"Trouble?" Roy asked, following her gaze.
Daisy turned sideways and pointed towards a corner of the pool.
There, a Seel was lying by the poolside, panting with its tongue out, its chest heaving with each breath, clearly exhausted.
"See," Daisy sighed helplessly, "the only Pokémon we can field for a battle right now is this Seel."
She smoothed her wet blonde hair and continued explaining.
"The other Pokémon... Goldeen, Staryu..."
"...were all beaten up pretty badly by the Trainers from Pallet Town who came before you."
"They're all currently hospitalized at the Pokémon Center."
Daisy paused, the apologetic look on her face deepening.
"This Seel just finished the finale of the water show today and is completely drained of stamina."
"It really can't participate in a Gym battle right away~"
She clasped her hands together and gave a slight bow.
The neckline of her soaked swimsuit swayed slightly with the movement.
"So, could you please come back tomorrow to challenge us? I'm truly very sorry!"
Roy's gaze swept over the panting Seel in the distance.
Then it passed over the three wet and alluring figures before him.
Finally, it landed on Misty's face, which was a mix of embarrassment and frustration.
He gave a faint smile.
But inwardly, he couldn't help but complain.
I knew Cerulean Gym was weak... but I never imagined it could be this bad!
A single Seel that just finished a performance is their entire combat force?
A water ballet is already your full power?
However, his main purpose for this trip wasn't to get the badge immediately anyway.
Helping Misty regain face in front of her sisters, making them see her in a new light, was the key point.
This Gym challenge, a day earlier or later, made no difference.
After all... it's a guaranteed win.
"No problem," Roy nodded agreeably. "Then I'll come visit again tomorrow."
"Great!" Daisy breathed a sigh of relief, her smile becoming much more genuine.
She looked at Roy, then at Delia who had been quietly watching the show.
"We caused such a big misunderstanding today; our hospitality was truly lacking."
"As an apology, and to thank you for taking care of Misty along the way..."
Daisy's voice softened.
"Please, you must stay and rest at our home for the night."
"We have plenty of rooms, and dinner will be prepared."
Misty's eyes lit up.
But immediately, she looked warily at her three sisters.
Lily patted Misty on the back.
"You little brat, bringing friends home without telling us in advance!"
"You made us embarrass ourselves!"
Misty: "...It's clearly your own dirty minds!"
...The residence of Cerulean Gym was not far behind the aquarium.
A detached two-story villa.
The exterior wasn't extremely luxurious, but the garden was spacious and the interior decoration was exquisite.
It carried the distinct heritage of an old Kanto family.
As Roy entered the living room, he made a mental estimate.
A location and house like this... an ordinary Trainer might work their whole life and still not reach this threshold.
Even though Cerulean Gym has fallen into such a state, they still have this kind of family wealth.
The financial resources of those high-level Gyms and the Elite... are unimaginable.
Dinner was soon ready.
The long dining table was laden with dishes.
Pan-fried steak, roasted Magikarp, steamed Krabby, cream of mushroom soup, fresh salad, and a mountain of a berry platter.
A balanced mix of meat and vegetables, the aroma enticing.
Misty's eyes nearly popped out of her head.
"Wow! Such a feast today!"
She rubbed her hands excitedly.
"Sisters, you've finally come to your senses! You should have been eating well long ago!"
"Eating that healthy food every day, my mouth was about to lose all taste."
As soon as the words left her mouth.
A glance from Daisy swept over.
Icy.
Stern.
Misty instantly wilted, shrinking her neck.
Daisy slowly and methodically cut her steak, her voice calm.
"This is for our guests."
"You..."
She pointed to the separate plate placed in front of Misty.
Inside was boiled broccoli, grilled white fish without seasoning, and a few Oran Berries.
"Eat yours."
Misty: "..."
She looked at the glistening, sizzling steak on Roy's plate.
Then looked at the pitifully bland "healthy meal" in front of her.
Her mouth puckered with grievance.
But under the pressure of her eldest sister's authority, she could only pick up her fork and angrily poke at the broccoli.
Violet covered her mouth with a light laugh.
Lily deliberately speared a piece of steak and waved it in front of her.
"Mmm so delicious"
Misty: "...Second sister, that's enough!"
Although dinner was a case of "special treatment."
But Misty, being back home, was much more relaxed and cheerful overall.
She talked more.
Her eyes also sparkled constantly.
She always says she wants to go out and make a name for herself.
But truly being back home... that sense of security and warmth is undeniable... After dinner.
Misty eagerly pulled Delia along.
"Delia! My house has a super big bath!"
"It's filled with natural hot spring water!"
"Let's soak together! It's very relaxing!"
Delia glanced somewhat sheepishly at Roy.
Roy smiled and nodded.
"Go ahead, relax well."
The two girls then ran off laughing towards the bathroom.
Roy was led by Violet to a guest room on the second floor.
The room was spacious and tidy.
It carried a faint, fresh fragrance.
Like a certain floral scent, mixed with the soft, unique scent of a woman's room.
After all, this was a home run by four young women.
Closing the door.
Roy sat down on the bed.
He began to tally his gains and expenses from the journey.
Eating and drinking along the way, although not spending big money... but high-quality Pokémon feed, custom Pokéblocks, and the usual Potions, status-healing items... these were the real money burners.
