"Which one should I pick?"
Caster frowned, resting his chin in his hand as he mulled it over.
The three Dratini had different abilities and movesets, each with its own advantages.
Honestly, he couldn't go wrong with any of them. After all, they came from the Dragon's Den, a guarantee of quality.
"So how do I choose?"
After carefully comparing the stats and rewards for all three Dratini, Caster weighed his options.
"The second and third both have Shed Skin, which becomes Inner Focus when they evolve into Dragonite.
Still, I think Multiscale is the better choice. At the very least, it guarantees a free setup turn right from the start."
"Sure, the last two know some incredible moves, but I've already copied those and can teach them whenever I want. Besides, with my special ability, my Pokémon will never lack for moves. So..."
Decision made, Caster pulled out a Poké Ball and set it in front of the first Dratini with a grin. "Dratini, will you come with me?"
This Dratini's gift was weather control, and his team was a rain team. A perfect match.
More importantly, this kind of natural talent couldn't be directly enhanced through his ability's stat allocation.
On top of that, the Speed Enhancement was incredibly rare, even more valuable than Extreme Speed or Dragon Cheer.
The fact that this Dratini had yielded such an item proved its potential exceeded the others.
After all, the rewards from Caster's special ability were determined by factors like the Pokémon's species, strength, moveset, and potential.
"Yoor~"
Seeing Caster's choice, the Dratini practically glowed with happiness.
Its eyes curved into crescents as it eagerly bumped the Poké Ball's button with its head, as though afraid he might change his mind. Meanwhile, the other two Dratini looked completely crestfallen.
Whoosh!
The Poké Ball's button clicked. The ball opened, Dratini dissolved into red light, and was drawn inside.
Click!
Since it had practically thrown itself at the ball, there wasn't even a shake. The red light went out instantly.
Dratini was caught without a struggle!
"I caught a Dratini!"
Caster struck Ash's classic pose.
"Congratulations, Caster!"
Clair rushed over to congratulate him while the Dragon Elder approached with a smile.
"Thank you!"
Caster nodded to Clair first, then turned and gave the Dragon Elder a respectful bow.
He knew he owed this Dratini entirely to the Elder's help and support, especially significant given that it was a pseudo-legendary hatchling, a kindness he wouldn't forget.
"Work hard, young man!"
The Dragon Elder smiled warmly. He didn't say much, but his pleasure at Caster's respectful attitude was evident.
"Sorry, you two!"
Before leaving, Caster noticed the two rejected Dratini looking miserable and quickly activated several Energy Orbs to send their way.
"Yoor~"
After absorbing the Energy Orbs, the two Dratini became absorbed in the sensation, their disappointment gradually melting away.
Once the Energy Orbs were depleted, they gave Caster one last mournful look before diving into the waterfall and disappearing.
After Caster caught his Dratini, the Dragon Elder departed, and Clair and Caster returned to the Dragon's Holy Land.
"You just caught Dratini, so take some time to bond with it first."
After giving him that advice, Clair went off to train Wyatt, leaving Caster plenty of time alone with his new partner.
"Come on out, Dratini!"
Pressing the Poké Ball's button, Caster released his adorable new Dratini.
"Yoor~"
Dratini appeared, glanced at Caster, then wriggled over and gently nuzzled his arm. After a moment, it looked up at him with big, watery eyes and a pleading expression.
"You little rascal..."
Caster chuckled helplessly. Even though Dratini hadn't said a word, he already knew what it wanted. Obviously more Energy Orbs.
"Huh? Why does this feel so familiar?"
Just as he was about to activate an Energy Orb, Caster glanced back at Pichu on his shoulder.
Remembering how things had gone when he first caught Pichu, he couldn't help but grumble, "So you guys are only interested in my Energy Orbs, not me as a trainer!"
"Pi~"
Pichu laughed awkwardly. Why are you dragging me into this?
But it didn't take long for Pichu to catch on. You're out here getting a new partner, and I haven't said anything. Now you're blaming me?
"Pi~ Pichu~"
With that thought, Pichu tugged at Caster's ear in protest.
"This is ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous!"
Caster was ready to put his foot down, but then Pichu nuzzled his cheek and all his anger melted away.
In the end, he settled the matter by giving Pichu three Energy Orbs as compensation for the perceived slight.
Dratini also received three Energy Orbs, which thrilled it and sent its affection for Caster through the roof.
After spending some quality time bonding with Dratini, Caster pulled out the bait formula reward he'd just received. A scroll that looked fairly old.
Earlier, he'd only glanced at the basic description and knew it was specialized bait for sea lion Pokémon, but he hadn't examined the actual formula in detail.
"This bait uses Pecha Berries, Aspear Berries, waterside herbs, ice radishes, and other ingredients as the base."
Unrolling the scroll, Caster read aloud. "Plus Deep Sea Scales, Deep Sea Tooth, Water Stones, Ice Stones, Never-Melt Ice..."
At first, Caster read normally, but when he reached the supplementary ingredients, something felt off.
The further he read, the darker his expression became. By the time he finished, he was speechless. His expression darkening with each item.
"What kind of ridiculous bait formula is this? Making one batch would cost a fortune, easily six figures!"
Caster snapped the scroll shut with a curse.
Misty's bait formula was already expensive, but compared to this sea lion bait formula, it was pocket change.
Deep Sea Scales were fine since he already had some from the Chinchou he'd caught. But Water Stones, Ice Stones, and Never-Melt Ice? Each one cost at least six figures.
Sure, you didn't need complete stones for bait, just fragments or powder. But even so, factoring in the quantities needed, the cost was still insane.
"Caster, what's wrong? Why the long face?"
Just then, Wyatt, taking a break from training, walked over wiping his sweat. Seeing Caster's miserable expression, he couldn't help but ask.
Even though Caster had beaten him, Wyatt's attitude toward him had only grown friendlier. After all, it was an emotional investment.
As for financial investment? Sorry, he really couldn't manage that right now. His wallet had been completely drained.
"Wyatt, I really envy you for being born into a Dragon Tamer family. You've never had to worry about food, clothes, or training resources for your Pokémon since you were a kid."
Caster glanced at Wyatt, then at himself, and sighed. "Unlike me. I can't even afford fishing bait anymore. I'm just too broke!"
Hearing that, Wyatt smiled. His family background was, without question, his greatest source of pride.
"Bait?"
Wyatt scoffed. "How much could fishing bait possibly cost?"
The young Dragon Master might be short on cash right now, but he was short on big money, like hundreds of thousands. Not pocket change like bait.
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