Pokémon: Starting with a Bound Entry System

Chapter 196: A Leap in Strength!

"Don't let your guard down—Bulbasaur is way stronger than before now!"

Seeing Gardevoir's stunned expression, Hikaru chuckled slightly.

There was no doubt—Bulbasaur had undergone a massive transformation compared to before.

"Bulba! Bulba!"

Bulbasaur stood firmly on the ground, eyes burning with determination as it stared at the illusionary Frogadier.

Its fighting spirit surged.

With its current strength—

If it were to face that Raticate from outside Aura Town again,

It could probably bind it with a single Vine Whip.

"Garde!"

Gardevoir's expression grew serious upon hearing Hikaru's words.

The illusionary Frogadier flickered with a white glow—

Before lunging forward at high speed, both hands glowing with sharp white blades.

Agility combined with Aerial Ace.

Hikaru's eyes gleamed with admiration.

There was no doubt—

Gardevoir had pushed her illusionary construct to its absolute limit.

Not just in appearance, but even in move execution—

It was flawless.

On the other hand—

Bulbasaur, when facing illusionary Frogadier,

Was clearly restricted.

After all—

This wasn't a real Frogadier, but a psychic construct.

Meaning moves like Sleep Powder and Sweet Scent,

Which usually worked to control the battlefield,

Would have no effect.

These thoughts flashed through Hikaru's mind in an instant.

Without hesitation, he gave his command.

"Bulbasaur—use Grass Knot!"

At Hikaru's words, Bulbasaur stomped on the ground.

Energy surged through the soil, and a green vine-like trap quickly formed directly in Frogadier's path.

At this high velocity, even a real Frogadier wouldn't have been able to avoid it in time.

But Gardevoir smirked slightly.

"Garde~"

A soft yet confident voice rang out—

And illusionary Frogadier suddenly halted its charge at the last second.

That was the advantage of a Psychic construct.

Even at insane speeds,

Gardevoir could control it with pinpoint precision.

This moment further proved just how masterful Gardevoir's control over its Psychic abilities had become.

The illusionary Frogadier split into dozens of copies.

Double Team.

Bulbasaur froze for a second.

Wait—it could do that too?!

But Gardevoir wasn't about to give Bulbasaur time to process.

Every single Frogadier raised a hand—

Gathering glowing spheres of energy.

Water Pulse...

It seemed that—

Even Gardevoir herself was making new breakthroughs in her Psychic abilities during this battle.

"Razor Leaf!"

Hikaru's command was calm and decisive.

His sharp voice snapped Bulbasaur out of its daze—

And it instantly unleashed its power.

Just as the Water Pulse orbs were about to crash down—

The spinning Razor Leaves burst forth.

The sharp, spinning blades cut through the psychic water spheres like butter—

And continued to tear through the illusionary Frogadiers.

Only one remained standing—

The real one.

It twisted its body,

Swung its blade,

And cleaved the incoming Razor Leaves apart.

Then, it locked its sharp gaze onto Bulbasaur.

A white glow returned to its body.

It was using Agility again.

But—

At such a close range,

Even Gardevoir's psychic control wouldn't be fast enough to react!

Hikaru's voice rang out first.

"Vine Whip—now!"

Like a coiled viper,

Bulbasaur's vines shot out with terrifying precision.

Just before illusionary Frogadier could land its attack,

Bulbasaur wrapped its vines tightly around it—

And smashed it into the ground.

A cloud of dust exploded into the air.

When the dust finally settled,

The illusionary Frogadier was gone.

"Bulba?"

Bulbasaur froze.

Had that powerful attack really been its own?

It wasn't until Gardevoir floated over,

Lightly tapping Bulbasaur's head,

That it finally snapped out of its daze.

"Not bad."

Hikaru walked up with a satisfied smile.

With the help of Battle Absorption,

Bulbasaur had even gained a level from that battle—

Now at Level 24.

An unexpected but pleasant surprise.

"Bulba..."

Bulbasaur smiled shyly,

Knowing all of this was possible because of Hikaru.

Gardevoir hovered closer, curiously circling around Bulbasaur.

After a moment, she nodded in approval.

In just one day—

Bulbasaur had undergone a massive transformation.

She was sure of it—

Hikaru must have given Bulbasaur some amazing new power,

Just like when he had taught her new skills before.

But Gardevoir wasn't jealous.

She knew—

Hikaru always distributed resources fairly,

Based on what each Pokémon needed most.

There was no favoritism.

Gardevoir gently tapped Bulbasaur's forehead,

Watching as it blushed deeply.

Then, she giggled.

"Garde~" (You've gotten much stronger~)

"Bulba...Bulba..." (No... Gardevoir-sis was just going easy on me...)

Bulbasaur shook its little paws nervously,

As if trying to hide its face in embarrassment.

It really respected Gardevoir.

Watching this warm scene,

Hikaru felt a deep sense of comfort.

But—

He quickly interrupted Gardevoir's good mood.

"Alright, time for breakfast. Also—get ready, because in a few days, we'll be leaving this place."

"Garde??" (Huh?!)

Gardevoir immediately floated closer.

"Garde..." (Already?)

For Gardevoir—

She loved being here.

Because aside from training,

She could always be close to Hikaru.

Once they returned to the city,

She would have to stay inside a Pokéball.

"Yeah, before October, I need to challenge two more Gym Leaders—then visit home."

"Sorry, Gardevoir."

Hikaru gently patted her head,

His voice filled with apology.

He knew Gardevoir hated being inside her Pokéball.

But rules were rules.

He had heard rumors that Investigators were allowed to have their Pokémon out in cities...

"Garde..." (Hmm...)

Feeling Hikaru's warm touch,

Gardevoir's mood lifted slightly.

Days passed quickly.

On September 8th—

After refreshing his Daily Traits—

Hikaru reviewed the progress of his Pokémon.

Charizard (Lv. 45 → 48)

Greninja (Lv. 43 → 47)

Lucario (Lv. 34 → 40?)

Pupitar (Lv. 31 → 37)

Bulbasaur (Lv. 17 → 24)

Gardevoir (Lv. 44 → 47)

And finally—

Latias...

Latias had progressed terrifyingly fast.

(Lv. 48 → 52)

It was, without a doubt, the Pokémon that had consumed the most resources.

And the first to reach the Master-tier level.

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