Pokémon: Trainers Start as Bounty Hunters.

Tetsuya looked at Brock with a puzzled expression, then suddenly realized: "You only have two Pokémon yourself, no wonder you're reluctant to go up. You're afraid of getting beaten up and losing face, right?"

"Don't talk nonsense. It's perfectly normal for a 16-year-old like me to lose to them. Besides, what's so embarrassing about losing because of youth?"

Furthermore, Geodude has already broken through to the normal level, plus Onix, which just broke through to the elite level...

Xiao Gang blushed and began to ramble on in defense of himself.

Tetsuya ignored him and carefully looked at the date on the ticket.

After confirming the time, it's still about ten days away.

After some thought, I figured that with the help of the Pewter Gym's facilities and my own training plan, these ten days or so should be just enough for Stone Ball to barely reach the average level.

After all, leveling up to level 10 in the early stages is relatively easy, and most of the time, Stone Ball only needs to absorb energy to prepare for evolution.

It should be fine for competitions. Anyway, Pidgeot and Mighty Chicken are the mainstays. It doesn't matter if we can't win the championship. The main thing is loyalty.

"...Besides, many of them aren't even as good as me, you..." "Oh right, what's for lunch today?"

Tsuyoshi, who was interrupted by Tetsuya's sudden question, was taken aback for a moment, and then replied naturally, "Potato stew with braised beef, served with stir-fried green vegetables and steamed egg yolk."

"Okay, I'll go train now. Good luck!" "Okay."

Xiao Gang nodded and turned to cook. The two of them had agreed to take turns cooking lunch and dinner each day during their training, and today it was his turn.

But suddenly sensing something was wrong, Xiaogang immediately turned around. By then, Tetsuya had long since disappeared, probably already training.

Xiao Gang had no choice but to give up on the idea in his mind. Anyway, he figured it would be the same to talk about it during dinner.

Chapter 40 Learning and Training (Part 1)

After shaking off Xiaogang, Tetsuya went to the training room. While urging his Pokémon to train hard, he was also learning new knowledge to improve himself and Zero.

"The characteristics of Pokémon are a very unique concept. The first person to propose this concept was Dr. Nymus, who specializes in studying the differences between Pokémon in the Orange Islands."

Subsequently, doctoral students from various regions joined forces to conduct in-depth research on this topic.

Ultimately, Professor Oak and the other professors came up with a simple definition of Abilities: the special abilities that every Pokémon possesses.

In other words, the essence of an ability is the special ability that an individual may possess, determined by the characteristics of the Pokémon itself. For example, most Grass-type Pokémon possess the Chlorophyll ability.

Because of the unique physical characteristics of some Grass-type Pokémon, which are more like a combination of plants and animals, they become more active in sunlight. Therefore, Pokémon with chlorophyll will increase their speed in sunny weather.

Take, for example, Pokémon like Cubone, which have extremely strong head resistance. Because of their excellent head defense, they possess the characteristic of having a hard head that prevents them from being damaged by the reaction force of their own attacks.

During their research, the researchers discovered that the number of traits possessed by each elf race varied, with the fewest having only one trait and the most having as many as three different traits.

Further comparative analysis revealed that among elf races with two or three traits, exceptional individuals often possess two different traits simultaneously, completely different from the single trait of ordinary individuals.

After data integration, the PhDs provided more specific explanations and classifications of the characteristics, namely, primary characteristics, secondary characteristics, and hidden characteristics.

Pokémon with a single characteristic need no further explanation; these types of Pokémon don't even have hidden characteristics, and all individuals have the same characteristic.

Furthermore, if a group of elves possesses only the primary and secondary traits and no hidden traits, then the common individuals within it will only possess one of these traits as their unique ability.

No Pokémon has yet been found to possess both the first and second characteristics.

Furthermore, if this elf race possesses a hidden characteristic in addition to its first or second characteristic, it will also have a hidden characteristic.

Note that it is "or", not "and". In other words, even if a Pokémon has only one primary ability and no secondary ability, it still meets the above conditions if the species has a hidden ability.

Similarly, an elf race that possesses the first characteristic, the second characteristic, and the hidden characteristic also meets the criteria.

In addition to possessing one of the first two characteristics, the most outstanding individuals will also have an additional hidden characteristic as their special ability.

