As for the newly joined Poliwag, it was a complete little foodie. Other Pokémon trained hard to improve their strength, but Poliwag trained so diligently just to digest more and eat more delicious food. Since its original strength was low, the improvement this time was significant—it rose 8 levels in a month, from level 12 all the way to level 20. In a few more days, it should break through the bottleneck and become an intermediate Pokémon.
Pokémon: Poliwag Level: 20 Type: Water Ability: Swift Swim (Speed increases in rainy weather) Talent: Green Moves: Water Gun (Proficient), Hypnosis (Proficient), Pound (Proficient), Mud Shot (Proficient), Bubble Beam (Proficient), Rain Dance (Proficient), Icy Wind (Proficient), Amnesia (Beginner), Dig (Beginner), Hydro Pump (Beginner), Protect (Beginner), Water Pulse (Beginner)
It was still a matter of talent. Although Poliwag trained very seriously, if its level weren’t low and Wenqi weren’t willing to invest resources, it wouldn’t have improved this much. But going forward, the rate of improvement would likely slow down. He wondered if, when it evolved, Poliwag’s talent could be upgraded—even to dark green would be good.
Wenqi’s Flaaffy was different from others of its kind; it was quite combative. Although it hadn’t been with him long and its talent wasn’t the best, it had a strong sensitivity to Electric-type energy and excellent control over it, so its Electric-type moves were very powerful. Since being caught and evolving, it had risen 7 levels, from level 16 to level 23.
Pokémon: Flaaffy Level: 23 Type: Electric Ability: Static (The Pokémon is charged with static electricity, sometimes paralyzing opponents that touch it) Talent: Dark Green Moves: Tackle (Proficient), Growl (Proficient), Thunder Wave (Proficient), Thunder Shock (Mastered), Cotton Spore (Proficient), Charge (Mastered), Electro Ball (Mastered), Electric Terrain (Mastered), Take Down (Proficient), Agility (Proficient), Brick Break (Proficient), Thunderbolt (Mastered), Discharge (Proficient), Thunder (Proficient), Electroweb (Proficient), Rain Dance (Beginner)
Among its Electric-type moves, the ones learned earlier were mostly at Mastered level, while those learned later were mostly Proficient. When Wenqi’s other Pokémon were at Flaaffy’s strength level, their moves were mostly just Proficient, showing that Flaaffy’s Electric-type talent was indeed impressive.
Scizor was Wenqi’s current ace, the strongest in terms of strength. It trained the most seriously and diligently, usually staying up late every day, training until even the moon had gone to sleep. Having spent a long time in the wild, Scizor deeply understood the importance of strength. After joining Wenqi, with such good conditions, it trained relentlessly. Although it was already an Elite-level Pokémon, Gogoat had only risen 3 levels, but Scizor had risen 5 levels and was now level 48. Considering that Gogoat and Scizor had similar talent, and Gogoat was originally higher in level, now Scizor had surpassed it. This showed just how fiercely and hard Scizor trained.
Pokémon: Scizor Level: 48 Type: Bug + Steel Ability: Technician (Powers up low-power moves) Talent: Dark Green Moves: Leer (Proficient), Quick Attack (Mastered), Fury Cutter (Mastered), False Swipe (Proficient), Wing Attack (Proficient), Double Team (Proficient), Double Hit (Proficient), Slash (Proficient), Focus Energy (Proficient), Agility (Mastered), Air Slash (Proficient), X-Scissor (Mastered), Swords Dance (Mastered), Close Combat (Mastered), Substitute (Proficient), Metal Claw (Mastered), Iron Defense (Proficient), Iron Head (Proficient), Acrobatics (Proficient), Rain Dance (Beginner), Protect (Beginner), Double-Edge (Beginner), Hyper Beam (Beginner)
Wenqi had spent the most time with Scizor this month. Through long hours together, their synergy had greatly improved. Now Wenqi was familiar with Scizor’s battle rhythm, mainly relying on Scizor’s own combat instincts during fights, while Wenqi directed it based on the situation. Although Scizor had a wild nature, it was very grateful to Wenqi and was willing to cooperate with him. As their synergy grew, Scizor could roughly understand Wenqi’s intent from just a glance, showing a strong bond.
As for the Mega Stone, for some reason, it always felt like something was missing. Every time he tried Mega Evolution with Scizor, there seemed to be a gap, leaving Wenqi unsure why. But now, only the final step remained. A few more attempts should make it succeed. Scizor’s rapid strength increase was also partly due to the Mega Stone. Although it hadn’t Mega Evolved yet, the energy within had somewhat boosted its power.
Currently, Scizor hadn’t hit a bottleneck yet, but given its growth rate, even if its progress slowed after entering the gym, with Wenqi’s nurturing and the small world’s boost, it would likely reach its talent bottleneck in at most a year. Although green talent didn’t absolutely prevent reaching Champion level, the chance was extremely slim. Even with Wenqi’s system and small world, it would probably take several years. With that time, it was better to find ways to improve its talent, which was more reliable.
During this period, Wenqi focused on training Scizor according to his original plan: boosting stamina, speed, and attack power. Its body shape hadn’t changed much, only becoming more coordinated.
As for the Growlithe bought at the auction, it had been absorbing Fire-type energy in the small world’s volcano, along with the energy cubes Wenqi provided, taking in a large amount of Fire-type energy. Not only had its talent improved—now deep cyan—but the power of its Fire-type moves had not only recovered but also increased by about 20%. This was like permanently gaining a Charcoal item. Although most of the energy went into improving talent and physique, it still rose 4 levels, from level 18 to level 22. With its current talent, there were no other issues, and its growth rate should speed up from now on.
Pokémon: Growlithe Level: 22 Type: Fire Ability: Intimidate (Intimidates the opponent upon entering battle, lowering their Attack) Talent: Deep Cyan Moves: Leer (Proficient), Ember (Proficient), Howl (Proficient), Bite (Proficient), Flame Wheel (Proficient), Helping Hand (Proficient), Agility (Proficient), Flamethrower (Proficient), Double-Edge (Proficient), Protect (Proficient), Fire Fang (Proficient), Fire Spin (Proficient), Flare Blitz (Proficient) Status: Legendary power fully absorbed, Fire-type power increased by 20%
Although it hadn’t learned any new moves during this time, the Fire-type moves that were previously at Beginner level were now all Proficient. Wenqi considered that when Growlithe evolved into Arcanine, all its base stats were good—whether stamina or speed, both offensive stats were excellent, and its defenses were decent. It could develop in all directions. Since it was weak to Ground, Rock, and Water, learning the only Grass-type move, Solar Beam, would make it nearly all-around. And when Gogoat wasn’t convenient, it could serve as a mount. No matter how he looked at it, Growlithe was very important.