Formal Training and the Beginning of Torchic's Nightmare

"Chamo!"

Torchic responded with equal energy.

It eagerly stretched and moved its body.

During these twenty days of life, Torchic had long been impatient to Become Stronger. It was something every Pokemon was passionate about.

Tetsuya had told Torchic about today's training the previous night. Back then, Torchic had confidently patted its Small Wings, indicating that it had no problem with it at all.

Tetsuya merely smiled as he watched the slightly overconfident Torchic.

According to his plan, the first twenty days after Torchic's birth might have been the easiest twenty days of its entire life.

After all, all it had needed to do every day was eat, drink, make a fuss, and sleep when tired. It only had to focus on replenishing its nutrition.

But starting today, this Little Guy would have to complete grueling training at fixed times and in set amounts every day, just like its senior, Pidgeot.

After all, in this world, everyone cared about their Pokemon, but that did not mean they would not make them Endure Hardship.

Only arduous training could make a Pokemon stronger.

That was where the title of Pokemon Trainer came from.

Tetsuya also found it strange. Judging by how Ash never trained in that anime from his Past Life, how exactly had his Pokemon become stronger?

That completely defied objective laws and facts.

All strength was accumulated little by little.

Even if someone spent money recklessly, it still took long-term training to turn the energy provided by resources into actual strength.

Otherwise, they would only look powerful while being weak beneath the surface.

All he could say was that anime was still anime, not the real world.

I hope this Little Guy can hold out long enough at the beginning, Tetsuya thought.

After all, it had been the same when he had first raised Pidgey.

Although it had wanted to Become Stronger, children would inevitably want to back down. Pidgey had also been unable to persevere through training several times.

It was only after training became a habit that Pidgey stopped complaining.

This also had something to do with a Pokemon's personality. Tetsuya only hoped that his Torchic would live up to its Champion-tier potential—at the very least, it should not be the one-in-ten-thousand type that did not want to Become Stronger.

Otherwise, Tetsuya could only count himself unlucky.

However, after spending so many days together, Tetsuya had been teaching Torchic all along, and he still had full confidence in it.

"Then today's first training exercise is running."

Tetsuya pointed into the distance.

"The round-trip distance is about ten kilometers, and I'll be running with you."

Training together with one's Pokemon could effectively improve their Affection and bond. Besides, Tetsuya himself also needed to exercise.

"Cha!" Hearing its Trainer say that, Torchic excitedly waved its wings and readily agreed.

For Torchic, running was something it was naturally good at. It ran all over the house every day, and running with its Trainer would be even more fun.

Besides, ten kilometers was nothing at all. Torchic was extremely confident, though it did not know how to count in the first place.

Torchic eagerly signaled for its Trainer to begin.

Tetsuya took out a pitch-black object from the side. It was part of the training set he had specifically bought for Torchic from Devon Corporation: a Weighted Vest.

"You'll be running in this."

Torchic tilted its head as it watched its Trainer put the strange outfit on it, then tap repeatedly at the glowing spot on its chest.

Tetsuya was setting the vest's weight, making subtle adjustments to the different areas based on Zero's data.

The Weighted Vest already came with built-in settings from Devon Corporation. Ordinary Trainers could simply use it as it was after buying it.

But Tetsuya had Zero, and Torchic's development far exceeded that of its peers. Devon Corporation's built-in data was not very accurate for it, so he needed to adjust it himself.

Once Tetsuya finished adjusting the data and confirmed the values, he signaled that Torchic could begin.

Torchic moved its body around. Feeling nothing wrong aside from a little extra weight, it took off running happily.

Tetsuya had Pidgeot, who had been waiting nearby, follow and keep an eye on Torchic, while he himself strolled along leisurely behind them without the slightest hurry.

Torchic was only so fast now because it was developing well and had plenty of stamina. It would soon get a taste of hardship.

Tetsuya ran slowly at his own pace. Before long, he spotted Torchic.

By then, Torchic had started to feel that something was wrong. It was Panting Heavily, and the clothes on its body seemed to be getting heavier and heavier.

Torchic had never imagined that running could be so exhausting. Its legs were beginning to go numb.

Tetsuya found it amusing as he watched Torchic start to slow down.

Serves you right for not taking the weight seriously. The Black Technology in Devon's Weighted Vest isn't that simple.

It looked no different from ordinary clothing, but it was actually a portable weight chamber, similar to a Gravity Field. It could train the body from every angle, including the inside, and the weight could be adjusted differently for each area depending on the focus.

Zero's weight data had not been assigned casually. It combined Torchic's physical condition and limits, maximizing the training effect without harming its body.

Tetsuya checked the data. They had gone a little over three kilometers. Based on Torchic's stamina, it should just barely be able to complete the goal.

Tetsuya unhurriedly ran alongside Torchic, encouraging it.

"Keep it up, Torchic! Pay attention to coordinating your breathing and steps."

Hearing its Trainer's voice, Torchic gritted its teeth and Nodded.

Torchic slowed its breathing, adjusted its rhythm, and began running alongside its Trainer.

When they returned to the Back Garden at home, Tetsuya stopped and took a deep breath. For him, this was only a normal warm-up, and Torchic was not moving very fast yet.

"Chachamo!"

But Torchic was different.

The moment Tetsuya stopped, Torchic immediately collapsed onto its rear in utter disarray, Panting Heavily. Its feathers were slightly messy from its own sweat.

Even the natural drying ability of a Fire-type Pokemon was no longer working. That showed just how exhausted Torchic was.

Tetsuya helped Torchic take off the Weighted Vest and let it sit on the ground to rest for a while.

After all, Pokemon and humans still had different constitutions. They did not need a recovery period after exercise like humans did.

After drinking some juice squeezed from Oran Berries, Torchic recovered some of its stamina in about half a minute.

Tetsuya brought over a chair, placed Torchic on his lap, and began giving it a simple post-training massage using the methods provided by Zero.

This was a method Zero had developed from all kinds of data and materials to restore stamina and stimulate Pokemon growth. Each stage of training had its corresponding Massage Technique.

Torchic's entire body was still exhausted, but once its Trainer began massaging it, its whole body relaxed.

Its sore legs gradually recovered as well.

With Tetsuya's careful Massage Technique and appropriate pressure, Torchic felt unbelievably comfortable.

"Cha~!"

The Little Guy let out an utterly blissful cry, indicating that its Trainer had done well.

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