It was Swalot, the evolved form of Gulpin!
Like Gulpin, Swalot possessed a soft and elastic body. However, unlike the small and cute Gulpin, Swalot had grown significantly larger—about the height of an adult man. Its color had changed from green to purple, and two yellow whiskers now adorned the sides of its mouth.
"Swalot~ Swalot~"
Swalot, still unaware it had evolved, wiggled its body and glanced around, looking utterly confused.
"Scrafty~ Scrafty~"
Scrafty happily congratulated it.
Realizing it had evolved, Swalot began hopping around joyfully, its bouncy body propelling it high into the air.
At this moment, Litwick, Skitty, Stunky, Spritzee, Linoone, Helioptile, and Minccino all noticed Swalot's evolution and quickly gathered around. They surrounded Swalot, offering congratulations in a cacophony of cheerful voices.
"Swalot~ Swalot~"
Swalot, overwhelmed with excitement, pulled everyone into a big hug, its elastic body enveloping the group entirely.
After evolving, Swalot had officially become the largest Pokémon in the household.
By evening, after a long day of work, the Pokémon and Angie returned home under the setting sun. There, they found Munchlax, Drizzile, and Haunter waiting with dinner already prepared.
Haunter had been learning to cook from Angie for a few days and practiced diligently in the kitchen training room every day. While it wasn't ready to handle everything independently, it was more than capable of assisting Munchlax and Drizzile.
Perhaps the exhaustion from the day made dinner taste even better, as the Pokémon ate without lifting their heads.
Tonight, Angie and the rest joined the Pokémon for dinner outside.
Metagross, enjoying its meal peacefully, suddenly noticed two Farfetch'd creeping up to it with their food bowls in hand.
Bang, bang, bang…
They tapped their bowls lightly.
"Metagross~"
What is it?
Hearing the noise, Metagross turned around to them and asked.
The male Farfetch'd inquired.
"Farfetch'd~ Farfetch'd~"
We heard you developed a training plan for the Veluza and the others.
Metagross nodded.
"Metagross~ Metagross~"
That's correct.
The female Farfetch'd's eyes lit up.
"Farfetch'd~ Farfetch'd~"
Could you create a training plan for us too?
Some Pokémon enjoyed battling, while others did not. Most Pokémon on the Nebel Plateau preferred a carefree, unrestrained life.
However, a few exceptions existed, such as these two Farfetch'd, along with Lairon, Croconaw, Drilbur, Quilladin, and the recently joined Espathra.
The two Farfetch'd had been eager to approach Metagross ever since they heard about the effective training plans it developed for the Veluza and the others.
Moments ago, they finally mustered the courage to ask. They had long known Metagross was a powerful Pokémon, but its strength made them hesitant to approach it.
However, Metagross hesitated after hearing the female Farfetch'd's request.
Not far away, Diancie overheard their conversation. Smiling, she suggested to Metagross, "Instructor Metagross, why not start a battle training class?"
Metagross, equipped with the ability to quickly absorb knowledge from the internet and boasting exceptional strength, seemed like the perfect candidate to be a battle instructor for the Pokémon.
"Metagross~ Metagross~"
Do you really think I can do it?
Metagross seemed uncertain. While it did enjoy teaching, it was worried about whether it could succeed, as teaching battle techniques was very different from teaching about breeding and care.
Diancie trusted Metagross more than it trusted itself. She encouraged, "You won't know until you try, right?"
Moved by her words, Metagross nodded.
"Metagross~ Metagross~"
I'll give it a shot!
Diancie added, "There are battle training DVDs stored in the secret base's staff dormitory by Angie. You could use them as a reference."
"Metagross~"
Thank you!
Metagross said gratefully.
Diancie smiled sweetly. "You're welcome. It's all for Angie!"
Turning to the two expectant Farfetch'd, Metagross said.
"Metagross~ Metagross~"
After dinner, ask around and see who else is interested in learning battle techniques. Bring me the list, and I'll create tailored training plans for all of you.
"Farfetch'd~ Farfetch'd~"
"Farfetch'd~ Farfetch'd~"
Hearing this, the two Farfetch'd were overjoyed. Holding their food bowls, they ran off to spread the news to their friends.
