Chapter 37: Knowledge, Sweat, and Effort!

With the first display of power, subsequent information gradually emerged, completing the unclear craft effect.

'Ancient wood carvings respond to Pokémon matching their depicted form; each type of carving may only be wished upon once.'

'If the carving craft improves or unique wood is used, the number of wishes or their content may change.'

'The purpose of ancient wood carvings is to boost individual stats!'

Guang Tai felt a surge of delight, but remembering that relic stones or ancient rocks were needed for inlay, the joy quickly faded.

It is widely known that Pokémon possess three stats: base stats, individual values, and effort values.

Even in the real Pokémon world, effort values have no upper limit—after all, my Pokémon worked especially hard; no one can object.

But base stats and individual values cannot be changed; the former is a fixed ability inherent to a Pokémon’s entire species, the latter is an innate strength unique to each individual Pokémon, unalterable.

Among players, the number 31 is commonly called V—the maximum individual value.

Across the entire world, to enhance a specific individual value, one must perform 'Extreme Training' and consume items known as Silver Crown and Golden Crown.

'So it’s not just any stat—it’s Attack individual value?'

Guang Tai’s excitement had mostly faded by now; only then did he realize that Lianbai Gen Wa had made a wish—and Attack individual value was the one boosted.

Guang Tai couldn’t help but laugh and sigh.

Pokémon have a simple understanding of power: it’s just Attack. Most cannot distinguish Physical Attack from Special Attack, though a few can—like Team Rocket’s Cacnea, which chooses different defenses based on the opponent’s attack type.

'I’ll need to find some unique wood and carve more statues.'

'Old wood allows only one wish per Pokémon type—that means even if I carve new statues, I can’t wish again unless I use different wood.'

'And since the first boost was Attack individual value, wouldn’t it be better to pursue the Hisuian form?'

Attack individual value reached its peak, but Lianbai Gen Wa’s base Attack is very low; only by evolving into Mountain Path Queen—the Hisuian form of Skitty—can it gain powerful Attack.

Moreover, in terms of moves, stats, and versatility, Hisuian Skitty is far stronger than the original form!

'That’s right—to reclaim its habitat, it must evolve into a powerful form.'

'As for Abilities, I can use items to change them; though I don’t have them yet, there’s no rush.'

'Bai~'

Lianbai Gen Wa noticed Guang Tai’s expression shift from joy to furrowed brows, unsure what had happened, but she felt her power had surged dramatically!

The feeling was astonishing! Yet when she touched the carving again or tried to wish a second time, it gave no response.

She looked at Guang Tai again.

'Bai? (︵)?'

Had she wished for the wrong thing?

Lianbai Gen Wa was confused.

Now that the wish was complete, the ancient power within the carving was exhausted—it could only be sold for money.

'Perhaps wood from special forests—like Oakgrove, Evergreen Forest, or Lianru Forest—could produce carvings with stronger effects.'

Guang Tai glanced at Lianbai Gen Wa; she and Doujianshao were hovering near the carving, poking it curiously.

Oh right, Doujianshao needs one too—but its pattern is too complex, and Guang Tai still hated the hassle.

Before wishing for Doujianshao, he’d need to explain which stats matter most and which can be weaker.

'If I find stronger special wood for carving, could I boost two, three, or even all individual stats to maximum at once?'

'Extreme Training is a mechanic exclusive to games; the Alola region in reality likely has no such thing.'

So his carvings were equivalent to Extreme Training and Silver Crown combined?

Then this thing could sell very well.

Though most Trainers probably don’t know about individual values—since even Pokédexes can’t read them, and the anime never explicitly showed them—there are subtle hints.

For example, Ash’s Infernape, when still a Charmander, displayed terrifying fire power due to its ability Blaze—that’s precisely why Ash’s rival, Shinji, noticed and captured it.

So it’s likely Ash’s Charmander already had maximum Attack and Special Attack individual values as a child.

A powerful individual, paired with a powerful ability, manifests extraordinary strength—then, combined with limitless effort.

Of course, reality can’t be fully mapped to the game.

'Bai~'

'Yup! Omu!'

Lianbai Gen Wa and Doujianshao’s voices pulled Guang Tai back to reality; seeing their uneasy expressions, he quickly knelt down:

'Sorry, sorry, I just got distracted.'

'Bai~!' Lianbai Gen Wa pressed—was it about the carving?

'The carving… it was a lucky accident. I’m not angry—I’m actually excited you’ve grown stronger.' Guang Tai stroked her leaves, encouraging her:

'You’ll grow stronger, and fulfill your own wish. Of course, I need rewards too—and the stronger you become, the greater my reward.'

'Let’s work hard together.'

'Bai! Wawa! ()o☆!'

Lianbai Gen Wa’s skirt flared on both sides like tiny fists, her gaze hardening.

Stronger! Even stronger!

In this surge of emotion, the leaves on Lianbai Gen Wa’s head suddenly glowed; she recalled the brilliant sunlight concentrated by the carving—something within her body stirred awake!

The sun in the sky blazed brightly; after rain, the grass and trees grew lush and vigorous!

'Bai!'

Lianbai Gen Wa suddenly shouted toward the sky—and then, intense sunlight gathered above her head, forming a blazing radiance like a miniature sun, or a curtain of light, replaying the moment the carving unleashed its power!

The sunlight grew stronger!

This was the move 'Sunny Day'!

And immediately after, the sunlight continued to concentrate above Lianbai Gen Wa’s head, forming a scorching solar halo that enveloped her, while Guang Tai and Doujianshao stepped back, watching intently!

The intense light gathered steadily, building up over time—then—

With a violent burst, it exploded into a massive beam shooting toward the sky!

Lianbai Gen Wa had learned the move 'Solar Beam'!

'Sunny Day and Solar Beam are linked; Pokémon that master both usually learn Sunny Day first, then automatically learn Solar Beam—but not the reverse!'

'The surge in individual values allowed her to unlock extraordinary power—but even though Attack individual value increased, how could she learn a Special Attack move? Or had her accumulated effort already been sufficient, and this was merely a release?'

'Years of battle built up effort values, and this fertile land helped her too.'

Guang Tai looked around his herb garden.

It was knowledge + sweat, plus a little catalyst from items, that led to this result.

The result was excellent!

But another Pokémon had watched it all.

She had seen Lianbai Gen Wa learn Sunny Day and Solar Beam through work and training.

On the workshop roof, a Pokémon with grass-green skin and tiny wings appeared—she emerged silently, flapping her wings, releasing ripples of time.

'Shi?'

She giggled. This workshop looked fun!

(End of Chapter)