Gem

Harris's younger brother, Harrold, had been detained by Officer Jenny for a few days due to mistreating Pokémon infants. He had only been released today. As soon as he was out, he came with his older brother to cause trouble at the YoYo Day Care Center.

His older brother was a somewhat renowned Pokémon Trainer with considerable strength. However, compared to Harrold, Harris was much more sensible. He knew that picking fights for no reason would only land him back in the police station, and that wouldn't end well.

"What's this 'other way to resolve the problem'? What do you have in mind?" Yuga asked curiously, looking at Harris.

"Since you're going to be the Gym Leader of Verdanturf Town, accept my challenge. If I win, I won't even take your badge; just give me that Cacnea," Harrold proposed.

Harris had heard of Yuga's reputation, but he didn't believe he was inferior. He simply just didn't meet the criteria to participate in official Gym Challenges.

Yuga promptly declined the offer.

Harrold hadn't expected Yuga to refuse so decisively, and he felt a twinge of anger.

"As a Gym Leader, it's your duty to accept challenges. How can you refuse my challenge? Aren't you ashamed?" Harrold accused Yuga, his tone firm.

Yuga raised an eyebrow, unbothered, and replied, "As you mentioned yourself, I'm just about to become a Gym Leader. I'm not obligated to accept challenges at this moment, nor do I feel ashamed."

"You coward!" Harris's younger brother, Harrold, chimed in before Harris could speak.

"How about I spar with you instead?" Yuga looked at Harrold with a smirk.

"Wh-who wants to spar with you?" Harrold's face turned bright red, and he stammered before quietly retreating behind his brother.

He knew his own abilities and had seen Yuga's battles. He knew he wasn't Yuga's match.

Watching his little brother act like a coward made Harris furious.

"This unlucky fellow only knows how to make a fool of himself!"

After swallowing his frustration, Harris adjusted his mood and turned to Yuga, asking, "What exactly would it take for you to accept my challenge?"

"Do you think I should accept your challenge?" Yuga countered.

"Shouldn't you?" Harris questioned.

"Of course, I shouldn't. Even if you win, and I give you my Gym Badge, I won't gain anything in return. What's in it for me?" Yuga responded.

"But I'm not asking for your Gym Badge!" Harris protested.

"But I'm not a Gym Leader yet!" Yuga pointed out.

Harris paused, realizing the truth in Yuga's words.

"Brother, don't listen to this guy's nonsense! He's trying to deceive you!" Harrold interjected, alarmed.

"Shut up!" Harris scolded his younger brother.

Harrold shrunk back, red-faced and subdued.

"How about this, as long as you accept my challenge, consider this Fire Gem as the stake," Harris suggested, taking out a Fire Gem and showing it to Yuga.

Yuga glanced at the Fire Gem and shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I don't need a Fire Gem."

Yuga possessed an entire Fire Gem vein; he had no interest in a single small Fire Gem. It wasn't a valuable evolutionary Gem like some others.

Upon hearing Yuga's refusal, Harris hesitated for a moment, then put the Fire Gem away and presented five beautiful pink Gem.

"If you accept my challenge and win, you'll receive these five Fairy Gem."

These few Fairy Gem had come into Harris's possession through a stroke of luck, and they were worth much more than an Evolution Gem. The reason Harris was willing to offer even more valuable Attribute Gem was simply because he believed Yuga couldn't possibly win.

Attribute Gem had the ability to enhance a Pokémon's move power as a held item, but rarely were they used this way. This was because, as held items, Attribute Gem could only be used once. When a Pokémon used one, it would extract all the energy from the Gem at once, boosting the power of its moves but also make the Gem useless.

The true purpose of Attribute Gem was to nurture Pokémon and harmonize the energy of their attributes within their bodies.

However, this method required long-term usage and a significant quantity of Attribute Gem. Over time, a Pokémon's move power would permanently increase as a result.

Attributes Gem are valuable items, and if you want to use them for an extended period, the expenses can be countless, not to mention needing a way to acquire them.

Each type of Attribute Gem can only be used by a Pokémon that corresponds to its attribute. For example, a Fairy Gem can only be used by Fairy-type Pokémon.

If a Pokémon uses an Attribute Gem that doesn't match its own attribute, it might not be an issue with one or two Gem. However, prolonged use can disrupt the energy within the Pokémon's body. Instead of enhancing their skills, they may end up harmed.

The reason why Yuga knows all this is because of his master, Mr. Kuni'o. Before that, Yuga had no idea that Attribute Gem had these effects.

However, Mr. Kuni'o also mentioned that Yuga's Pokémon currently don't need Attribute Gem. Pokémon need to reach the level of pseudo-Elite level before they can gradually adapt to the energy within Attribute Gem. Using them too early is not a wise choice, as Pokémon below this level may not have the capacity to handle the energy and could harm themselves.

Attribute Gem were considered precious items, not only due to their significant effects but also because they were a monopoly of the Pokémon League. Their status was somewhat akin to the importance of oil in Yuga's previous world. However, unlike the regular sale of oil to the public, Attribute Gem were not available for purchase by individuals.

Although private transactions of a small quantity of Attribute Gem were permitted, large-scale trading was prohibited and even illegal. The control over Attribute Gem mines was tightly held by the Pokémon League. If private individuals were found to be illegally mining Attribute Gem, it was considered a serious crime.

Attribute Gem could be purchased from the Pokémon League store using Merit Points, but their prices were exorbitant. Yuga's meager Merit Points would not be enough to buy even a few Gem.

However, now that someone was delivering them right to his doorstep, Yuga saw no reason to refuse. Even though he couldn't use them at the moment, they would be a valuable asset for Florges.

"Alright, since you're willing to go to such lengths, I have no reason to decline," Yuga agreed.

Harris nodded satisfactorily in response.