He counted his remaining funds.
About a hundred thousand left.
To train intensively and level up quickly throughout the journey, resources must keep up.
Roy took out a small velvet pouch from inside his backpack.
He poured it out.
An irregular fragment, shimmering with a hazy moonlight glow, lay in his palm.
A Moon Stone fragment.
A harvest from Mt. Moon.
This thing could help specific Pokémon evolve.
But... it's just a fragment.
While it still has some evolutionary effect, the additional benefits like potential increase and aptitude improvement after evolution are basically non-existent.
It's a subpar product that's "usable, but don't expect much."
Roy weighed the fragment in his hand.
Catch a Clefairy?
Clefairy's appearance times and locations are unpredictable; too time-consuming to stake out.
Catch a Nidorina or Nidorino?
Their habitats are still far away, over in the Safari Zone area, can't get there anytime soon.
He quickly made a decision.
Evolution resources, either don't use them, or use at least standard quality ones.
This kind of defective product... selling it for money is more practical.
Roy opened the Forum.
Searched for the market price of "Moon Stone fragment."
The market price fluctuated between 150,000 and 250,000 alliance coins.
Depending on the fragment size and remaining energy level.
Roy's piece was medium to high grade.
He directly listed it for 200,000.
Almost the second he clicked "confirm listing."
Ding!
A transaction notification sounded.
[Your item "Moon Stone fragment" has been sold.]
[Payment of 200,000 alliance coins has been received.]
Even Roy was taken aback.
Sold out instantly?
He immediately understood.
Right.
Ninety percent of Trainers come from ordinary families.
Perfect evolution stones start at a million easily; they simply can't afford them.
These fragments, although their effects are reduced, are much more affordable.
As long as they can complete the evolution, boost their immediate combat power, and get into the League Conference... even winning just one match brings prize money and fame.
This is the realistic choice for most novice Trainers.
Confirming the receipt.
Looking at the 200,000 that had arrived.
Roy lay back on the bed in a good mood.
The soft mattress sank deeply.
The bedding was soft, carrying the scent of sun-drying, and a faint, elusive feminine fragrance.
Hmm... with the money here, even this bed feels softer and more fragrant.
Although maybe... it was already quite fragrant... The night passed without incident.
Peacefully.
Early the next morning.
After washing up, Roy walked out of the guest room and into the living room.
The scene before him made him pause.
In the center of the spacious living room.
Yoga Mats were spread out.
Daisy, wearing a tight black sports bra and shorts, stood at the front.
Behind her, Violet, Lily, Misty, and even Delia had all changed into similar sportswear.
Five women, lined up in a row.
They were following Daisy's instructions, performing uniform toning exercises.
"Inhale, extend..."
Daisy's voice was steady, her movements standard and graceful.
She leaned forward, hands on the floor, one leg lifted straight back.
The tight shorts perfectly outlined the amazing, full curves of her hips and thighs.
Her waist dipped deeply, forming a seductive arc.
Violet and Lily followed closely.
Their figures were more voluptuous.
Especially Violet; when she bent forward, the sports bra couldn't contain the heavy fullness, revealing a deep, alluring cleavage.
Lily appeared more energetic, her waist and hips swaying with elasticity.
Although Misty complained verbally, her movements were also serious.
She just kept glancing at the breakfast on the nearby table, swallowing her saliva.
Delia seemed a bit shy, her movements slightly awkward.
But her body flexibility was good, and she learned quickly.
Her white sports bra was slightly damp with sweat, clinging to her body, outlining the ripe curves of a young woman.
Five sexy, top-tier bodies.
In different postures, stretching, bending, extending.
Sweat beads slid down necks, disappearing into collars.
Breathing sounds intertwined.
The air was filled with a faint scent of sweat and feminine fragrance.
Roy stood in place, appreciating the view for a couple of seconds.
Only then did he walk towards the dining area.
"Roy, awake?"
Daisy maintained her difficult pose, turned her head, and gave him a smile.
Sweat dripped along her jawline.
"Breakfast is on the table, help yourself, don't be polite~"
"Okay."
Roy sat down at the dining table.
Breakfast was fried eggs, bacon, salad, and juice.
Very generous.
He enjoyed his meal while occasionally glancing up.
Watching the continuing "scenery" of exercise in the living room.
This breakfast... really goes well with the view... A beautiful morning passed amidst this eye-pleasing scene.
A harmonious gathering of six.
The workout ended.
Everyone went back to their rooms to shower and change.
When they gathered again, they had all changed into casual clothes.
"Let's go."
Daisy, as the eldest sister, naturally took the lead.
"To the Gym, to complete Roy's challenge."
The group left the villa and walked along the street towards the Cerulean Aquarium.
Misty was still whispering to Delia, complaining about her sisters' "health tyranny."
Roy and Daisy walked side by side in front, casually chatting about the characteristics of various Gyms in different parts of Kanto.
Violet and Lily followed behind, their gazes occasionally falling on Roy's back, whispering to each other, occasionally letting out low chuckles.
They had walked for less than five minutes.
While passing through a relatively quiet neighborhood.
Suddenly, a sharp, urgent police siren, approaching from afar, violently tore through the morning tranquility!
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