Chapter 54: Our Shared Wish

To have mastered so many moves in a single evolution—even Hu Yang was somewhat taken aback. Yet, it was understandable enough. As a Roselia, it had no whips; only after evolving into Roserade could it extend such appendages. Thus, it gained the abilities Grass Knot and Vine Whip.

Sleep Powder and Poison Powder are basic moves for most Grass-type Pokémon. After evolving, Roserade’s command over poison grew stronger, allowing it to learn Toxic. As for Synthesis and Solar Beam, perhaps the credit belonged to the Shiny Stone.

With so many moves at its disposal, he no longer needed to rely awkwardly on that Seed Bomb attack. Now, Roserade could pursue a variety of battle styles. For example, the irritating triple powder plus Toxic plus Synthesis strategy, or a control-based approach, using its impressive special attack stat of 125 to finish opponents in two turns with Solar Beam.

Of course, there was no move limit in Pokémon battles, which meant Hu Yang could adjust his tactics at any time as needed.

For now, though, he wanted Roserade to practice the combinations Sleep Powder plus Seed Bomb, and Poison Powder plus Seed Bomb. This way, even when facing Flying-types, it could maintain consistent control.

He could also smear Toxic onto the vines, so that when binding and whipping the foe, poison would be administered directly into the wounds.

Still, relying on a single Grass-type made for a narrow offensive range.

Thinking of this, Hu Yang turned to Axew. Roserade, having received her orders, went aside to practice her new moves.

“Axew!”

Stimulated by Roserade’s newfound strength, Axew raised his fighting spirit, straightening up and patting his chest with a little paw, as if declaring, “Come on, hit me with everything you’ve got!”

Hu Yang was speechless.

He glanced at the lake. Although the new year had passed, winter had not yet ended, and a thin layer of ice still covered the surface.

Dragon-types are weak to ice.

That frigid water would be Axew’s undoing.

Worried the cold would make Axew ill, Hu Yang dismissed the idea of further aquatic training for now.

Unlike Roserade, Axew was destined for a physical attacker’s path. Roserade’s special attack was among the highest for Grass-types. Likewise, Axew’s final evolution, Haxorus, was a standout in its own right.

Therefore, Hu Yang planned to train Axew as a speedster. With Swords Dance or Dragon Dance, if there was no type disadvantage, a close-range hit could obliterate the enemy in an instant.

In short, Haxorus was like a high-burst, high-output assassin in a game. In a 6v6 match, finding the right opponent to send Haxorus against could yield unexpected results.

As for ways to train speed and strength…

Hu Yang decided to start with running and having Axew bite stones.

Weighted running and the like would come after Axew grew more accustomed to training.

Axew, full of determination, went aside for his special training.

Hu Yang turned, intending to see if the ancient Rowlet was still fishing, but instead locked eyes with Gengar.

Gengar looked at Axew and Roserade, hinting madly.

“What do you want?” Hu Yang asked.

Gengar grumbled, “I’m your Pokémon too.”

Hu Yang was at a loss for words. He had no idea how to train a soul.

So Gengar could only mutter and lie in the air atop a large rock, arms folded behind his head, watching Roserade and Axew train.

The training yielded clear results.

The energy and stamina the Pokémon expended during their vigorous exercise transformed into voracious appetites.

At dinner, Axew went from his usual slow, careful eating to wolfing down food as if he hadn’t eaten in a month.

Hu Yang and Gengar stared in amazement.

Roserade was a bit more refined in her eating. She could now supplement her energy via photosynthesis. Moreover, after evolution, Roserade seemed to have become an omnivore like Mawile.

“You can eat meat now?” Hu Yang asked.

Roserade nodded lightly.

“Axew?” Axew, cheeks bulging like a hamster, turned to look at Roserade.

Roserade nodded.

“Axew!”

The two Pokémon began sharing insights about eating meat.

Already full, Hu Yang propped his chin in his hand and watched them eat. He found this kind of life very pleasant—fulfilling and warm.

“Do you want to train again tomorrow?” he asked Axew.

Axew nodded vigorously. He, too, wanted to grow strong, to become like the mighty Haxorus of his homeland, able to protect the young of his kind.

“That’s good,” Hu Yang replied, glad there was no aversion to intense training.

Roserade’s main focus was on energy control and move mastery; Hu Yang didn’t plan to train her stamina for the time being.

For once, Gengar didn’t return to his Pokéball during dinner. He knew very well that these two Pokémon were training so hard to help him regain his body sooner.

Gengar was genuinely moved, a warm feeling welling up inside.

They came from different places, with different pasts. Ordinarily, they’d never have come together. Yet now, they all strove for the same goal.

But his touching moment didn’t last long.

For the ancient Rowlet returned.

Clutching a struggling Magikarp in its beak, the bird flew over Gengar and released its grip with a splat.

The Magikarp fell straight through Gengar’s head, landing at his feet.

Gengar stared speechlessly at the unfortunate Magikarp, then remarked in surprise, “Why is this fish a different color from the others?”

The previous ones had been red. This one was golden.

“It’s a fish, not a head of fish,” Hu Yang tried to correct Gengar’s grammar. “This is a rare color variant—a ‘shiny’ as we humans call it.”

“Most Pokémon have shiny forms. You do too. Regular Gengars are purple, but shiny ones are white.”

As he spoke, the information for this shiny Magikarp appeared in Hu Yang’s mind.

[Species: Magikarp (Shiny) ♂]
Type: Water
Ability: Swift Swim
Base Stats: 200 (HP: 20, Attack: 10, Defense: 55, Special Attack: 15, Special Defense: 20, Speed: 80)
Known Moves: Splash, Tackle
Current Mood: Furious (Careful, it’s about to attack you!)
Physical Condition: Perfect
Friendship: -20 (the kind that’ll jump up and hit you)

Roserade and Axew sat in their special chairs, half-finished food in hand or paw, watching the scene unfold.

Under their gaze, the shiny Magikarp used Splash, then launched a Tackle straight at Hu Yang.

Fortunately, Hu Yang had anticipated this, sidestepping swiftly.

“Caw!”

Upon seeing this, the ancient Rowlet erupted in rage, golden markings glowing along its body.

Hu Yang suddenly felt suffocated and pounced over at once.

No, no—this Magikarp doesn’t deserve to die…

Damn it, if Desolate Land’s power was unleashed in the dorm, would he still have a place to live?!

Forced to cancel its move, the ancient Rowlet looked over, confusion in its foolish eyes, appearing very innocent:

“Caw?”

Hu Yang was speechless.