Chapter 19: Encore

Before this, Qingyu had never figured out where Eevee's "Timid" nature was reflected.

Because he didn't feel that Eevee was timid at all.

Judging from the fact that it could travel alone to other regions and interact with strangers, it definitely couldn't have social anxiety factors.

It wasn't until now, noticing Eevee trembling because of the exchange between two Pokémon on the screen, that Qingyu finally understood its nature.

Is the timidness actually reflected in the fear of battling...

Qingyu couldn't help but sigh.

This is really a headache; a Pokémon without the courage to battle is hard to deal with.

If there were a rating for the compatibility of Pokémon abilities and natures in reality, the score for Timid + Anticipation definitely wouldn't be high.

Because Pokémon with this combination are highly likely to start avoiding battles from a young age and are not suitable for cultivation as a main force.

Of course, this is not Eevee's problem.

There is no such thing as a perfect Pokémon; how to bring out the full strength of a Pokémon should be something a Trainer needs to consider.

Otherwise, wouldn't he, the Trainer, be just a freeloader?

"Don't be nervous, it doesn't matter even if you can't learn it."

Qingyu touched the little guy in his arms who looked a bit annoyed, using an encouraging tone and gaze to give it courage.

When he was lost and frustrated, Eevee never had a single complaint, and instead often comforted him in ways it could.

He likes this Eevee very much, and even feels that being able to have such an understanding Eevee as a starter Pokémon is definitely his good fortune.

Therefore, if Eevee really has no desire to battle, he certainly won't force it.

After all, companions should respect each other and accept each other's flaws.

It's just that in that case, in order for the Sunny Gym to continue running, he might have to look for one or two Pokémon that can serve as a main force.

If possible, he still feels it would be better to focus on cultivating his own starter Pokémon.

Thinking of this, Qingyu sighed softly.

Eevee in his arms also seemed to feel something, looking up and noticing the Trainer's furrowed brows.

"Bui?! Σ(; д)"

Perhaps because of the Anticipation ability, its sixth sense was instantly activated, and it suddenly felt a sense of crisis for no reason.

Although it didn't know what it was yet, it just felt that the Trainer was thinking about something very excessive!

You aren't thinking about raising other Pokémon, are you?

No, you can't!

After doing enough psychological preparation, Eevee finally gathered its courage, stood up on Qingyu's lap using its two hind legs, and actively reached out its little paws to smooth out the corners of Qingyu's eyes.

Eevee can't speak human language, but its body language is very easy to understand.

For the sake of its Trainer, it is willing to try!

Feeling the hot body temperature from the soft little meatball, Qingyu smiled dotingly and hugged it down from his body.

As expected, there is still some bond between him and Eevee!

"Then let's try again, Eevee."

"Bui!"

Eevee showed a determined look, its eyes fixed on the Gengar on the screen teaching the move.

So that's how it is; you only need to concentrate the Ghost-type energy in your body to form a light that interferes with the opponent's consciousness.

But...

I don't seem to have Ghost energy?

Eevee slowly put up a question mark, and after trying a few times imitating Gengar's movements on the screen, it still couldn't use the move.

Next, it tried Snarl and Skill Swap, and the result was the same.

"Bui..."

Eevee's originally high spirits became wilted, and its round little head lowered in frustration.

Seeing this, Qingyu couldn't help but start thinking.

Did he get something wrong?

According to the move list in his memory, generally speaking, Eevee really can't learn these moves.

But precisely because of this, he deliberately chose these moves.

Because theoretically, an Eevee that has mastered the Sketch move should be able to replicate most moves.

Wait...

Sketch?!

He vaguely felt that he had grasped the point.

If Sketch is viewed simply as Eevee's hobby, rather than a move...

Could it produce some subtle chemical reaction?

"Let's try one more time, Eevee; this time, try using your tail to draw the move you see."

"Believe in yourself, you are the best Pokémon!"

Under Qingyu's encouragement, Eevee quickly regained its fighting spirit, its fluffy big tail dancing in the air.

The teaching content played by the TM this time is Encore.

Encore is a Normal-type move, which itself has considerable compatibility with Eevee.

This time, Eevee watched with extra seriousness, observing every step of the Primarina responsible for teaching the move frame by frame, while also keeping Qingyu's prompt in mind.

Not learning the move, but like the Smeargle encountered in the art museum, using its tail as a paintbrush to "draw" the move?

If it were Master Smeargle, what would it do?

"Bui..."

Eevee's eyes were focused on the screen, its tail occasionally drawing a stroke in the air; it had clearly entered a state of unity of mind and spirit.

Seeing this, Qingyu sat quietly to the side, silently accompanying it as it repeatedly watched the teaching content that was only a few minutes long.

Time passed slowly.

Just as Qingyu's spirit gradually dissipated and a hint of sleepiness emerged.

A subtle feeling suddenly rose in Eevee's heart.

The Trainer said I am the best Pokémon.

I can feel that the Trainer truly thinks so.

Therefore, in order not to live up to the Trainer's expectations, I must also work harder!

Thinking this, a strange emotion suddenly surged in Eevee's heart, making its tail subconsciously move along with its thoughts.

In this instant, Eevee felt as if it could do anything.

"Bui!"

One stroke, one line.

The fluffy heart-shaped tail tip outlined a beautiful symbol in the air, and as the last stroke fell, a point of light formed by white energy appeared in the air and slowly shot out in the direction of Eevee's gaze.

Finally, it collided with the wall of the gym's training field and disappeared.

Seeing this, Qingyu couldn't help but show a gratified smile.

As expected, just as he guessed, an Eevee that has learned Sketch can learn moves it originally couldn't master.