"You two just came out of that area, so I assume you've already met with that Pidgeot?" Vice President Cloud asked with a smile.
"Yeah, we did," Nathan nodded.
Vice President Cloud continued, "Earlier, I sensed the aura of a Elite-level Pokémon erupting from this area, so I suspected that something might've angered the Pidgeot. I came over to investigate. After patrolling the area, I was planning to ask the Pidgeot directly. But now it seems I can just ask you two instead."
"Feel free to ask anything, Vice President Cloud. We won't hide anything," Nathan shrugged slightly with a small smile.
"Thanks, I appreciate it." Despite his status as Vice President of the Pokémon Association branch, Vice President Cloud came off as very approachable. He then asked about the reason behind the Pidgeot's anger.
Nathan and Lily shared the details truthfully.
After understanding the situation, Vice President Cloud suddenly realized, "So that's what happened. Its offspring died? And it was killed by its natural enemy, an Arbok? No wonder it was so furious."
Then Vice President Cloud grew even more curious, "But why did the two of you meet the Pidgeot in the first place?"
A Elite-level Pokémon like Pidgeot doesn't just meet anyone. Even Shane himself could only meet such powerful Pokémon because he was responsible for maintaining relations between humans and the dominant Pokémon in the secret realms around Yangcheng.
"Uh..." Nathan scratched his head, then grinned, "Well, during its battle with Arbok, I kinda helped out a bit and took care of the Arbok. As a thank-you, the Pidgeot invited us over."
Lily could tell Nathan was lying, but she just smiled silently beside him, saying nothing.
"'Kinda helped out'? Really?" Vice President Cloud looked taken aback, then twitched at the corners of his mouth.
Do you two take me for a fool?
That was a Elite-level battle! Even if the opponent was only Gym-level, it's not like two newbies like you could just jump in and "help."
"Ahem..."
"Well..." Vice President Cloud hesitated for a moment, rubbing his hands together before gritting his teeth and saying, "Kid, let's be honest. I know who you are. I watched your battle in the Trial Tournament. And to tell you the truth, I already know about your conversation with the Pidgeot."
"Then why did you even ask?" Nathan rolled his eyes.
He already suspected this. When he was negotiating with Pidgeot, the Poké Ball on his neck grew hot, and Volcarona had warned him there was another powerful presence nearby. But since it wasn't hostile, Volcarona didn't show itself.
After leaving and recognizing Vice President Cloud's identity, Nathan figured the hidden Pokémon had probably belonged to him.
"Ahem," Vice President Cloud rubbed his nose, a bit embarrassed. "I was just setting up for what I'm about to say."
"Vice President Cloud, is there something you'd like to discuss?" Lily asked directly. She also suspected Vice President Cloud had something specific to talk to Nathan about.
"Yes." Shane nodded, then got straight to the point. "I've been wondering how you managed to strike a deal with the Pidgeot. Back when I tried, I asked it for a Salac Berry and it flat-out refused. That bird's got a real temper. But—"
"Oh, I get it. You want a Salac Berry from me?" Nathan instantly grew wary.
"No, not asking! Hear me out—it's a trade, a trade!" Vice President Cloud snapped, clearly annoyed. "What's with that suspicious look? I'm not some shady guy—I'm the Vice President of the local Pokémon League branch."
"A trade?" Nathan raised an eyebrow.
"Exactly." Shane rubbed his hands and explained, "You might not know, but Salac Berries are classified as top-tier resources—extremely rare. Right now, not only our Yangcheng branch but I myself am in desperate need of them. Although the League distributes a limited supply every year, it's nowhere near enough for the number of Trainers here. So I was hoping we could work something out. Maybe you could trade a portion of your Salac Berries to the League—either for Pokécoins or other valuable resources. I promise to offer the most sincere price."
Salac Berries were indeed scarce in the real world. Although they existed, they grew in places humans couldn't easily reach. For example, the Himalayas housed several such rare fruit trees. But due to its integration with multiple secret realms, the area had become home to countless powerful Pokémon.
Elite-level Pokémon were common there, and even a Master-level Tyranitar was said to dwell in the area—an absolute monster. Even the country's top-ranking Champions wouldn't dare set foot there lightly.
And this wasn't unique to one region. Globally, many uncharted territories filled with precious resources had become dominions of wild Pokémon, guarded fiercely.
As a result, most human resources came from secret realms.
Some secret realms merged with the real world in manageable ways, falling under human control. But those in remote, unexplored areas remained completely inaccessible.
Anyway, back to the point.
Salac Berries were allocated annually by the League headquarters, distributed down to each national and local branch.
Each branch got a measly share—barely enough to meet demand.
These berries are some of the best resources for nurturing beginner Pokémon.
When the League hands them out, they're quickly snapped up by Trainers, leaving nothing for those who come later.
As the Vice President of the Poplar City League branch, Vice President Cloud was struggling. He had just caught a new Pokémon that needed Salac Berries for training, but the branch's warehouse didn't have a single one left.
He'd even asked around among his contacts and came up empty.
