"Dewott, from now on, wear this during training. It'll improve your results."
After organizing his team, Paul pulled a Power Item from his bag and tossed it to Dewott.
"Cha-cha~"
Hearing that it would enhance its training, Dewott didn't hesitate and immediately equipped the item.
The moment it was fully suited up, Dewott felt a drastic drop in speed and a significant decrease in agility.
Every movement became more taxing, consuming more energy than before. Compared to the previous forced-training equipment, this setup was even more effective—without requiring any adjustments.
"Vul~"
From the side, Vulpix watched Dewott struggle to move, finding the sight amusing and letting out a chuckle.
"Don't be jealous—you've got one too."
Paul caught Vulpix in the act and without hesitation, he pulled out a set of compatible training gear, fastening it onto the little fox.
"Cha…"
Dewott, having undergone professional training, merely huffed and turned away. However, the slight curve at the edge of its blade betrayed its amusement as it watched Vulpix struggle.
Vulpix: I'm done… just end me already.
"All right, that's enough. Dismissed."
Recalling the four Pokémon he had on hand into their Poké Balls, Paul turned to head back home.
"Kuu~"
Skorupi gave a brief farewell to the remaining Pokémon before scuttling off to find its mentor.
"Cha~"
Patting the exhausted Vulpix on the head as a gesture of comfort, Dewott—despite its heavy, sluggish form—began practicing its swordplay, perfecting its technique through rhythmic movements.
Whenever it tired, it would sit beside Vulpix to rest, contemplating ways to achieve instantaneous focus and explosive speed…
Once rested, it would rise again, resuming its relentless training.
"Vul~"
Vulpix, after a moment of sulking, had adjusted its mindset and began its own training.
Using the technique taught by Grotle, it attempted to gather life energy from the natural surroundings, condensing it into an energy sphere.
It pondered—if sunlight could be converted into mental and life energy, then surely life energy itself could be harnessed directly, right?
The training was far from smooth. Each attempt was met with difficulties, forcing Vulpix to pause and rethink its approach.
Before it realized it, night had fallen. The bright full moon ascended into the sky, casting its silvery glow over the land.
Breaking free from its meditation, Vulpix gazed up at the moon, a sense of longing stirring within it.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
A gentle night breeze rustled through the trees. The sharp sound of blades cutting through air followed.
Vulpix's ears twitched at the sound of swordplay. Lowering its gaze, it saw Dewott still immersed in its relentless training.
Gradually, its eyes locked onto that lone, determined figure.
A spark flickered in its gaze—captivated.
Tonight, the moon was breathtaking, and the wind was gentle.
At the Pokemon Center, Reggie was helping Paul with last-minute preparations.
"You don't have to trouble yourself, bro. I can pack on my own."
Watching Reggie methodically pack various supplies into his bag, Paul sighed, his expression laced with helplessness.
"It's no trouble, really."
Reggie chuckled warmly, placing the bag by Paul's bedside.
"I figured all the food you packed was just simple meal kits, so I added a variety of fresh options for you. They take a little more effort to prepare, but just a few minutes, and they're ready."
"I'll make use of them."
Paul nodded silently.
"To make it easier for you to cook that Dragon Fang soup, I ground the Dragon Fang along with the medicinal herbs and gemstones into powder form. That way, you won't have to slow-boil everything. Just use one packet at a time."
As he spoke, Reggie pulled out seven or eight small bags, showing them to Paul.
Paul gave a small nod of acknowledgment.
"Oh, right. Are you planning to challenge Gym Leader Crasher Wake in Pastoria City first, or Gym Leader Volkner in Sunyshore City?"
Reggie asked.
Both were formidable Gym Leaders, but Volkner had been in excellent form ever since breaking out of his previous slump and returning to battle.
"I'll face Volkner later. I've been home for too long—I need to challenge Pastoria Gym first. Then I'll head straight to Water Pulse City to take on the next Gym and secure two more badges as soon as possible."
Paul laid out his plan.
"Sounds like a solid approach. Your Pokémon will have the advantage against Water-types, after all."
Reggie nodded in agreement.
"Alright, it's getting late. I'll head out now—get some rest. Goodnight."
Reggie smiled as he stood up, slowly making his way out of Paul's room.
"You too, bro."
....
The next morning, Paul left Veilstone City, making his way toward Pastoria City.
Meanwhile, at a certain hidden base, a light-blue-haired woman lounged in her chair, her eyes fixed on a massive screen displaying Paul's profile.
The data wasn't entirely complete, but it provided a list of his key Pokémon.
"So, they want that massive Ursaring and his Grotle?"
She pressed a hand against her earpiece, seemingly in the middle of a call.
"Hah, what a joke. Do I look like a charity?"
"That amount wouldn't even be enough for a wild one, let alone Pokémon raised by a trainer."
"Pay up."
"…That's more like it. Deposit the advance payment first."
A wicked smile spread across her lips as she waved a hand.
"Boss."
A man stepped forward, bowing respectfully.
"We've got a job. Get ready to move."
The woman slid on a pair of tactical glasses, her lips curling into a confident smirk.
"Yes, ma'am!"
That day, on an open field near the mountains, Paul was in deep training.
On the battlefield, his Pokémon—wearing weighted training gear—were engaged in a chaotic skirmish.
Ursaring had a relatively straightforward attack style, so if Electabuzz and Grotle teamed up, the outcome would be one-sided.
To balance things out, Paul had Grotle use Growth twice before teaming up with Electabuzz to take on the "boss"—Grotle itself.
"Buzz!"
Electabuzz muttered to itself, psyching itself up. Flames ignited around its fist as it launched a Fire Punch, diving from above toward Grotle.
Even with its speed hindered by the training gear, the use of Electromagnetic Acceleration made up for it.
"Grrr!"
Unfazed, Grotle continued absorbing and reinforcing itself with a blend of three energy sources. The ground beneath it erupted as thick roots shot toward Electabuzz, attempting to capture it midair.
Though technically a Power Whip attack to an outsider, it would look like a Frenzy Plant.
Boom!
The roots clashed with the Fire Punch, creating an explosion.
Electabuzz swiftly adjusted its angle, trying to close in again—only for even more roots to rise, intercepting its path.
"Buzz~"
Seeing no choice, Electabuzz backed off, electricity crackling around its body before launching a massive Thunder attack at Grotle.
Grotle attempted to block it with its roots—
But, as if alive, the lightning curved mid-air, weaving past the roots and striking Grotle directly.
"Grrr!"
Grotle cried out, parts of its shell slightly singed.
"Buzz~"
Electabuzz smirked.
While staying at the Pokemon Center, it had been refining a technique—combining Psychic manipulation, Swift's tracking ability, and Shock Wave's speed—allowing its Thunder attacks to alter their trajectory mid-flight.
And it had just landed a clean hit!
But just as it was feeling triumphant, Electabuzz noticed something off.
Despite taking the hit, Grotle's injuries were healing—rapidly.
"Buzz?"
What the heck?!
Grotle chuckled.
By combining Rooted Growth, Life Force Regeneration, and the improvised "Lightning Rod Grounding Technique" Paul had mentioned in passing, it had minimized damage from non-physical Electric attacks.
Against indirect lightning strikes, its resistance was practically doubled.
"Ursaa!"
Just then, Ursaring charged in, its body engulfed in flames.
It had deliberately inflicted a burn on itself—
Guts, activated!
And with the burn amplifying its strength—
Endure, activated!
Like a flaming freight train, Ursaring roared as it hurtled toward Grotle—determined to take it down.
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