Back in his room, Yong opened the box. Six different stones lay quietly inside.
Two top-grade Fire Stones, one top-grade Water Stone, a minor Rock-type secret treasure, "Flint," a minor Ground-type secret treasure, "Black Sludge," and the last one...
Was a Mega Stone!
With its diamond-shaped spiral pattern and blue, silver, and gray glow, Yong recognized it as a Mega Stone at a glance, even though he had no idea which Pokémon it belonged to!
Yong stared silently at Steven's gifts and sighed inwardly.
His first contact with Steven had been because of Steelix's exceptional physique and the fossils he had brought out of the Mirage Tower.
That first encounter had been nothing more than a transaction.
Then Steelix had received guidance from Metagross, and Yong had entered the Elite Tournament...
Although Yong believed in his own potential, he also understood that this was an investment on Steven's part.
But he had no reason to refuse.
Steven belonged to the Stone family. He possessed everything those wealthy, powerful clans had: power, status, vision, and pride.
Yet he was not defined by the Stone name. Yong could barely see any lofty arrogance or indifference toward others in him. This Hoenn Champion, hailed as the "noble prince" and "the strongest," always wore a smile and treated everyone with warmth.
Aside from the fervor he showed when digging for stones, the strongest Trainer of the current era was surprisingly low-key!
Through this letter, Yong understood that Steven was approaching him as Steven, Champion of the Hoenn League, rather than as Steven Stone!
This was a senior figure in the Pokémon League investing in a promising junior!
Not a powerful clan investing in the Ishida family!
At that moment, Yong was truly grateful that the first person he had met was Steven! Not... Muren