And on the open market? Forget it. Nobody was selling. And if anyone was, it got bought up instantly.
Nathan had no idea how valuable these berries were—and understandably so. He hadn't looked into it carefully.
"Anyway, if you're open to it, in the future you could trade a portion of your Salac Berries from Pidgeot to the Poplar City branch. Whether you want Pokécoins or other resources, I can offer you a very fair deal. What do you think?" Shang offered sincerely.
He had originally planned to pressure Nathan a little using his authority, maybe squeeze out a few berries. But after seeing that the kid wasn't the least bit intimidated, even after knowing his rank, Shane decided to be upfront.
This kid was still a high schooler, but he was sharp.
"Let me think about it," Nathan replied softly. He didn't accept right away. His top priority was selling them for Pokécoins—he needed money.
With money, he could buy better items from the system shop.
But trading for other resources wasn't a bad idea either—some things weren't even available in the system shop.
"Of course," Shang nodded. "Here, take my number. If you make a decision, just give me a call. Honestly, I feel like we hit it off—better to sell to someone you know than a stranger, right?"
"Hit it off?" Nathan looked skeptical.
"Ahem, not important," Shane waved it off awkwardly. "Don't ruin the moment."
After noting the vice president's number, Nathan asked curiously, "By the way, can I know what Pokémon you used to eavesdrop on my conversation with Pidgeot?"
"Uh… it was Gengar."
Shane rubbed his nose and corrected him, "And it wasn't eavesdropping—it was 'investigative observation.' Just happened to overhear, okay?"
He was a Vice President, after all—'eavesdropping' sounded way too shady.
…
After leaving his contact info, Vice President Cloud took off.
He had a lot on his plate and couldn't afford to stick around.
With him gone, Nathan and Lily continued on their journey.
"Didn't expect so much to happen during our first time in a secret realm," Lily sighed.
Most people didn't have such dramatic experiences on their first trip—encountering a Elite-level Pokémon battle, receiving a gift from one, and meeting a high-ranking League official?
Lily was truly amazed.
"What do you plan to do with your two Salac Berries?" Nathan asked her.
"Haven't decided yet. But most likely, one for Pidgey and one for Vulpix," she said after thinking about it. She had two Pokémon and two berries—it only made sense to split them evenly. After all, Pokémon can feel envy and jealousy too.
"And you? You've got a lot more. Maybe consider trading for other resources?" Lily added. Selling to the League wasn't on her radar at all—she didn't think Nathan would do that either. Such valuable resources were worth far more than Pokécoins.
They should be used to strengthen Pokémon. With stronger Pokémon, making money would be much easier.
"I'm still thinking about it," Nathan replied softly. He hadn't decided yet, but he was definitely going to sell one or two berries to the League branch.
He really needed money.
"You could trade for a Dusk Stone," Lily suggested.
The Dusk Stone wasn't an evolution stone, but it was infused with powerful Dark-type energy and came from areas inhabited by Dark-type Pokémon.
It wasn't a huge power-up, but still quite useful.
When held by a Pokémon, it boosts the strength of Dark-type moves.
Some Pokémon could even use it to evolve, though it wasn't always required.
Take Pancham, for instance.
In the games, Pancham evolves into Pangoro when there's a Dark-type in the team. But in this real world, it needed to sense and absorb Dark energy to evolve.
The higher the quality of the Dusk Stone, the more significant the evolution boost.
"You're right. I do need one," Nathan nodded. Maybe he would trade for one later.
Then he shook his head. "Forget it. I'll wait until we leave the secret realm. For now, let's keep training. I've got the next Trial Tournament in a week."
"With Volcarona by your side, the championship is as good as yours," Lily said.
"Volcarona won't act unless it's absolutely necessary."
"Doesn't matter—it'll come through when the time comes. Just don't forget us when you're rich and famous."
"Call me daddy."
"Get lost!"
They bantered as they continued their training in the secret realm.
Lily focused on training Vulpix and Pidgey, building emotional bonds and battle synergy through combat. She also tailored their training based on specific needs.
Being a top student, Lily's knowledge of Pokémon surpassed even Nathan's. Naturally, her training methods were solid.
Nathan, on the other hand, kept training his Pancham with weighted ankle bands.
The weights were now up to 10 kilograms, but Pancham had adapted and could even battle low-level wild Pokémon with them on without losing.
Time flew during training.
Lily stayed for three days before heading out. Being a girl, she wasn't used to staying in the wild for too long. This time, she managed only because Nathan was with her. Otherwise, she would've left after the second day.
The day after she left, Nathan contacted Vice President Cloud and traded two Salac Berries.
One was exchanged for a top-quality Dusk Stone.
The other was sold to the Yangcheng branch for one million Pokécoins.
When Vice President Cloud brought the stone and the money to the secret realm, he had a huge grin on his face and even said, "Let me know if you need anything else next time."
Nathan didn't use the Dusk Stone right away—Pancham wasn't strong enough yet.
As for the million Pokécoins, he immediately spent 100,000 to buy Fire Punch and Ice Punch moves.
Training continued.
Before he knew it, several more days had passed.