Truth be told, a Pokéblock like that was something they could also make—
eventually.
But how long it would take them to do so was anyone's guess.
And seeing those white-gray, crystal-clear, perfectly shaped Pokéblocks neatly lined up on the table in just half an hour made it obvious how deeply they had been impacted.
At that moment, Grandma Syl realized something else.
Cain and Steven had known each other from before. And the Pokéblock that Steven's Metagross had used in the past had been made by Cain.
So, since Cain already knew Metagross so well, he had probably thought in advance about how to improve the Pokéblock.
With that explanation, Grandma Syl could just barely accept Cain's result.
Otherwise, she might not have been able to resist opening it up to uncover its secret.
What she didn't know was that Metagross's Pokéblock had been designed by Cain right there on the spot.
Or rather, at that very moment, it had been analyzed and calculated by his system.
The result was the same.
Cain had passed this round of the exam.
And not only that—he had done so while dazzling every single examiner.
The final test, the most uncertain of all, was about to begin.
From several options—Pokémon companionship, Pokémon massage, move analysis, and another seven or eight categories—one would be chosen at random.
In theory, all were skills a breeder should master.
But since there wasn't enough time to evaluate them all, passing just one was sufficient.
Cain randomly drew one he wasn't as skilled in: Pokémon massage.
Although saying "not as skilled" was only in comparison to his Pokéblock-making level.
Every so often, Cain would give his own Pokémon a full massage.
It helped ease the fatigue in their bodies.
Of course, with Pokémon like Tyranitar or Aggron, just massaging one could take him an entire day.
In the end, after voting, Cain received unanimous approval: he had passed the advanced breeder exam.
Like Lance, he was met with thunderous applause from the entire audience.
That day, the spectators were more than satisfied. Not only had they witnessed the passing of the torch between the old and new Elite Four members, but they had also seen the birth of the youngest advanced breeder in history.
Without a doubt, attending had been worth it.
The old Matsuda's plan—to organize everything with such grandeur—had paid off.
Among those who saw Cain pass the exam were many trainers from powerful families.
Some even possessed truly terrifying overall strength.
Cain's talent and skill had already drawn the attention of the Jenny family, who had once offered him marriage with one of their own—along with a promise to cover all the resources he would ever need in the future.
Now that Cain had become the youngest advanced breeder of all time, what do you think those influential families would decide?
A true "Magikarp turning into a Dragon": a young man with no lineage but immense potential. Many families wouldn't sit idly by.
Moreover, with his newfound fame, his background was sure to be investigated.
And there his close friends would appear: Steven, Lance, Cynthia... who among them didn't come from an imposing background?
Cain completing the advanced breeder exam before so many eyes made him far too significant a figure. The Breeders' Guild knew that well—and so did everyone else.
You wanted to touch Cain?
Go ahead.
But be prepared to face the wrath of the Breeders' Guild afterward.
These days, it was Old Eizan who handled the Guild's development.
Many had long forgotten how fearsome the so-called "Witch Sylvia" could be.
The fact that old Matsuda had brought her there that day had a clear purpose: to back Cain.
Who would dare make a move against him?
Anyone who tried would risk awakening the Witch Sylvia's anger—and the next day, they'd find themselves isolated, living a life worse than death.
Even great families like the Jennys or the Joys wouldn't want to become enemies of Witch Sylvia.
Did they really think years of silence had dulled her blade?
That was the path Old Matsuda, Cain's only master, had paved for him.
The road was laid out—it all depended on how Cain chose to move forward.
Would he be able to resist the temptations wrapped in sweet promises from those powerful families?
Although... joining one of them wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing either.
With the Guild's backing, he would always have a certain degree of autonomy.
Cain received the Advanced Breeder Medal from Grandma Syl's own hands.
He didn't fully understand what it meant, but those who knew did.
The president of the Breeders' Guild rarely awarded that medal in person—only when they saw in someone the potential to become president one day.
In other words, Cain was now an official candidate to inherit the Guild's leadership.
Those who knew of the bond between Old Matsuda and Grandma Syl understood immediately.
And upon looking at the old master, many couldn't help but show strange expressions, accompanied by a thumbs-up of approval.
Some even murmured under their breath, full of admiration: "Amazing!"
Of all this, Cain, as the disciple, was completely unaware.
And even if he knew, he'd probably just congratulate his master.
After all those years alone, wasn't it nice that he'd finally found a place to belong?
Grandma Syl didn't seem like a bad person, right?
...
Cain had officially become an Advanced Breeder.
The next day, the front page of every newspaper in the region would bear the same headline: "The Birth of Two Stars."
Lance, as the new member of the Elite Four.
Cain, as the youngest advanced breeder in history—shattering the previous record several times over. A record that might never be broken again.
Both would share the headlines the next day.
And as the protagonists, neither of them was surprised.
Appearing in the press... that was nothing new by now.
That night, they sat around a table, celebrating with a dinner prepared by Cain—celebrating Lance's rise to the Elite Four and Cain's recognition as an advanced breeder.
They ate, drank, and, like any group of friends, stayed chatting after dinner.
"Cain, what did President Sylvia and Master Matsuda tell you at the end?" Steven asked curiously.
Cain smiled mysteriously, imitating his master's solemn style. He patted Steven on the shoulder and said:
"Steven... from now on, your master won't be able to live so freely anymore. He might not be able to return to Hoenn. When that time comes, the fate of the Breeders' Guild in Hoenn will rest in your hands."
"Pffft... HAHAHAHA!"
"HAHAHAHA!"
Laughter echoed around the table.
"Looks like Master Matsuda finally found his place in the world," Phoebe commented, not quite understanding but carried away by the mood.
Then Lance began recounting the 'passionate and moving' love story between Old Matsuda and Grandma Syl, just as he'd heard it from his elders.
And after seriously describing who that woman was, everyone's expressions grew even stranger.
Cain, in silence, could only think: "Master... you're incredible!"
"By the way," Lance suddenly changed the subject, "Cain, do you remember my younger cousin, Clair?"
Cain nodded, feeling a bad premonition.
And as expected, Lance looked at him mischievously and added, "What do you say? Why not consider my cousin? You're about the same age. Her temper's a bit strong, yeah, but she's a real beauty. If you're interested, I can help you out..."
With all the attitude of an experienced matchmaker.
(End of chapter)