"These are all nutritional drinks," Zhuang Xin said.
"Nutritional drinks?!"
Fang Yuan exclaimed with delight, "Is this whole box full of them?"
Nutritional drinks were precisely the kind of nutritional products he often purchased for Eevee.
Produced by Dawn Group, although costly, they greatly benefited a Pokémon by improving certain basic qualities, doubling the efficiency of training.
Even without training, if a Pokémon were to consume these supplements regularly, its physical condition would not be poor.
The price of a complete box like this could top what Father Fang and Mother Fang earned in a year before they got a raise.
"Yes, this is your reward for your outstanding performance in training."
"Unless something unexpected happens, there will be similar training rewards in the future, so you must strive to acquire them as much as possible."
Zhuang Xin's words were clear.
Fang Yuan's situation was different from Lin Jing and Liu Le; the other two might not need to worry about nutritional products, but Fang Yuan certainly needed to use them.
These nutritional products, which Zhuang Xin described as rewards for excellent combat training performance, were actually indirect subsidies for Fang Yuan.
The rising star program provided Fang Yuan with an opportunity to acquire resources efficiently,
then Fang Yuan would utilize these resources to grow, and continue to secure more resources; that was how the Pingcheng Trainer Association supported him and Eevee.
It goes without saying that as long as Fang Yuan continues to outperform Lin Jing and Liu Le in regular training, he won't lack resource supplies, which not only prevents him from gaining unearned rewards but also serves as motivation to keep him always vigilant and not comfortable with the status quo.
For Lin Jing and Liu Le, this could also serve as a form of motivation.
...
Having acquired a box of nutritional drinks, plus what Fang Yuan had purchased before, he probably wouldn't need to worry about Eevee's nutritional products for the next two months.
Of course, there are more expensive nutritional products, but for Pokémon at the novice stage, this kind of basic quality-improvement nutritional drink is sufficient.
After dining out, Fang Yuan and Eevee returned home where they first took a hot shower and then went about their business.
Eevee was recalling the Payback Technique taught by Long-eared Rabbit,
while Fang Yuan was recalling information related to Payback and affection…
"Payback is closely linked to the level of affection."
"However, the ways to enhance affection with a Pokémon do not have to be limited to the few methods in the game; yet, if you think about it, there's one that can be adopted..."
Massage!
Giving a Pokémon a massage is also an important way for Trainers to improve their bond with their Pokémon!
Of course, this is not just any massage. There's a significant amount of knowledge involved.
Depending on the Pokémon species, the massage techniques vary, and whether it's in the games or in the anime, massage is a skill that all Elf Breeders must master.
Even in the game, there are specialty masseuses who massage the player's Pokémon, which can increase the affection between Trainer and Pokémon.
"Why think so much about it, it's not like I know how to massage... Even if I could, I'm not sure it would make Eevee happier than accompanying it to binge-watch shows or play a couple of games together."
After a brief consideration, Fang Yuan saw through Eevee.
However, he made a note of the massage skill.
The so-called massage involves using hands to push, press, pinch, and knead on certain parts of a Pokémon's body to promote energy circulation, increase resistance, and adjust neural functions, which are all benefits of Pokémon massage.
Since it could be beneficial for Eevee, Fang Yuan didn't mind learning about it.
"When I get back to school, I'll ask Teacher Li and see if I can learn a couple of techniques from him. Then I can give massages to Eevee myself..."
Fang Yuan looked at Eevee...
Since petting a cat was a thing, petting Eevee seemed like a feasible option too.
"Hmm?"
As Fang Yuan watched Eevee, he suddenly noticed something unusual.
Eevee, who had been reminiscing about the Payback Technique, seemed to undergo some change!
Eevee slowly opened its eyes, and just now, it had felt the Emotional Energy described by the Long-eared Rabbit.
Although still vague and not usable, this time, it definitely sensed that energy.
In just half a day, such a change certainly wasn't due to Eevee's own talents.
"Bwoo..."
"What's the matter, Eevee?"
Eevee looked perplexed, then turned its gaze to the Soothing Bell thrown on the bed.
It was when it heard the sound of the Soothing Bell that it felt the Emotional Energy.
Fang Yuan also suddenly realized something: the sound of the Soothing Bell, which has a calming and mind-clearing effect on Pokemon, could it be that in this state, Pokemon are more sensitive to Emotional Energy?
"It's definitely possible. The Soothing Bell is linked to closeness with Pokemon; with its help, perhaps Eevee could more easily grasp the concept of Payback!"
Having realized this, Fang Yuan felt much better—didn't it mean that Eevee was not far from mastering Payback?
After a while, Fang Yuan took out his phone and started searching.
The Payback Technique, since only Rollie's species can learn it through growth, and its effects are not evident—easily mistaken for an enhanced version of pats—had not been discovered or summarized. This meant that Fang Yuan might be one of the few people who knew about the Payback Technique!
It was both an advantage and a disadvantage.
Without references, he and Eevee would have to figure it out on their own.
"It looks like the Soothing Bell must be kept on Eevee at all times; this tool is more important than I thought."
After investigating for a while, Fang Yuan suddenly felt tired.
He rubbed his forehead, which was aching, and then sighed.
Because he hadn't slept well last night and had quite a bit of exercise, Fang Yuan now felt very tired, and sleepiness swept over his consciousness.
"Let's take a rest..."
Fang Yuan lay down, and soon, he was asleep.
Soft breathing sounds came, causing Eevee next to him to pause.
"Bwoo..."
Eevee helplessly shook its head, took the blanket next to it in its mouth, and covered Fang Yuan with it, then continued pondering over the Payback Technique.
...
When Fang Yuan woke up, less than an hour had passed; as the sound of the door banging shut, he sat up sharply.
"I fell asleep..."
He picked up his phone to check the time; Father Fang and Mother Fang should be home from work by now, but today, they seemed to be returning late...
He hurriedly put on his slippers and opened the bedroom door; in the living room there was only one person, it seemed only Father Fang had returned.
No, that wasn't right... It wasn't just him.
To Fang Yuan's surprise, he saw that Father Fang was holding a Poké Ball in his hand, and besides, on the coffee table, a gray Pokemon was curiously looking around.
Little Magnetic Monster!
After making the decision, it took Father Fang just two days to bring the Little Magnetic Monster home.
At that moment, Eevee also ran out of the bedroom, and when it saw the weak, pitiful, helpless, and unable-to-fly Little Magnetic Monster from the power plant for the second time, it paused for a moment.
Eevee had a premonition that this Little Magnetic Monster would become its great rival...