Pokemon: I refuse to be a supporting character!

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"Spin around."

Li Xiang extended his hand and made a circular motion above Litten's head.

"Meow~"

Litten let out a soft cry, obediently spinning in place. After completing the turn, it crouched in front of Li Xiang, looking up at him with eager eyes.

"Great job!"

Li Xiang smiled as he gently scratched Litten's chin and handed over a treat he had prepared.

Pokémon often needed both verbal encouragement and tangible rewards, somewhat like training cats or dogs in his past life, though with distinct differences.

Unlike cats and dogs, Pokémon could eventually fully understand human speech as they grew.

Pets from his previous life, on the other hand, could generally only pick up on the tone of voice rather than the actual words. Speak gently to a dog while saying something like "You're a terrible mutt," and it might think you're expressing love.

Of course, exceptions existed.

Moreover, as Pokémon's emotional systems developed, so did their desires.

Initially, food and a safe environment might suffice. But over time, their needs would evolve—what Maslow's hierarchy would describe as progressing from physiological needs to psychological fulfillment and eventually to self-actualization.

After a simple test, Li Xiang confirmed that Litten could only grasp the basics of his instructions.

The handbook from the daycare facility mentioned that Litten couldn't yet comprehend detailed commands. Specific orders it had been trained to follow were listed in the manual.

Some commands even required accompanying gestures.

For example, "Use Ember!" and "Dodge left, then use Ember!" were two distinct instructions. However, Litten was highly likely to interpret the latter as the former and just go ahead with Ember directly.

Command training required time and consistent practice—it couldn't be rushed.

That said, having an experienced Pokémon at home familiar with such commands could significantly speed up the process.

—Enter Purugly.

Li Xiang's eyes lit up. Was there a better teacher than this proud, stubborn, but ultimately soft-hearted sassy cat?

Meowstic was too preoccupied with its meditative "Zen" training to bother with mentoring.

And Florges, with its obsession with plants, wasn't the type to connect with the cats.

"Since it's still early, how about we head downstairs for some training?"

Li Xiang waved the catnip-flavored lollipop in his hand. Litten's gaze followed the movement of the candy, its instincts kicking in.

Reason told Litten to resist—it couldn't act without a command from its Trainer.

But the faint scent of catnip in the air had already ignited a fire deep within Litten.

"——!!!"

Litten abruptly turned its head away, refusing to look at the lollipop as if doing so would eliminate the temptation.

Seeing this, Li Xiang couldn't help but grin. "Nice willpower, little guy! I thought for sure you wouldn't be able to resist."

When a creature desires something too strongly, that desire can become a weakness.

But Litten, while reacting to the catnip, managed to suppress its physical impulses and hold itself back.

Such control was a clear testament to its exceptional potential.

With that thought, Li Xiang pocketed the lollipop.

"Let's head downstairs."

He gestured to Litten and turned to leave.

"Meow…"

Litten sniffed the lingering catnip scent in the air one last time before following him.

...

Downstairs.

Li Xiang nudged Purugly awake, asking it to help with the training.

Purugly was visibly displeased but reluctantly climbed off the sunken couch it had been napping on and padded over to Litten.

"Meow~"

Litten greeted Purugly with a cheerful smile. After their morning encounter, it was no longer afraid of this much larger, plump cat.

Pokémon were exceptionally sensitive to emotions like goodwill and hostility.

For Litten, which was especially perceptive, Purugly's aloof but kind-hearted nature was easy to accept, even on first meeting.

Purugly, maintaining its icy demeanor, gave a slight nod as if to say, "Got it." It was a master of outward indifference.

...

In the backyard.

Ignoring the lush bushes surrounding the fence and the towering fruit trees near the walls, Li Xiang's eyes were drawn to a 10x6-meter training area outlined with white lines.

The setup included numerous targets and equipment, many of which were mounted on rollers for easy repositioning—even a child like him could push them around with ease.

Li Zhehan had built the space, using it to train his Feraligatr and other Pokémon.

Like many men, Li Zhehan loved Pokémon battles. He often took Li Xiang to nearby public training grounds, either to battle himself or to spectate.

When he won, he'd be cheerful even if Mrs. Yin scolded him. But when he lost, he'd brood in silence, smoking a cigarette and wearing a melancholic expression until Mrs. Yin consoled him.

Of all the people in Li Xiang's life, his father was the most supportive of his dream to become a professional Trainer.

In fact, it was Li Zhehan who had convinced Mrs. Yin to come around to the idea.

Years ago, Li Zhehan had given up the opportunity to attend a professional Trainer academy to support their family, working as a sailor to cover Mrs. Yin's education and Li Xiang's expenses.

As a result, he remained a mid-level Trainer, having barely competed in official rankings.

Li Xiang's journey represented his father's unfulfilled aspirations: the hope of becoming a strong Trainer and advancing to a prestigious academy.

....

