Vincent Stone felt somewhat amused yet exasperated. This was exactly the kind of thing his elder brother would say.
But upon reflection, it made sense. If someone in their previous life could stand at the pinnacle of an industry at the age of eighteen, looking down on all rivals, it would undoubtedly be a cause for pride. If a young person in that position didn't feel a bit of arrogance, they wouldn't be much of a youth.
"Vincent, have you thought about which Pokémon you want next?" Steven asked his brother seriously.
In the Stone family, while there was no strict requirement for every member to become an outstanding Trainer, they were expected to at least possess some self defense capabilities. After all, as wealthy individuals in the Hoenn region, they could easily become targets for villainous organizations lurking in the shadows.
Having a team of powerful Pokémon by their side would help ensure their safety and prevent potential kidnappings.
Steven wasn't too concerned about his own safety. His strength was considerable, and as the newly crowned Champion of Hoenn, there were very few who could pose a threat to him.
But his younger brother was a different story.
Vincent scratched his head. He understood Steven's concern. Children from wealthy families were always prime targets for kidnappings, and his identity was no secret to those with ill intentions in Hoenn. After all, as the leading corporation in the region, Devon Company's every move was under scrutiny.
If teams like Team Magma, Team Aqua, or even Team Rocket from Kanto set their sights on him, relying solely on Little Mimi to escape would be difficult. It would also cause trouble for his father and brother.
"I'll give it serious thought, bro," Vincent nodded solemnly. He didn't want to cause any trouble for Steven or their father, so having some self defense capabilities was necessary.
As for the choice of Pokémon, Vincent had previously considered options like Lucario or Charizard. But now, with the golden finger he had acquired, he felt that Ghost type Pokémon might be his destined path.
After all, even the lowest tier reward was a candy making machine specifically for Ghost type Pokémon. With that, he could enhance his Pokémon's stats beyond their natural limits, turning them into superpowered beings.
A Pokémon with an extra 200 points in stats was a terrifying thought. Even a basic move could become a devastating attack.
"Once you've decided, just let me or Dad know. Whatever Pokémon you want, aside from Mythical or Legendary ones, we can get it for you," Steven said with a smile, ruffling Vincent's hair.
He wasn't exaggerating. Whether in terms of financial resources or social standing, as long as Vincent didn't request anything too extraordinary, Steven and Mr. Stone could easily obtain it for him.
"Got it," Vincent nodded. He still hadn't fully decided which Pokémon he wanted. Ghost types held a special and rare status in the League, making them difficult to encounter in the wild.
The next morning, when Vincent woke up for breakfast, he noticed Steven was already gone.
The old butler served Vincent breakfast while chattering away. Vincent learned that Steven had left late last night. The League apparently had some urgent matter requiring the new Champion's attention, rumored to be related to Team Aqua.
"Everyone's busy. Being busy is good, I guess," Vincent muttered, glancing at the empty dining table. He then picked up Little Mimi and placed it on the chair beside him, letting it eat with him.
The old butler didn't find this strange. Mr. Stone had often been too busy for breakfast as well.
After finishing his meal, Vincent carried Little Mimi to the company. The office was already bustling with employees hard at work, handling everything from auditions to location scouting. It seemed filming would begin soon.
"Boss," a young woman hurried over. By the standards of his previous life, she could be described as having a pure yet alluring charm.
"What is it?" Vincent wasn't particularly interested. His focus remained on the movie's production. The sooner filming began, the sooner he could reap the rewards. He was growing impatient.
"About the filming location, we found an abandoned mansion in Petalburg Woods. Would you like to see if it's suitable?" The woman handed Vincent a file, which he accepted. Inside were photos of a dilapidated mansion nestled in the forest, looking rather eerie. A path and a nearby lake were visible.
Vincent stroked his chin. This mansion was intriguing. It could serve as Mary Shaw's former residence or the protagonist's father's home. The surrounding environment alone was unsettling enough.
"This could work," Vincent nodded. The mansion would make an excellent filming location. Given its long abandoned state, it likely had no occupants. The only question was the interior's condition. If suitable, it could even double as the set for Mary Shaw's puppet theater.
Unlike the original Dead Silence plot, Vincent had adjusted Mary Shaw's backstory to make her a masterful puppet maker, ensuring Little Mimi's presence felt more natural.
However, the mansion's appearance and location reminded Vincent of something.
If he recalled correctly, while playing Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, he had encountered a mansion in Petalburg Woods. Back then, the Cut HM was required to reach it, and it was filled with Ghost type Pokémon. In the game's storyline, a character named Wally was even controlled by a Pokémon inside, forcing a battle with the player.
So, was this mansion the same one?
"Boss, but there are rumors that this mansion is haunted," the woman said, deliberately brushing against Vincent. He instinctively stepped back, and her expression immediately turned professional, as if it had all been strictly work related.
"Haunted rumors?" Vincent's interest was piqued. It had to be the mansion from the games, unless Petalburg Woods housed another one.
"I'll send someone to investigate. Keep searching for other locations. How are the auditions going?" Vincent decided to have the old butler look into it later. This wasn't something worth bothering Steven over.
"Many talented actors have already come for auditions," the woman replied earnestly. Satisfied, Vincent went to discuss the script with the team.
As for the woman's ulterior motives, he paid them no mind.
(End of Chapter)