"Dol!"
The newly evolved Pokémon—no longer Smoliv—couldn't wait to pounce into Silas's arms, hugging him tightly with its small hands.
"So cute, Dolliv," Silas praised.
"Dol~"
Dolliv spun around happily on the spot. Being praised by its Trainer put it in an especially wonderful mood.
Silas curiously reached out to touch Dolliv. After evolving, her body had changed significantly.
Her body was mainly a tender green color, small and delicate, like a vibrant living leaf full of vitality.
On both sides of her head grew two round, yellow fruits, surrounded by a ring of pale green leaves, resembling hair.
The leaves on the lower half of her body spread slightly outward, like a little skirt. Overall, she gave off a clear, youthful feeling, like a tiny sprite just born from the grass and trees.
"Dol~ Dol…"
Circling around Silas excitedly, Dolliv was thrilled—now she could run really fast and play all over the place with Minccino and the others.
Back when she was still Smoliv, she had been so envious!
Oh right—almost forgot.
Dolliv suddenly turned and ran back toward Silas. From the yellow fruits on both sides of her head, fresh, fragrant olive oil began to flow.
"Dol~"
(For you, Silas. Tasty olive oil.)
This was their promise: Dolliv would always give Silas delicious olive oil.
"For me? Thanks!" Silas said, lifting Dolliv onto his shoulder and dipping a finger into the oil.
The oil produced by Dolliv was especially fragrant—using it in cooking would surely be wonderful.
[Olive Oil: Olive oil produced by a well-raised Dolliv. Using it in cooking slightly improves the quality of the dish.]
"So amazing!"
He hadn't expected such a pleasant surprise. Silas vigorously rubbed Dolliv's head as praise.
Both Trainer and Pokémon made sure to thank Gym Leader Ramos. Without him pointing out the root of the problem, Silas had no idea how long this would have been delayed.
Before leaving, to show her gratitude, Dolliv gifted Gym Leader Ramos a jar of olive oil—a small token of her appreciation.
"Gym Leader, I'll be heading back now. Please take good care of your health," Silas said.
Waving goodbye to Gym Leader Ramos, Silas released Cyclizar.
Cyclizar had been busy counting its little red flowers earlier and hadn't seen Smoliv evolve. Now it blinked at Dolliv in curiosity.
Had Silas caught a new partner again?
"Stop staring. It's still Smoliv, she just finished evolving," Silas explained.
"Cyc!!"
Cyclizar was shocked. That tiny Smoliv had grown this big?
After thinking for a moment, clearly pained—Cyclizar took out one of its little red flowers and handed it to Dolliv.
"Cyc! Cyc~"
(Congratulations! Smoliv—this is a gift for you.)
"Dol!?"
(Really for me!?)
Dolliv knew the value of the little red flower, so she asked again to confirm.
"Cyc!"
Cyclizar turned its head away, choosing not to look, and pushed the flower toward Dolliv.
After giving one away, it only had two left!
"Dol~"
(Thank you, Big Brother Cyclizar.)
Dolliv hopped onto Cyclizar's back and gently rubbed it with her little hands to show her gratitude.
Seeing the affectionate way his Pokémon got along filled Silas as both Trainer and ranch owner—with deep satisfaction.
Mounting Cyclizar, he waved his hand boldly. "Let's go home."
"Dolliv, you're definitely going to give Minccino and the others a huge shock later."
"Dol!"
Dolliv sat obediently, covering her mouth as she giggled. She was really looking forward to it.
(End of Chapter)