Get Stronger by Pleasing Pokémon? Who Needs to Be a Trainer!

”Evolution?”

Lin Feng stopped mid-motion, his hand still stroking the soft fur.

Looking at Ah Jiu’s bright, expectant eyes, glowing like polished gemstones, he more or less understood.

It was probably because these few days, the Eevee had been watching Alolan Ninetales and Blaziken training outside, especially their battles with Salamence. That must have stirred up envy.

So they wanted to grow stronger too.

But when it came to evolving into Sylveon…

Even though it had failed before, he could at least try again.

”Tonight, we’ll try evolving everyone again.”

As for why it had to be at night, it was because Ah Wu could only evolve into Umbreon at night, while Ah San needed a Leaf Stone to evolve into a Grass-type.

Hearing Lin Feng’s words, the three Eevee immediately perked up, their faces full of anticipation.

”Bui bui!”

”Don’t run around today, understood?”

”Okay okay~”

…

After finishing the Eevee’s bath, Lin Feng checked the time and was about to head to the kitchen with Gardevoir and Latias to turn today’s berries into Pokéblocks and prepare dinner.

But just as he stepped out of the bathhouse…

He walked into the living room and saw Dragonite and Salamence, both shrunk down, walking toward him.

Salamence stayed slightly behind, while Dragonite walked in front.

Salamence looked hesitant, but Dragonite was very familiar with this place.

After shrinking, it could no longer hug Lin Feng directly, but it could still fly into his arms and lean against him.

”What’s wrong?” Lin Feng asked as he looked at Dragonite.

Unlike Alolan Ninetales or Eevee, Dragonite was not clingy. It only occasionally came over for a hug.

After all, considering its age, it was already like a teenage dragon.

”Woof woof~” Dragonite waved its little claws, trying to figure out how to express itself. After struggling for a moment, it simply flexed its tiny arms, showing off its ”muscles,” then made a gesture of getting stronger.

”…You want to get stronger?” Lin Feng quickly understood.

But then he realized this idea probably did not come from Dragonite itself.

It was likely Salamence behind it.

In his eyes, Dragonite had a gentle personality. Eat, sleep, repeat. That was its daily life.

It only ever looked a little sad when dealing with Jirachi sleeping.

But that sadness always disappeared quickly.

Since it could not speak well, it teamed up with Dragonite to communicate for it?

Lin Feng chuckled inwardly.

”Why do you want to get stronger? Aren’t you already strong enough? In the Horizon League, no Pokémon can beat you.”

”Woo?”

Dragonite froze for a moment, completely forgetting everything Salamence had told it. It could not come up with a single reason.

In the end, it simply bumped its head against Lin Feng and burrowed into his arms.

”Alright…”

Lin Feng patted Dragonite’s head, then turned to look at Salamence behind it.

Salamence whistled and turned its head away.

Salamence

Gender: Male

Type: Dragon, Flying

Ability: Intimidate

Potential: Red

Stats: HP (29), Attack (30), Special Attack (29), Defense (20), Special Defense (17), Speed (28)

Level: 81–83

Moves: Rest, Dragon Breath, Dragon Dance, Dragon Tail, Dual Wingbeat, Hyper Beam, Flamethrower, Double-Edge, Earthquake…

Description: A powerful Salamence

Friendship: 84

Happiness: 40

Seeing the number 84, Lin Feng felt a little emotional.

When Salamence first arrived, its friendship level had been as low as -50.

But it had been here for some time now.

Its level had not exploded like Gardevoir’s, who jumped from the 70s to the 90s.

Part of the reason was Salamence’s red potential, and the fact it had not consumed any rare candies.

Lin Feng then looked at Dragonite.

Dragonite

Gender: Female

Type: Dragon, Flying

Ability: Multiscale

Potential: Red

Stats: HP (27), Attack (30), Special Attack (27), Defense (26), Special Defense (27), Speed (24)

Level: 76–78

Moves: Rest, Extreme Speed, Twister, Thunder Wave, Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Dragon Tail, Dragon Pulse, Dragon Dive, Protect, Dragon Dance, Hyper Beam…

Friendship: 93

Happiness: 70

The changes were roughly the same.

”You want to get stronger so you can take revenge later?”

Lin Feng held Dragonite and looked toward Salamence.

His meaning was clear.

Dragonite was too naive to come up with this on its own. This must be Salamence’s idea.

”Ang…”

Salamence hesitated, then nodded.

”Then why not tell me directly? Or do you plan to leave after your revenge?”

Lin Feng put Dragonite down and looked at it calmly.

Salamence had always carried some hidden intentions.

He knew that.

At first, it planned to show its strength, then leave.

Now it was even using Dragonite to pass along its desire to grow stronger.

Lin Feng did not mind ambition, but he did not like manipulation, especially involving Dragonite.

”Ang ang!?”

Salamence panicked immediately at his tone, shaking its head rapidly to deny it.

It flapped its wings, confusion showing on its usually fierce face.

That reaction made Lin Feng pause.

He crouched down and slowly placed his hand above Salamence’s head. Seeing that it did not resist this time, something rare for it, he gently patted it.

”I’m sorry, Salamence. What I said earlier was wrong.”

After all, Salamence just wanted to become stronger and take revenge. It simply did not know how to express it, so it used Dragonite as a messenger.

But he had used the word ”leave.”

For a moment, Lin Feng thought of a story he had once read.

A monkey sought out a master to learn techniques. After mastering them, it became mischievous and arrogant, showing off in front of senior disciples. When the master found out, he drove it down the mountain.

But monkeys are still monkeys. They are playful by nature. The master did not expel them just for that nature. Even diligent ones could be driven away for many reasons.

Did Salamence feel the same way?

Meanwhile, in the kitchen.

Gardevoir had once brought Latias here to make Pokéblocks.

Growlithe was guarding the door, gnawing on a bone and sharpening its teeth. It was in its teething phase and loved chewing things.

There were three kitchens in the residence now: one in the breeding house, one in the garden, and the largest one in the villa.

The villa kitchen was the main production site.

Because during winter, all meals were prepared here.

Now it looked more like a production line.

Dozens of Pokéblock machines hummed softly.

Latias had taken human form, carefully controlling three sets of berries and ingredients at once. This was already its limit and a huge improvement from before, when it could barely handle one.

Gardevoir paused when Lin Feng entered.

”Gardevoir?” (What’s wrong?)

Lin Feng glanced at Latias.

”I think I said something too harsh earlier.”

”Gardevoir?” Gardevoir blinked, then immediately understood.

”Was it Salamence?”

”Yeah.”

Gardevoir sighed softly, continuing its work.

”Gardevoir…” (That did sound hurtful. If you said that to Alolan Ninetales or Serperior, they probably would not eat for days.)

”…That would never happen… cough.”

Lin Feng awkwardly joined the Pokéblock production.

He knew it was true. The moment the words came out, he already regretted them.

Sometimes, words escape before you think.

And often, those are the most honest words.

Gardevoir glanced at him again.

”Then why not make the special dish you promised?”

”That’s what I was going to ask you.”

Gardevoir rolled its eyes but still answered.

”Gardevoir…” (Don’t worry too much. It’s like me. It’s already used to staying here. Just keep going.)

Lin Feng gave a dry smile and quickly left the kitchen.

It was too crowded here. He had to use the other kitchen.

As for the special dish for Salamence and Dragonite…

After thinking for a moment, an idea formed in his mind.

A rather interesting one.

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