On day fourteen of the expense-paid "vacation", Sato and Cynthia were still undergoing special training under Fujin's guidance.
The opportunity to receive full instruction from a Champion Trainer was practically unheard of; both of them knew that well.
So, in unspoken agreement, they no longer brought up the topic of traveling.
After all, compared to getting stronger, traveling wasn't even worth mentioning!
At least… that's how Sato saw it.
Just yesterday, President of the Sinnoh League had sent over a transport plane and specialized personnel to Fujin's cabin to install a Pokémon Transfer Machine.
Sato and Cynthia had since begun transferring many of their Pokémon over so they could all receive training under Fujin.
And today, Gardevoir reluctantly took off her apron and, under Sato's proud gaze, threw herself into training for the first time.
She had already reached Elite Four level simply by growing naturally, Gardevoir's potential was beyond question. Even without formal training, she remained one of the core members of the team.
But now that Sharpedo had broken through, Sato possessed five Elite Four Pokémon.
He was just one away from being eligible to apply for the Elite Four Tournament…
And given Sato's meteoric rise, it wouldn't be surprising if another Pokémon broke through by tomorrow.
Gardevoir could feel the pressure ( '^)
While it made her happy to watch Sato and the others happily eat the food she prepared, that happiness depended on her role in the team remaining secure.
So Gardevoir declared… she would train too!
"The synchronization method, as the name suggests, is-"
"I can use Telepathy."
"Right… well, then let's talk about moves-"
"I've learned everything a Gardevoir can learn."
"I see… then for offense, we could try things like move compression, stacking, quickcasting-"
In the next second, Gardevoir waved her hand and conjured over a dozen Shadow Balls, which instantly fused together into one compact mass, ready to fire at any moment.
"Like this?"
"Uh… next is cast speed… though I already know you can quickcast Teleport."
Gardevoir blinked and nodded sweetly.
"Mmhm (* '╰╯')!"
As for defense… well, weak defenses were normal for mages. What proper mage wears armor?
For a moment, Sato honestly couldn't find a single area where Gardevoir needed improvement. In every way, she had already reached her current peak.
Seeing Sato's silent pondering, Gardevoir thoughtfully offered, "It's about time… Should I go make lunch?"
"Ahem, y-yeah, sure."
"Alright then~ (* ^﹏^)"
A flash of white light, and Gardevoir had already Teleported back into the cabin kitchen, cheerfully preparing lunch…
On the training field, Sato stood there in a daze for quite a while before finally striding over to Fujin.
What lay ahead after reaching the Elite Four? How was he supposed to keep progressing?
Instead of fumbling through it himself, he might as well ask Fujin directly.
But when Sato voiced his confusion, Fujin only let out a quiet sigh.
"You've grown fast… but your Pokémon have grown even faster. Right now, you can't keep up with them."
"I… I'm holding them back?"
"Hohoho, not quite yet. After all, you've got me now, haven't you?" Fujin laughed heartily and pointed at himself, his overwhelming confidence making Sato look at him with awe.
The next moment, Fujin grew serious again and pointed toward the group of Pokémon Sato had been training.
"Take a good look. That Frogadier you just caught is still at the Elite stage, just laying bases. But your strongest, like Tyranitar and Zoroark, they're already striding toward Champion level.
I don't know how someone from a common background like you managed to obtain so many exceptionally gifted partners, but there's no denying it… you HAVE what it takes to reach Champion level.
From what I can tell, you've already mastered how to raise Pokémon up to the Elite Four threshold. You know how to draw out their potential.
But after reaching Elite Four… how do you step into Champion level? That's something even most Elite Four in the League don't understand!"
Sato's eyes were blazing, his eagerness plainly visible!
…But just then, Fujin paused.
Unable to hold back, Sato quickly asked, "What is it?"
"Take a guess."
"…Talent? Battle system? Base stats?"
Fujin shook his head and raised a hand, stopping Sato's wild guesses.
"Talent is just the starting point. Battle systems are how a Pokémon expresses its power. And base stats… they all have limits.
But there's one thing… one thing that separates Champion Pokémon from Elite Four Pokémon. Something they never had.
"You can call it… conviction."
"…Conviction?"
Sato echoed the word, but didn't feel any earth-shattering realization.
So the difference between Champion and Elite Four was something intangible… conviction?
"Sato, ask yourself. How determined are you to become a Champion?"
Sato fell silent. He truly did want to reach the peak, to see the view from the summit; but he couldn't deny he was also quite satisfied with where he was now.
His determination… wasn't particularly strong.
"And your Pokémon partners. How much conviction do they have to reach Champion level with you?"
"Them…?"
Sato turned his head and looked at the Pokémon still training hard.
Training seriously didn't mean they had a burning desire to be the strongest.
Take Pikachu, for example. It just didn't want to be a decorative mascot, it had worked its way up to Ace level.
But that was it.
As for Hydreigon, its growth to this point was largely due to potential and opportunity. Breaking through its current limit was just a matter of time.
Then what comes after?
Maybe only Umbreon, Zoroark, and Honchkrow -those older teammates- were really growing stronger in response to Sato's devotion, wanting to grow for the sake of their bond.
The ones who truly had the determination and conviction to become the strongest were just a handful. Tyranitar, Absol, and Frogadier.
So should he give up on raising the ones who lacked conviction…?
OF COURSE NOT!
"Think about it carefully. Once you understand those two questions, you'll also find the answer to the Gardevoir situation."
Fujin patted Sato's shoulder with hopeful eyes, like a grandfather looking at his grandson.
Then he slowly turned around and walked away, with that air of "mission accomplished, vanish into legend."
Then… Sato stopped him.
"Fujin-ojisan… does Cynthia… have the same problem as me?"
The final cool moment was ruined. Fujin's legend aura completely collapsed.
With a scowl, he thumped Sato on the head and pointed toward Cynthia, who was focused and quietly training with her Pokémon.
"Does she look like someone with problems? Your little girlfriend's conviction to grow stronger is ten times yours!"
"I-it's not like that… it's not… DON'T SAY WEIRD STUFF!" (〃´ω)
"Weird…? How is it weird? Just look at her Garchomp! That look in its eyes is pure resolve…"
"Ahem! I mean, Cynthia… she's not my girlfriend!"
Fujin: …( λ_）