Chapter 103: Encounter on the Train

"Thirty-one years... I simply shouldn't have gained this ability; they give you a bit of hope only to extinguish it with a bucket of water," Cain couldn't help but complain in his mind.

"It seems that trying to improve psychic abilities with just the training methods in this book won't be very likely. I still need the help of some external items. I hope the system can find something useful in the database."

The entire afternoon passed this way. The Pokémon also trained all afternoon. Since leaving Judgment Island, they hadn't had effective battles, so with their overflowing energy, they could only release it through training.

This should be Cain's last day in Saffron City, as tomorrow he will head to Goldenrod City in Johto.

After an early dinner, he gave his Pokémon a full massage. Except for Gastly, who could only watch enviously, Murkrow and the others relaxed a lot under Cain's skillful hands, easing their tense bodies after a whole day.

After watching his Pokémon sleep comfortably after the massage, Cain also wished Gastly goodnight before going to sleep.

As for Gastly, nighttime is his most active time. During the day, he can rest in Cain's shadow, so Gastly has always been the team's most resilient sentry.

Although the Pokémon Center is a very safe place, Gastly, who has the habit of staying up late, continued to keep watch.

...

The next morning, Cain and his Pokémon quickly finished breakfast and headed to Saffron City's central train station, the most convenient means of transportation connecting Kanto and Johto: the magnetic levitation train.

With his League ID card, he spent five thousand Pokédollars to buy a premium seat ticket on the magnetic levitation train. A car was divided into several small rooms, each with only two seats, which were extremely comfortable.

Now that he has money, Cain doesn't mind making his life a bit more comfortable. Additionally, this allows Slowpoke and Miltank not to have to stay in their Poké Balls. As for Murkrow, unfortunately, there was no other option; for now, he can only stay in his Poké Ball.

Cain is currently presenting himself with his League identity, and to avoid future issues if his identity is revealed, Murkrow will have to bear with this temporarily.

Just as Cain was sitting down and letting Slowpoke and Miltank out of their Poké Balls to relax, the train's speaker announced that it was about to depart.

"Is the other passenger in this room not coming?" Cain was surprised to hear the announcement and couldn't help but wonder.

"Ssh... bang!"

While Cain was lost in thought, the room's sliding door suddenly opened, and the sound of the door sliding and hitting the wall echoed loudly.

A head peeked through the door; the woman's pink hair was tied in two pigtails. After taking a look inside, the woman blushed, scratched her head in embarrassment, and entered, saying, "I'm so sorry, I almost didn't make it on time, so I'm a bit excited. Sorry."

As she spoke, she repeatedly bowed to Cain in apology.

The woman who entered looked about fifteen or sixteen years old, similar in height to Cain, with two pink pigtails that swayed as she walked. She wore a white t-shirt that radiated vibrant youth.

Cain looked at the young woman and nodded slightly to indicate there was no problem.

Slowpoke and Miltank, who were resting on the floor, seeing that the person entering was a young girl without any threat, lay back down to take a nap.

This magnetic levitation train travels directly from Saffron City in Kanto, passing through Mt. Silver, to Goldenrod City in Johto. Although the train speed is fast, the trip is still quite long, with an estimated arrival time of five hours.

The young woman who had just sat down hadn't even warmed her seat when she noticed the two pink Pokémon beside Cain. Her eyes immediately lit up, she jumped out of her seat and ran to observe Slowpoke first, and then Miltank.

Cain noticed the young woman's behavior and couldn't help but frown slightly. Observing another trainer's Pokémon without permission is disrespectful. Although Cain didn't sense any malice from the young woman, he still felt a bit uncomfortable.

It wasn't until after a few minutes of close observation that the young woman realized her behavior had been rude.

"Ah! Sorry! I didn't mean any harm, I... I just..." She suddenly became nervous and didn't know how to explain herself.

Then, as if she remembered something, she struck her right fist into her left palm and took a Poké Ball from her belt. She pressed the button on the Poké Ball, enlarging it.

The Slowpoke lying on the floor, noticing the young woman's behavior, immediately opened his eyes and began to tense his body; this was Slowpoke's attack-ready stance.

Cain reached out and patted the head of the Slowpoke that had stood up, signaling him not to worry. He now remembered who this young woman was.

"Come out, Miltank!" The young woman, completely unaware of Cain and Slowpoke's reaction, released the Poké Ball. After a flash of red light, a rather robust Miltank appeared in the room.

"Mii~~?" Cain's Miltank, upon seeing the other Miltank released by the young woman, immediately got up with wide-open eyes.

Cain's Miltank didn't know how long it had been since she last saw another of her species. Incredibly, on the second day after joining Cain's team, she encountered another of her kind.

"Hehe, I'm also a Miltank trainer, so I couldn't resist seeing these adorable pink Pokémon. I hope you don't mind," the pink-haired girl said, scratching her head in embarrassment, then proudly patting her Miltank's head as she mentioned her.

"Mii~" The young woman's Miltank also noticed Cain's Miltank and greeted her with a soft call.

Pokémon: Miltank (Dark Green)

Gender: Female

Level: 23

Type: Normal

Ability: Thick Fat

Equipped Item: None

Egg Moves: Endure, Seismic Toss

Basic Moves: Tackle, Growl, Defense Curl, Stomp, Milk Drink, Bide, Rollout

Learned Moves: Heal Bell, Block, Fire Punch, Ice Punch, Thunder Punch

TM Moves: Dynamic Punch, Hidden Power (Water), Protect, Rest, Sleep Talk

Seeing the data scanned by the system, Cain's eye twitched a bit. The children of wealthy families really have it easy. Just seeing the three elemental punches among the taught moves, Cain couldn't help but feel a bit envious.

This Miltank has excellent stats and moves. If Slowpoke or Murkrow were to battle her one-on-one, they wouldn't necessarily win.

Additionally, at a glance, this Miltank's body and muscles are clearly more robust and solid than the one Cain just captured.

Evidently, it's a Pokémon that has been diligently trained, not one of those Pokémon used by pampered youngsters to show off.

(End of chapter)