Elite Trainer

After breakfast, Xinhai slung on his Spatial Backpack and headed to the department store again with his father, Yantai, to buy supplements and Psychic type training equipment for Ralts.

The moment they stepped into the department store, an dazzling array of Pokémon products filled their view.

Xinhai looked at the enormous mall before him, his eyes brimming with excitement and anticipation. "Dad, let's check out the supplements first." Before he had even finished speaking, he eagerly rushed toward the supplements section. Yantai Bai Mu shook his head helplessly and followed after him.

They soon arrived at the supplements section, where the shelves were packed with Pokémon supplements of all kinds and functions: energy-rich Pokéblocks, Berry extracts for vitamin replenishment, and Nutritional Potions that enhanced various abilities.

Two graceful saleswomen stood out in this area. One was enthusiastically promoting products to customers, while the other, stationed at the counter, immediately broke into a sweet smile when she saw Xinhai and his father. "Hello. How may I help you?"

Yantai stepped forward and said gently, "Hello. Sorry for the trouble, but please show us the Psychic type supplements first."

The saleswoman's eyes lit up at his words. "Of course! Please follow me. Our Pokémon supplements are all premium products and will definitely meet your needs." With brisk steps, she led Xinhai and his father to a relatively separate shelf.

"Look here." The saleswoman picked up an exquisitely packaged box, her eyes shining with professional confidence. "This is the only Intermediate Psychic type Pokéblock we have. It is made primarily from Qualot Berries and Durin Berries, along with other Berries and various Psychic type herbs. It can effectively enhance a Psychic type Pokémon's Inner Focus. It's our best Psychic type Pokéblock, priced at 200 League Coins per piece."

Xinhai had been secretly impressed by how familiar the saleswoman was with the products, but the price made his heart jolt. A single Psychic type Pokéblock costs 200 League Coins—80 League Coins more than Torchic's Intermediate Fire-type Pokéblock. That's quite a difference!

Yantai remained calm as he carefully inspected the Pokéblocks' quality. "Is this the only Intermediate Psychic type Pokéblock?"

The saleswoman looked apologetic and bowed slightly. "I'm terribly sorry. Psychic type Pokémon are extremely rare, so both the variety and quantity of Psychic type Pokéblocks are very limited. At present, we indeed have no second kind of Intermediate Psychic type Pokéblock."

Yantai smiled and waved a hand. "It's fine. This isn't your fault, so there's no need to apologize." After a brief moment of thought, he said decisively, "All right, we'll take this one. Sorry for the trouble, but prepare a month's supply."

A radiant smile immediately bloomed on the saleswoman's face, her eyes curving into charming crescents. "Certainly! Rest assured, this Pokéblock definitely won't disappoint you! I'll prepare a month's supply right away!" Moving skillfully, she quickly brought out a small cardboard box from the storage compartment behind the shelves and began carefully counting.

Xinhai quickly reminded him, "Dad, we haven't bought the Nutritional Potions yet!"

Yantai nodded and said to the saleswoman, "Then please show us the Psychic type Nutritional Potions as well."

The saleswoman answered and led them to the Nutritional Potion section. The potions here were all packed in boxes of six and arranged very neatly.

"These are our store's Nutritional Potions, carefully developed by the renowned Silph Co." The saleswoman picked up a box and introduced it. "They can comprehensively improve a Pokémon's six major abilities, including physical condition, physical attack, physical defense, special attack, and more. The best results come from taking them continuously for a month. However, they are relatively expensive—3,000 League Coins per box, or 90,000 for a month." They were no different from the Nutritional Potions Torchic had been taking.

Yantai did not hesitate in the slightest. "Take a month's supply of those too."

As the saleswoman went to fetch the potions, Xinhai asked curiously, "Do you have any special potions specifically for Psychic type Pokémon?"

The saleswoman carefully placed a month's supply of Nutritional Potions into a box. Hearing Xinhai's question, she quickly replied, "Yes, we do! However, we don't have many special potions for Psychic type Pokémon. Our store only has a few suitable for Pokémon from the Hoenn Region. May I ask which Pokémon you have?"

