"Blissey~"
Blissey, while teaching moves, employed a step-by-step demonstration method. First, it explained how the move worked, showcasing the process while breaking down its intricacies. Afterward, it demonstrated the move several times for Elekid to observe before letting it practice. Meanwhile, Blissey moved on to Ursaring, teaching it using the same approach.
Switching back and forth between the two Pokémon, Blissey meticulously explained every detail of each move. Thanks to this focused method, both Pokémon were learning at an impressive pace.
At this rate, they would master their moves in just three days.
But...
It wasn't fast enough! Too slow!
Elekid, who had been training all morning without even getting close to understanding Focus Blast, was growing impatient.
Time was too precious to waste on slow learning. Elekid needed to push itself to squeeze out even more moves from Blissey's teaching.
Suddenly, a piece of advice Paul once gave surfaced in Elekid's mind: "No matter what you do, set a goal. Put yourself in the experience to truly improve. That's the fastest way to learn."
"Bzzt! Bzzt!"
Recalling Paul's words, Elekid bared its teeth at Blissey, signaling it to attack directly.
Learning moves required taking some hits—it was all part of the process!
"Come on, hit me! Let me experience the power of the move firsthand!"
"Bzzt! Bzzt!"
"Blissey?"
Blissey hesitated, glancing at Paul, hoping he'd intervene and stop Elekid's reckless behavior.
To its surprise…
Paul approved of the idea.
"That's a solid plan. Blissey, go all out. Just slow your movements a bit so they can fully absorb the experience."
With Blissey's healing powers, a stockpile of medicines, and Jubilife City nearby, Paul had no concerns about injuries. "Go ahead!" he encouraged.
"?"
Blissey hesitated but eventually gave in. Slowly gathering energy, it formed a Focus Blast and hurled it at Elekid.
Elekid didn't dodge. Instead, it locked its gaze on the Focus Blast, analyzing every detail.
"Boom!"
One second later, the blast exploded, sending Elekid flying.
Crawling back to its feet, Elekid winced in pain but grinned with exhilaration.
The single hit had given Elekid a far more profound understanding of Focus Blast than dozens of attempts ever had.
It calculated that, after about twenty more blasts, it would definitely master the move.
"Bzzt! Bzzt!"
Elekid turned to Blissey, eyes sparkling with determination.
"If you're my brother, then hit me again!"
"Blissey?"
Blissey was bewildered but kept going, launching another Focus Blast.
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
...
The repeated explosions left Elekid unable to stand by the end, sprawled in a crater, battered and bruised but smiling with satisfaction. It's eyes glimmered with excitement. The scene was oddly surreal, like a broken toy still grinning.
Blissey gently healed Elekid with its Soft-Boiled move, restoring most of it's energy and health. Elekid stood up, ready for another round of blasting.
The bizarre cycle continued until Blissey switched its attention to Ursaring.
Noticing Elekid's rapid progress, Ursaring decided to try the same method.
However, Ursaring wasn't foolish. Before taking hits, it boosted its defenses with multiple uses of Bulk Up. Then it allowed Blissey to hit it with Fire Punch.
With this strategy, Ursaring could endure more hits, maximizing its learning opportunities within the same amount of time.
The relentless training continued until Elekid finally succeeded in forming its own Focus Blast, and Ursaring, still singed from Fire Punch, began to unleash fiery strikes of its own.
Focus Blast and Fire Punch: learned!
"Blissey?"
Even Blissey was dumbfounded. This unorthodox training method was astonishingly effective.
Today's teaching session felt like a revelation, opening Blissey's eyes to new possibilities.
It was likely that from now on, the Pokémon left at the Daycare to learn moves would adopt this method.
"Continue practicing your moves. Switch roles. Ursaring and Elekid, you will battle each other, but only with the moves you just learned," Paul instructed.
"Bzzt! Bzzt!"
"Rawrr~"
The two Pokémon exchanged a knowing glance, their eyes glinting with mischievous determination.
With Blissey's help, Elekid faced repeated defeats, only to rise stronger each time.
By the following afternoon, both Pokémon had mastered their moves and even picked up proficiency in each other's techniques.
Two days. Two moves. Mastered.
"Good. We'll put it to the test tomorrow."
Paul nodded in satisfaction, recalling the exhausted Pokémon into their Poké Balls.
Jubilife City – Battle Plaza – Day 3 of the Victory Cup.
After two days of fierce competition, the highest win streak stood at nine consecutive victories. No trainer had yet achieved the coveted ten-win streak.
As with most events, the start and the finale drew the largest crowds.
On the third day, spectators flooded the venue, eager to watch the battles.
Even though Paul arrived early, the limited seating had already filled.
Today, however, he wasn't here as a spectator. He was a competitor.
After registering, Paul sat in the trainers' waiting area, quietly observing the matches.
On the battlefield, a trainer was commanding their Prinplup against their opponent's Roserade.
The two Pokémon clashed intensely, both bearing visible injuries.
Prinplup was worse off, while Roselia's injuries were minor.
"Roselia, use Magical Leaf!"
"Prinplup, Drill Peck!"
With the trainers' final commands, the two Pokémon launched their attacks.
Prinplup leaped high, spinning rapidly as its beak drilled forward with immense force. The Magical Leaf shattered upon impact, scattering into fragments.
Breaking through the attack, Prinplup surged downward, striking Roselia directly.
It's super effective!
A critical hit!
"?!"
Roselia's eyes widened in shock before collapsing without a sound.
"Roselia is unable to battle. Prinplup wins!"
The referee announced the outcome.
"Whew… Finally," Prinplup's trainer sighed in relief.
"Congratulations to Theo for securing his eighth consecutive victory!"
"Applause…"
"Will Theo continue defending his streak?"
The announcer's question hung in the air.
Prinplup's trainer hesitated, glancing at his injured Pokémon and the leaderboard displaying his eight-win streak.
Clenching his teeth, he decided to press on.
Just one more weak opponent… One more, and I'll tie for the highest streak. After that, I can wait for the extra matches at the event's conclusion.
"The trainer has chosen to defend his streak. Next challenger: Paul from Veilstone City!"
As the announcer's voice echoed, a stoic, purple-haired boy rose from the waiting area and approached the battlefield.
For some reason, Theo felt a sudden weight of pressure upon seeing Paul's emotionless expression.
Please let him be weak… he prayed silently.
But then...
"Elekid, get ready to battle!"
----------------------------------------
If you want to access advance chapters, please visit: patreon.com / PMadz_23