Watching them, Diancie grinned widely.
After dinner, most Pokémon gradually returned to rest. Angie spent some joyful family time with his seven Pokémon before heading into the culinary training room with his three apprentices.
Diancie continued her role as the strict instructor, making Angie, Munchlax, Drizzile, and Haunter tremble under her watchful eye.
Meanwhile, Pawmi, feeling bored, tried to get Metagross to play, but Metagross was busy creating training plans for the Pokémon and had no time to entertain it.
Earlier, right after dinner, the two Farfetch'd submitted the list of Pokémon interested in Metagross's training program. The list included: the two Farfetch'd, Lairon, Croconaw, Drilbur, Quilladin, Espathra, and two Charcadet.
Interestingly, the two Charcadet weren't particularly fond of battling, especially the Crybaby Charcadet. Just one hit could make it cry for ages.
However, the Goodboy Charcadet believed they needed at least some self-defense skills to protect themselves and their partner Oinkologne during their future adventures. Determined, it signed up, and the Crybaby Charcadet, inseparable from it, joined as well.
Seeing that Metagross was ignoring it, Pawmi wandered over to Komala and leaned against it. Eventually, the two fell asleep together.
It was unclear how much time had passed when Angie picked up Pawmi by the scruff of its neck.
"Pawmi, wake up. Time to study," Angie's voice echoed in its ears.
Startled awake, Pawmi realized Munchlax, Drizzile, and Haunter were already sitting in a circle waiting for it. It immediately drooped in dismay.
"Pawmi~"
I hate studying!
Unfortunately, resistance was futile.
Thus, Angie sat in a circle with his three apprentices and Pawmi, beginning their daily Aura training session.
Angie, already well-versed in the theory, explained the key points once more to his apprentices and Pawmi. Then, the five of them sat cross-legged on the ground, closed their eyes, and entered a meditative state.
Following the methods outlined in the Training Manual, Angie constantly stimulated the Aura within him, strengthening and energizing it.
For Munchlax, Drizzile, and Haunter, the process was far more frustrating. Unable to sense any Aura energy within themselves, they sat there grimacing, utterly bored by the seemingly endless meditation.
Munchlax and the others were already struggling, but when it came to Pawmi, it simply couldn't sit still. Although its eyes were closed like the others, it seemed as if there were pins beneath it. It kept squirming, scratching its ears, and fidgeting restlessly.
Time ticked by, and in the blink of an eye, the session was about to end. Munchlax, Drizzile, and Haunter were still getting nowhere.
Meanwhile, Pawmi had started dozing off. Its head bobbed up and down, and a big snot bubble inflated and deflated in rhythm with its breathing.
It seemed to be dreaming about something serious. Its expression grew stern, and every now and then, it threw a punch in the air.
Suddenly, a look of delight crossed its face. The snot bubble burst with a "pop," and it abruptly opened its eyes.
"Pawmi~~"
Pawmi yelped, leapt to its feet, and dashed to Angie, tugging excitedly at his sleeve.
Angie cracked one eye open to glance at it. "Pawmi, what's the matter? Don't interrupt my training."
"Pawmi! Pawmi!"
Pawmi gestured excitedly with its paws.
Angie opened both eyes now, intrigued. "Did you sense your Aura? Haha! Weren't you just napping? Don't think I didn't notice!"
"Pawmi! Pawmi!"
Of course, Pawmi refused to admit it had been slacking. Putting on a mock-serious face, it grabbed Angie's fingers insistently, trying to make him feel for himself. It was determined to prove it had sensed its Aura.
Angie sighed, giving in. "Fine, fine. I'll check. But if you didn't really sense your Aura, you're going to sit quietly on the side and stop bothering me, okay?"
"Pawmi! Pawmi!"
Pawmi nodded vigorously, confidence shining on its face.
Angie held Pawmi's paw and extended his own Aura to sense its energy. His expression froze. Startled, he looked at Pawmi.
"You really did sense it?"
According to the Training Manual, Aura remains dormant until it's sensed. Once awakened, it becomes highly active. This process is called "Aura Awakening."
At that moment, Pawmi's Aura was unusually active, indicating it had indeed awakened.
"Pawmi!"
Of course! I wouldn't lie!
