“Fairy-Type Attribute Affinity?
If I were her, I’d definitely show it off in front of my biggest rival.” Hearing Adrian Sterling’s response, Xia Chuchu nodded subconsciously before realizing what he meant.
“Brother!” She stomped her foot angrily, glaring at him.
“I asked you to help me come up with a solution, not make me feel worse!” — Attribute Affinity was a special talent.
Besides Fairy-Type Affinity, there were also Fire-Type Affinity, Grass-Type Affinity, and affinities for every other Pokémon type.
As the name suggested, Attribute Affinity greatly increased a Trainer’s bond with Pokémon of the corresponding type, allowing them to gain a Pokémon’s trust and affection much more quickly.
It could be considered a weaker version of an Attribute Heart.
An Attribute Heart not only possessed all the benefits of Attribute Affinity but also accelerated a Pokémon’s growth without any side effects.
Attribute Affinity, however, lacked that additional effect.
Like many innate talents, Attribute Affinity was divided into five grades: – Primary – Intermediate – Advanced – Top-Tier – Perfect Although its effect seemed simple, it was still an extremely rare special ability.
Among ten thousand Trainers, it was possible that not even one would awaken an Attribute Affinity.
Even so…
Compared to other extraordinary talents, it was actually one of the easiest abilities to awaken.
It also had a much stronger hereditary influence than most other special abilities.
Take the Xia Family’s Steel Heart, for example.
Although it could be inherited through bloodlines, the probability was incredibly low.
Among the current generation of the Xia Family…
Only Adrian had awakened the Steel Heart.
No one else had.
Even more astonishing…
He had awakened the Perfect Steel Heart, making him only the second person in the Xia Family’s thousand-year history to achieve such a feat.
At that level…
Quality far outweighed quantity.
— “Alright, alright.
I surrender.” Seeing his little sister growing more frustrated, Adrian raised both hands with a smile.
“But I still don’t understand.” “Attribute Affinity doesn’t directly increase a Trainer’s combat ability.” “So why are you so worried?” He tilted his head thoughtfully.
“Sure, you didn’t awaken the Perfect Steel Heart like your incredibly talented older brother.” “In fact, you didn’t even awaken the most basic Steel Heart.” “But your talent is still perfectly respectable.” “So why panic over someone with Fairy-Type Attribute Affinity?” — Xia Chuchu narrowed her eyes.
She felt as though Adrian was deliberately rubbing salt into her wounds.
“If you’re so brave…” “Go say that in front of our eldest sister.” “She didn’t awaken the Steel Heart either.” Within the Xia Family, their eldest sister, Xia Yan, possessed absolute authority over both Adrian and Xia Chuchu.
No matter how confident they acted, neither dared challenge her.
— Adrian puffed out his chest proudly.
“I’m already a Pokémon Trainer now.” “Give me a few years.” “I’ll surpass everyone.” “I’ll suppress every opponent in the world…” “Including Xia Yan.” As he spoke, he reached over and pinched Xia Chuchu’s cheeks with both hands, stretching them outward until she nearly showed her molars.
“You…” “Are…” “Such…” “A liar…” She struggled to speak while repeatedly smacking his hands away.
“Hmph.” “A liar?” “Even if Xia Yan were standing right here, I’d say exactly the same thing.” His voice was firm.
His expression was serious.
Unfortunately…
The subtle glance he instinctively cast toward the doorway betrayed just how guilty he actually felt.
Thankfully…
She isn’t here.
Otherwise…
He definitely wouldn’t have dared say any of that.
— “Brother!” “We’re running out of time!” “Hurry up and teach me some unbeatable strategy!” Xia Chuchu checked the time impatiently.
She wasn’t interested in continuing their sibling quarrel.
The only reason she’d come looking for Adrian was because she hoped he’d teach her a guaranteed way to defeat Liu Ruyan during the Battle Club competition.
Adrian rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“I might actually know one.” Her eyes instantly sparkled.
“Really?” “What is it?” “Hmm…” “Come on!” “Hurry!” “Hmm…” “Please, dear brother!” Under her increasingly hopeful gaze…
Adrian slowly opened his mouth.
“The secret is…” “I’m not telling you.” The moment he finished speaking…
He turned and ran.
“Adrian Sterling!!” “I’m going to kill you!” Xia Chuchu’s furious scream echoed throughout the house.
Adrian couldn’t help laughing.
He had absolutely no intention of getting involved in a rivalry between two little girls.
— “I wonder when Big Sis will be back.” Thinking of Xia Yan, Adrian took out his phone and called her.
Although it was currently summer vacation…
Xia Yan was already a third-year student at the Imperial Capital Steel Academy and would soon begin her fourth year.
Students at that level rarely enjoyed proper holidays.
The call connected…
Only to end with a busy signal.
“In the wilderness again?” Adrian muttered before hanging up.
— The world was enormous.
Human nations occupied only a small fraction of it.
Nearly eighty percent of the planet remained covered by forests, mountains, lakes, deserts, and oceans.
Those untamed regions belonged to Pokémon.
Many wilderness areas had no communication signals whatsoever.
Even satellite phones often became unreliable because of powerful environmental interference.
Adrian wasn’t worried about Xia Yan’s safety.
After all…
She had already reached the Quasi-Elite level.
A level that ninety-nine percent of Trainers would never attain in their entire lives.
More importantly…
She carried a special Guardian Pokémon entrusted to her by their grandfather.
Guardian Pokémon functioned much like personal protectors in fantasy novels.
They normally stayed hidden.
Only when their master faced mortal danger would they appear.
Nearly every descendant of a great family carried one while training outside.
The only difference was how powerful their Guardian Pokémon happened to be.
— Pokémon had made this world prosperous.
They had also made it incredibly dangerous.
Pokémon born within cities generally developed a natural affinity toward humans.
Wild Pokémon were completely different.
Even gentle Grass-type Pokémon would aggressively drive away—or outright attack—any stranger who entered their territory.
If someone accidentally wandered into the territory of powerful predators such as Ursaring or Nidoking…
They had better possess enough strength to defend themselves.
Otherwise…
They—or their Pokémon—might become dinner.
After all…
There were no Pokémon Centers…
No Energy Cubes…
And no prepared Pokémon food in the wilderness.
While some Pokémon survived on berries, leaves, and plants…
Many others were carnivores.
Their prey…
Was other Pokémon.
— After leaving the house, Adrian headed toward the family’s backyard.
It was home to many of the Pokémon that his grandfather and father no longer used regularly.
He always enjoyed spending time there.
The moment he arrived…
Several Steel-type Pokémon immediately surrounded him.
Magneton.
Klang.
Probopass.
Each wore an expression that practically begged for head pats.
Compared to the affectionate Steel-types…
The family’s other Pokémon were much more reserved.
Most merely nodded politely before returning to what they were doing.
Pokémon generally possessed a very strong sense of personal boundaries.
Unless someone was their own Trainer…
Many wouldn’t even acknowledge that person’s family members.
If Adrian hadn’t possessed the Perfect Steel Heart…
These Steel-type Pokémon would never have been so attached to him.
That was also why a deceased Trainer’s Pokémon weren’t automatically inherited by their children.
Otherwise…
After several generations, powerful Elite-level Pokémon could simply be passed down indefinitely.
In reality…
If a Trainer lacked the ability to earn a Pokémon’s trust—or if the bond between them wasn’t deep enough— The Pokémon would usually choose to leave after its Trainer passed away.
Give me more motivation!