"Our world is home to countless magical beasts," Lucien began.
"They can be found in the sky, on land, in the ocean, deep in forests, and across the grasslands."
"However, not all magical beasts are the same. Some breathe fire, others unleash electricity, while still others scatter leaves and petals to strike their foes."
"And this is what I call their Types."
"Based on their powers, magical beasts are divided into different Types. Those who command flames are Fire-type. Those who manipulate water are Water-type. And Zorua, who releases dark energy, belongs to the Dark type."
Anna's eyes widened as she murmured, "Dark type… Then what about the Snow monsters? Are they Snow-type?"
Lucien chuckled and shook his head. "Not quite. More accurately, they are Ice-type. But from what I've observed, Snovers don't just have a single Type. They are both Grass- and Ice-type Pokémon. You'll come to understand this more clearly once you observe them yourself."
Anna leaned forward, captivated.
"Types and energy are inseparable," Lucien continued. "The energy a Pokémon wields reflects its Type. When that energy is focused and released as beams, blasts, or strikes, I call it a move."
"I know that!" Anna interjected. "Zorua's tricks, those are its moves!"
"That's right," Lucien nodded with approval. "Which brings me to today's lesson: how to train a magical beast and make it stronger."
Anna and Zorua immediately sat up straight, listening as though their lives depended on it.
"In some ways, magical beasts are no different from us humans. We build strength by training our bodies, and magical beasts can do the same. Running every day strengthens a magical beast's legs, making it faster and more agile. Weight training develops raw power, shaping it into a mighty fighter."
"Of course, physical exercise is only the beginning. What truly makes a magical beasts stronger is mastering its moves. The more often a move is used, the more skillfully it can be controlled. And sometimes, through practice, a magical beast will have a breakthrough and discover an entirely new move on its own."
Anna's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Lucien paused, not wanting to overwhelm her all at once. "That's enough for today. Try some special training with Zorua. If you don't understand something, come back and ask me."
"Yes!" Anna nearly leapt to her feet, eager to begin.
Lucien let her go, then turned back to Dratini. "Alright, Dratini, let's continue today's training."
"Wooooo!" Dratini responded with determination.
After spending time together, Lucien noticed their bond had grown, Dratini's trust had risen from 20 to 70. The little dragon had begun to rely on him.
Once again, they focused on Twister.
At first, Dratini had needed four or five seconds to gather its Dragon-type energy, focus it in its mouth, and then unleash the swirling gale. But after yesterday's practice, Dratini could summon a Twister in just two seconds.
Proof that her mastery was improving.
Even so, Dratini was still a juvenile Pokémon. Before long, her energy was drained. Panting heavily, she collapsed limply into Lucien's arms like a fainting fish.
Lucien chuckled softly and stroked her scales. "Thank you, Dratini. You worked hard today."
He gazed thoughtfully at the river, mulling over his partner's potential.
Currently, Dratini only knew three moves:
Currently, Dratini only knew three moves: Wrap, Glare, and Twister.
Wrap could also be developed as an offensive move. A Normal-type technique, Wrap allowed Dratini to coil her long body around the opponent and constrict them. With enough strength, the pressure alone could inflict serious damage.
Lucien considered the possibilities.
Then, the Dratini in his arms let out a puzzled cry.
"Wuh?"
A moment later, a faint crackling filled the air, yellow sparks arced across her scales, sending a tingling current into Lucien's hands.
His eyes widened.
"This is…!"
Dratini had awakened a new move!
"Dratini, try that again!" Lucien urged, excitement brimming in his voice.
Obeying instinct, Dratini hovered in the air as faint electrical currents rippled outward in waves, filling the air with static.
"Thunder Wave!" Lucien exclaimed.
The Electric-type move didn't deal damage, but its pulse of electricity could paralyze the target, leaving them immobile.
Wrap combined with Thunder Wave, constriction followed by paralysis, would give Dratini a powerful way to disable her foes.
And with continued training in controlling this new electricity, she might one day master techniques like Thunderbolt or even Thunder itself.
Lucien couldn't help but chuckle at the thought. Perhaps, in the future, his Dratini could paralyze whole schools of fish in the river, making catching food effortless for the entire settlement.
Nearing noon, to save time and finish building their winter cabins quickly, the people who had been working outside all morning chose not to return home for lunch.
They pulled out their pre-prepared rations from their packs and gathered together to eat. Excitement rippled through the camp. Thanks to the help of the three Monsters, they had felled several times as many trees as the previous day, work that might have taken weeks was being cut down in days.
The three Snovers, tired from their efforts, sat quietly beside the children. Though their bodies ached, their spirits were brightened by the smiles around them.
"You're really amazing, Snovers!" the children cheered.
The Snovers squinted happily, answering with cheerful cries of, "Mmm~!" Once the work was done, they could all play together again.
Just then, several tall figures approached.
"Mmm…?"
The Snovers tilted their heads in confusion, but what they saw were not hostile glares, only grateful expressions.
The adults carried biscuits, bread, and other food in their hands.
Under the Pokémon's surprised gaze, the men and women knelt down and gently placed the food in front of them.
"Thank you, Snovers," one of the men said earnestly.
The three Snovers froze, wide-eyed.
"This is our food, meant for humans," the man continued with a smile. "If you don't mind… please have some."
Everyone… was thanking them?
At first, these adults had avoided them, wary and untrusting. That rejection had stung, leaving the Snovers sad and confused.
But now, the adults were looking at them with warm, grateful eyes.
Overcome with joy, the three Snovers let out a delighted cry.
"Woo-goo!"
Though exhausted from working all morning, their hearts swelled with happiness. The humans were sharing food with them!
They loved these people so much!
Moved, one of the Snovers plucked a fresh fruit that had just grown from its body and shyly offered it back to the man.
The man froze, staring at the innocent eyes and childlike expression of the Pokémon before him.
And in that moment, a thought he never imagined crept into his heart:
'Perhaps… monsters aren't so frightening after all.'