Taking Onix as an example, its first characteristic is Hard Head, its second characteristic is Sturdy, and its hidden characteristic is Shattered Armor.

Most individuals will possess either the Hard Head or Sturdy ability, while exceptional individuals will possess a hidden ability in addition to either Hard Head or Sturdy, namely Shattered Armor.

Among them, "extremely outstanding individuals" specifically refers to Pokémon with Elite Four aptitude or higher.

According to the sample, assuming the population has hidden traits, the probability of an individual with the Heavenly King aptitude having hidden traits is about 50%.

Due to the small sample size, the probability of a near-championship can only be estimated to be between 60% and 70%.

Under the same conditions, all champion-quality Pokémon possess hidden abilities, without exception.

Pokémon with a potential below Elite Four level do not have any hidden abilities, and there are no exceptions.

The researchers also discovered that the characteristics of Pokémon change after evolution, but there is a pattern to this, namely the continuity of characteristics.

The term "continuity" means that if a Pokémon with a first characteristic changes its characteristic during evolution, the resulting characteristic will be the first characteristic of the next form, not the second characteristic; the same applies to Pokémon with a second characteristic.

Take Gryphon as an example. Its first ability is Sturdy and its second ability is Crack Armor. Since the first and second abilities of Mantle Rock remain unchanged, a Gryphon with the Sturdy ability will still evolve with the Sturdy ability, and a Gryphon with the Crack Armor ability will still evolve with Crack Armor.

However, since Gigantamax's first ability is Sturdy and its second ability is Sandstorm, both Rockruff and Mantle Rock, which possess the first ability Sturdy, retain the first ability Sturdy when they evolve into their final forms.

Rockruff and Mantle Rock, which possess the second ability Shatter Armor, evolve into their final forms and their ability becomes Gigalith's second ability, Sandstorm.

This property also applies to hidden traits if the hidden traits before and after evolution are inconsistent.

The researchers speculated that hidden properties might have other characteristics, but because the proportion of samples possessing these properties was too small, no conclusions could be drawn yet.

Putting down the documents, Tetsuya muttered to himself, "So that's how it is. The Strength Chicken's acceleration is a special ability caused by its exceptionally well-developed leg muscles, which is a natural attribute of a champion."

As for Pidgeot and Rockruff, I can only say that I was lucky and hit that roughly 50% chance. Or, to put it another way, Pidgeot and Rockruff are also extremely outstanding among Elite Four contenders.

Otherwise, they wouldn't all possess hidden characteristics.

Yes, the Stone Ball also has hidden properties.

On panel number zero, this is what Ishimaru looks like now that he has passed through the infancy stage.

【Stone Balls】

Category: Mantle Pokémon

Attribute: Rock

Height: 0.5m (average is 0.4m)

Weight: 22kg (average weight 18kg)

Special Ability: Shattered Armor (If damaged by a physical attack, Defense decreases, Speed ​​increases significantly.)

Hidden Ability: Sand Power (During sandstorms, the power of Rock, Ground, and Steel-type moves is increased.)

Skills: Tackle, Sand Brush, Harden, Stealth Rock, Gravity (inherited), Wide Guard (inherited)

Level: 6 (Beginner)

Potential: King

Nurturing method: Due to the special nature of Pokémon, they are fed high-energy crystals until they evolve (synthesis method is as follows.....).

Due to its high innate rock attribute, coupled with various special rocks, it can exert different effects and resistances on the rocks on its body surface (specific details are as follows:.......).

"Moreover, the Shatter Armor ability of Stone Golem will become the corresponding second ability Sandstorm after evolving into Gigantamax, which is perfect for combining with Sand Power."

This, in turn, proves that this Stone Golem possesses exceptional talent in the Rock type, which aligns with Zero's test results.

Tetsuya nodded slightly, indicating that he had learned a lot.

After all, this kind of knowledge is not open to the public. He used to wonder why there were so-called hidden characteristics, but now it seems that it is just that individuals with outstanding aptitude are stronger in some aspects because of their talents.

"Strong Chicken, when you exert force with your right calf, be careful not to relax too much."

While Tetsuya was thinking, he noticed that the strong chicken beside him seemed a bit out of sorts, so he reminded it.

