Back at Verdanturf House, besides studying everything he could about Pokémon Breeding, Wally had never neglected his physical training.
However, because most of his energy had been devoted to studying, his physical condition was only slightly better than average for someone his age.
Carrying the container, Wally made his way beneath a tree and took out a piece of fruit to relieve his dry mouth.
Although the terrain was difficult to traverse, humans in this world possessed remarkably strong physiques.
With Wally’s physical condition, he could still endure it.
“The optimal hatching temperature for Flying-type Pokémon Eggs is forty degrees Celsius.
Although the nutrient solution releases heat, the temperature still isn’t high enough.
What’s more, Swablu’s Dragon-type bloodline has already been greatly enhanced.
I need to find a suitable place to hatch it.”
Wally lowered his head and glanced at the thermometer in his hand.
He knew that if an ordinary Flying-type Pokémon Egg was exposed to a hatching temperature above forty degrees Celsius, the embryo could potentially die.
However, with the nutrient solution regulating the temperature, the optimal temperature could be raised somewhat for Swablu.
A good hatching environment could also have a considerable influence on a Pokémon’s innate potential.
The white Pokémon Egg covered in blue patterns floated in the center of the nutrient solution, gently swaying as though it might crack open at any moment.
After observing it for quite some time, Wally decided to continue toward the upper reaches of Mt.
Chimney.
That area was close to the volcano’s crater, and the temperature at the outermost edge might be suitable for Swablu’s hatching.
Early that morning, Altaria had brought the Pokémon Egg down to him.
According to Professor Birch, if this Swablu was raised properly, its strength would eventually be comparable to the ace Pokémon of an Elite Four member from any region.
That gave Wally considerable motivation.
A Pokémon’s potential didn’t necessarily determine everything, but it was certainly a good starting point.
Wally was confident that he could raise Swablu properly.
Talent was important, but ultimately, one still had to rely on hard work.
…
…
High above the clouds, a dark figure watched Wally’s every movement.
It was Altaria.
Although Wally was the one undergoing the trial this time, Altaria couldn’t possibly feel at ease about its own child.
If the Pokémon Egg were ever threatened, it would appear immediately.
Meanwhile, hidden among the shadows of the forest, another figure was also keeping an eye on Wally.
It was one of Professor Birch’s Pokémon.
At present, it was carrying out Birch’s orders and secretly protecting Wally’s safety.
Without Beautifly at his side, Wally was simply too vulnerable while traveling alone through the forest.
No one could guarantee that an accident wouldn’t occur.
Wally, however, knew nothing about this.
Rustle, rustle—
Wally had only just begun moving when he suddenly saw a dark shape leap out.
He hurriedly tightened his arms around the Pokémon Egg and assumed a defensive stance, ready to flee if necessary.
But after getting a clear look at the creature, Wally finally relaxed.
It was an extremely small brown creature that looked remarkably similar to an acorn.
“Seedot?”
Wally shook his head and avoided the little Pokémon.
Because Seedot looked so much like an ordinary acorn, it often startled Pokémon searching for food in the forest.
Over time, this had given the species something of a mischievous reputation for frightening others.
Pidgey, in particular, were often startled by Seedot while searching for food.
Seedot generally wouldn’t initiate an attack, so after successfully startling Wally, it immediately bounced into the grass.
That had been a close call.
Fortunately, it wasn’t an aggressive Pokémon.
Mt.
Chimney was still some distance away.
Wally proceeded extremely cautiously, carefully observing his surroundings the entire way.
Yet even by the afternoon, he still hadn’t reached Mt.
Chimney.
“There’s a lake…”
A forest lake could be considered a small ecosystem in its own right.
Many Pokémon often lived around such places, since numerous species would come here to drink at certain times.
He was already nearing Mt.
Chimney, so Wally hadn’t expected to encounter a lake here.
At the moment, there weren’t many Pokémon around it.
As he approached, Wally could clearly see Barboach swimming through the water.
However, the moment the Barboach noticed Wally approaching, they immediately burrowed into the mud beneath the surface.
“Splash~~~~~~~~!!”
“Splash~~~~~~!!”
Two splashes rang out at almost the same time.
Water sprayed into the air, and from behind, Wally could see two Azurill jumping into the lake and playing in the water.
There were probably many more Pokémon nearby, but none of them revealed themselves to Wally.
He didn’t want to linger, either.
Without resting, he continued toward Mt.
Chimney.
Seeing these Water-type Pokémon stirred both affection and sadness within Wally.
Beautifly actually hadn’t been Verdanturf House’s first Pokémon.
When Wally had first arrived at Verdanturf House, Grandma Agatha had another Pokémon by her side.
Unfortunately, that Vaporeon had already grown very old and passed away not long afterward.
As a result, Grandma Agatha had fallen seriously ill.
After all, losing an old companion who had been by one’s side for decades was enough to leave anyone devastated.
“Sigh…”
Wally let out a long sigh.
He hated this feeling of having to part with someone through life and death.
Looking at the tiny life in his arms that was about to be born, Wally couldn’t help wondering what the world would look like several decades from now.
But it was far too early to think that far ahead.
Swablu hadn’t even been born yet.
There was still a wonderful future waiting for the two of them to explore.
Holding the Pokémon Egg close, Wally began to look forward to the birth of this new life.
“If I cross these thorns, I should be able to reach Mt.
Chimney, right?”
Wally continued forward.
He remembered what Professor Birch had told him.
Some routes might be blocked by thorny undergrowth, but when traveling through the wilderness, it was better to cross difficult thorn-covered terrain than to take a path covered with loose rocks.
“Chak…
chak…”
Wally had prepared a small knife beforehand.
There were clearly signs that people had passed through this area before, so the terrain wasn’t particularly difficult to navigate.
After placing the Pokémon Egg inside his backpack, he began cutting his way through the thorny vegetation.
But even by evening, Wally still hadn’t made it out of the thorny area.
He stopped walking.
Wally decided to spend the night here.
Given the environment, there were clearly few, if any, Pokémon living in this particular area, making it relatively safe.
It was Wally’s first night here, and he felt extremely lonely.
Unlike before, Beautifly wasn’t by his side this time.
The cold, pitch-black night seemed to constantly stimulate his senses.
This was the first time he had ever spent a night alone in the wilderness.
To be honest, Wally hated the feeling.
Humans were social creatures.
The more people there were around, the safer one tended to feel.
Perhaps because he had only recently set out on his journey, Wally was still somewhat unaccustomed to this situation.
Although he was beneath a volcano, nighttime here was completely different from the scorching heat of the day.
A chill gradually crept over Wally.
To protect Swablu’s Egg, he had no choice but to hold it tightly as he fell asleep, using his own body heat to provide the Egg with a comfortable environment.
This trial could also be considered a form of training for Wally himself.
It would last an entire month.
For any Trainer, one month wasn’t particularly long.
But faced with this indescribable sense of unfamiliarity, Wally couldn’t help clicking his tongue in discomfort.
This wasn’t like traveling.
He was completely cut off from human civilization.
And honestly, he really didn’t like it.