Under the puzzled gazes of August and Lance, Steven smiled and handed over a revised contract.
August took it and skimmed through the contents. The terms were mostly the same as before, except for one significant addition after the 500 million buyout cuse.
"A 0.5% profit share on Pokéblocks?"
August was stunned.
Lance was equally surprised.
As an Elite Four, Lance had seen plenty of patent acquisitions and business deals. He knew that corporations as rge as Devon rarely offered profit-sharing contracts.
Their market share was simply too dominant. Devon, for example, had practically monopolized the Hoenn region. Even a 0.1% cut of their profits would amount to an enormous, continuous revenue stream.
Yet here was Steven, offering 0.5%—a percentage that, in the long run, could surpass the entire 500 million buyout fee.
As the two stared at him in astonishment, Steven expined, "Actually, before you arrived, Silph Co. reached out to me. They wanted to partner with Devon and jointly fund the formu in exchange for shared rights."
"Hmm?"
Silph Co. really didn’t give up—they actually went to Steven? Neither August nor Lance had expected that.
Could it be that Steven was offering a revenue share because of Silph Co.?
Just as that thought crossed August’s mind, Steven continued,
"Devon has no intention of sharing the formu with another company, so I rejected their offer. But I also learned from them that you turned down their increased bid."
"A 20% premium would tempt anyone, yet you refused…"
"Your sincerity, August, is clear. So it’s only fair that Devon shows sincerity as well."
"If Silph Co. can offer a premium, Devon won't be outdone. This 0.5% profit share is our way of showing that—and of welcoming you as a long-term partner of Devon Corporation."
At that moment, Steven seemed to radiate light.
So this… is what true financial power looks like…
Silently admiring Steven’s generosity, August wasted no time signing the contract. With this profit share, he was now one step closer to financial freedom.
Then, he handed Steven a briefcase filled with Pokéblock formus.
Each formu detailed the exact process, effects, fvors, and which Pokémon they were best suited for.
"I put a lot of effort into these," August remarked with a sigh.
For the past few days, he had spent hours telepathically transmitting the formus to Gardevoir so she could record them for him.
The result?
Gardevoir hadn’t spoken to him for 24 hours.
Steven, assuming August was referring to the extensive research effort, nodded solemnly and carefully stored the briefcase away.
With the deal done, Steven rexed. He then turned to August and said, "By the way, Lance mentioned that he transferred that gluttonous Bagon to you. How’s it been? Even Lance found it a headache to handle."
Gifting that Bagon to Lance had been one of Steven’s mistakes.
To make up for it ter, he had given Lance a Swablu instead. Though, for some reason, when Lance received the Swablu, he didn’t seem particurly happy.
"It’s been fine, honestly. Bagon just has a big appetite, but otherwise, it's great."
"That’s not just a big appetite," Lance interjected.
As its previous trainer, he was well aware of Bagon’s bottomless stomach.
"It’s fine. It already evolved into Shelgon. Even if it wants to eat, it can’t now," August chuckled.
Steven and Lance both paused, picturing Shelgon’s sturdy shell, and couldn’t help but ugh as well.
Merit -3.
...
Because the friendly tournament followed a one-on-one format, matches progressed quickly.
By the time the three of them turned their attention back to the battlefield, the competition had already reached its final stage.
Two trainers remained, standing at opposite ends of the arena.
One was a girl wearing a sun hat, short skirt, and a crossbody bag—Blue.
The other…
"Gary?"
August blinked at the sight of the spiky-haired boy in the center of a cheerleading squad. He hadn’t expected to run into Gary here.
Steven gnced at him. "You know that trainer?"
"Actually, I know both of them," August replied.
"The girl is Blue—my partner. The other guy is Gary. He doesn’t know me, but I know his grandfather, Professor Oak, quite well."
"Professor Oak?"
Hearing that name, even Steven took notice, shifting his gaze toward Gary.
Professor Oak’s reputation was immense throughout the Pokémon world. His grandson’s abilities were certainly worth paying attention to.
"The final battle is about to begin! Trainer Blue has sent out Clefable! Trainer Gary has chosen Pidgeotto!"
"Lance, who do you think will win?" Steven asked.
August spoke without hesitation. "Blue."
Lance and Steven both looked at him curiously.
From their perspective, both Pokémon seemed evenly matched in strength.
If anything, Gary’s Pidgeotto had the advantage due to its aerial mobility.
"What makes you so sure?"
"I’ve been training Blue these past few days. Her skills have improved a lot—I trust her abilities."
On the battlefield, Clefable unched an [Attract] attack.
However, before August could finish speaking, the attack narrowly missed as Pidgeotto instinctively dodged.
The bird hesitated for a moment, momentarily confused—
But then, it recovered quickly and countered with [Quick Attack], sending Clefable flying across the arena.
Lance and Steven turned to look at August.
August: "…"
Okay, that was unexpected.
But he still wasn’t worried.
"That was just bad luck—her aim was slightly off."
"It’s fine. Aside from Fairy-type moves, Clefable also learned [Thunder Punch] with a TM. It has a clear advantage against Flying-types."
...
Three minutes ter—
Gary’s Pidgeotto had completely changed its strategy.
Instead of engaging in close combat, it had switched to a hit-and-run style, staying airborne and attacking from a distance.
It used [Air Ssh] repeatedly, forcing Clefable to shrink itself with [Minimize] in an attempt to dodge.
But luck wasn’t on Clefable’s side. Despite reducing its target size, it still got clipped by an [Air Ssh].
"August, maybe stop talking," Lance said tactfully as Clefable was chased around the battlefield.
---
T/N: LMAO he keeps jinxing Blue
