Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom

The Seven-Day Grand Exchange Market had come to an end.

During the past six days, Cain hadn't attended the auction. It wasn't that there were no valuable items, but rather that he simply didn't find anything he truly needed.

Instead, he preferred to wander around the stalls outside, where he occasionally found hidden gems—rare medicinal materials disguised as ordinary items, or Pokémon whose quality didn't appear remarkable at first glance but still held some value.

Each day, he conducted a small exploration, and overall, the outcome was quite fruitful.

By the end of the Grand Exchange Market, and after deducting expenses, Cain still had around 400 million Pokédollars left.

Over 100 million Pokédollars had been invested in the purchase of materials, as the system had analyzed a new formula for improving Pokémon quality.

These ingredients weren't common and had a significantly high value. Cain feared he might not be able to acquire them in the future, so he stocked up enough to last a long while.

With that, at least for the next six months, he wouldn't have to worry about materials needed for the gradual development of his Pokémon.

This made him realize that although money appeared abundant on the surface, when it came to training Pokémon with high-quality materials, expenses piled up quickly.

Training a Pokémon could be a bottomless pit, depending on how much a trainer was willing to invest.

Of course, investment brought rewards. The difference lay in how efficiently resources were used. Some trainers maximized their effectiveness, while others wasted resources without seeing significant results.

Cain had the advantage of having the system, which allowed him to accurately analyze the most efficient ways to use materials. He didn't have to rely on specialized breeders to craft personalized Pokéblocks or aptitude-optimization tools.

By simply acquiring the right ingredients, he could prepare the supplies himself, saving a fortune in additional costs.

For some, labor costs to obtain customized products far exceeded the cost of the materials themselves. Cain, on the other hand, was already among the trainers with the highest resource conversion efficiency.

Only breeders with decades of experience achieved a similar level of optimization, and most of them had already retired, living under the League's protection and enjoying a quiet life. These elders were, without a doubt, the true treasures of the League.

With the end of the trade conference, the airport, train station, and bus terminal of Goldenrod City became bustling with activity.

Cain, being proactive, had bought his plane ticket to the Kalos region six days in advance. Moreover, he chose to travel first class. With so much money in hand, he saw no reason not to enjoy a bit of luxury.

His destination was Lumiose City, the largest metropolis in Kalos.

Before the League incorporated Kalos into its territory, this city was already the heart of the region. In terms of population and size, Lumiose City was the largest of all cities under League control.

Among the city's most iconic landmarks was the Prism Tower, which was not only a symbol of the metropolis but also the region's Electric-type Gym.

However, Cain wasn't sure who the Gym Leader was at the time, since they hadn't participated in the Sinnoh Conference and probably weren't a young prodigy.

Another notable place was the Lumiose City Art Museum, located in the northern part of town. It featured numerous works related to Pokémon. Entry was free, though the number of daily visitors was limited.

Lumiose City was structured like a giant circle, with the Prism Tower at the center, surrounded by a dense network of streets and buildings. The city also had several waterways.

Cain had acquaintances in Lumiose City and planned to visit them once he arrived. There were also the Lysandre Labs, located in the city— a place the League would likely investigate if it decided to thoroughly examine the Kalos region.

Due to the great distance, the flight was long, and Cain slept for more than ten hours on board. When he landed, it was already the next morning.

Upon exiting the airport, the first thing he noticed were the architectural differences between Lumiose City and the other cities he had visited.

Though it was a modern metropolis, the city had a classic and elegant air, with streets paved with old cobblestones instead of asphalt, emphasizing its rich history.

The Kalos region had a documented history of over three thousand years, with records dating back to the area's first unified kingdom and its legendary king.

Cain wandered aimlessly, calmly exploring the city. Up to that point, the region didn't have a significant presence of criminal organizations. Only a few small scattered groups existed, none of which posed a real threat to the League.

However, the League had increased its control over Kalos, to the point of sending Lance to carry out high-risk missions in the region. Other areas had also sent representatives to strengthen supervision.

As he walked the streets, Cain suddenly came across a familiar sign.

"Sycamore Pokémon Lab!"

Augustine Sycamore, who would one day become the most prestigious Pokémon Professor in Kalos, was still just a Pokémon researcher at the moment and was in the process of establishing himself as one of the League's most promising figures.

Augustine Sycamore's talent wasn't limited to research; had he chosen to become a trainer, he undoubtedly would have earned a spot in Kalos's Elite Four.

In the last Kalos Conference, Augustine Sycamore had served as the regional team's leader, a testament to his influence within the Kalos League.

Cain hadn't expected Sycamore to have already set up his own laboratory in Lumiose City.

He stopped for a moment in front of the lab's entrance, thinking. After a brief pause, he decided to walk in directly.

(End of chapter)