Chapter 90:

Whitney ushered Cain out of the building, her apologies flowing like a river. She had made a vow not to spill the beans, but her granddaddy had pried the intel out of her.

Cain shrugged it off with a flick of his hand. He was already one step ahead of the game. Umbra had provided him with a phony identity that not even Whitney's family could sniff out. It was a testament to Team Rocket's deep-rooted influence within the Association.

The training manual for Miltank was a fair bargain. Plus, Cain was strapped for cash, so he'd braced himself for the worst before sealing the deal with Whitney.

Whitney tried to make amends by offering him compensation, but Cain politely declined and headed back to his quarters solo. His Pokemon hadn't had their supper yet.

Per his routine, Cain summoned Gastly to sweep the room for any potential bugs. The odds were slim, but vigilance was paramount.

"Yo, Slowpoke, Murkrow, Miltank! Come on out!" Cain called out once he'd been given the green light that the coast was clear.

Dinner was served. Cain doled out the food packet by packet. When he gave them the signal to chow down, they didn't hesitate for a second and attacked the food with gusto.

Miltank, who had only recently joined their crew, had conquered everyone with her milk. She fit in flawlessly with the rest of the squad. While they ate, they shared their grub with each other and savored every bite.

After dinner, it was their usual workout routine before hitting the hay. Cain skipped the meditation drills and did some simple exercises with his Pokemon instead. At fifteen years old, he was still in the throes of puberty, but with a belly full of nutrients, you'd never guess he was once all skin and bones from his time on the trial island.

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As the sun began to peek over the horizon, Cain roused from his slumber and led his Pokemon out of the opulent manor. There was no need for goodbyes with Whitney, as they exchanged contact info before parting ways.

It was unlikely that Cain would return anytime soon, but Miltank's once-shy demeanor had improved after interacting with others and receiving encouragement to come out of her shell. Basic interactions no longer made her blush.

An hour later, Cain and his pink Slowpoke sauntered into the southernmost part of Goldenrod City, where the renowned Pokemon Breeding House of the Johto region was located.

The foot traffic was minimal, but those who were there held freshly hatched Pokemon or clutched eggs in their palms, while parents and their kids bustled about.

Cain, clad in a standard trainer's getup, strolled into the Breeding House. It was his first time here; in his past life, he'd never set foot in a proper breeding facility.

As he entered, he noticed a public class in progress, with a 20-something girl on stage with thick-rimmed glasses. She spoke eloquently about the fundamentals of training Pokemon, breaking down technical terms so they were easily digestible.

The attendees couldn't help but nod along in agreement. Some even scribbled notes in their journals to ensure they wouldn't forget her wisdom.

Cain's arrival didn't make a ripple in the room. The course material was simple, not anything a seasoned trainer would need. Fortunately, the class was filled with beginner trainers, young men and women who were new to the game or who had just acquired their first Pokemon.

As the girl wrapped up the day's lesson, Cain hung back, avoiding the swarm of people clamoring for answers to their questions about the basics.

Most civilians in the Pokemon world lacked an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals when they first embarked on their journey as trainers. Even those who were members of the Association had limited knowledge of Pokemon characteristics.

Not everyone had access to a Pokédex, so public classes for beginner trainers were highly coveted.

Finally, after half an hour, the crowd dissipated, and Cain approached the girl.

"Hello, do you have any questions?" she asked as he approached, pushing up her thick glasses.

"Excuse me, I was wondering if there's a computer I can use to access some information. I have encountered some issues," Cain said, cutting to the chase.

"Well, our computer system isn't open to the public, but I might be able to help you out. If I don't know the answer, I can consult my grandparents. They're the experts here at the Breeding House," the girl replied after pondering for a moment, declining Cain's request.

The Pokemon world had a strict policy on knowledge sharing. Renowned breeding houses like this one had amassed a treasure trove of top-secret intel over the years, and sharing it with outsiders was strictly prohibited.

To offer free classes was already a show of good faith, as some breeding houses charged exorbitant fees just to attend. And if a trainer commissioned them to train their Pokemon, the price tag would skyrocket.

Cain flashed a friendly grin, nodding in agreement to show he understood the Breeding House's policy. "May I ask if you've ever encountered a situation where all indicators seem normal, but the incubation time is unknown?"

The girl perched her glasses back onto the bridge of her nose, contemplating the question with a furrowed brow. After a few moments, she offered an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, I've never come across that scenario. Plus, I don't know what the Pokemon egg has gone through, so I can't make a definitive judgment call. If you don't mind waiting, my grandparents have gone to a meeting, and they might be back later."

Cain was at a loss when it came to the Pokemon egg's status, so he decided to make another request. "May I ask again if I can check the computer for the information? Don't worry, you can watch me work. I won't do anything untoward, and I'm happy to pay for it," he suggested.