The girl hesitated, her eyes darting between Cain and the computer. If she was watching, it wasn't impossible for Cain to operate it. After all, her grandparents often let their closest friends access the top-secret data stored on their devices. But there was something else that piqued her interest. The situation that Cain described was unlike anything she had ever encountered before, and as a top student in Pokemon breeding, the unknown only made her more curious.
Cain, for his part, didn't look like the typical bad guy. He wore a friendly smile, and the Slowpoke that followed him was clearly well-trained. The girl could tell that he was a knowledgeable trainer, which only added to her intrigue.
After a moment of contemplation, the girl spoke up. "How about this? I need to register your Association ID card, and then I'll accompany you to operate the computer."
The temptation of knowledge was too great to resist, and the girl revealed her true colors as a top student.
Cain's smile widened as he nodded. "Okay, sorry to trouble you."
The two made their way to a study in the backyard of the breeding house. The room was lined with bookshelves, each filled to the brim with tomes on training Pokemon, incubation chemistry, and the study of Pokemon eggs. Sticky notes labeled the contents of each shelf, guiding the curious reader to the book they desired.
In the corner of the room sat a computer, its surface gleaming without a trace of dust. The girl sat in front of it, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she deftly entered the password and opened the database. It was clear that the person who used this computer the most was the top student herself.
With everything set up, the girl stood and motioned for Cain to take his place.
Cain nodded politely, taking his place in front of the computer. He feigned interest, pretending to search for information, all the while keeping his true intentions hidden from the girl.
As an unregistered trainer, Cain knew exactly what kind of knowledge he needed to find, and some of the professional terms he used made the girl see him in a new light. Little did she know that Cain was secretly working his magic, calling upon a system hidden within his mind to start analyzing the data in the computer.
Back in his previous life, when the system imported data into the database, this was how it was done. However, the system wasn't perfect. It couldn't directly invade the database through the network. Instead, it relied on the microcurrent of the human body to make contact with the original computer of the database and invade it without leaving a trace.
"Beep! Task established. Estimated time: ten minutes! Beginning transfer…"
Ten minutes passed before Cain stood up, feigning disappointment. "I still can't find it, but thank you anyway. This is my Association ID card. Sorry to trouble you."
The girl was disappointed too. She had hoped that Cain would find the knowledge he had been searching for, but it seemed like it wasn't meant to be. She took Cain's card and registered his information on the computer in the hall.
"I think you're a good trainer," she said, "and even though you didn't find the right incubation method, don't be discouraged. Let's exchange contact information. I'll ask my grandparents tonight. And if you do find the right method, let me know. I'm willing to make an equivalent exchange with you."
Cain forced a smile, feeling relieved that his true intentions had gone unnoticed. "Okay. By the way, how much should I pay? Please deduct it directly from this card," he said, offering up the card once more.
"It's okay, no need," the girl replied, rejecting Cain's offer to pay. "I'm more interested in the Pokemon egg you mentioned."
Money didn't matter to her. With her classes' allure, she could have raked in cash. But her heart was set on something else.
"I heard about the Pokemon egg from a friend. I haven't seen it yet, but the knowledge in this area fascinates me," Cain said.
Her regret at not seeing the egg was evident in her expression. However, Cain's interest in the knowledge made her eyes light up, as if she had found a kindred spirit. And when he spoke, using professional terms and showing his deep knowledge, she was convinced that he was a diligent student.
Like two top students, they conversed with ease, understanding each other's passion for learning.
Reluctantly, the girl let Cain leave the breeding house. As he exited, he wiped the sweat from his forehead. Talking to top students was no easier than taking a difficult exam, but the more he interacted with them, the more excited they became. The girl's enthusiasm made it difficult for him to find an excuse to leave.
Before he left, she once again reminded Cain to contact her if he found the solution to the problem.
Regardless, Cain had achieved his goal. He had obtained the data from the breeding house, and thankfully, the grandparents were nowhere in sight. If they were, it wouldn't have been so easy.
"A.I. System, search the database and find a solution to the Larvitar egg," Cain ordered the system. The A.I. System began the mission, analyzing and sifting through the data.
[Beep! Mission established successfully. Beginning analysis. Estimated time: 3 days. Remaining time: 2 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes, 30 seconds!]
The A.I. System could only search the database and simulate a possible solution. Whether it would succeed was yet to be seen.
Cain had no other choice but to wait. Moreover, if the newly hatched Pseudo-legendary Pokemon's potential deteriorated due to a mistake, it could become more of a burden than a help. Raising a Pseudo-legendary required a tremendous amount of resources, and in the short term, it wasn't as useful as an ordinary Pokemon. Its battle prowess would be inferior to some ordinary Pokemon until it fully matured.
And even if Cain knew how to hatch the Larvitar Pokemon egg, he wouldn't choose to do so under these circumstances. He couldn't bear the cost of raising it.
Right now, he had to focus on raising his battle prowess and preparing for the missions that lay ahead, including Umbra's mission and, most importantly, the trial on Purgatory Island.
Umbra had taken him away from Team Rocket's trial island, but he had to return to undergo the final test. If everything went well, he might be able to soar to new heights. But if he failed, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Before leaving the island, Umbra had told him that this trial was somewhat unique. During the last test, he had observed carefully and found some clues.
In short, Cain had to increase his strength as quickly as possible. He had no other option.
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