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The Forest.
Li Xiang and the others stepped into the dense woods.
This was a special habitat within the conservation base, designed specifically for avian Pokémon. From the lofty Pidgeot and Braviary soaring above to the tiny Pidgey and Pidove fluttering below, it was a paradise for bird Pokémon.
Li Xiang even caught a glimpse of a mysterious Decidueye, plucking a feather like an archer drawing a bow and firing it with pinpoint accuracy to strike a distant berry.
There was also a group of chubby Rowlet—no, these were Dartrix, round and fluffy with leafy tufts on their chests, their heads tilted at a perfect 90-degree angle as they curiously watched the newcomers.
Their gazes seemed to ask: "Hey, little dude, what's your deal?"
Honestly, in terms of sheer cuteness, Rowlet was practically unbeatable. Unfortunately, their evolution line took a sharp turn away from adorableness, and by the time they became Decidueye, they were all about coolness instead.
A real shame.
Before long, the nesting grounds of the Corviknight came into view.
A relatively open clearing.
From the looks of it, their nests were still made of soft straw and branches, layered and woven together into intricate circular structures, perched atop thick, low-hanging trees—species that didn't exist in Li Xiang's previous world—or nestled within natural tree hollows.
As large avian Pokémon, even though their pre-evolved forms were tiny (their base form being barely the size of a palm), their nests were still massive enough for humans to walk around in.
In fact, Li Xiang even spotted an abandoned two-story building, its concrete and steel framework now stuffed full of straw, housing a whole flock of Corviknight, Corvisquire, and Rookidee.
At least fifty of them, their red, jujube-like eyes peering curiously at Li Xiang, Su Yiliu, and the frowning Clefable.
It had been mentioned before— The abilities Unnerve and Pressure had additional effects.
Humans might be a bit slow to notice, but as a Fairy-type Pokémon, Clefable was highly sensitive to the oppressive aura hanging in the air, a suffocating weight that never let up.
"I haven't been here in a while, but it doesn't seem like much has changed… Well, except there are more nests now," Su Yiliu mused, looking around nostalgically.
The conservation base was vast, and she rarely needed to personally oversee things. With over five thousand Pokémon under their care, it wasn't feasible for her to make frequent appearances.
Li Xiang, however, paid little attention to her words, his eyes gleaming as he took in the surroundings. "Are we really okay just walking in here like this?"
Pokémon had strong territorial instincts, especially communal species. Trespassing could provoke ruthless attacks.
"Breeders are special," Su Yiliu chuckled, then called out to the largest Corviknight perched on a tree. "No. 555! Come down here! Quit staring! Oh, and bring your wife too!"
Wife…
Li Xiang's expression turned a little odd. Pokémon partnerships were akin to marital bonds, a sort of non-human equivalent.
In theory, Pokémon were monogamous, bonding for life. But the concept of "playboys" wasn't exclusive to humans.
In Pokémon societies—somewhat reminiscent of feudal structures—there were plenty who maintained harems, or even reverse harems.
A Corviknight hopped down from the tree, its movements slightly comical as it waddled forward.
Truth be told, the forest was a bit "crowded" for large Pokémon like Corviknight. They'd be more at home on cliffsides.
But clearly, the conservation base had its limits—building an entire cliff just for them wasn't feasible.
The woods would have to do. At least the trees were spaced widely enough for Corviknight to stretch their wings and take off.
Besides, there was that building too.
The fact that this Corviknight chose to hop down was purely a personal quirk.
Behind it, a smaller, blue-and-black feathered Pokémon glided down—a Corvisquire, its crescent-shaped "eyelid" giving it a permanently smug look.
"Number 4396," Su Yiliu whispered, nudging Li Xiang's ribs.
Li Xiang blinked. "That's the one I hatched back then?"
"Yep. If you're twelve now, then it's seven years old," Su Yiliu confirmed with a smile. "And it's already laid eggs three times."
Oh no.
The little chick he once knew was now a mother.
Seven years old… Is that even legal?
Li Xiang's expression twisted slightly as he stared at the Corviknight, as if judging a feathered Casanova.
But regardless, he was here today to sweet-talk one of these birds into joining his team. He needed to keep his attitude respectful.
The two birds—one large, one small—approached.
The size difference was staggering. The Corvisquire could easily perch on Corviknight's head.
"Gaaah—"
The Corviknight let out a low, raspy cry, while the Corvisquire responded with something sharper and more melodic.
