Join my p@treon for more chapters
[email protected]/Tempest_29
Late that night, the discussion in Jacob's family continued.
Asher resolutely gave the Charmander egg to Jacob because the College Cup six months later was crucial for his brother's future, and as family, he naturally offered his unconditional and complete support.
After many twists and turns, the Charmander egg that Jacob had been thinking about finally returned to his hands. However, he was determined to compensate his brother. At this moment, he thought of the S-level Thunder Stone he had acquired, took it out, and handed it to Asher solemnly: "Brother, you must accept this Thunder Stone, otherwise I'll never accept the egg."
"Okay." Seeing Jacob's firm attitude, Asher didn't hesitate this time and nodded in agreement.
"Three Pokémon have been confirmed. Jacob, you must improve your strength as much as possible over the next six months. You need to request leave from school tomorrow and prepare for the competition. Let me be clear—it's absolutely not possible for you to train alone during these six months. I'll find a training class or a secret location for your intensive training," Rory said as he lit a cigarette and took a deep drag, surrounded by smoke while contemplating training options. "Is there any place you'd prefer to go?"
The quality of training facilities in a small city like Starlight City was limited; at minimum, they would need to consider Embermere City. At this time every year, numerous College Cup special training programs emerged—some were genuinely effective, while others merely exploited young trainers financially under the guise of training.
"I want to train in the Dragon-type Secret Realm," Jacob stated. With three Dragon-type Pokémon, going there for specialized training was undoubtedly his best option.
There were only two Dragon Secret Realms in China—one in the capital and another in Drakehold. The training fees at these facilities were exorbitantly expensive, requiring substantial financial resources. The key issue was the limited availability—each Secret Realm typically offered only 30 positions annually for College Cup training, with registration fees as high as one million Pokédollars. Furthermore, the facilities verified applicants' Pokémon qualifications, as accepting subpar candidates would damage their reputation.
After hearing Jacob's answer, Rory silently took another deep drag from his cigarette, secretly glanced at his wife Zoe, and slowly said, "Jacob, go to bed now. I'll discuss this with your mother and let you know tomorrow. Remember to request leave from school."
"Okay, Dad."
"Asher, you should rest too. You're getting married soon, so be more sensible and cause me less worry."
"Got it, Dad."
After both sons had entered their rooms, the couple fell into silence. After ten minutes, Rory finally spoke: "Zoe..."
"Rory, no need to explain—I understand," Zoe said, sitting in her chair with a complicated expression. "Let Jacob go to the capital. I'll call my father."
"Zoe, how about we pay for Jacob to train at the Secret Realm in Drakehold instead?" Rory embraced Zoe, feeling deeply troubled. "Let's avoid the capital's facility. I don't want to call your father and risk being insulted."
"It's fine. So many years have passed," Zoe leaned into Rory's arms and spoke softly. "I don't harbor resentment anymore. The last time I saw him, he had aged considerably. He's now in his seventies."
When Zoe was 25, she had just completed her bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees at Frosthollow University. After graduation, she met Rory, who was impoverished at the time. From their first meeting, Rory fell in love with Zoe, a wealthy young woman from a prominent family, and pursued her passionately.
As the saying goes, even a strong-willed woman can be worn down by persistent courtship. Zoe, despite her privileged background, couldn't resist. Additionally, Rory was strikingly handsome in his youth, with celebrity-like features. Zoe soon fell in love with him, and they began discussing marriage.
The problem was that Zoe's father looked down on Rory, who lacked education and family connections, and firmly opposed their marriage. But Zoe was stubborn—once her mind was set, no one could change it, otherwise she would never have fallen for someone like Rory.
Eventually, after a heated argument with her father, he angrily declared, "If you marry Rory, don't ever come back."
Zoe, equally stubborn and strong-willed, ran away from home, married Rory, and started a family in Starlight City. Later, Rory became a Gym Leader, and Zoe established herself as a doctor at the Pokémon Center.
Since then, Zoe never visited her parents. Even when her two sons were born, she didn't return home, and her parents never came to see her. Only her mother secretly provided financial support occasionally.
This situation persisted until a few years ago when Zoe received a call from her eldest brother informing her that their mother's health was deteriorating. She hurriedly took her two sons to the capital for a visit, which began to ease the family tension.
From then on, every New Year, Zoe would allow her sons to stay with their grandparents briefly, and occasionally she would bring her mother to visit Frosthollow Province. However, she and her father remained just as stubborn, never directly interacting, with neither willing to make the first conciliatory gesture.
So when Rory heard that his wife was willing to contact her father for their youngest son's benefit, he felt emotional.
"Zoe, when you call your father, tell him I'm willing to offer 10% of the shares in the Grass-Bug Secret Realm," Rory said after a moment's thought. "I won't let your father continue looking down on you."
"Rory, you really don't have to..." Zoe was deeply moved by his words.
Rory smiled and said, "Don't worry, I understand the situation. This 10% isn't for your father but for Jacob. I've been thinking—after we're gone, everything will pass to Jacob and Asher anyway. The 20% share in the Grass-Bug Secret Realm will be divided equally between them. Asher can be impulsive, and he's about to marry Addison, so it's time for them to establish themselves. Besides the Secret Realm shares, he'll inherit our property in Starlight City."
"Though Jacob is young, he has a level-headed personality and respects our guidance most. Remember how I've been discussing marriage arrangements recently? Let's find a suitable partner for Jacob. This visit to the capital presents an opportunity for your father to help match Jacob with someone there. The 10% Secret Realm shares will serve as Jacob's betrothal gift. Upon marriage, we'll immediately transfer these shares to Jacob and his future wife." Rory continued, "With these shares, plus the fact that it concerns his grandson's marriage, given your father's controlling nature, I'm confident he'll help."
"Rory, have you been plotting against my father all this time?" Zoe asked, feigning anger.
"Wife, I'm merely helping you express your frustration," Rory replied before sighing. "Zoe, I came to understand your father's perspective long ago. If I had a daughter as beautiful as you, and she suddenly announced her intention to marry someone with no prospects, I'd probably break that boy's legs. And now, look at us—am I any different from your father? He arranged a marriage for you, and here I am arranging one for Jacob."
"How dare you say that?" Zoe poked Rory's forehead playfully. "Now you understand what I sacrificed to marry you. Just try not to upset me in the future."
"I know. That's why I always say the luckiest thing in my life was marrying a wonderful woman like you."