"Ralts," Xinhai answered.

"Yes, we have some."

As she spoke, the saleswoman hurried to another, slightly shorter shelf. After searching through the bottom level for a moment, she took out a box of special potion. She carefully opened it and explained, "This is a special potion developed for Pokémon like Ralts with a Psychic type foundation. It can deeply tap into their mental potential. After using it, it can help Ralts gather Inner Focus faster and increase the strength and resilience of its Inner Focus. This box contains seven doses, which is exactly the maximum dosage limit."

"And the price?" Yantai asked.

The saleswoman bit her lip slightly, her tone carrying a trace of hesitation. "Because the ingredients are precious and the production process is complex, each dose costs as much as 20,000 League Coins."

When Xinhai heard the price, his heart ached. It truly was not cheap. Yantai replied, "It is indeed expensive, but pack it up too."

The saleswoman's eyes widened in surprise, clearly not expecting him to agree so readily. However, she quickly recovered and hurriedly said, "All right, I'll pack it for you now." She carefully placed the tonic into a specially made shockproof case, then attentively filled it with Limber protective material to ensure nothing could go wrong.

Once everything had been selected, the two saleswomen neatly arranged all the products on the counter and skillfully calculated the price on the computer.

"Hello, the total comes to 290,000 League Coins. Do you have a membership card?"

Yantai took an exquisite black League ID card from his pocket and handed it to the saleswoman. The instant the two saleswomen saw it, they froze, their faces filled with both awe and surprise.

The saleswoman who had guided them through the store could not help but gasp. "Th-this is an Elite Trainer ID!" The slightly older saleswoman quickly nudged her, signaling for her to restrain herself.

The older saleswoman accepted the ID with both hands, her voice carrying a barely perceptible note of reverence. "Hello. According to the League's benefits for Elite Trainers, all goods purchased by Elite-level Trainers receive a ten-percent discount. I'll settle the bill for you now." As she spoke, she swiped the ID through the card reader, rapidly operated the computer, and recalculated the price.

A moment later, the saleswoman respectfully returned the ID to Yantai. "Hello, the discounted price is 261,000 League Coins." Yantai nodded, and Xinhai took out his bank card to complete the payment.

Looking at the ID in Yantai's hand, Xinhai felt a little envious. Unfortunately, only Elite-level Trainers can have their League IDs upgraded, and only the owner can use them.

In this world where Pokémon strength reigned supreme, Elite level was the endpoint for the vast majority of Trainers. Pokémon that reached this stage could become overlords in the wild and were likewise considered pillars of society in the human world.

Pokémon at this stage had generally learned and mastered most of the moves they could learn. Combined with their own Ability and their Trainer's battle habits, they gradually formed their own battle style.

The requirements for advancement were also extremely demanding. First, one needed a full team of six Elite-level Pokémon. Second, one had to complete the advancement missions issued by the League.

After meeting all the requirements, one could submit an application at the League Hall. About two days later, they would receive their own Elite-level League ID.

After becoming an Elite Trainer, one gained the possibility of becoming part of the League's direct line. Once civilian Trainers became Elite-level Trainers, they could be promoted to direct-line League Trainers after their contributions to the League reached 30,000.

After paying, Xinhai and his father bought some Berries and Pokémon food for Psychic type Pokémon from nearby shops, spending another 50,000 League Coins.

Afterward, the two arrived at the Pokémon training equipment area. Yantai led Xinhai straight to a store—the Power Training Store. Torchic's training equipment had been bought here last time, and its owner was an acquaintance of Yantai's.

As they entered the Power Training Store, they found it spacious and brightly lit, with all kinds of training equipment arranged in orderly rows. The interwoven textures of metal and leather gave the place a strong professional atmosphere.

Posters of Pokémon using equipment to break through their limits hung on the walls. In the central display area, several training machines with an especially high-tech feel drew attention.

A middle-aged man in neat work clothes strode over. A name tag reading "Store Manager Qiang" was pinned to his chest, and he wore a hearty smile. "Long time no see, Brother Yantai."