"Phew, it's so hot…"

Summers in Qingcheng were scorching. Without the relentless effort of central air conditioning, it felt like stepping into a massive steam room. Li Xiang was drenched in sweat within minutes, beads rolling down his face.

In contrast, Purugly and Litten remained unfazed—one had a robust physique, and the other, being a Fire-type Pokémon, thrived in the heat.

In fact, they both seemed to enjoy the sunlight.

Fire-types like Litten had a special affinity for the sun. Hot climates suited their physiology, and direct sunlight even amplified the power of their Fire-type moves.

Yes, you heard that right.

Summers: the real-world equivalent of Sunny Day, complete with weather boosts!

While the games never mentioned this mechanic, in reality, environmental factors could significantly influence a Pokémon's performance.

Their combat effectiveness could fluctuate as a result.

In winter, you're weak and hesitant, but in summer, you strike with unstoppable force.

That's the essence of it.

It might sound a bit exaggerated, but the environment affecting a Pokémon's combat strength is a fact.

Except for Legendary Pokémon, no Pokémon can adapt to every environment.

Purugly went to rest under the fruit tree, planning to come over only when Li Xiang called it.

Litten, however, stayed by Li Xiang's feet.

"Train hard now, bleed less in battle later!"

Li Xiang muttered to himself as he wiped the sweat off his forehead, resisting the urge to escape back into the air-conditioned room.

The scorching heat can lead to irritation, reduced focus, and even heatstroke.

But trainers who can't endure hardships rarely make it far.

Talent alone isn't enough; you also need experience and rigorous training. Energy levels don't rise just by idling and snacking.

Li Xiang understood this principle well.

Now that he had Litten, his own physical training needed to begin too.

With two months left before the Basic Trainer Academy began, he hoped to get into good shape by then.

"Come here and stand over here."

Li Xiang gestured to Litten, pointing to a spot directly opposite a human-sized soft target made of composite material.

This high-strength material is commonly used in professional arenas managed by the Association, but it's expensive, so most people can't afford it.

Even Li Zhehan had only bought a target rather than using it to build an entire training area.

Litten recognized the target—it was what it usually used when formally testing or practicing moves.

It obediently took its position, looking back at Li Xiang eagerly and waiting for his command.

Trainers' commands must often be concise.

Reality isn't like the anime where time seems to stop; if you talk too much, your Pokémon might not have enough reaction time, and the opponent could seize the opportunity.

At least in lower-level matches, this is typically the case.

"Let's start with the basics—Ember!"

Li Xiang stood at a diagonal angle behind Litten, pointing to the target two meters away.

Moves have effective ranges similar to firearms. For example, Ember is a short-range move, while Flamethrower has a longer range.

"Meow!"

Litten opened its mouth, the fur on its back suddenly bristling and glowing red. A fireball about the size of a fist shot out with a bang and hit the target directly!

Sparks flew everywhere!

Startled by a stray spark that jumped in front of him, Li Xiang quickly stepped back and sincerely praised Litten. "Nicely done!"

"Meow!"

Litten responded with a smile.

In this world, trainers generally need to fight "alongside" their Pokémon and can't stand too far away from them.

It's somewhat similar to the Special Manga series.

Unlike the anime, where trainers stand ten or twenty meters away and seem to have a god-like view of the entire battlefield, spotting even the tiniest details—sometimes even things in a blind spot.

Their voices project like megaphones, easily cutting through the noise of explosions.

In reality, if you stand that far away in conditions like rain or sandstorms that limit visibility, how are you supposed to give commands?

When smoke from an explosion engulfs your Pokémon, how do you pinpoint its location?

If your Pokémon blocks your view, how do you figure out what move the opponent is using?

By the time you finally realize, "Oh! They're using Will-O-Wisp/ Thunder Wave/ Trick Room!"—

The move will have already landed!

Spectators unfamiliar with this might think you're sleepwalking—standing there clueless during such a critical moment!

As a result, trainers typically position themselves at a slight angle behind their Pokémon at a precise distance—five meters.

This "five-meter life-or-death range" may be adjusted based on the situation.

At low levels, Pokémon moves aren't overwhelmingly powerful, and their effects are concentrated. Even at higher levels, the residual effects are limited. At five meters, human trainers can manage.

Dodge training is a fundamental skill for trainers. If you can't dodge properly, don't even think about becoming a trainer—the professional world is harsh.

But there's an even more critical reason for staying close.

Fighting alongside your Pokémon.

Pokémon are extraordinary beings with rich emotions. They experience joy, anger, sorrow, and pain. They feel the sting of attacks and may even consider giving up.

But if you're by their side, fighting shoulder-to-shoulder, offering encouragement and strengthening their resolve—

They'll push through the pain, steel their will, and fight with everything they've got to win for you, to earn the honor, and to achieve what you desire.

Even if they're covered in wounds and unbearably exhausted—even if they collapse unconscious while standing tall in the end.

Pokémon are such pure, extraordinary creatures.

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