When the sun had fully set, the Pokémon had almost finished cleaning the entire mansion.
The once messy lawn was now neatly even, nearly the same height throughout. The pool water had been completely changed, now so clear that the bottom was visible without any impurities.
Cain also took out several small energy crystals, crushed them, and sprinkled them into the pool, giving the water a slight energy pulse.
Seeing this, Gyarados jumped directly into the water with no intention of coming out.
The trash that couldn't decompose had also been dissolved by Haunter. Although this affected the soil a bit, Haunter absorbed the toxins in time.
As for Skorupi, the mansion's fruit trees now looked really good, though the fruits that had been on the trees had completely disappeared.
Cain didn't mind this; they were just regular fruits, and even if they were berries, to him, they weren't very different from normal fruits.
With Miltank's help, Cain prepared a very hearty dinner. They didn't eat inside the house but instead set the table in the garden.
Of course, the amount of food wasn't enough for a single Pokémon like Tropius.
So grilling meat outside became inevitable.
This time, Cain brought out his secret weapon, using a large barbecue grill that came with the house and roasted an entire lamb.
If that wasn't enough, they would have to use Pokéblocks as a substitute.
While the Pokémon enjoyed a big dinner, Cain ate less in comparison. Once he felt full, he sat aside to reflect.
The time left for Team Rocket's final test was short, and he needed to organize a reasonable plan for his Pokémon in these last few days.
First, after leveling up, each Pokémon needed to fully master their strength before participating in any battles.
For Cain, leveling up was secondary at this point.
When dinner ended, Cain gathered his Pokémon.
"Murkrow, Slowpoke, and Haunter have been with me since the beginning. They know that I have a mission I must complete; if I fail, it could mean death," Cain said as he looked at his Pokémon.
For Cain, the idea of death had become simpler.
He feared death, but he wasn't afraid of it; it was a contradiction in his mind.
Slowpoke, Murkrow, and Haunter nodded.
They had left with Cain from the Trial Island, so they knew he had to return to that island for the final test.
Now, they were full of confidence. Their current power was much greater compared to when they left the island.
Seeing their enthusiastic expressions, while the other Pokémon looked worried, Cain smiled and said, "Don't worry. With our current power, even if we don't win in the final test, at least we should be able to protect ourselves."
Even if he failed, with his status in the shadow unit, Umbra would probably protect him.
But relying on others for his safety made him very uncomfortable.
Not being able to control his fate was a sign of a lack of strength. If Cain had the power of a quasi-elite trainer, or even an elite-level one, he would at least have the chance to escape someone like Umbra, who was at an intermediate elite level.
Ultimately, it all came down to a lack of power.
The other Pokémon had never heard Cain talk about his past. This was the first time he mentioned his experiences before capturing them.
He didn't give too many details, only explaining in general terms the possible situations they might face in the future and how they should act to stay safe.
The Pokémon, who seemed to have an inflated sense of confidence after leveling up, were calmed by Cain's words.
Having confidence isn't bad, but arrogance is always a problem.
After explaining the situation, Cain could see the resolve and desire in his Pokémon's eyes, which left him very satisfied.
A trainer must not only help their Pokémon improve their battle skills but also guide their spirit and will.
A Pokémon reflects its trainer.
This is part of the mental development of Pokémon.
Cain, smiling, led his Pokémon to the room on the upper floor. They were all already used to sleeping together, waking up together, and fighting together.
As for Tropius and Gyarados, due to their size, they couldn't go upstairs, so they slept in the garden.
However, Gyarados had no problem with this. The water in the pool, though of a different type of energy, made him feel more comfortable than the sea.
As for Tropius, after eating and drinking, he had no objections either.
Cain assigned him a new task: to keep watch over the place. If any suspicious person or unknown Pokémon approached, he should attack without hesitation.
To motivate him, Cain promised many food rewards.
With this promise, Tropius climbed up to the roof and lay down on the tiles without worrying about discomfort.
On the other hand, Fearow was the most diligent.
This Pokémon is known for its great endurance in flight and is often used for delivering packages. Although it's not very popular for its appearance, it's very useful.
Originally, Cain had considered releasing it, as it wouldn't be worth much if he sold it.
But he found that Fearow was excellent as a patrol guard; it could fly all night without getting tired.
As long as it had enough food, it could keep flying.
So, in the end, Cain decided not to release it. Keeping it as a security guard worked quite well; at least Haunter no longer had to take night shifts.
As for the food, it was just a portion for one Pokémon, something Cain could afford, and it only needed basic food, without needing special Pokéblocks.