Chapter 240: Severing Emotion, Proving the Dao

So-called practice yields true knowledge.

Some of the movements and scenes set up in the plan turned out to have vastly different effects in actual use.

Baimu and the Bibarel had no choice but to practice and adjust on the fly, keeping whichever looked better.

During those days, they also watched many videos of other Bibarel competing in Pokémon Contests — most had little reference value: not enough creativity, frequent mistakes, simple techniques.

Only a small portion could give them a little inspiration.

But because of individual differences, even after seeing those Bibarel's performances, it was hard to perfectly replicate them.

Of course.

They weren't planning to copy outright — the main worry was that clashing inspiration might inexplicably turn them into plagiarists.

In just a few short days, the Fiery Wind Flame Dance had advanced from version one to version five, and the performance time had stretched from the initially estimated thirty seconds to a minute and thirty seconds.

Including the transitions in between, everything had been altered — it could be said that aside from the moves themselves, nothing else remained as it was at the start.

Failure was commonplace, and occasionally there were situations where the entire routine would fall apart, which often left the Bibarel feeling frustrated — fortunately, sweets and encouragement from the Trainer could help it regain its happiness.

One difficulty after another was gradually overcome through diligent practice.

By the fifth day, the Bibarel could already perform the full routine smoothly — even it itself could hardly believe it, and after the first successful run it stood dazed for a long while, then eagerly asked to see the playback on the camera.

From then on, the Bibarel's success rate climbed higher and higher, and things it had never dared imagine before became increasingly effortless, as if it had been reborn anew.

As its Trainer, Baimu felt genuine joy as well, and was somewhat surprised by the changes in it.

Contests and battles are not two strictly separate fields — the two interact on many levels. Setting that aside, in less than a week the Bibarel had already gained two levels, and after previously defeating Little Chaobei Bei Bi it had gained another level.

By the count, the Bibarel was level fifty-nine — only a step away from level sixty.

Beyond that, there was the Bibarel's precise grasp of its moves, as well as its tolerance for dizziness, and so on…

Even setting aside these tangible gains, in terms of spirit and bearing alone the Bibarel could be called transformed.

Once, in Iron Town.

Baimu had called it a fallen heiress sent down to the countryside to aid the poor — panicked and bewildered about its own future, living each day as it came, drifting with the current.

But ever since finding what it truly wanted to do, the Bibarel had gradually moved toward maturity, every action brimming with confidence. What it would ultimately become would likely depend on what the two of them achieved at the Pokémon Contest.

"Passing the first round of judging is victory!"

That's what he said to the Bibarel.

Pokémon Contests have no entry threshold — in other words, the gap between the upper and lower limits of combat power is enormous. He couldn't say for sure they'd win the second round of judging, but he did have some confidence.

Even if they lost, for their first competition, an debut match that left an impression on the audience and judges would be enough.

"Bidoof!"

The Bibarel nodded. Generally only eight or four Trainers advance to the second round of judging, but the number of contestants is at least several dozen, often over a hundred — the competition is fierce.

Anyone who can stand out from among them is no ordinary person.

Speaking of which.

After the Kanaz Pokémon Contest ended, Baimu planned to find the Bibarel a teammate —

The initial plan was Chansey; he'd recently discussed related matters with it. His thinking was: since it couldn't use moves to attack opponents, perhaps using moves to create all sorts of dazzling scenes would work well?

Of course.

The important thing was still whether Chansey itself was willing.

In any case, Aggron was unwilling — fighting, planting trees, even mining were all fine, but Contest performances fell outside its interests. If Baimu strongly insisted, it would have no objection to participating.

Steelix preferred digging tunnels in Iron Town and didn't really want to spend time practicing Contest techniques. Silveon and Galarian Corsola were in the categories of not understanding and pretending not to understand…

In short, for now Chansey still seemed the most suitable.

Going forward, Baimu would also try to catch some Pokémon interested in Pokémon Contests — such as Feebas and Feebas and the like… It would be such a waste not to find a way to get a Beautifly!

——

Night.

Baimu sipped hot cocoa, sitting cross-legged on the couch scrolling through the simulator.

Without a doubt, it was once-a-month Blue Talent time again.

The recent three ordinary simulation results were middling, contributing to him reward levels below lv. 50 four levels, and 【Hypnosis】, 【Strength】, and 【Metal Burst】.

Getting 【Metal Burst】 was honestly a bit of a surprise — it happened to suit Aggron well, so he let the latter learn it. The first two moves were shelved for lack of a suitable learner.

Looking at it now, he'd accumulated quite a few moves.

【String Shot】, 【Roost】, 【Psychic】, 【Thunder】, 【Low Kick】, 【Endure】, and two 【Dazzling Gleam】, plus five Skill Blind Boxes.

The other day he gave 【Mist Terrain】 to the Bibarel, planning to use it in future Pokémon Contests. The 【Thunder Wave】 from the previous round's three ordinary simulations went to Chansey, and 【Curse】 went to Aggron.

Another contribution added to the team's combat power.

He wondered who this simulation would feature.

He opened the simulator.

【Choose your starting region ▽】

He'd already chosen Kanto and Johto, and he happened to be in Hoenn, so he might as well start in Hoenn.

He silently made his selection.

He clicked on gender.

Last time it was a ranch uncle, this time it was a woman's turn… would he get a Coordinator? Give him some Coordinator experience!

Baimu clicked on Pokémon with anticipation.

Roselia?

He was stunned for a moment — he hadn't expected this time to also be an already-evolved starter. Last time he hadn't been able to pick a Pokémon, so he'd just gone with a Rapidash start…

He continued clicking on Talent.

Fixed Talent:

【Kind-Hearted (Willing to help others)】

Selectable Talents:

【☆Nurturing Mastery (Pokémon have higher overall quality)】

【Severing Emotion to Prove the Dao (Never date or marry in one's lifetime)】

【Impoverished Background (Burden when raising Pokémon)】

【Appearance Reflects the Heart (More attractive to Pokémon whose looks match one's own)】

Huh… the selectable talents this time are really weird.

Nurturing Mastery is definitely a must-pick, but if I don't pick Severing Emotion to Prove the Dao, does that mean there's a chance of dating? Romance is sometimes a motivation, sometimes a drag — that first one was clearly a drag.

Impoverished Background isn't even worth a second glance, so that leaves Appearance Reflects the Heart.

What does it mean?

Maybe I'll end up especially ugly, or maybe especially good-looking?

The two talents left All Baimu hesitating, and he couldn't help glancing at the beautiful scale set aside. "…Appearance Reflects the Heart after all?"

Romance.

With the Lucky Scale here, even if I do end up dating, it might just turn out to be a beneficial romance.

He selected Nurturing Mastery and Appearance Reflects the Heart, and silently pressed Start.

A light screen unfurled.