Chapter 22

While staying at the old orphanage, Darren did not neglect physical training in addition to learning about nurturing Pokemon. However, because his main focus was on studying, his physical fitness was only slightly better than average for his age.

Holding the container, Darren arrived under a Darren and took out a sip to quench his thirst.

Although the roads were difficult to travel, the average humans in this world were all in excellent physical condition, and Darren's physique could still handle it.

"The optimal incubation temperature for flying-type Pokemon is 40 degrees. In order to properly incubate Swablu and improve its dragon-type lineage, a suitable location is required as even with nutrient solutions that provide heat.

Looking down at the thermometer in his hand, Darren knew that if the incubation temperature for a normal flying-type Pokemon egg exceeded 40 degrees, the embryo could die. However, Swablu had nutrient solution to regulate the temperature, so the optimal temperature could be increased appropriately.

A good hatching environment also had a significant impact on the innate potential of a Pokemon.

The white and blue-spotted egg floated in the center of the nutrient solution, swaying as if it could crack at any moment. After observing for a while, Darren prepared to head to the upper level of the Chimney Mountain.

The temperature near the volcano's mouth on the outermost periphery might be suitable for Swablu's birth.

Early this morning, Darren had arrived with the egg. According to Master Shozo, if Swablu was well-nurtured, it's potential would not be inferior to the main Pokemon of the four elites in various regions. This was a great motivation for Darren.

Although a Pokemon's potential did not necessarily mean everything, it was still a good start. Darren had confidence in nurturing Swablu.

Although talent was important, effort was still necessary.

...

In the sky thousands of miles above, a blue figure watched Darren's every move. It was Swablu's parent, Altaria . Although Darren was the one being assessed this time, it could not let go of its child and would appear immediately if the egg was threatened.

In the shadows of the forest, another figure also paid attention to Darren and his Pokemon. It was Master Shozo's Pokemon, secretly protecting Darren's safety according to Master Shozo's orders.

Without the Beautifly in hand, it was still too dangerous for Darren to wander through the forest alone. No one could guarantee that nothing unexpected would happen.

However, Darren was unaware of this at the moment.

Whoosh-

Darren, who had just started moving, suddenly saw a black figure jump up and quickly hugged the Pokemon egg, assuming a defensive and evasive posture.

However, it wasn't until Darren saw the true form of this creature that he breathed a sigh of relief.

It was a very small brown creature that looked like an Acorn.

A Seedot!

Darren shook his head and steered clear of the small creature. Other Pokémon in the forest were often frightened by this type of Pokémon because of its strong resemblance to a regular acorn, causing confusion among them and leading them to develop an acorn complex.

Seedot usually didn't attack first, so after successfully scaring Darren, it jumped directly into the grass.

It was a false alarm, fortunately it wasn't a hostile Pokémon.

Mt. Chimney was close by, and Darren was very careful along the way, carefully observing the surrounding environment. But until the afternoon, he had not reached Mt. Chimney.

"There is a lake..."

The forest lake can be said to be a small ecosystem, where many Pokémon often inhabit, because many Pokémon come here to drink water at certain times.

At this time, there were not many Pokémon around the lake, and as he approached, Darren could clearly see Marills swimming in the lake.

However, when these Marills saw Darren approaching, they immediately submerged into the mud at the bottom of the lake.

"Splash~~~~~~~~~~!!!!"

"Splash~~~~~~!!!!"

At the same time, two splashes erupted, sending ripples throughout the lake as water was thrown into the air. From his vantage point behind them, Darren could see that two Marill had leaped into the water, likely for some playful activity.

There should be many other Pokémon around here, but Darren did not notice any more, and did not want to stay long. He continued walking towards Mt. Chimney without resting.

Seeing these water-type Pokémon, Darren felt a mix of love and sadness in his heart.

Beautifly was not actually Darren's first Pokémon. When he first came to the orphanage, Grandma Oran still had a Pokémon by her side, but that Vaporeon was too old and passed away soon after.

As a result, Grandma Oran also fell ill.

Losing a longtime companion is always a cause for grief, no matter who you are.

"Sigh~~~" Darren sighed, feeling uncomfortable with the feeling of separation between life and death.

Looking at the soon-to-be-born life in his hands, Darren was unsure what the future would hold decades from now.

But now is not the time to think that far ahead.

Swablu has not been born yet, and a bright future is waiting for them to explore. Holding the Pokémon egg, Darren eagerly awaited the birth of Swablu.

"After crossing these thorns, should we be able to climb Mt. Chimney?"

Darren continued on, remembering Master Shozo's words that some directions may be blocked by thorns, but in the wild, it's better to cross a thorny path than to take a path full of rocks.

"Crack... crack..."

Darren had already prepared his small knife. There were obviously signs of human activity here, and the path was still easy to walk. After putting the Pokémon egg in his backpack, he hacked through the thorns... but until evening, Darren had not walked out of this thorny area.

Stopping his footsteps, Darren decided to rest here for the night. Obviously, there were no Pokémon living in this kind of environment, so it was relatively safe.

The first night spent here, Darren felt very lonely.

Unlike before, this time, Beautifly was not by his side. The icy and dark night sky was constantly stimulating Darren's senses. It was the first time he lived alone in the wild, and to be honest, Darren didn't like this feeling very much. Humans are social creatures, the more people around, the more secure they feel. Perhaps it was because Darren had just set out on his journey, but facing this situation, he still felt a little uncomfortable.

At night, although they were under the volcano, it was completely different from the scorching heat during the day. A hint of coolness rushed to Darren's heart. In order to protect Swablu's egg, he had to hold it tightly and give the Pokémon egg a comfortable environment with his own body temperature.

Darren's personal experience could be viewed as a form of assessment. Although it would only last a month, which wasn't a long time for any trainer, the sensation of complete isolation from civilization was highly uncomfortable for him.