"Heh, what do you elite members cultivated by the Alliance know? You have no idea what someone like me, who rose from the depths of this world, has had to endure."
The woman wore a look of evident disdain. Despite having worked for the Alliance for so long, what she despised most were those so-called elite members.
They had access to the best resources, the best conditions, and were full of arrogance, yet their skills left much to be desired. That was her opinion of the Alliance's elite.
Even those who seemed stronger were nothing more than decorations—greenhouse flowers. They had never experienced a real Pokémon battle, only what they called "combat training."
Could they even be considered true trainers?
In today's relatively peaceful environment, their existence wasn't a problem. But if the Alliance thought it could thrive solely on such people, it was utterly ridiculous!
Her name was Kaya, and she was born in a small town in the Hoenn region. As a commoner, her first Pokémon was a Wurmple she caught by risking her life in a forest. From that moment on, through constant effort, she became an official trainer.
Then, after much time and countless hardships, she managed to become a worker for the Alliance.
It took her years to realize just how extraordinary her talent was.
If the Alliance had supported her from the beginning, now, at twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, she wouldn't just be at an advanced or near-elite level—she could have even aspired to the elite level.
But she didn't have that option. She was merely an ordinary trainer with no background and average abilities. Perhaps, if she worked for the Alliance for decades, her children might earn the title of elite members of the Alliance.
However, she wasn't willing to let her life end that way. That's why she secretly collaborated with Team Magma, gaining various benefits in return and slowly improving her power.
As for the isolated environment she found herself in, it didn't pressure her at all. In fact, it offered her a sense of tranquility deep within her soul.
But for everything received, a price must be paid. She betrayed the Alliance's trust and squandered some of its resources, which was why Cain and Steven were now here, representing the Alliance, to reclaim all that had been lost.
"Do you think you're the only one who's a commoner? If you don't put in enough effort and fight with determination, it's not fate that's unfair—it's you who's self-destructing," Cain said. Although Steven had no authority in such matters, Cain certainly did.
As a commoner who had lived two lives, Cain understood well the distortions of values in this world. However, what good was understanding them?
If you lack absolute power, you can only resign yourself to it; otherwise, you'll be crushed by this world.
Only when you have enough power can you attempt to change this world. Until then, even if you're a dragon, you'll have to hide, and if you're a tiger, you'll have to crouch.
Cain's words left Kaya stunned. She realized Cain was also a commoner, not too different from herself. Yet, he had reached his current position through sheer effort, leaving her speechless.
Steven, listening to the conversation between Cain and Kaya, cast a complex look at Cain.
He, too, knew there were many injustices in the world, but he couldn't do anything about them. After all, he was part of the privileged class. And while he was theoretically the main heir of the Stone family, he still held no real power.
Perhaps, if he someday became the Champion of the Hoenn region, he could make some changes.
"Enough talk. It's clear you're here to take me back. It's surprising you managed to find this place!" Kaya said, reluctant to continue conversing with Cain and Steven.
She had found this place by chance during a mission. Initially, she didn't pay much attention to it, but after spending some time there, she realized that Bug-type Pokémon experienced incredibly rapid growth in this area.
As a trainer who started as a commoner, all her Pokémon were Bug-types, so this place seemed as if it had been specially prepared for her by fate.
Moreover, on her first expedition here, she captured an incredibly powerful Bug-type Pokémon that she had yet to use. It was her trump card—the reason she dared to face Cain and Steven.
As for the earthquake felt in the area, she believed it was simply due to the proximity to the Earth's core, caused by tectonic movements or underground magma flow. It didn't affect her life or training there.
Kaya was convinced that if she lived there for a year, she could reach the near-elite level. If she stayed for three years, she might have the power to aim for the elite level.
For now, her sole task was to keep Cain and Steven occupied. Although their Pokémon intrigued her, she knew they wouldn't have the advantage in this environment, whereas Bug-types certainly would.
Those two elite members of the Alliance, those greenhouse flowers—even if their power matched hers, she was confident she could handle them.
"Then there's nothing more to say. When you return to the Alliance, you can explain everything," Cain said with a smile.
After all, Kaya was just another victim of this cruel world.
Cain activated his telepathic communication ability, enveloping Steven and his Pokémon.
Metagross, Aggron, Slowking, Drapion, Floette, and Gengar... all incredibly powerful.
"Hmph! Then try defeating my Pokémon first. Ninjask, Shedinja, use the usual tactic!" Kaya let out a cold laugh as she released three Poké Balls, revealing three Pokémon.
One was a Beedrill, nearly twice its usual size, a Heracross, and the last one... an Armaldo!
Steven was stunned.
There was an Armaldo standing before him!
After Cain had explained Anorith and Lileep to him, Steven had researched and discovered that the evolved form of Anorith was precisely the Pokémon standing in front of him: Armaldo!
Kaya had an Armaldo! Cain was also taken aback.
This Armaldo had been captured by Kaya during her first discovery of this place.
At the time, Kaya didn't realize Armaldo was a fossil Pokémon. After expending a large number of resources to capture it, she used her connections within the Alliance and her dealings with Team Magma to investigate more about Armaldo.
Now, she believed she knew enough about the Pokémon.
There was no longer any reason to hide it.
No more pretense! She was ready to face them with everything she had!
(End of Chapter)