The Pokémon Exchange Fair, as the name suggested, was an event where trainers could exchange Pokémon.
After all, some trainers were not satisfied with their current partners, while others simply preferred different species.
If two trainers reached an agreement, they could trade their Pokémon. This was one of the few Pokémon trading activities officially permitted by the League.
Along the wide streets, stalls had been set up one after another. Events organized by the League usually attracted a large number of trainers.
Besides Silas and Selene, many other male and female trainers had gathered here, hoping to find the Pokémon they desired.
Almost everyone had released the Pokémon they wanted to trade, keeping them beside them so others could see and evaluate them.
People wandered around constantly, searching for suitable trading partners or Pokémon they liked.
Shouts filled the streets, making Fallarbor Town unusually lively.
However, in reality, many of these people could barely be considered real trainers.
Some of them did not even possess a single Pokémon above Level 20.
Most participants treated Pokémon training as a hobby rather than a profession.
The majority were typical Bug Catchers and Youngsters in shorts.
Selene looked around curiously.
Scenes this lively were rare for her.
"Umbre~"
"Glaceon~"
Umbreon and Glaceon walked side by side behind their trainers.
Despite passing many people, no one dared propose a trade.
Even the most naive trainer knew that trades only worked when both sides had roughly equal value.
Trading a Caterpie for a Dratini wasn't trading.
That was robbery.
.....
Of course, besides Pokémon trading, many people also used the event to sell resources and materials.
One such stall caught Silas and Selene's attention.
The table was filled with various items , rare herbs, minerals, and treasures collected from the wild.
"Boss, how much for this Ice Rock Powder?"
Selene pointed at a small box filled with pale blue powder.
It was a relatively rare Ice-type resource.
The powder was scraped from the icy body of Avalugg.
Avalugg were Pokémon native to the Kalos region, with only small populations appearing in Unova.
They were extremely rare elsewhere.
"Ten thousand PokéDollars."
The stall owner grinned and winked.
"You're a pretty girl. Have your boyfriend buy it for you."
Selene's face instantly turned red.
"W-What boyfriend?!"
Silas chuckled.
"Boss, you have good eyes. Selene is indeed very beautiful."
Without hesitation, he paid the 10,000 PokéDollars and bought the powder.
It was a small amount for him.
If it slightly improved Selene's opinion of him, it was absolutely worth it.
They continued walking toward the center of the fair.
Silas could clearly feel that the way Selene looked at him had become slightly more intimate.
As expected, the closer they got to the center, the livelier it became.
"Dive Balls! Perfect for catching Pokémon underwater!"
"We also have Heal Balls, Luxury Balls, and more! Don't miss them!"
"Fully evolved Gyarados available for trade! Must be capable of handling it!"
"Rare Meditite Pokémon! Fighting and Psychic type! Comes with the powerful Pure Power Ability!"
(Pure Power: Doubles the Pokémon's physical attack power.)
The square echoed with constant shouting.
Selene glanced at the crowded scene and instinctively moved closer to Silas.
"There are so many people…"
She suggested they visit the shops on the other side instead.
That area was clearly more upscale.
.....
At the southern end of the commercial street, a boy and a girl walked in carrying an Umbreon and a Glaceon.
They entered a shop that specialized in Pokémon items.
There were very few customers inside.
But the interior decoration was elegant and luxurious, and even the staff looked carefully selected.
"Hehe, Brother Silas, the owner of this shop is a friend of my dad."
"The Sharp Beak my Jumpluff uses was bought here."
Selene greeted the shop assistants warmly.
The staff clearly recognized her and responded politely, not daring to show any negligence.
Silas glanced at the items displayed in the glass counters.
Most of them were only display models.
"Do you have Soft Sand or a Flame Orb?" he asked.
One of the assistants stepped forward respectfully.
"Sir, the Flame Orb is a very rare item."
"You likely won't find one anywhere on this street."
"As for Soft Sand, we do have some stock, but I cannot guarantee the quality will meet your expectations."
Silas nodded.
Two assistants immediately went upstairs to retrieve the items.
Silas intended to buy Soft Sand for his Sandile.
When held, it increased the power of Ground-type moves.
It was a relatively common attribute-enhancing item, so most item shops carried it.
The Flame Orb, however, was different.
Unlike standard items, it could not be mass-produced.
It had to be crafted through ancient techniques by skilled item craftsmen.
Unless a shop employed such a craftsman permanently, Flame Orbs were rarely available.
.....
Soon, the assistants returned carrying two elegant gift boxes.
Inside were two purple sandbags filled with fine sand.
"May I examine them?" Silas asked.
After receiving permission, he inserted his hands into the bags.
One of them felt noticeably finer.
The sand flowed smoothly between his fingers like water.
Just as he suspected.
The certificate beneath it confirmed the enhancement rate:
14% power boost.
It was only slightly below the threshold for a rare item.
Below 5% → Damaged item
5%–15% → Normal item
Above 15% → Rare item
"1.7 million PokéDollars… acceptable."
Silas made his decision quickly.
"And please pack that Sharp Beak with the 10% boost on the counter as well."
Both items together totaled 2.7 million PokéDollars.
After showing his Level-2 League Authority, he received a 10% discount.
"Your total is 2.43 million PokéDollars. Thank you for your purchase."
Silas paid without hesitation.
Seeing Selene present, the shop owner waived another 30,000 PokéDollars.
After leaving the shop, Selene smiled playfully.
"I didn't realize my reputation was worth that much."
"We just saved 30,000 PokéDollars!"
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(End of chapter)