This is something a good trainer should do, because Pokémon are also living beings; they get tired, experience joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, and their training can be distracting. That's when a trainer needs to be there to remind them.

Chapter 41 Study and Training (Part Two)

Combusken is currently training its core strength in the gravity chamber of Pewter City's training ground.

"Get up a little more, hold the final position for two seconds before lowering down."

"just."

The strong chicken struggled to utter a sound and changed its movements.

"Finished five...take a break, then...three more..."

Tetsuya was also exercising on the side of the field with a slight gravity boost, while watching the progress of the Power Chicken.

His upper body was also soaked.

"Once Stone Ball evolves, we can focus on training its control over gravity skills."

This way, you can use gravity to train anytime, anywhere; weighted clothing still has its limits.

Tetsuya's body was constantly moving, and his mind was also constantly thinking.

Seeing that Shi Wanzi had finished replenishing his nutrition and was practicing his skills, he also reminded him: "Shi Wanzi, you can stop your skill training after 15 minutes. Don't overuse your stored energy."

"Dangoro!"

Stone Ball indicated that it was clear.

Perhaps due to its inherent attributes, Stone Golem has a very calm personality, which is not at all like a Pokémon that has just passed through its infancy.

After finishing the last round of training, Tetsuya stood up, while Riki-Chicken was already resting on the side.

Seeing that its trainer had finished training, Broccoli picked up a towel that was placed to the side and handed it to him.

"Cha, Chamo!"

"Thanks, strong chicken." Tetsuya took the towel and wiped the sweat from his upper body. "What's there to be proud of if I'm slower than you? I think you haven't trained enough, yet you still have the energy to think about these things."

He said it in an annoyed tone.

When the strong chicken handed him the towel, he even mocked him for exercising so slowly today.

Shaking his head, he thought, his own Mighty Chicken's personality was quite peculiar, completely unlike the usual irritable Fire-type Pokémon.

If I had to use an adjective to describe him, he'd probably be annoying, but thankfully he takes both battles and training very seriously and isn't that mischievous.

"After you've rested, take the No. 3 nutritional supplement. Later, add a set of core strength training, and then do five sets of leg muscle training with the usual weight and gravity multiplication."

Tetsuya instructed them to focus on strengthening the chickens.

"I'll go check on Pidgeot in the pressure chamber. You watch over Stone Ball and have him finish training his skills before he goes to the materials room to absorb 500g of rock number three."

"Chamo".

The strong chicken nodded.

"Chamo?"

"Yes, once it's done, just let it control its internal energy flow on its own, just like before. It's much easier for you than you are; you don't need to say anything."

"just!"

"Okay, okay, you're right. You've rested enough, right? Hurry up and finish your potion and go train. After you're done, go to the energy room to practice energy control."

Tetsuya took a sip of water, stood up, and ignoring the strong chicken's complaints behind his back about his half-hearted answer, headed towards the pressure chamber to check on Pidgeot's progress.

After finishing the potion, Mighty Chicken realized that its trainer, aside from being a bit handsome, cooking a bit better, being good at training, and giving good commands, had no other redeeming qualities.

This guy definitely doesn't have a girlfriend; he's completely clueless about how to talk.

He stood up, sighed silently, and thought, "I still have to train them myself. Being an elf is so tough these days."

"Ah."

Tetsuya sneezed as he walked down the street. "Did I catch a chill after training? I definitely need to put on a jacket."

Upon entering the pressure chamber, the Pidgeot was training inside.

Tetsuya greeted the trainers who were resting nearby and then went into the corresponding observation room next door.

Simply put, the wind pressure chamber simulates a natural storm, where Flying-type Pokémon can train their bodies and sense energy.

Because Pewter City is a Rock-type Gym, Brock said that the Pressure Chamber is relatively small.

In some dojos specializing in flight-related dojos, the wind pressure chamber is the key building, and it's ridiculously large.

The pressure chamber is further divided into small rooms. Most of the rooms are training areas, while the rest are set aside as observation rooms for trainers.

The two are separated by a reinforced transparent glass panel.

Trainers can observe and direct their Pokémon's training process via broadcast from the observation room.

Seeing Pidgeot flying in the wind, Tetsuya nodded. It seemed that Pidgeot wasn't slacking off.