Train Well, Eat Well

"Vulp!" Vulpix chimed in enthusiastically with Hu Bin.

Why was Hu Bin so exhausted? After receiving the Training Manual as a system reward yesterday, he had spent the entire night poring over it before finally grasping its essence. Now, the next morning, he had put on a black tracksuit and was ready to train with Vulpix.

"First point in the training manual: Pokémon Trainers should ideally train alongside their own Pokémon. This builds their Pokémon's trust and willingness to train, while greatly reducing the chances of them disobeying their Pokémon Trainers after growing stronger."

And so, Hu Bin began following the Training Manual step by step, starting with a two-kilometer warm-up run with Vulpix.

"Keep going! Keep going!" At the start of the run, Hu Bin constantly encouraged Vulpix, who earnestly raced forward on all fours.

But after a kilometer, the roles reversed.

"Vulp! Vulp!" Keep going, Master! We're almost done!

Yes, Hu Bin was spent. Before he had even run a full kilometer, he was already struggling. Vulpix could only sigh. Pokémon Trainers these days are so hard to look after.

But Hu Bin's determination rubbed off on Vulpix. Master can barely run anymore, but he's still pushing on. I need to learn from him and do my best, too! Charge!

Vulpix's enthusiasm instantly soared.

At last, they finished the two kilometers. Vulpix was sweating lightly, while Hu Bin's face was bright red and drenched in sweat. Give him a long beard, and he could have cosplayed Guan Yu.

Vulpix considerately used Powder Snow, carefully controlling its strength to cool Hu Bin down.

After a short rest, Hu Bin wiped the sweat off Vulpix and gave the little Pokémon some water before moving on to the next exercise.

"Reaction and agility training: during the preliminary stages, especially with newborn Pokémon, the amount of exercise must be strictly controlled. Start with the simplest method: ball tosses. The Pokémon must catch the ball before it hits the ground."

When Hu Bin first read about this exercise, he kept grumbling, Isn't this just training a dog?

But after thinking it over carefully, he realized it really would improve reaction speed and agility. To catch a ball before it landed, the Pokémon first had to react quickly enough to pinpoint its position, then move swiftly to catch it. It was fun, effective training that could also increase friendship. Learning through play, and playing while learning.

Then, in an open space in the park, Hu Bin held a ball and said to Vulpix a short distance away, "Here we go. Get ready, Vulpix."

"Vulp!" Ready!

Hu Bin carefully controlled his strength and began with a gentle toss. The moment Vulpix saw the ball fly out, the little Pokémon reacted, opening a mouth lined with tiny fangs to catch it, then happily bringing it back to Hu Bin. Hu Bin stroked Vulpix's head in encouragement.

After that, Hu Bin threw the ball faster and faster, and Vulpix grew more focused on catching it.

The black tracksuit and the white, lightning-fast Vulpix became a lovely sight in the park.

Quite a few people enjoying the park watched with delight.

An elderly man remarked, "That young fellow and his Pokémon are having quite a good time!"

A young woman passing by exclaimed, "Oh, that Vulpix is adorable! I can't take it!"

A Bug Catcher said, "That looks pretty fun. Come on, Caterpie, let's buy a ball and play together."

Caterpie looked utterly resigned to life. How am I supposed to catch it? My mouth isn't that big! What am I supposed to do, catch it with my head?

Later, as Hu Bin's throws grew faster, Vulpix missed the ball several times. But then Vulpix found a sudden burst of inner strength, reacting faster and catching every ball from that point on!

Soon, noon arrived, and Hu Bin carried the somewhat tired Vulpix home.

"You did great, little Vulpix!" Hu Bin said, holding the little Pokémon in his arms.

Vulpix basked in the praise. Training is so much fun. I even get to play with Master.

Back home, Hu Bin prepared some delicious curry rice for Vulpix to restore stamina and condition, while also increasing experience and friendship.

At the sight of the delicious food, Vulpix began wolfing it down. Food really did taste even better after training.

Once Vulpix was full, those eyelids began to droop. Hu Bin put the little Pokémon on the bed, then quietly applied some liniment to his own aching body.

Hu Bin grimaced. "Oww, I'm exhausted. I haven't exercised in ages. One session like that, and now I ache all over."

The system's voice suddenly rang out. "Host, now you know how weak you are, don't you? You wouldn't accept it when I told you. How about exchanging 500 points for a bottle of Body Enhancer? It improves physical fitness across the board. Both humans and Pokémon can use it, but it only works once. It cannot enhance a person or Pokémon who has already taken it a second time."

Hearing that such a miraculous potion existed, Hu Bin's eyes lit up.

"Hey, system, you really came through at just the right time! Give me two bottles, one for me and one for Vulpix."

A golden light flashed, and two bottles of potion appeared in Hu Bin's hands. Without hesitation, he picked one up and gulped it down.

After drinking it, Hu Bin felt a cool sensation wash through him, as though he had come back to life. His aches vanished, and his whole body brimmed with seemingly endless energy.

"It's grape-flavored, too! So sweet, so tasty. Five stars!"

Then Hu Bin went into the bathroom to look in the mirror. He seemed a little taller, and his figure was much more defined. His face had slimmed down considerably, and the dark circles beneath his eyes were gone. Then he lifted his shirt and saw something he had never had before: six-pack abs. A flood of emotions washed over him.

"So this is what having abs feels like. I feel freaking amazing right now! I'm so strong! I feel like I can do anything again! Haha, the system really is great!"

Hu Bin danced around, reveling in his excitement for a while, before returning to the bedroom to watch his adorable Vulpix sleep.

Before long, Vulpix woke, opening those big eyes and adorably rubbing them with tiny paws before letting out a soft, sweet cry. "Vulp!"

Upon seeing Hu Bin, Vulpix jumped into his arms and nuzzled him affectionately.

Hu Bin gazed fondly at Vulpix, took out the Body Enhancer, and said, "Here, Vulpix, drink this. It'll make you stronger!"

Vulpix wasted no time, opening that little mouth and gulping it down.

After finishing it, Vulpix felt power fill every inch of that little body. I'm stronger now! And it was grape-flavored, too. Super tasty!

Vulpix hopped out of Hu Bin's arms and let out a fierce little dragon's roar at the room. "Vulp!" I'm really powerful now!

Vulpix feeling awesome.jpg

Seeing Vulpix like this, Hu Bin was delighted. "My Vulpix is just too adorable!"