In the Light

In the forest east of New Bark Town, Sato sat cross-legged beneath a lush Giant Tree, silently using Dark Power to eliminate the lingering physical issues from his previous battle.

He was also training his Dark Power. Nighttime meditation could strengthen it, though it was only effective during the early stage. Later on, its effects became negligible.

Once Psychic Type power was completely depleted, the user's Mental Power would also be exhausted, plunging them directly into a state of mental weakness and leaving them with little combat ability.

Dark Power was different. Since it could temper the body, it mainly lay dormant within the body's cells, bone marrow, and blood. Even if it was entirely exhausted, it could be quickly converted from fat, food, and bodily nutrients.

The various extended applications of Dark Power he had used before were all creations Sato had spent a long time developing in his previous life. Their practicality was Beyond Doubt.

Opening his eyes, Sato saw his current Pokemon partners—Zorua, Haunter, and Larvitar. He took out the Pokemon Data Analyzer he had bought at great expense and carefully scanned all Three Pokemon.

Pokemon: Zorua

Gender: Male

Strength: Level 28 (Normal Advanced) Potential: Elite Four
Ability: Illusion
Moves: Scratch, Leer, Pursuit, Fake Tears, Dark Pulse, Fury Swipes, Surprise Attack, Scary Face, Taunt.

Pokemon: Haunter

Gender: Male

Strength: Level 29 (Normal Advanced) Potential: Pseudo-Elite Four

Ability: Levitate
Moves: Hypnosis, Lick, Grudge, Mean Look, Shadow Ball, Toxic, Curse, Night Shade, Confuse Ray, Sucker Punch, Shadow Punch, Payback.

Pokemon: Larvitar

Gender: Male

Strength: Level 19 (Normal Intermediate) Potential: Elite Four or above

Ability: Guts (Physical Attack rises when afflicted by a status condition)
Moves: Leer, Bite, Sandstorm, Screech, Rock Smash, Rock Slide, Dragon Dance (Inherited).

Larvitar, having inherited Dragon Dance, could be said to possess an exceptionally outstanding bloodline. In his previous life, after Larvitar reached its Final Evolution, it had naturally advanced to Pseudo-Elite Four Level.

As long as Sato had taken it into more battles, breaking through to Elite Four level would not have been difficult. In the end, though, his wish had gone unfulfilled, and now he was starting over.

However, retraining had major benefits as well. It could eliminate much ineffective training and allow Pokemon to grow faster and stronger.

"Larvitar, the power of Rock Slide is Beyond Doubt, but appropriately reducing the size of the rocks can actually increase its power and improve its accuracy."

"Lari~"

Larvitar stopped sparring with Haunter and seriously considered Sato's words. Afterwards Again, it tried for itself. Sure enough, it worked. Only then did it nod at Sato.

"Try another train of thought. Control every rock individually, and make their attack paths completely irregular," Sato continued instructing.

"Lari..."

This Time, Larvitar failed. Many rocks even Collided midway, affecting one another.

"Don't rush. Start with fewer and gradually add more, one rock at a time." Sato stepped forward, waved for the idle Haunter to go play by itself, then turned to Larvitar.

"Lari!"

Two rocks rose into the air under its control, crossing one another from left and right. They did not collide, yet both struck the same spot.

"Sure enough, its Rock-type talent is still terrifyingly high." Sato nodded to himself and let Larvitar increase the number of rocks one by one.

It was not until the ninth rock that Larvitar once again had rocks collide.

"Take it slowly. Different speeds for each rock can also create different trajectories. They don't all have to hit. As long as the most painful one lands, that's enough."

"Lari, lari!"

The more Larvitar practiced, the more excited it became. It had never imagined Rock Slide could be used in so many ways. It was beginning to acknowledge Sato a little.

Sato had long since formed a complete Training Plan for Larvitar. From its evolution into Tyranitar, to how its moves should transition, how its nutrition should be supplemented, and the timing of its evolution, he had everything under control.

The same was true for Zorua. Sato had already prepared a thorough plan for him as well.

The one giving Sato a headache was Haunter. None of his partners in his previous life had been this type of Pokemon. Infiltration, ambushes, and status-condition support were the combat methods the Gastly family was Good At.

Although Gengar could learn many Ranged Attack moves of other types, such as Thunderbolt, Dark Pulse, Dazzling Gleam, Energy Ball, Psyshock, and more, along with same-type Shadow Ball and Sludge Bomb, its coverage could be said to be extremely broad.

But being broad without mastery was a problem. Even Elite Four level Trainers usually specialized in one type. For a single Pokemon to learn and master moves from so many types was nearly impossible.

Another Training Plan gradually began brewing in Sato's heart, becoming increasingly uncontrollable: he would train Haunter into a "killer" among Pokemon. Of course, not a Pokemon that specialized in killing people, but one that learned a killer's methods of concealment, reconnaissance, and One Hit Kill.

A ghost paired with a killer—an excellent combination! He would teach a Pokemon all the killer techniques he had learned in his previous life. He did not know whether it would ultimately succeed, but placing his obsession upon Haunter was also a way to entrust the pursuits he had spent his previous life chasing.

Though he had No Way of always walking in the light, at least he would not forever hide in a corner, watching his so-called dreams slowly wither away.

"Beep, beep, beep..."

The Bell Rang. After answering and hearing the other party's reply, Sato Replied, recalled the Three Pokemon that were still training into their Poké Balls, then Turned Around and Left.

"Congratulations. You have officially become a junior Pokemon Trainer." Nurse Joy handed Sato a Trainer magnetic card that looked somewhat tacky with both Hands and smiled.

"Thank You!"

Even after looking at it twice more, Sato still found it tacky. He put away the magnetic card, then received a Beginner's Guide for Trainers. The ceremony was considered complete.

"The Beginner's Guide explains How to Proceed as a junior Trainer. If there's anything you don't understand, you Can Also come ask me."

"Alright, Nurse Joy."

Sato opened the Beginner's Guide. He appeared calm on the surface, but there was still a small joy in his heart.

The identity magnetic card of a junior Pokemon League Trainer was not difficult to obtain, but Sato was currently still technically undocumented. He could only spend a little money and use a backdoor.

Ordinary people, meanwhile, only needed to own one Pokemon that had reached Normal Intermediate to apply at their nearest Pokemon Center.

No Starter Pokemon or Pokédex from a professor, no free treatment or lodging at Pokemon Centers—this was the proper beginning for most Trainers.

Accepting missions, Treasure Hunting, performances, and battles were the most common ways traveling Trainers earned money.

Selling Pokemon, meanwhile, occupied a gray area. As long as specialized poaching tools were not used, if one caught Pokemon with Poké Balls and sold them afterward, then as long as they were not caught red-handed, they could not be held accountable even if someone reported them.

Giving them away, entrusting them to others, and storing them elsewhere were all common and highly convincing excuses. The important thing was that the money came quickly!

Haunter and Zorua were fine, since they had normal appetites. But Larvitar, which needed to eat an entire mountain to accumulate enough energy for evolution, was Beyond Doubt a huge consumer of Rations.

So there was no choice when it came to making money.

I'll post more once I'm done with the next couple of days. Thanks for the support!