After that narrow victory, Caster had a much clearer picture of just how strong Gyarados really was.
Wyatt wasn't quite regional championship material, but he could easily place in the top eight, and Flygon was one of his best Pokémon.
Running the numbers, that meant Gyarados had power on par with the main teams of trainers who placed in the top four at regional tournaments.
"If I keep this pace and catch a few more powerhouses, placing on the podium in my first year might actually be possible!"
Caster's eyes lit up as his mind raced with possibilities.
Regional championship titles came down to skill, sure, but sometimes luck played just as big a role.
In some years, the regional champion's ace might be nothing more than a Meowth in boots.
In other years, the champion's entire team could be legendary Pokémon.
Yeah, luck definitely mattered.
Just as Caster was getting lost in his fantasies, the Dragon Elder's voice snapped him back to reality.
"Young man, would you like a Dratini?"
The Dragon Elder's sharp gaze locked onto Caster.
"Huh???"
Caster's mind went completely blank.
Throughout this entire trip to Johto, his biggest disappointment had been not catching a Pokémon he actually wanted.
He'd already made up his mind that once he got back to Kanto, his first stop would be the Safari Zone in Fuchsia City to try fishing for a Dratini or Dragonair.
If he could manage it, he'd catch one and train it right.
A pseudo-legendary Dragonite? Undeniably powerful.
Plus, Dragonite could Mega Evolve, which meant even more potential for growth.
"Yes!"
Seeing the Dragon Elder's serious expression and realizing this wasn't some joke, Caster answered honestly: "Absolutely! I've been thinking about it constantly!"
"Good! I can arrange to give you a Dratini."
The Dragon Elder patted Caster's hand gently. "All you need to do is marry into the Dragon Tamer clan, and we'll include the Dratini as part of the arrangement."
As he spoke, the Dragon Elder glanced at Clair with a knowing smile. "What do you think of Clair, young man?"
"What???"
Now Caster was even more lost.
Elder, I respected you as a wise man, and now you want me to call you Grandpa?
Though when he thought about it—marrying a wife, getting a Dratini, plus forming a family alliance with the Dragon Tamers...
"Deals like this actually exist?"
Caster felt his heart rate spike. "If that's the case, I'd happily catch Lugia and Kyogre for you!"
Just as Caster's face flushed and he seemed ready to cave, he suddenly felt a wave of killing intent.
Without even turning around, Caster knew exactly where it was coming from. Had to be Clair!
Thinking of Clair's dragon whip, Caster's head shook frantically. He spoke with absolute conviction: "Elder, the saying goes that you have to build your career before you start a family.
I've only been a trainer for six months. Without a career established, how can I think about marriage? Let's talk about this after I become a champion!"
Of course, this was just Caster making excuses.
The real reason was that under Clair's death glare, he'd sobered up considerably.
After all, he had his special ability. Since he could make it on his own, why resort to marrying for advantages?
Plus, there were plenty of other cute girls out there!
So when it came to this whole "champion" thing, Caster kept it intentionally vague.
If things worked out, it could mean winning a fishing tournament championship.
If they didn't, well, it would have to mean becoming World Champion.
Either way, how he defined "champion" was entirely up to him!
"You want to become a champion?"
The Dragon Elder nodded, seeming to understand Caster's mindset completely.
Because the Dragon Elder himself had chased power relentlessly in his youth, only gradually figuring out what he truly wanted as he got older.
Now his grandson and granddaughter were in similar situations.
For talented young trainers, this was perfectly normal.
"Sigh..."
After a long sigh, the Dragon Elder didn't press the issue. But surprisingly, he stated that even if Caster wouldn't agree to the marriage arrangement, he was still willing to give him a Dratini.
However, this was too big a decision for him to make alone. It required approval from the elder council, so he asked Caster to stay in the Dragon's Den a few more days.
Thrilled and amazed, Caster naturally agreed without hesitation.
Clair had no objections to this, though Wyatt's face showed a bitter smile.
Because if Caster received a Dratini, that meant one fewer Dratini available for distribution within the Dragon Tamer clan.
This would push back when Wyatt could receive his own Dratini.
But thinking of Caster's strength and talent, Wyatt was genuinely impressed.
This was a future powerhouse. Investing in him while he was still on the rise would benefit the entire Dragon Tamer clan. It was their tradition.
Besides, his relationship with Caster was already solid, so naturally he wouldn't object.
If Caster hadn't turned down the marriage proposal for now, Wyatt would've been ready to introduce his own sister.
---
Under Clair's escort, the Dragon Elder left.
Caster changed his plans and decided to stay a few more days.
He couldn't help it. He desperately wanted to get stronger, and he desperately wanted that Dratini.
However, when Clair came back, she was carrying a box, which she handed straight to Caster. "Here, your delivery!"
"Mine?"
---
Something clicked, and Caster remembered President Kunio's promise from half a month ago. "Must be the bait. But what Pokémon is this specialized bait for?"
Excitement surged as he quickly grabbed the package and tore it open.
Inside, besides a large bag of blue powder of unknown composition, there was also a photo of President Kunio catching a vicious-looking Gyarados.
"This is specialized Gyarados bait!"
Caster got it immediately.
Otherwise, President Kunio wouldn't have included the photo of himself catching a Gyarados.
And sure enough, just as Caster suspected, the back of the photo had a note from President Kunio along with instructions for preparing the bait.
Just mix it one-to-one with water and stir until it forms a paste.
"Gyarados is perfect! I need to catch more Gyarados!"
Caster practically glowed with excitement.
Because no matter where you went, Gyarados were considered powerful Pokémon well above average.
If he could catch them in large numbers, the rewards would surely far exceed what he'd gotten from Seaking and Lanturn, possibly even surpassing what he'd gained in the Dragon's Den.
With this thought, Caster looked toward the lake in the Dragon's Den, eyes gleaming. "Wait, there should be Gyarados in this lake too, right?"
Gyarados were among the preferred Pokémon for Dragon Tamer clan members to train.
There was no way this lake didn't have any!
"Let's give it a shot!"
Grinning, Caster couldn't wait to open the bait and mix it with water.