You Can Surf!?

As a stone collector.

Steven had an exceptionally keen instinct for mineral veins, but he occasionally encountered rather deadly dangers.

Eight hours earlier, while searching for stones in an abandoned mine, he had unfortunately run into a cave-in and fallen directly into a narrow crevice between rock layers.

Fortunately, his Pokémon had been by his side. After barely digging a passage downward, he discovered an underground cavern connected to an underground river.

After spending a great deal of effort searching, he had finally managed to find a cave passage leading back to the surface.

"Though it was rather difficult, the journey was worth it."

Steven took a yellow gemstone from his pocket. Its exterior was semi-transparent, while its color gradually deepened within, and a striking glow spread through the car.

It glows!?

Baimu was startled instinctively. In his understanding, all glowing stones gave off radiation and could easily cause cancer.

But then he realized this was a Shiny Stone, one type of Evolution Stone.

"Shiny Stones of this quality are hard to come by."

Steven sighed with emotion, staring at the Shiny Stone in his hand with an utterly entranced expression.

"Uh, quality? Evolution Stones have different qualities? Would that affect a Pokémon's evolution? Like, if it touched a higher-quality Evolution Stone, would the evolved Pokémon be stronger?"

Baimu asked curiously.

Steven chuckled. "Stones naturally have different qualities, from diamonds to jade, and even these Evolution Stones—purity, luster, and so on. As for whether they affect a Pokémon's evolution, that falls outside my field of study. There are many reasons a Pokémon may become stronger or weaker. It's complex and profound, a vast subject in itself."

"I see."

He nodded to show that he understood.

Steven continued, "Back to the point—see that mountain range? Based on my experience, the underground