Su Yiliu reached out, stroking their crest feathers. "If I had to guess, these two are probably the leaders of this flock. If you want to adopt one of their kin, you'll need their permission first."
"Also, feel free to talk to them directly. Corviknight are highly intelligent—they can understand most human speech."
She emphasized this point, subtly warning Li Xiang not to say anything stupid that might be misinterpreted.
Li Xiang nodded.
But honestly, convincing a flock leader to part with one of their own wasn't exactly a wise move.
Still, he had to try, right?
So, he took a deep breath.
---
On Corviknight's head, Corvisquire blinked, watching the little boy chatter away with curiosity.
If it wasn't mistaken…
The first human it had ever laid eyes upon after hatching was probably this boy.
Corvisquire was surprised by its own memory. After so many years, it still recognized him at a glance.
Maybe it was because it had been born in his arms?
Corvisquire tilted its head, a strange feeling bubbling up in its chest, making it unconsciously scratch its mate's head feathers.
"GAAH!"
Corviknight jerked its head up, letting out an irritated squawk.
Stop that! What's wrong with you?! Keep this up and I'll go bald!
"Gaa?"
Corvisquire glared down at it.
You wanna say that again?
Corviknight narrowed its eyes, a dangerous glint flashing in them—but after two seconds of staring, it chickened out and lowered its head.
A wise bird doesn't fight its mate.
Below them, Li Xiang, realizing the two birds weren't paying attention, scratched his head awkwardly. After another deep breath, he cut straight to the chase.
"I was wondering… could I adopt one of your flock?"
He wasn't naive enough to think he could take the leader.
His goal was just to find a suitable Corviknight, Corvisquire, or even a Rookidee.
It wouldn't be his first time raising a Pokémon from its base form.
At his words, the alpha Corviknight's eyes widened. It jabbed Li Xiang with its beak.
"GAAAH—!!"
Kid, say that again!?
An invisible pressure slammed into Li Xiang, sweat instantly beading on his skin.
He gulped but forced himself to repeat his request.
"GAAH!"
This time, Corviknight outright turned its back on him, swatting him to the ground with a wing. It wasn't a hard hit, but the rejection was unmistakable.
Get lost!
With that, Corviknight strutted away. The Corvisquire on its head spared Li Xiang another glance but said nothing.
Once it returned, the Corviknight nestled in the nests burst into a cacophony of cries.
"They're saying 'see the guests out,'" Su Yiliu translated, helping Li Xiang up. "Let's go. Doesn't look like today's your day."
Li Xiang might be a good-looking kid, but he clearly didn't meet the aesthetic standards of these crows. There was no way they'd just hand over one of their brightest offspring.
"...Alright."
He cast one last regretful glance at the flock, waving goodbye as they left the forest.
---
"Want to check out some other areas? The base has plenty of other Pokémon," Su Yiliu suggested.
But Li Xiang shook his head.
"No. I've decided—this entire summer, I'm going to win over those Corviknight."
He turned to her. "Sis, doesn't the conservation base hire summer workers, interns, and volunteers?"
Su Yiliu paused, then laughed. "Even if you were old enough—which you're not—you don't need to. You already have free access."
"No, no, sis, that's where you're limiting your thinking," Li Xiang wagged a finger. "If I keep coming as an adopter like today, I'll get kicked out in under two minutes."
"But if I approach them under the guise of work, they won't be able to just shoo me away."
He explained slowly. Right now, the Corviknight saw him as some delusional kid—they didn't hate him yet.
In this situation, getting close to them as a volunteer and building rapport was his best shot.
Su Yiliu blinked her big, doll-like eyes, then smiled. "You sure? At your age, you'd only qualify as a volunteer. And if you sign up, you can't just quit whenever you feel like it."
Becoming a volunteer at the conservation base was a serious commitment.
If Li Xiang took on the role and treated it as a joke, even his mother wouldn't let him off easy.
"I'm sure!"
Li Xiang nodded firmly.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If he wanted results, he had to put in the effort.
Besides—
Torracat and the others could also learn some special moves from the Pokémon here—techniques they couldn't pick up on their own, like Parting Shot or Follow Me.
And learning with real-life references would be much faster than solitary training.
Who knew? Maybe Torracat could finally master Flare Blitz by observing the Fire-types here.
Riolu could also stand to learn Sunny Day—it was likely going to be the team's weather setter in the future.