Chapter 63: Codename: Gengar

April 28th.

Roselia’s move practice had made considerable progress, and Axew’s mastery of both Shadow Clone and Dragon Dance showed clear improvements.

Within the Orange Forest.

Without wild Pokémon to spar with, Hu Yang had Axew and Roselia act as each other’s opponents. He stood to the side, serving as judge.

After months of daily training, Roselia and Axew had grown noticeably stronger compared to when they had first begun.

He watched as Roselia’s Paralyzing Bomb struck Axew, then saw Axew use its finely sharpened teeth to sever Roselia’s vine whip.

Hu Yang’s mind swiftly conjured plans for the next stage of special training.

His golden finger saved him tremendous amounts of time. Unlike other trainers, he no longer needed to travel to specific places just so his Pokémon could learn particular moves—for example, meditating beneath a waterfall to grasp the essence of water and learn Waterfall, or venturing into the surging ocean to sense the flow of currents and learn Whirlpool.

Both Roselia and Axew now possessed a wealth of moves.

Next, it was time for targeted training in battle technique, physical strength, and reaction speed.

Battle technique required accumulating experience through combat with a variety of opponents.

Physical strength could be enhanced through daily exercise and a nutritious diet.

As for reaction speed...

In battle, opponents never foolishly stand still waiting for moves—they’re constantly on the move. At such times, Pokémon must develop predictive abilities, anticipating the opponent’s next position to strike accurately with their moves.

When he saw Roselia’s Solar Beam miss its mark, Hu Yang pondered the feasibility of practicing attacks on moving targets.

After a fierce battle, both Axew and Roselia were drenched in sweat.

Axew, exhausted, lay sprawled over a stone, its tail limp to the side.

“Let’s take a break!”

Hu Yang went over and gently lifted Axew’s little tail, then took out wet wipes from his backpack and wiped the sweat from both Axew’s and Roselia’s foreheads.

“Axew…” Axew lay motionless, content to be pampered.

Roselia gripped a water bottle with its vines, replenishing fluids.

“Tired?” Hu Yang stowed the used tissues in a small pouch beside his backpack, planning to dispose of them back at school.

“Axew…” Axew nodded weakly.

Training was a particularly arduous affair.

During his time at the school, Hu Yang had witnessed Pokémon who, unable to endure the rigors of training, developed resistance toward it.

He worried Axew and Roselia might similarly lose their enthusiasm for special training.

But reality proved his fears unnecessary.

“Axew!”

Feeling its growing strength, Axew clenched its tiny fists.

Though exhausted, everything was worth it!

No wild Pokémon was raised in a greenhouse.

The strongest wild Pokémon grew into regional rulers through relentless battle.

Innate longing for strength allowed Pokémon to overcome the hardships of training.

Perhaps, this was the true purpose of the trainer’s profession.

To train Pokémon, help them grow stronger, and, as they grow, fulfill the trainer’s dreams.

Through travel and adventure, bonds of affection would form, transcending mere interests, blossoming into friendship and family—a willing companionship, fighting for each other.

Gengar stood with folded arms, watching the scene. Suddenly, it said, “I think it’s almost time.”

Over this period, it had witnessed the transformations in these two.

In human terms, it was truly incredible.

Now, at last, it understood why the relationship between Pokémon and humans had become what it was.

With human help, a Pokémon’s growth outpaced wild fumbling by more than tenfold.

Hearing this, Hu Yang was momentarily stunned, then exclaimed with delight, “Really?”

Gengar nodded, its expression hesitant and uncertain as it asked, “That place is truly dangerous. Are you sure you want to go?”

“Maybe… we shouldn’t?” Gengar said.

Suddenly, it felt that things as they were now were quite good. Though it couldn’t touch anything in reality, simply being able to stay by this human’s side made it happy.

“Why?” Hu Yang wondered if he’d misheard. “Didn’t you want most to come back to life?”

“I…” Gengar opened its mouth, unsure what to say.

Hu Yang thought carefully, glancing at the affection score of 100, and asked, “Are you worried I might be in danger?”

Gengar whispered, “I won’t be able to help.” If something really happened, that feeling of helplessness would be unbearable.

So that was it!

Gengar’s species, once captured, would give absolute loyalty to its trainer.

Just like those Gastly and Haunter in the anime, who, even three centuries after their trainer’s death, continued to guard their master’s ship and trophies, never leaving, and commanding the ghost ship to sail endlessly across the vast sea.

Understanding Gengar’s reason, Hu Yang smiled reassuringly, “Don’t worry, nothing will happen. Even if we run into danger beyond our abilities, we still have the Ancient Moon Bird.”

The Ancient Moon Bird—the invincible Ancient Moon Bird.

Able to challenge Rayquaza above, and snatch Kyogre below.

“Kaa?”

Perhaps sensing Hu Yang’s inner call, the Ancient Moon Bird flew back to his side from not far away, as if answering his claim.

Axew jumped up, thumping its chest in assurance. “Axew!”

Don’t worry, with it here, there would be no problem!

Roselia nodded happily as well. “Ros!”

Seeing this, Gengar suddenly felt a surge of emotion, as if it might burst into tears.

…

Training ended, and they returned to the dormitory.

Gengar began packing its things for the journey.

Hu Yang watched as it rummaged through its little box, unable to actually touch anything, and felt a bit helpless.

“What do you want to take with you?”

Gengar asked, “Can I take everything?”

These were all things Hu Yang had bought for it recently: scarves, Gengar plushies, Gastly-themed pendants, and even a night lamp that emitted a purple glow.

Hu Yang replied, “…that’s too much. We can’t carry it all.”

Gengar was disappointed, thinking carefully, then pointed to the scarf Hu Yang had bought for it first, saying, “Let’s just take this one!”

It wanted to wear the scarf right away, to experience how it felt.

Hu Yang had meant to say that summer was near and the scarf would no longer be needed, but seeing Gengar’s eager expression, he held his tongue.

After discussing with Gengar, Hu Yang decided to wait until the school’s summer break before heading out.

Once Gengar’s body was reclaimed, they would go to Kaina City to forge the Key Stone bracelet.

Before that, he needed to use the remaining two months to strengthen himself as much as possible.