Cain already had a clear idea about the exchange prices.
"Give me two Protect TMs, one Sleep Talk, and... better make it three Hidden Power TMs."
What Cain was initially going to say changed slightly at the end.
Since he had enough points, why not give each of his three Pokémon a Hidden Power TM? Even if the resulting type of energy wasn't particularly useful, it didn't matter.
But what if it turned out to be just what they needed? What if the type they awakened could cover their Pokémon's weaknesses?
This would depend on luck.
Although the exchange attendant tried to remain professional, he couldn't help but flinch upon hearing Cain spend points so freely.
"Here is your ID card; you still have 13,200 points. These are the TMs you've exchanged."
The attendant took the TMs from a secure cabinet, handed them to Cain, and then deducted the points from his card before returning to his work, not wanting to face the shock that Cain's actions caused him again.
After all, in his two years in Team Rocket, though he had always worked in administrative roles, he was still a team member. However, he hadn't earned as many points as Cain in all that time, and he feared that continuing to watch might make him envious.
Cain glanced at the attendant, who looked a little odd, but didn't give it much thought. He stored the TMs in his storage belt and headed to a training room.
Although there were TM learning devices in the exchange room, Cain didn't want to reveal all his resources.
This was his first time entering a training room, a space that Team Rocket had divided into small chambers. In addition to being able to use the learning devices, there were many training tools and some practice dummies.
The use of these rooms wasn't very common; most of them were empty. Under the curious gaze of the staff, Cain paid 100 points to access the largest training room.
"Gastly, check for any cameras here." Once inside the room and with the door locked, Cain gave the order.
A shadow emerged from Cain's and Gastly began exploring every corner of the place, from the walls to the ceiling.
After a thorough inspection, Gastly confirmed that there were no surveillance devices.
With security assured, Cain also released Slowpoke.
Having been confined in his Pokéball for so long, Slowpoke was not very comfortable. Once free, he couldn't stop yawning. For an active Slowpoke like him, it had been an uncomfortable experience.
"Slowpoke, hang in there a bit longer. We'll be done soon."
Cain patted Slowpoke's rounded head in apology.
"Yadon～" Slowpoke quickly shook his head, indicating he wasn't complaining, just feeling a bit uncomfortable.
Upon seeing Slowpoke, Murkrow flew down and began chatting with him.
After a moment of relaxation, Cain interrupted their play. They were always under intense training, so moments of leisure like this were very rare.
"Come on, learn these moves first."
Cain waved the TMs in front of them.
One by one, the Pokémon returned to their Pokéballs, and Cain placed them in the learning devices to transfer the TM moves to each of them.
TMs only ensure that Pokémon can learn the move, but not that they can use it skillfully. After learning the move, a lot of training will be needed to perfect it.
Cain didn't pay much attention to the Protect and Sleep Talk moves, especially the former, which can be used once learned and doesn't have many ways to improve—only gradual mastery in combat.
Sleep Talk was chosen specifically for Gastly, and he'll be able to train this move when he battles in the future.
What interested Cain the most was the type given by the Hidden Power move that each Pokémon would awaken after learning it.
The first to try out Hidden Power was Murkrow, Cain's first Pokémon, who always set an example for the others.
Murkrow closed his eyes and began to channel the move according to the method of the move that had been transferred to his mind.
Since it was his first time doing it, Murkrow took longer than usual, needing a full three minutes to finally release the move successfully.
Small electric sparks could be seen around Murkrow, which gradually concentrated into a yellow energy sphere. Occasionally, yellow electric sparks protruded from the sphere.
As the electrical energy became more concentrated, the sphere grew more solid. What were initially yellow sparks began to turn into faint blue lightning bolts. When the blue bolts surrounded the sphere in greater numbers, Murkrow lost control.
He hurled the yellow energy sphere charged with electricity toward the target at the center of the room, exploding upon impact, forming a small explosion ring accompanied by a loud crash.
Small yellow and blue lightning bolts dispersed from the center of the explosion, disappearing into the air as they reached the edges of the room.
The Hidden Power move works like this: it gathers the awakened type's energy into a sphere, which is then thrown at the opponent, dealing damage to a single target and to those within the explosion area.
It's worth noting that Team Rocket's training room was extremely well equipped. Despite the explosion, it only left a few black marks on the floor and caused no other damage.
Moreover, the loud noise did not attract any staff members, demonstrating that the room's soundproofing was also excellent.
Suddenly, Cain thought that having access to a training room like this was very useful.
Returning to Murkrow's move, it seemed he had awakened the Electric type in his Hidden Power.
The appearance was similar to the Electro Ball move, though the electric energy wasn't as concentrated as in that move. Although visually similar, the two moves function differently.
Cain was quite satisfied that Murkrow had awakened the Electric type. Although it didn't cover any of his weaknesses, it did expand his offensive capability. For instance, he would no longer have issues when facing Water-type Pokémon.
Murkrow, being a Flying and Dark type, might struggle in certain battlefields, like lakes or aquatic terrain, especially against Water-type Pokémon. Although it wouldn't be easy for him to be defeated, it also wouldn't be easy to defeat his opponent. But with this new Electric type, Murkrow could cover those weaknesses.
Additionally, in battles against other Flying-type Pokémon, the Hidden Power move could give Murkrow a significant advantage, solidifying his dominance in the skies.
This initial success delighted Cain, who patted Murkrow's feathers as a reward.
(End of Chapter)