[Sneasel]
Type: Dark / Ice
HP: C
Attack: A
Defense: D
Sp. Atk: D
Sp. Def: C
Speed: A+
Drawing on fragments of memory from his previous life, combined with the knowledge he had acquired in this one, Kael habitually condensed a Pokémon's detailed parameters into a six-stat 3D chart. The advantage of doing so was clarity—comparisons could be made at a glance.
From the data alone, it was obvious that Weavile almost perfectly matched every requirement of a Speed Striker. A flawless assassin: high physical attack, extreme speed—and, correspondingly, paper-thin defenses.
As for move selection, Sneasel could naturally learn the high-power Dark-type move Throat Chop. With the aid of TMs, it could additionally acquire Ice Punch and Brick Break, and when paired with the stat-boosting move Swords Dance, the set was already—after countless rounds of data comparison—the most optimal moveset Kael could devise for Sneasel.
As he typed the final letter, Kael clasped his hands together, fingertips resting against the bridge of his nose, his gaze sinking into contemplation.
Pokémon and humans, in truth, were not all that different. Pokémon possessed intelligence far beyond ordinary animals and emotions just as rich as those of humans. And just like humans, the differences between individuals—and even between entire species—could be vast.
Each Pokémon's energy and focus were limited. While they could indeed learn many moves, only a select few could ever be honed to the point of unleashing truly overwhelming power—sometimes even surpassing the move's intended limits. Because of this, after decades of trial and error, the Pokémon League ultimately recommended that Trainers focus on cultivating four primary moves. It might sound like an unremarkable guideline, but it was one that could push an otherwise ordinary Pokémon's combat potential to its absolute peak.
Practice makes perfect had never been an empty phrase.
...
At dawn, a gentle southern breeze carrying the scent of the forest swept across Viridian City. The rising sun heralded the arrival of a brand-new day.
It was May—the most pleasant season of the year. Kael, dressed in a black high-collared short-sleeve shirt with a Poké Ball emblem printed on the back, slowly stepped into his backyard garden. Covering roughly 120 square meters, it was planted with various Berries and medicinal herbs. None were particularly rare, but all were in high demand on the market. Thanks to Kael's refined cultivation and grafting techniques, their quality far surpassed most comparable products available for sale.
He lazily stretched, then bent his knees slightly. In the next instant, his entire body coiled like a spring and launched upward.
With a soft shout, he leapt nearly two meters into the air, casually twisting his right hand to pluck a peach-like Berry from a nearby tree.
It was a Pecha Berry.
With excellent detoxifying properties, it was a lifesaver for Trainers who were poisoned in the wild and lacked antidotes. A wild Pecha Berry could mean the difference between life and death.
Of course, if you were bitten head-on by an Arbok—the king of deadly poisons—then don't bother pinning your hopes on a Pecha Berry. Without a nearby Pokémon Center or a top-tier antidote on hand, you might as well lie down quietly and wait for the end.
He took a bite.
Juicy and full, intensely sweet, with even a faint milky undertone. Pecha Berries weren't just detoxifying medicine—they were also essential ingredients in many famous snacks and Pokeblocks. Eaten fresh, they were exceptionally nutritious as well.
In his previous life, Kael had been an extreme sports enthusiast with very high demands on physical conditioning. Conveniently, humans in this world were born with physiques far stronger than those on Earth. Coupled with consistent training from a young age, a two-meter vertical leap was nothing special to him.
A qualified bounty hunter needed more than wilderness survival knowledge and a professional team setup—a powerful body was just as indispensable. In critical moments, it could save your life.
"Breakfast is ready, Kael! Come eat!"
A soft, childish voice echoed in his mind. Turning around, he saw Lulu toddling in from the doorway, step by step. What was amusing was that above her head floated a steaming plate of steak and a glass of milk, suspended effortlessly in midair.
Sometimes, even Kael himself had to admire his own patience. He had spent more than half a year teaching Ralts how to cook. Since Ralts lacked the dexterous fingers of a human, she had to multitask constantly—using psychic power to control knives for chopping, to flip ingredients while stir-frying, to measure seasonings, and more.
At the beginning, cooking was an enormous challenge for Lulu, who was still in her base form, her psychic strength simply too weak. But as failures accumulated, this unconventional "culinary training method" ended up rapidly strengthening her psychic abilities.
The steak was fragrant and tender, cooked to a perfect medium. The cumin and chili were added in just the right amounts. When it came to food, Kael never shortchanged himself as long as conditions allowed. Even this single glass of Miltank milk was worth 500 League Credits—it had been airlifted that very morning from a famous farm in the Johto region. Milk produced by Miltank was exceptionally nutritious, and long-term consumption offered tremendous benefits to physical conditioning and brain development alike.