Kapitel 175: Chapter 175: Evolution Elixir

When the black box disappeared, it revealed a transparent case made of an unknown material.

Inside the transparent case, there were six test tubes.

Seeing those six test tubes, Cain couldn't help but feel his pupils contract slightly.

Because the tubes clearly contained the evolution elixir, something Cain had scanned preliminarily with the system that very morning.

Was this what Umbra had asked him to bring? The primary research result from the Lake of Rage base?

Cain was a little stunned.

"Do they work?" Sabrina broke the silence, looking seriously at the six test tubes in front of Umbra. She knew very well what the liquid in those tubes was and was also aware of its side effects.

Umbra nodded slightly and touched the transparent case, which opened on its own, revealing the test tubes. He took one and smelled it gently.

"Are you sure you want to use this? I've heard the side effects are quite severe," Sabrina doubted.

Clearly, although the evolution elixir had significant effects, Team Rocket's higher-ups were already aware of its dangers, they just hadn't found a way to mitigate them.

"I've spent nearly half my savings on these six test tubes, so of course, I'll use them," Umbra's voice held a hint of resignation but also unshakable resolve.

What Cain didn't know was that when Umbra went to the Trial Island, he was already seriously injured, and his body had suffered significant damage.

If he wanted to quickly regain his strength as a mid-level elite trainer, his Pokémon's growth would be a major obstacle.

That's why, as soon as he learned of progress at the Lake of Rage base, he left the island and sent Cain to collect these elixirs. Part of the purpose was to train Cain, but more importantly, he urgently needed these elixirs.

Each of these tubes contained enormous energy, and the production cost was extremely high, so they couldn't be transported easily.

Thus, the only option was to retrieve them personally or send someone trustworthy.

But because Umbra's strength had waned, a real battle might not be favorable for him, and the League was always monitoring his movements. If he dared to appear alone in the wild, the League would send a group of powerful trainers to take him down.

Moreover, even within Team Rocket, there were people who didn't like him and could take advantage of the situation.

Therefore, he couldn't go to retrieve the elixirs himself.

The only option was to send a trusted subordinate.

Since the information about his previous encounter had been leaked by someone within Team Rocket, he didn't trust his members at that time.

That's why he brought Cain out of Trial Island.

Cain had a clean and clear record, allowing Umbra to use him without worries.

Additionally, Cain's identity and power were relatively low, which wouldn't raise suspicion.

These details Cain did not know, and Umbra wouldn't reveal them to him. However, Sabrina, who was in the same group within Team Rocket, knew the situation thoroughly.

That's why, when Sabrina first met Cain, although her initial intention was to take his Slowpoke, she decided not to when she saw the reserve member badge Umbra had given Cain.

Did you really think that a reserve member badge from the shadow unit held that much value?

For Team Rocket higher-ups like Sabrina, that badge meant nothing.

Sabrina decided not to act against Cain because she understood the role Cain played in Umbra's plans and his importance to him.

Although, in the end, helping Cain awaken his psychic powers was something unexpected.

"But if you use these elixirs, it will be difficult... difficult for you to continue advancing," Sabrina said.

Although the evolution elixir could accelerate Pokémon growth and help Umbra regain his strength, the Pokémon that used the catalyst would see their lifespan halved.

The Pokémon that had barely reached the elite level would see their lives shortened drastically.

At that point, trying to advance further would be almost impossible due to their limited lifespan.

Umbra sighed, "If I don't use this now, I may not even live long enough to worry about advancing."

After a pause, he added, "I'll only use three of the elixirs and will raise some Pokémon with good potential as successors. If resources are sufficient, they should be able to keep up."

These words sounded like he was trying to reassure Sabrina, but they also seemed like a way to console himself.

After all, having reached this level, and not being so old, anyone would want to continue advancing.

Sabrina nodded and tried to comfort him, "There's still hope, although this will speed up the consumption of your already scarce resources."

"That's why I'll start accepting missions again. This time, I've accepted the Trial Island mission," Umbra said calmly, taking a sip of his tea.

Cain, who was listening, didn't dare to say a word. Although these two didn't avoid speaking in his presence, which could be interpreted as a sign of trust, it also meant they were tying him even more to their side.

In that case, it wouldn't only be difficult to join other factions within Team Rocket, but if he tried to distance himself from Umbra and Sabrina, he'd be crushed or even eliminated.

Unless his strength grew enough, and under Umbra and Sabrina's protection and support, he established his own faction.

However, even if he achieved that, his relationship with Umbra and Sabrina's faction would remain an alliance; otherwise, they wouldn't have helped him.

Cain was thinking about the future, although at that moment, he was barely a Team Rocket soldier, or not even that.

However, listening to the conversation between Sabrina and Umbra allowed him to understand some things. For example, the reason why Umbra needed the evolution elixirs to regain his strength quickly.

Cain suspected that the wound on Umbra's hand, which he saw the first time he met him, was related to the loss of his strength.

And something that worried him even more was that Umbra had said he accepted the Trial Island mission.

What did that mean?

It meant that the trial on Trial Island wouldn't be easy. If a mid-level elite trainer with limited resources accepted this mission to recover them, it could only mean that the mission was extremely lucrative or that there were great rewards to be gained.

Either way, that wasn't good news for Cain and the other trial participants.

No wonder Umbra had warned him that the trial wouldn't be simple.

"The Trial Island mission, huh? That doesn't sound fun. I won't be joining you this time; take care," Sabrina said, clearly showing her lack of interest in the mission.

(End of chapter)