READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 102 – Inner Turmoil
AN: Please bear the cringe. I know you can do it!
...
"Floyd-san, how about becoming a researcher? I really think it's a waste of your talent if you don't become one. I will teach you a lot if you want," Kanraku suggested as they gathered around the saplings.
More than an hour had passed since Kang Jihoon and the others left. Behind them, there were additional Squirtle and Wartortle. They had successfully caught their second Pokémon on their own. Following this, many people had seen Kang Jihoon's Squirtle and wanted to catch one for themselves, but they were stopped by Le Mai Linh as it was time to start their Martial Arts training.
As for Floyd, he was exempted from training since it was optional for him; he didn't really need to attend if he didn't want to. Since he was busy today, he chose to stay behind.
Many Pokémon had also returned from the Beast's Sanctuary, bidding goodbye to Floyd and the Wild Pokémon. The Wild Pokémon, having spent a few hours interacting with them, had become close to the other Pokémon and listened with awe to their stories. They suddenly found themselves not wanting to leave anymore.
"Professor, my goal is to be a trainer and a breeder, not a researcher," Floyd shook his head, rejecting Kanraku's offer.
"Well, I figured you would say that. It just feels like a pity," Kanraku sighed, having expected his answer, and nodded in understanding.
"Even if I don't become a researcher, I will help you discover a lot of beasts. My dream is to explore the world. This world isn't the same as before, and for sure, a lot has changed. This job is suited for people like me who have strong beasts," Floyd said, then added, "To be honest, you could also be a trainer yourself. Your Blastoise is strong."
"Well, maybe being a trainer will just be a hobby for me. I won't delve into it too much," Kanraku nodded, explaining his thoughts.
"ROAR!" Suddenly, they heard a loud roar followed by a loud bang, which disappeared after a few seconds.
"It must be the Gyarados, the stronger one," Floyd said, shaking his head helplessly.
"Should we check it out?" Kanraku asked.
"Alright," Floyd nodded, and they rushed towards the location of the Gyarados' roar.
"To be honest, I'm here because I woke up due to the hot temperature and saw the brightest sun, so I decided to come here. I never expected that I would witness a miracle," Kanraku smiled bitterly.
"There are still a lot of beasts in the world, so we can expect to see many more miracles," Floyd replied with a smile.
"Yeah," Kanraku nodded, and they continued on their way.
Upon arriving, they found the stronger Gyarados unconscious on the ground, having been defeated by Kanraku's Blastoise. The younger Gyarados, now awake, was nervous as he saw four Blastoise carefully watching him. He didn't act as fierce as before and was cautious, wary that the four Blastoise might attack him.
Then he saw Floyd and Kanraku. His eyes turned red, but he suddenly felt a warning shot from the four Blastoise and saw Fraxure looking at him warily. The young Gyarados decided to behave again.
"Oh, you didn't make a ruckus just like your father," Floyd teased.
"ROAR" (So what if I am? What do you care?) The young Gyarados snorted and lay beside his father.
"Here's some food for you and your father; you didn't eat yesterday," Floyd said as he threw a bag of food at them. The young Gyarados snorted and turned his head away from the bag, trying to resist the temptation.
Floyd, unfazed by his reaction, gave food to Kanraku's Blastoise, who happily accepted it.
"Let's go, Fraxure," Floyd said, deciding to head back to his remaining Pokémon.
"ROAR" (Where's my sister?) The young Gyarados asked.
"She's in training," Floyd responded.
"ROAR?" (Training? What is that?)
"It's something that makes you stronger; you need training. Do you recognize this guy? He's the beast that you defeated with one hit a week ago. Back then, he was a smaller creature, an Axew, and now he has evolved into what he is today," Floyd explained, pointing at Fraxure.
"ROAR" (What do you mean? I defeated it?)
"Fra-xure," Fraxure nodded and took over the explanation, embellishing his words because he knew Floyd wanted to recruit this young Gyarados.
With that, the young Gyarados's eyes lit up; no wonder this creature seemed familiar. It must have been the small green bipedal creature he met last week, which had now transformed into a Fraxure.
"ROAR" (Why would a Pokémon like you follow a weak human? Not just you, but even that big blue turtle. I don't understand.)
"ROAR" (You are strong; I admit it, but you are strong and yet bound by the hands of a weak human. Is that fine with you?)
"Fra-xure" (Master is part of my family. When I'm young, he's the one who takes care of me when I'm in danger. I also have younger brothers and sisters. If I leave, who will take care of them? And I would never leave. No matter what happens, I will forever protect my family.)
Floyd was surprised by Fraxure's confession. His eyes moistened as he felt a surge of gratitude towards Fraxure. Out of all his Pokémon, Fraxure was the one Floyd worried about the least and trusted the most. Their eight-month journey had already tested their trust in each other.
"ROAR" (You… you have no parents? Where are your real parents?)
"Fra-xure" (My mother almost killed me, so I escaped.)
The Gyarados fell silent.
Floyd knew about Fraxure's real parents. Fraxure's mother was unexpectedly a Salazzle, which Fraxure had already told him about. As for his father, who was undoubtedly a Haxorus, Fraxure knew nothing. However, Floyd was certain that there must be a Haxorus tribe in Maharlika, somewhere near the place where Floyd and Axew first met. He just didn't dare to go there because it was too dangerous and he was still too weak.
"Gyarados, if you are interested, you can come with me and watch how we trains," Floyd smiled, inviting the young Gyarados in front of him.
Hearing this, the young Gyarados became interested, but seeing Floyd's smile and knowing that his father was still here, he suppressed his curiosity and snorted, ignoring Floyd.
Floyd just gave a helpless smile and said, "You can eat the food in the bag, and once your father awakens later, give it to him. I will go now. Come on, let's go, Fraxure," he pointed out the bag he had given earlier, and then Floyd and Fraxure went back to their training area.
Feeling that they were far away, the young Gyarados looked back at them. He felt an impulse to follow but suppressed it. Then he looked at the bag of food and snorted. However, his tail slowly started to reach towards it.