Chapter 143: Above the Clouds of Heaven

The family behind Devon Corporation is the most famous in the Hoenn region, the Stone family.

Their scale and status in Hoenn are by no means inferior to the Dragon Clan of the Johto region.

However, none of this matters to Ayin. He loves this world, not because he wants to stand above others, but because he desires a peaceful and leisurely life with his beloved Pokémon.

After seeing Steven off, Ayin began planning his journey to Slateport City.

He reached into Gengar's dimensional pocket, took out the Keystone ore he had obtained from the Fossil Maniac, placed it on the table, and observed it for a moment, calculating in his mind how many wristbands could be crafted from it.

Hmm...

About six pieces.

According to the lore, the function of a Keystone is to resonate with the Mega Stone carried by a Pokémon, thereby enabling the Pokémon to undergo Mega Evolution.

Mega Evolution is the power of the Pokémon itself, and this power needs to be guided out by humans through a Keystone.

However, for the two to resonate, there needs to be a deep bond between the Trainer and the Pokémon, allowing them to feel each other's feelings and undergo Mega Evolution for each other's sake.

This means that a Trainer only needs to carry a single Keystone to allow all Pokémon in their team to Mega Evolve.

What should be done with the remaining five Keystones?

Ayin's first thought was to sell them to someone else.

Steven's image floated into his mind. Steven was quite a decent person, and Ayin appreciated him.

However, besides that, there was actually another option.

That was to forge them into items like armor-warrior transformation belts, magical girl wands, or Ultraman transformation devices.

Yet...

Ayin imagined himself holding up a magical wand, shouting at the top of his lungs: "XXX, feel our bond with your heart, Mega Evolve!" and instantly felt a surge of intense embarrassment.

No way, couldn't possibly do that.

Forget it, it's better to forge them into conventional wristband styles. As for what to do with the other five, that's a matter for another day.

Besides, there is still plenty of time; it will be at least six years before Mega Evolution is revealed to the world.

Tsk, the sight of Mega Evolution appearing in a League Conference is enough to get one excited just imagining it.

An event of that scale would attract attention on at least a regional level.

Ayin had never imagined that one day he could act cool under the gaze of thousands like those protagonists in web novels.

He simply had to experience that for himself.

Only...

Ayin cast his gaze toward Ralts.

When would this little fellow evolve into Gardevoir?

In the games, Axew's evolution level is 38, which is why it took so long after being caught to evolve into Fraxure.

But Ralts is different; it can evolve at level 20. Moreover, before joining the team, it underwent rigorous devil training by a Gardevoir.

Then there is Charmander. Charmander is chosen as one of the starter Pokémon given to new Trainers, and the most important reason for that is its impressive growth rate.

It can evolve into Charmeleon at level 16, and into the handsome Charizard at level 36.

However, evolution is not something to fret over. In this world, there is no concept of levels, so evolution depends entirely on the Pokémon's hard work and fate.

...

October 23rd.

Ayin officially left the ecological park, carrying a burlap sack filled to the brim with Poke Puffs made by Slowking, and embarked on his journey to Slateport City.

This time, he chose to fly on Zapdos.

Zapdos's size had also reached over two meters.

Having been in this world for nearly two years, Ayin's height had also increased somewhat. He had measured himself at home recently, growing from 146 cm to 153 cm.

Yet compared to Zapdos, he still looked rather small.

It was somewhat shameful to admit, but after transmigrating for so long, this was the first time Ayin had ever ridden a Pokémon capable of aerial transport.

Zapdos tried its best to soften the feathers on its body, then lowered its posture to make it easier for Ayin to climb aboard.

Once Ayin was seated securely, Zapdos straightened its body, twitched its wings, and assumed a flight posture.

Taking advantage of this moment, Ayin waved goodbye to Slowking, who had seen him off, and said, "Zhi, goodbye!"

Slowking: "Goodbye, Ayin!"

As the words fell, Zapdos spread its wings, let out a sharp bird cry, and soared straight up into the high sky.

Air currents blew past continuously. As Zapdos accelerated, Ayin felt the sound of the wind by his ears gradually grow much louder.

Terrified of not holding on tightly and slipping off, he hugged Zapdos tightly and peeked down furtively, instantly feeling his limbs go somewhat weak.

It was too high!

The cities on the ground had turned into blurred dark shapes before vanishing entirely, and vast expanses of green plains and forests began to enter Ayin's field of vision.

Above him was a clear blue sky, with fluffy white clouds drifting past ahead.

Witnessing this scene, Ayin felt just how insignificant he was as a human being.

If he fell, he would surely be smashed to pieces instantly, right?

Wuu wuu wuu, how terrifying!

A trace of fear welled up in Ayin's heart, and he curled up miserably against Zapdos's back.

Had he known, he would have honestly taken a boat instead...

Noticing the human's actions on its back, Zapdos turned its head to glance at him.

Tsk, a weak human!

"Chirp!" Hold on tight!

Ayin hurriedly tightened his embrace.

Zapdos's speed suddenly surged, charging straight into the clouds in one go.

Ayin could only feel the rustling sound of the wind echoing endlessly in his ears. Even without opening his eyes, he could easily imagine what it was like out there.

Yet very soon, this sensation vanished, along with the whistling wind, which gradually died down as if Zapdos had voluntarily slowed its pace.

"Chirp!"

Zapdos's cry echoed by his ear. In that instant, Ayin miraculously understood its meaning.

Zapdos was telling him to open his eyes and look at the world!

Only then did Ayin slowly open his eyes. Unwittingly, everything around them had undergone a earth-shattering transformation.

The endless green fields below had vanished, replaced by a layer of pristine, cotton-like white clouds.

Zapdos maintained a very steady flight speed, gliding slowly above the sea of clouds.

With the previous terror gone, Ayin's body gradually relaxed.

He raised his head to gaze at the azure dome of the sky, his mind struck with a faint sense of awe.

That was... the color of the cosmos.

Ayin was left in awe, but this sight was already routine for Zapdos.

It looked back at the human on its back, letting out a much softer cry, its gaze seemingly saying: Look, it wasn't really that scary after all, right?

Ayin was stunned for a moment, then a relieved smile bloomed on his face. He uttered a soft acknowledgment, stroked Zapdos's feathers, and said, "Thank you."

Zapdos did not reply; it turned its head back, fixing its sharp gaze upon the unknown path ahead.

After spending this period of time together, it found that life alongside this human didn't seem half bad after all.