With all five Skill Discs used up, Silas's team had officially learned their new moves.
"Come out, everyone."
One by one, Poké Balls opened in flashes of light.
"Eevee~!"
Unlike the others, Eevee immediately leapt into Silas's arms, burying herself against his chest with tearful eyes. Hers fur was damp where tears had already soaked through.
Silas blinked in surprise, then sighed softly. "Hey now… don't Cry. I won't keep you locked in the Poké Ball next time. This was the only way to teach the new moves."
He wiped away the damp streaks beneath her eyes, gently ruffling her fur.
Above him, Murkrow burst out with a flap of glossy black wings.
"Gahhh!"
It circled overhead, proudly showing off aerial maneuvers it had practiced with Fearow. Though it had only been out of the breeding house a few days ago, Murkrow's flying had improved drastically. Difficult tricks were still out of reach, but its progress was undeniable.
Like Eevee, Murkrow disliked the confinement of Poké Balls. Flying was its freedom, its nature.
The dark bird eventually descended, landing on Silas's outstretched arm.
"So," Silas said, holding Eevee close with one arm and brushing Murkrow's feathers with the other. "How are the new moves coming along?"
"Mur-Krowww~!" Murkrow answered immediately, puffed up with pride.
Eevee's ears twitched. She had been ready to respond first, but Murkrow had stolen the moment. The little fox's expression crumpled into a sulky pout.
Once, Silas's affection had been all hers. She was the youngest, cherished by Crawdaunt and Sharpedo alike. But now Murkrow had appeared-and with Silas stroking its feathers, Eevee felt her place slipping away.
"Eee… veee…"
Clutching Silas's clothes with her tiny little paws, she whimpered again, eyes shimmering with fresh tears.
Silas felt a pang of headache. Their emotions were so transparent that it hardly was surprising, considering how young they both were. As a Trainer, it was his duty not just to train but to ensure harmony within his team.
Compared to these two, Crawdaunt and Sharpedo were far steadier. A year spent drifting together at sea had forged a quiet, unshakable bond. Even Sharpedo, once lazy in training, had grown diligent after evolving-thanks, no doubt, to Crawdaunt's influence.
"Alright, Eevee. I'll make it up to you later. How about your favorite-cheese sticks?" Silas coaxed.
Eevee sniffled, her tail giving a faint twitch,though her pout lingered.
Silas smiled and turned back to the others. "Crawdaunt, show me Substitute."
Milky-white energy flared around Crawdaunt. Within seconds, a second Crawdaunt formed at its side-identical in shape, though its eyes and expression were dull and lifeless.
"Good," Silas said, his eyes narrowing with approval. "The clone's realism is decent, but we'll need to work on the activation speed. In battle, every second counts."
He nodded toward Murkrow. "Test it."
Murkrow dove with a sharp cry.
"Gahhh!"
Its beak glinted as it pierced the substitute, the clone shattering in a puff of smoke.
"Not bad," Silas muttered. "Very promising for your first attempts."
Eevee wriggled free of his arms and hopped to the ground. Determined not to be outdone, she stiffened, gathering green energy around her small body.
In moments, a glowing shield wrapped around her.
"Protect," Silas breathed.
The shimmering barrier held for only two seconds before flickering out, collapsing in a burst of light.
"Eevee…" he crouched down, stroking her head with gentle encouragement. "That was incredible. Even pulling it off once at your stage is amazing."
The little fox perked up slightly, though she still tried again-only to have the energy disperse without forming a barrier. Silas chuckled softly and gave her another pat.
"Don't push it. You'll get there."
By now, the sun was climbing higher. Trainers and Pokémon began filling the training grounds nearby, their voices carrying across the space. Silas decided it was time to return inside.
But as he stepped into the Pokémon Center lobby, a familiar voice called out.
"Silas, wait a moment-someone's looking for you."
Nurse Joy's tone was odd, her expression edged with something unreadable.
Silas followed her gaze and then froze.
At the reception desk stood a girl in a sleek black dress, two books held neatly in her arms. Her posture radiated scholarly elegance, and every subtle gesture carried an intellectual charm that drew eyes.
Around her clustered several trainers, their admiration plain in the way they smiled and tried to speak with her.
Silas's mouth moved before he could stop himself. "Miss Roxanne?"
Joy stiffened behind him. Her eyes darkened with sharp glint flashing in them something like resentment.
'Everyone else calls her Gym Leader Roxanne… but he calls her Miss Roxanne? They really know each other…'
For the first time, the ever-composed Nurse Joy felt a stab of jealousy-an emotion that caught her completely off guard.
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(End of chapter)