-072- Return to the Residence!

After spending four days in the forest, Tong Si had gained much. The three, after discussing among themselves, decided to return home.

Another day's journey brought them finally to the entrance. The Greenleaf Forest had more than one gateway; the entry and exit were interchangeable. Staff members opened the gate and allowed Tong Si and his companions out.

"Tong Si, thank you so much for looking after us these past days. See you after the semester starts."

"Tong Si, I want to thank you as well. Without your help, I could never have captured such a strong Heracross!"

Wei Nans and Qi Bingyuan both expressed their gratitude to Tong Si.

It was worth mentioning that both were students at Jiahua University. Coincidentally, Tong Si had already encountered several Jiahua students. If not for the fact that most members of the Golden Sun Club weren't from Jiahua, Tong Si would have suspected the university's entrance requirements were rather lax.

"Once you're back, be sure to train your Pinsir and Heracross well!"

"We will!"

"Absolutely!"

After giving them some parting advice, Tong Si and the others went their separate ways.

Only as they were leaving did Tong Si realize that the two not only had their starter Pokémon and the newly captured bug-types. Their families' elders had each given them a Pokémon for protection. Wei Nans had a Pidgeot, Qi Bingyuan a Tauros. These Pokémon were not only for safeguarding them, but could also be used as mounts.

Each mounted their respective Pokémon and departed from Greenleaf Forest.

Tong Si twitched at the corner of his mouth. "Rich kids really have it good!"

He glanced at the four Poké Balls in his pocket—not a single one suitable for riding!

"I must capture a mount!"

Seeing their rides only strengthened Tong Si's resolve. Moreover, this mount must be strong in battle and able to fly. Anything less was unacceptable! Ideally, something like Rayquaza—able to fly and fight, and with a striking appearance!

Of course, this thought flashed by; reality was not so generous.

Fortunately, there were still opportunities outside Greenleaf Forest.

Tong Si waited nearly half an hour before he managed to catch a speedy Dodrio.

The journey from Greenleaf Forest back to JOJO Breeding House cost him several thousand League coins.

Returning at last to the familiar JOJO Breeding House, Tong Si opened the glass door and stepped inside. It was much as he had left it.

Back in the yard, the flowers and plants were as vibrant as ever, and every Pokémon was full of energy.

"I must thank Sister Xin; it seems she came by every day to feed you all."

Tong Si looked at the Pokémon before him.

"Ha-po."

"Ha-po..."

"Ha-po..."

The five Lotad seemed to have grown a bit more; evidently, they had been eating well.

"Karoo!"

"Karoo..."

The two Magikarp were splashing even faster now.

The Barboach was still tirelessly loosening the soil in its patch; Tong Si almost wanted to award it a medal for diligence.

The three runaway brothers were napping in the yard but came to greet him when they saw Tong Si return.

"Come out!"

Tong Si released three Pokémon from their balls; as for Cherry Blossom Treasure, it remained inside for now. He still needed to find time to deliver it for the task.

"Bee-bee!"

"Ye..."

"Ba-tsi!"

Each Pokémon reacted differently upon returning to the backyard.

The Elekid was greeted by familiar, comforting scents; its carefully stacked rock pile had been untouched for a long while.

Leafeon was sleepy—on such a beautiful afternoon, not basking in the sun for a nap would be a waste!

For Shuckle, seeing so many Pokémon was exciting. It was its first time in Tong Si's backyard, and it was surprised by the lovely decorations.

"Let me introduce you to our new companion, Shuckle!"

Tong Si formally introduced Shuckle to all the Pokémon in the yard.

Everyone welcomed Shuckle warmly.

Leafeon, however, drew curious glances—who was it, exactly? The three runaway brothers looked puzzled; where was their big sister Eevee?

"System, let Leafeon revert to Eevee!"

Tong Si thought it would be inconvenient for Leafeon to remain in its evolved form, so he decided to change it back to Eevee for now. He had earned plenty of points in Greenleaf Forest, so spending five hundred thousand points was not an issue.

Moreover, this was the promise he had made with Leafeon before its evolution.

Of course, claiming not to feel any pain would be dishonest—it was five hundred thousand points, after all. But for Eevee to be able to show itself, the points had to be spent.

[Beep-bo]

[Using Pokémon Restoration ability, deducting five hundred thousand points]

As the system's voice faded, Leafeon reverted to Eevee before everyone's eyes.

"Boo-yee!!!"

Eevee excitedly dashed around the yard.

!!!∑(ﾟДﾟノ)ノ

"Da-qiu!!"

...

(;ﾟДﾟi|!)

"Wo-oh!!"

...

(ｷ｀ﾟДﾟ´)!!

"Bo!!"

...

The three runaway brothers jumped in shock when they saw Eevee appear. What kind of magical power was this? It wasn't their first time witnessing it! Last time it was a yellow spiky Pokémon, this time a green leafy one?

The Lotad troupe was dumbfounded, covering their awkwardness with "Ha-po" cries.

The diligent Barboach ignored the commotion; a good fish should quietly loosen the soil.

"Karoo!"

"Karoo..."

The two Magikarp splashed even harder, hoping that one day a miracle might happen to them.

"Ba-tsi ba-tsi..."

Shuckle's reaction was delayed; after Eevee had already been lively for a while, it suddenly popped out of its shell, twitching in the open—what was going on? Where was the Leafeon that promised to protect it?

"Boo-yee boo-yee~"

Eevee came over to pat the shell-less Shuckle, assuring it that even in Eevee form, it would look after it.

Elekid was unfazed, long accustomed to Tong Si's magical tricks.

From the data panel, Tong Si saw that Eevee still retained the Chlorophyll trait. The weather was good, and the trait was subtly active. Eevee’s motion was noticeably quicker than before. It also continued to radiate a faint grass element.

Moreover, the new skills learned as Leafeon were still usable.

"Wonderful!"

Tong Si couldn't help but be delighted. Eevee not only mastered electric skills but now also grass skills. If this continued, evolving through all its forms, wouldn't it be able to command nine types, including normal? Truly worthy of the title Arceus-Eevee!

He wondered if this world had any new Eevee evolutions—perhaps Fighting, Ghost, Dragon, and so on. Though none of these forms were known yet, who could say they wouldn't appear in the future?

After all, Sylveon was only discovered in recent years as a new type of Eevee evolution.

If eventually he could achieve a full-attribute Eevee, then it would truly be Arceus-Eevee!

...(To be continued)