Leon Feng confirmed Lin Feng's suspicion and gave him a faint smile.
"Yes. We already challenged the Champion. Once Beedrill recovered, its fighting spirit burned hotter than ever. So after only a few days of light recovery training, we went to find Wind, the Champion. Thanks to old ties, he agreed to my request. The moment he saw me, he was surprised, but he still accepted the challenge."
"The battle went smoothly. It was the first time in many years I had seen Beedrill so happy. It fought with everything it had, even fiercer than ten years ago."
"Even after a decade without progress, it traded blows with Wind's Bisharp for dozens of rounds."
"The result wasn't ideal, but it was still an exhilarating fight. Beedrill was truly happy."
"In the days that followed, its body quickly declined. I considered bringing it to you again, but it refused."
In just a few words, Leon summed up everything that had happened.
Lin Feng was stunned. "What…?"
Leon nodded calmly. "So this time, I came to say goodbye. I won't be returning to the Eastern League for a long while."
Yet beneath his calm tone, Lin Feng could still hear the faint tremor.
"This…"
He couldn't quite process it.
Just days ago, Leon had looked so broken, dragging along a weary Beedrill. Now, before his eyes, he seemed strangely at peace.
And more than that, he had even respected Beedrill's wish not to be brought back here.
Lin Feng's chest tightened. He had told Leon before: if Beedrill was going to fight, he should let him know first…
After a long silence, Lin Feng whispered, "I might still have a way to save it."
Leon shook his head. "It's enough, Lin. For Beedrill to fight one last battle like that at the end of its life both it and I are satisfied."
"I've realized something. Even if I forced Beedrill to linger on in this world, it would only live listlessly, as it has for years. That wouldn't bring it joy."
He let out a small laugh. "Unless, of course, you could reverse the very flow of life itself. But that's impossible, isn't it?"
Lin Feng fell silent.
He couldn't deny it. At least, not now.
Leon's smile grew easier.
Part of him had feared that Lin really might have a way to reverse life and death.
He took out two Poké Balls. "Thank you for everything these past days. Here, these hold two Indeedee. Raised under the guidance of their parents, they're skilled in housework and caring for Pokémon. Leaving them here won't be wasting their talents."
With a gentle press, two black-and-white Pokémon appeared before them.
They stood about the same height, their appearances only slightly different. The Indeedee species has distinct male and female forms.
Both had pale horns atop their heads. The male's curved upward sharply, while the female's hung down gently.
It was said those horns could gather emotional energy gratitude, happiness and help them grow quickly.
Because of this gift, Indeedee were known for their eagerness to care for both people and Pokémon. Even wild ones were often seen helping others.
As the two appeared, Lin Feng instinctively studied them.
Both were about 0.8 meters tall, just as Leon had said. Still young, perhaps only a few months old.
Aside from the horns, their differences showed in their mouths, eyes, and apron-like markings.
The male's mouth was always pursed, his eyes more angular, and the apron-like fur around his waist was black, giving him a serious, almost stern air. Though because of his youth, the effect came off a bit comical.
The female, by contrast, had a natural smile at her lips, rounder eyes, and a white apron pattern, making her look lively, innocent, and cute.
The moment they appeared, both sneaked glances at Lin Feng.
For days now, they had been told they would soon meet their new trainer.
Their hearts brimmed with both anticipation and worry.
On one hand, they were proud to finally be growing up, ready to help care for a trainer's Pokémon.
On the other hand, they didn't yet know what kind of person their trainer would be.
"They're still a bit young, but already quite capable," Leon said. "You don't need to worry about them being a burden. And since they're siblings, you don't need to worry about them not getting along."
As the Indeedee stood beside him, his gaze softened with a trace of nostalgia.
It had been because of Beedrill that he had once captured an Indeedee, to help care for it.
With time, that Indeedee had found a mate, and eventually this brother and sister were born.
Leon crouched down and said gently, "Go on. This is your new trainer. Go say hello."
The female Indeedee hesitated, peeking shyly from behind her brother.
The male straightened his posture, then stepped forward with serious determination. "Eyyah!"
He was introducing himself and his sister.
"Eyyah!" (I'm good at housework and chores. My sister is better at looking after little ones. Of course, if you need us to learn other things, we can do that too.)
Lin Feng couldn't help but laugh at the male's earnestness.
But realizing laughter wasn't quite fitting for the moment, he quickly straightened his expression. "They already look very reliable."
Leon nodded. "Then I'll leave them in your care."
After entrusting the two Indeedee, Leon's expression lightened. It was as though his last worry had been set down. His back straightened, his steps steadied.
He had made a promise to Beedrill to stand tall again.
So he had decided. In a new region, he would catch another Weedle and start a new journey.
Before leaving, he bought several bottles of Sweet Bamboo juice from the nursery, then turned to bid farewell.
As he walked away down the cobblestone path, a cool breeze stirred. A handful of yellowed leaves swirled in front of the nursery door.
Lin Feng watched Leon's figure fade into the distance. A sigh escaped his lips, tinged with melancholy.
And then he remembered: according to the local calendar, today marked the Autumn Equinox.
From this day forward, autumn had truly begun.
(End of Volume One Onto the Journey Again. Volume Two begins…)
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