Chapter 105: Depressed Laxcy

It was already past one in the morning when Ashborn returned to the Crag Area, where he had previously marked the treasure's location.

Exhaustion weighed heavily on him, and he couldn't help but yawn. Despite the late hour, the Dowsing Machine showed that the treasure remained buried here.

The previous explorer, who had attempted to dig for it, had clearly missed it.

Around the area, there were numerous pits of varying sizes, from small holes seven or eight meters wide to larger ones over 100 meters across.

Ashborn approached one of the larger pits, more than fifty meters wide and ten meters deep. The Dowsing Machine confirmed that the treasure lay beneath this pit.

Without a word from Ashborn, Metagross began digging again.

Thanks to the previous explorer's efforts, Metagross didn't have to dig too far. After following the existing hole for another five or six meters, the treasure was unearthed.

"Mega Evolution Stone," Ashborn muttered in surprise, retrieving it from Metagross.

In the Pokémon world, Mega Evolution Stones were like gold. They were often used as currency among Trainers, particularly for bartering rare items or Pokémon with extraordinary qualifications.

Many treasures or special Pokémon couldn't be purchased with money, but Mega Evolution Stones opened up opportunities for successful trades.

Suddenly, Metagross let out a warning cry and quickly positioned itself in front of Ashborn.

The sudden threat jolted Ashborn out of his exhausted state. His expression darkened as he realized they weren't alone.

With a flick of his wrist, two white lights flashed, and Dragonair and Lucario materialized at his side, ready to defend him.

"Young Master Zovic, don't misunderstand—I mean no harm," a voice called out from the shadows.

A man stepped out from behind a rock, raising his hands to show he wasn't a threat. Beside him was a Golem. 

Ashborn recognized the man as the one who had arrived earlier during the day, the same person who had been digging in this very spot but had missed the Mega Evolution Stone.

His surprise at seeing the man here now was clear.

"It's rare that Young Master Zovic remembers my uncle, Tom Luke," the man said, his voice friendly.

Tom Luke was the Gym Leader of Lavanny City, specializing in Steel-type Pokémon. Ashborn had met him before and had traveled to the secret realm under his guidance.

It was through this connection that Ashborn knew this man was part of the Luke family.

Although the man claimed he wasn't dangerous, Ashborn remained cautious. Trusting strangers in the secret realm was the quickest way to an untimely death.

Seeing Ashborn's wary expression, the man stopped a safe distance away, his eyes lingering with envy on the Mega Evolution Stone in Ashborn's hand.

It was clear that he regretted missing out on the treasure he had been so close to.

The man had initially left the Crag Area, frustrated by his inability to find the treasure. However, upon seeing Ashborn fly over on Metagross, his curiosity piqued.

His gut instinct told him Ashborn was heading toward the very place where he had been digging.

He couldn't resist the urge to return, and when he saw Ashborn unearth the Mega Evolution Stone from the pit, regret hit him like a ton of bricks.

"I was just a few meters away from it!" he thought bitterly. "If only I'd kept digging..."

This single Mega Evolution Stone could have transformed his career as a Trainer.

Even if it didn't match one of his own Pokémon, he could have traded it for one that did. In the Lee family, only his uncle had both a Mega Evolution Stone and a Key Stone.

If he were to obtain his own Mega Evolution tools, his chances of becoming the next head of the family would skyrocket.

Now, though, it was too late.

Ashborn could see the disappointment on the man's face and smirked inwardly. The opportunity had been there, and the man simply hadn't taken it.

Laxcy, as the man introduced himself, had no intention of attempting to steal the stone. He knew that Ashborn came from a top-tier family and likely had more than just Metagross to protect him.

Families of their status often provided Pokémon bodyguards for their heirs, especially in dangerous places like the secret realm.

If Ashborn had been from a family of equal standing, Laxcy might have been tempted to take a risk.

But this was Ashborn Zovic, and Laxcy wasn't foolish enough to challenge him. Instead, he thought it might be wiser to form a friendship.

Such a relationship could prove more beneficial in the long run than the single Mega Evolution Stone.

"Young Master Zovic, I heard that you've been recruited by Imperial University," Laxcy said, trying to break the ice.

Ashborn gave a short nod. This wasn't a secret; he had already shared the news of his acceptance on social media.

"I suppose that makes me your senior, haha... uh," Laxcy's awkward laughter trailed off when he saw the look Ashborn gave him.

Quickly backtracking, Laxcy continued, "Of course, I could never really be your senior. You're far stronger than I am, after all."

Laxcy was about to enter his junior year at Imperial University, while Ashborn was just beginning, though he had been specially recruited.

In a school where all students were geniuses, Ashborn stood out even among the elite.

Ashborn's curiosity piqued.

"You're a Rock-type Trainer, then?" he asked, glancing at Laxcy's Golem.

"Yes, most of the Luke family specializes in Steel-types, but I've always been more talented with Rock-types, so I chose that path," Laxcy explained.

"Oh, I see," Ashborn replied.

"That means the only Rock-types capable of Mega Evolution are Tyranitar, Aggron, and Aerodactyl. Which one do you think you'll get?"

Laxcy smiled bitterly at the question. Tyranitar was a pseudo-legendary, and Aerodactyl, even rarer, could only be found in certain ancient secret realms.

As for Aggron, the Zovic family would likely claim any Mega Evolution Stones related to it before the Luke family had a chance.

"Aron's always an option," Laxcy said with a forced laugh, before quickly realizing that even if he found Aggron's Mega Evolution Stone, he wouldn't be able to keep it.

His laughter trailed off into an awkward silence as a bitter expression settled on his face.

Ashborn's words hit like a dagger, leaving Laxcy feeling thoroughly deflated.

If it had been anyone else talking to him like this, they might have found themselves knocked out and robbed.

But with Ashborn, Laxcy had no choice but to endure the humiliation.

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Adios