Pawmi puffed out its chest and raised its head proudly.
Angie was baffled. Was this the difference talent made? This little rascal barely put any effort into training, and yet it had surpassed the others?
He patted Pawmi on the head. "Well, since you've awakened it, make sure to train properly from now on."
However, awakening one's Aura didn't necessarily mean they could do extraordinary things like Lucario, such as launching Aura Spheres or sensing the environment through Aura. Some people who awakened their Aura might spend a lifetime training and still be unable to project it externally, let alone master its use.
Aura is fixed within a person's body and changes as they grow. From childhood to adolescence and young adulthood, a person's Aura gradually strengthens. In middle age and old age, it starts to decline.
The Aura Guardians recorded in history possessed naturally powerful Auras.
The same was true for Pokémon like Lucario, who were born with formidable Auras.
The changes in a Pokémon's Aura followed a pattern similar to that of humans.
Therefore, Aura cannot be increased through training. The purpose of training is to help the awakened develop better control over their existing Aura.
Once someone (or a Pokémon) has awakened their Aura, their control over their body reaches a whole new level. They can channel their Aura to enhance their physical strength and sharpen their perception of the world around them.
Angie's Aura continued to grow stronger, all thanks to the help of the system. The increase in his intelligence stats was a clear indicator that the Aura within him was strengthening.
Angie carefully sensed the Aura within Pawmi. Although it was highly active, it wasn't particularly strong. Still, it was impressive that Pawmi had awakened its Aura before Munchlax and the others!
Pawmi's Aura would continue to strengthen as it evolved. By the time it reached its final evolutionary stage, the strength of its Aura would have completely stabilized.
"Pawmi~"
Feeling pleased with itself, Pawmi strutted to the side, sat upright on the ground, and began training according to Angie's teachings.
Awakening its Aura ahead of the more diligent Munchlax, Drizzile, and Haunter gave Pawmi a newfound sense of accomplishment. Because of that, its previously lazy demeanor had completely disappeared.
Angie withdrew his gaze from Pawmi and shook his head helplessly.
"Munchlax~~"
At that moment, Munchlax, who had been diligently training, opened its eyes with a look of grievance. It had overheard Angie and Pawmi's conversation. Despite all its hard work, it still couldn't awaken its Aura, while Pawmi, who always seemed to slack off, had succeeded.
It just wasn't fair!
Angie reached out and rubbed its head to comfort it. "Don't rush. Aura training is never easy; just take it one step at a time."
Truthfully, Angie didn't insist that Munchlax or the others had to excel at mastering Aura. After days of persistent but fruitless training, Angie had already told Munchlax that it could give up anytime if it wanted to.
But Munchlax had firmly declared that it wanted to train alongside Angie.
Even if it couldn't awaken its Aura, being able to stay by its master's side was enough to make it happy.
Before long, the training session ended, and Angie led his Pokémon out of the training room.
"Pawmi~ Pawmi~"
Pawmi was in an excellent mood after sensing its Aura. It skipped along at the front of the group with a spring in its step.
In contrast, Munchlax, Drizzile, and Haunter weren't nearly as cheerful. They trudged along with their heads hanging low.
Yet another day had passed without sensing their Auras.
Seeing his three disheartened disciples, Angie felt a pang of sympathy. Suddenly, inspiration struck. "Hey, is anyone hungry? I'll treat you to some late-night snacks—something you've never had before!"
"Pawmi!"
Food!
As soon as it heard the mention of food, Pawmi froze mid-step and dashed to Angie's side in a flash. It clung to his leg with all four limbs, looking up at him with eager eyes.
Even Munchlax and the others perked up slightly upon hearing this.
Angie smiled. "There's still time. Let's grab a bite before we call it a night." He then turned to the household's "manager," Diancie, and asked, "That's okay, right?"
Feigning annoyance, Diancie lightly smacked Angie's arm. "Fine, fine. You're the head of the house. Whatever you say goes. How could I possibly object?"
"Munchlax~~"
"Drizzile~"
"Pawmi~"
"Haunter~"
With Diancie's approval, Munchlax and the others cheered excitedly.
"Alright then, let's head to the kitchen!" Angie declared with a triumphant wave of his arm.