S through the sky, feet barely toug the white clouds, the rushing wind swept past, carrying itself far into the horizon.

  After leaving the Pokémon Daycare, Paul boarded a flight from Veilstoy to Jubilife City.

  As the rgest metropolis in the Sinnion, Jubilife City was a bustling hub, its skyline dominated by t buildings. People and Pokémon moved together in harmony, while cutting-edge tepahrived across the cityscape.

  "We've arrived. There's still plenty of time—let's get moving."

  Leaving the airport, Paul g the sunlit sky. He slung his bag over his shoulder, gradually moving away from the bustling city into the quieter outskirts.

  Beyond the city y endless mountains, forests, and grassy fields. Paul had already mapped out his route—he only o pass through Route 202 and traverse a forest to reach Saown.

  If he picked up the pace, the journey would take just over a day.

  However, as this was the start of his journey, Paul wasn't in any rush. His purpose was merely to retrieve a Pokédex, not a starter Pokémon, so there was o hurry.

  "Don't just stay in your Poké Ball and sleep—e with me."

  After walking for a while, Paul remembered he wasn't traveling alone. He retrieved a Poké Ball and released Elekid.

  "Bzzzt-bzzzt~!"

  The freshly released Elekid looked a bit bewildered. It wasn't sleeping in the ball—it had been training, pushing itself to get stronger and aves defeat against a Bibarel.

  Seeing Paul already walking ahead, Elekid quickly scurried after him.

  Just as it caught up, Paul issued a and:

  "Take it dowhunder."

  Standing at the edge of the path, Paul poio a Starly perched on a nearby branch.

  "Bzzzt!"

  Elekid, eager for a battle, rushed forward. Sparks of goldericity crackled across its body as it unleashed a powerful Thutack aimed at the unsuspeg Starly.

  "Caw~!"

  The Starly, startled awake by the ining attack, tried to fp its wings and escape.

  However, just as it left the branch, the golden lightning engulfed it entirely. Pain and paralysis spread through its body, rendering it uo act.

  It's super effective!

  The Starly plummeted to the ground, its eyes spinning in a daze as it fainted.

  "Bzzzt~!"

  Though Elekid had won in a sirike, it showed no sign ance. Instead, its expression held disdain for the defeated Starly.

  Previously, Elekid might have celebrated such a victory. But after witnessing the prowess of those two trainers on the livestream and experieng firsthand the overwhelming strength of that Bibarel, it k was still just a novice.

  What's there to celebrate about a small fry beating another weakling?

  Paul didn't even g the fallen Starly. Such Starly were a dime a dozen in Sinnoh—he didn't need a Pokédex to assess its potential. He didn't evehe urge to capture it.

  "Your Thunder is too slow. Even as a sneak attack, it gave the oppoime to react. A stronger oppo would've dodged it with ease."

  tinuing dowh, Paul didn't praise Elekid. Instead, he pointed out its fws.

  "Bzzzt..."

  Elekid, well-acquainted with Paul's striature, showed no outward rea. Silently, it resolved to train harder.

  More Thunder outside the ball. More punches i would keep pushing itself until it became strong enough.

  "From now on, use Thuo defeat every wild Pokémon we enter on this road."

  Sihey were traveling, Paul decided to incorporate training into their jourhis method would hone Elekid's skills while building its stamina—a win-win situation.

  The only dowhe wild Pokémon along the route would bear the brunt of their training. But that's how growth works—defeating others to gain strength.

  After all, in the real world, Pokémon recover quickly. A fainted Pokémon usually regains its energy after a short rest.

  "Bzzzt!"

  With renewed determination, Elekid turs attention to the wild Pokémon oher side of the road.

  Lightning fshed, and thunder roared. Along the path, one wild Pokémon after another fell, only to scramble away ohey regained sciousness.

  Eventually, it seemed like word had spread among the Pokémon. The roadside became eerily quiet, with no wild Pokémon in sight.

  By now, Elekid was thhly exhausted. Though its stubborn expression remained unged, its weariness was evident. Yet, its eyes gleamed with excitement—it hadn't experienced such effective training in the daycare. Battling wild Pokémon was far more beneficial.

  "Recover your strength. We're heading into the forest here'll be even more Pokémon there."

  Paul tossed a few Oran Berries to Elekid before leaning against a tree to rest with his eyes closed.

  "Bzzzt~"

  Elekid didn't care about appearances. It plopped down on the ground, dev the berries before taking a brief rest.

  Ohey were ready, Paul led Elekid into the forest.

  "Waaa~!"

  "Hoho~!"

  Not long after entering, the sounds of Pokémon squabbling reached their ears.

  Following the noise, Paul spotted a Mankey and a Geodude beh a rge tree. The two Pokémon were fiercely grappling over a massive berry.

  A Fighting-type Pokémon and a Rock/Ground-type Pokémuing over food? The se was oddly amusing.

  But a cold, anding voice shattered the moment.

  "Thunder."

  "Bzzzt~!"

  Startled, both Mankey and Geodude turo see a surge of electricity rushing toward them. There was no time to react.

  In an instant, the two Pokémon, along with the berry, were engulfed in the powerful lightning.

  "Waaa~!"

  Mankey cried out in pain before colpsing, releasing its grip on the berry.

  Geodude, thanks to its Ground typing, remained unscathed but was visibly shaken.

  "What weaklings."

  Paul's icy remark brought Geodude back to its senses. Spotting Paul and Elekid, it angrily balled itself up and unched a Rollout attack.

  "Elekid, use Brick Break."

  Paul didn't even flinch as he issued the and.

  "Bzzzt~!"

  Elekid charged forward, its arm glowing white as it struck Geodude head-on.

  Crash!

  The two collided, but Geodude's momentum faltered. Overwhelmed by Elekid's strength, it was sent flying into a tree, fainting upon impact.

  "Pokémon this weak aren't worth capturing. Let's go, Elekid."

  After a brief g the two fainted Pokémon, Paul dismissed the idea of capturing them and tinued on his way.

  "Gaaah~!"

  "Hmm?"

  A sudden cry echoed from nearby...

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