[Agility (Proficient level): Psychic-type status move. Uses mental power to temporarily strengthen the body and greatly increase the user's Speed. Price: 120,000.]
Roy had complained about the expense earlier, but now he purchased it without hesitation.
Like money, points were meaningless if they weren't spent.
Rather than being miserly, unable to part with this or that, spending resources in the most appropriate places to maximize benefits was the right approach.
As for the move Agility, Roy believed it was the most suitable technique for Riolu at this stage.
He recalled Professor Christian's advice to Serena about "Vulpix evolving into Ninetales."
If a Pokémon wasn't familiar with a certain type during its early stages, even if it gained access to that type after evolution, it would feel uncomfortable using those moves, and the efficiency of mastering them would be very slow.
It was like human babies—if they didn't learn a language as children, it would be extremely difficult to learn when they grew up.
When Riolu evolved into Lucario, it would change from a single "Fighting type" to a "Fighting/Steel" dual-type.
There was no Psychic typing in that evolution.
But Lucario was somewhat special—probably because its Aura abilities involved the spiritual realm. The number of Psychic-type moves that Lucario could master wasn't less than its Steel-type moves, and in some cases, even more numerous...
As a result, in the games Roy remembered from his previous life, many Trainers focused on developing Lucario with "Fighting/Psychic" movesets instead of "Fighting/Steel," with some strategies barely incorporating Steel-type moves at all.
In normal growth, Riolu wouldn't naturally learn Psychic moves before evolution.
To build a solid foundation for evolution, Psychic moves were undoubtedly the best choice.
And Agility's speed-enhancing effect perfectly complemented Riolu's fighting style of "speed over power, close combat."
A perfect choice!
With a quick 'swipe' of Roy's hand, a TM case appeared.
He opened the case to find a very simple black and white disc that resembled a yin-yang symbol.
'How do I use this...?'
Deciding that hands-on practice was better than guessing, Roy called Riolu, who had been excitedly rolling around their home, and handed him the disc.
"Rio?"
Riolu tilted his head, took the disc, and examined it curiously.
One second, two seconds, three seconds...
Nothing happened.
Just as Roy was wondering if he'd activated it incorrectly, the disc suddenly began spinning by itself. The black and white pattern swirled like swimming fish, the intersection of yin and yang flowing together. Riolu's eyes glazed over as he fell into a trance-like state.
Is this hypnosis? Roy watched Riolu with concern.
Silence filled the room, creating an almost mystical scene of Pokémon and human connected by the mysterious disc.
After a while, Riolu suddenly snapped out of it and looked at Roy with slight confusion.
Then, Riolu's eyes glowed faintly, and a wave of blue light emerged, flowing over Riolu's body like rippling water.
"Rio!"
Riolu looked at his paws in wonder, as if surprised by this new sensation.
"That's Agility..." Roy was amazed. This move had already transcended the scope of basic techniques and was rarely seen in everyday life.
At least in his experience, he had never witnessed it in reality.
"Come on, Riolu. Let's go to the Pokémon Center and test its effect."
Roy grabbed his jacket and put it on. Riolu responded excitedly, jumping up and wagging his tail.
It was almost midnight by the time they returned from the Pokémon Center.
Roy took a shower, and when he emerged, he found Riolu lying at the foot of the bed, innocently exposing his belly and purring softly.
Occasionally, Riolu's limbs twitched, as if he were dreaming.
Roy smiled gently, feeling as though he'd become a parent to this young cub.
He turned off the light, closed his eyes, and softly said, "Good night."
Drowsiness overwhelmed him instantly, and in a half-conscious state, Roy thought he heard a quiet "Rio~" in response.
The next day.
Capital University's annual entrance tournament was about to begin.
Besides students, the parents, relatives, and media reporters for each participant had come to the school.
In universities across the country, the day of the entrance tournament followed essentially the same format, making today an extremely lively "opening competition day."
Nevertheless, as a leading local prestigious university, Capital University held high standards.
Capital University's entrance tournament had also earned a nickname:
The Capital Nova Cup!
Roy arrived at school with his parents today.
Despite his reputation on the forum, with his parents and friends, he had always been quite easygoing, never putting on airs. It wasn't a case of "online I'm tough, but in reality I'm meek"—it was simply that there was no need.
These were all people close to him. Who was he trying to impress?
Roy led his parents to the school registration office and was quickly recognized by others. He ignored students from his own grade but greeted the upperclassmen politely.
Soon, Roy's mother noticed something unusual and asked suspiciously, "Son, why are so many people looking at you?"
"Mom, haven't you gotten used to this from all those parent-teacher meetings since I was a kid?" Roy waved his hand dismissively. "Your son is so handsome, of course he's popular. Remember how all the mothers at parent-teacher meetings used to pinch my cheeks?"
"That's right. Our little Roy is becoming more and more charming now."
Hearing this, Roy's mother beamed with joy. Her greatest pride in life was having given birth to such a beautiful child.
Neither she nor Roy's father was unattractive, but they weren't models either.
If she hadn't carried the pregnancy herself and delivered him with her own hands, she might not have believed her genes could produce such a result.
Roy's parents had been ordinary office workers twenty years ago. When they got married, Trainer universities in their region had not yet become common. They hadn't caught the wave of opportunity and lacked the qualifications to become Trainers.
Both regretted missing their chance at upward mobility, so they pinned all their hopes on their child. They didn't pressure him to become a professional Trainer—having the credential alone would make finding employment much easier in society.
Roy's mother accepted his explanation, but his father wasn't so easily fooled. "Something's not right! I can see it's not just the women paying attention to you—the men are watching just as closely. And why are they all so excited?"
Because fame spreads easily...
Before Roy could fabricate an excuse, his mother nudged her husband. "Hey, why are you so concerned about—Oh! Look who's here!"
Roy looked in the direction she indicated and saw Reece and Serena standing not far away, waving toward him.
He and Serena exchanged a brief glance before they both looked at the middle-aged couple beside the siblings and greeted them.
"Uncle, Aunt, you're here too."