Giovanni's words struck Umbreon like a bolt of lightning, leaving it frozen in place.
Giovanni continued, sharing some key points about Pokémon training with Elijah.
It was much like training athletes in Elijah's previous-previous life.
To raise a soccer player capable of competing in the World Cup, you'd need to start preparing them from the moment they could barely walk or talk.
But Umbreon's current age was like a student facing college entrance exams tomorrow, and you're saying you want to train her to play in the World Cup?
Is that Possible?
Okay, that analogy might be a bit extreme.
But that was Giovanni's point.
"That Umbreon, at best, might reach the level of an Elite Four. Its potential is too limited."
Countless Trainers would weep hearing Giovanni say this.
What's that about "at best an Elite Four"?
That's a height 99.99% of Trainers could only dream of achieving!
But it wasn't surprising.
After all, Giovanni was already a Champion-level Trainer, and in the future, he'd nearly step into the realm beyond Champion, known as "Master" or "Head" level.
It was only natural for him to look down on the Elite Four tier.
In Giovanni's eyes, Elijah shouldn't be confined to the mere level of an Elite Four.
"Pretty harsh words, Uncle. Are you suggesting I abandon Umbreon? I don't care about a Pokémon's strength."
Umbreon, whose head had been drooping lower and lower due to Giovanni's words, caught the disdain in Elijah's tone.
A spark of light returned to its eyes.
"Ha, of course not. I'm just saying there's no need to invest too much energy in a Pokémon with such a low potential."
Giovanni smiled faintly. "Just like how we Gym Leaders raise some average-potential Pokémon to face rookie challengers, once you get stronger Pokémon, that Umbreon can be relegated to your second-string team."
It's no secret that Gym Leaders adjust their lineups based on the challenger's strength.
This wasn't explicitly shown in the anime but was confirmed in the games and special anime episodes.
And Giovanni's words weren't without merit.
It's like a competitive sports team.
The strong players start, the weak ones sit on the bench.
That's just reality.
Umbreon buried its head even deeper.
Giovanni continued, "As it happens, I have some high-potential Pokémon, still young, that you could train. For example… a Dratini…"
Dratini!?
At those words, Umbreon's expression grew even grimmer.
Though it was just a Pokémon, raised in the human world, it didn't know much about other Pokémon.
But from its former Trainer, overheard gossip, and TV shows, it knew what kind of Pokémon a "Dratini" was.
A powerful Dragon-type, a late bloomer, but once trained to its final form, it could dominate most Pokémon—a so-called "pseudo-legendary" with incredible strength!
Umbreon's fangs bit hard into its lower lip.
That kind of Pokémon… would be fitting for such a perfect Trainer, wouldn't it?
"How about it? Want to give it a try? With your skills, I think one day you could raise it into a Dragonite that rivals the Dragon Tamers of Blackthorn City."
Giovanni's words were like daggers, each one piercing the softest parts of Umbreon's heart.
Umbreon imagined a future where such a Pokémon joined the team.
Its Trainer would shift all his care to it.
Holding it to sleep each night, giving it loving smiles, even kissing its face…
While Umbreon could only shrink into a corner, watching it all unfold.
Muttering to itself, "I was here first…"
"Uncle Giovanni, you seem to be looking down on my Umbreon. How about a bet?"
Elijah finally responded.
Umbreon lifted its head, which had nearly dropped to the ground.
"Next time we battle, I'll have her defeat your Pokémon—using this 'low-potential Eevee' you speak of."
Giovanni's expression was full of disbelief, but he smiled. "Having goals is good, but you need to consider reality, kid. Every Pokémon has its limits…"
"So we surpass those limits?"
Elijah's retort left Giovanni speechless for a moment.
Recalling the "devolution" idea he'd heard from Elijah ten days ago, and seeing the utterly serious look in his eyes now, Giovanni couldn't help but think, Is this kid for real?
At that moment, Umbreon's expression was like Chopper's when saved by Hiruluk, tears streaming down its face.
Seeing Elijah suddenly stand up on the beach.
Umbreon hurriedly scampered back inside, lying down again.
"Don't want Dratini?"
Giovanni glanced over.
"Instead of that, I'd rather you sponsor me some funds, Uncle Giovanni. I want to properly research Pokémon."
Elijah spread his hands. "Think of it as an investment. I'll definitely pay you back later."
"Ho~"
Giovanni's face lit up with anticipation. "I hope you won't disappoint me."
Elijah returned a grin. "Relax, this'll be the most satisfying investment of your life."
With all he'd learned under Vegapunk in his previous life, couldn't he whip up something impressive?
He wasn't some useless protagonist who, after millions of words, shows no growth.
…
The next morning, Elijah, sleeping on the couch, opened his eyes to find Umbreon lying by his pillow.
Coincidentally, Umbreon opened its blood-red eyes at the same moment.
"Heh, did you climb into the wrong bed when you got up to use the bathroom last night?"
Elijah ruffled Umbreon's short but surprisingly soft black fur.
It wasn't as fluffy as Flareon's, but it was sleek and smooth.
"I'm heading out to buy some stuff. If things go well, I'll soon find a way to devolve you back to Eevee. Stay here and be good."
Elijah got up, placed Umbreon back on the bed, tickled its chin, washed up quickly, and headed out.
Umbreon, watching Elijah's retreating figure, looked like it wanted to say something but held back.
It wanted to tell Elijah that it no longer minded its current form.
Elijah had repeatedly called its appearance beautiful, and Umbreon had fully embraced its current self, even feeling proud of it.
But… just as Umbreon was about to express its feelings, it recalled Giovanni's words from the previous night—
That Eevee's potential was too low.
If its Trainer completed his research and returned it to its Eevee stage, could it get a second chance at growth, breaking through the bottleneck caused by its age?
No, it couldn't rush things.
For now, it needed to push this form to its absolute limit.
A goal arise from Umbreon's tiny brain 'I must become strong.. strong enough not to disappoint my master'
Now she have a a small goal: reach Elite Four level first.
(End of Chapter)