Chapter 106:

As the last crumbs of breakfast disappeared from the plates, Cain sprang into action, ready to guide his Pokemon in their morning training. The crisp air carried the promise of a productive day, and Cain knew that starting it off with training was the key to success.

Over time, Cain had discovered that morning training produced the best results, and today was no different. As they gathered by the shimmering lake, he quickly assessed the needs of each of his beloved Pokemon.

Slowpoke was a water-type Pokemon, so Cain knew that water energy manipulation training was a must. As Slowpoke dove into the cool, inviting waters, Cain marveled at the effortless grace of the creature, even as it worked to improve its water energy control, which was slightly weaker than its psychic talent.

Murkrow, on the other hand, needed physical training, and Cain had just the thing in mind. With a weighted vest strapped to his slim frame, Murkrow took flight, its powerful wings slicing through the air. The load was heavy, but the bird seemed to relish the challenge, urging Cain to add more weight and push the limits even further.

Miltank was a different story altogether. A smaller size and a history of malnourishment meant that Cain had to tailor her training to suit her unique needs. He had prepared a special weight vest for her, which she wore as she ran along the cobblestone beach, testing her balance and strength on the slippery surface. Despite her dislike of fighting, Miltank was obsessed with training and gave it her all, every single time.

As for Gastly, Cain knew that the spectral Pokemon had been hard at work all night, standing guard and protecting their makeshift camp. So he arranged for a lighter training session that allowed Gastly to Rest while he worked on perfecting Sleep Talk.

Cain watched his Pokemon training hard, feeling a sense of pride and satisfaction. As they focused on their tasks, he took out his psychic training manual, ready to meditate and learn more about the complex world of psychic abilities.

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In the soft morning light, Cain sat cross-legged, his eyes closed in deep concentration. Originally, it would have taken him half an hour to achieve the state of meditation, but after many attempts and countless insights gleaned from the manual, he could now enter the serene state in just 10 minutes.

Unfortunately, the results of meditation were not ideal. The ever-watchful A.I. System was constantly monitoring Cain's condition, dictating the parameters of his meditative state with cold precision. It seemed that even if Cain wanted to become a beginner psychic, he would need at least 31 years of intensive training.

But as he finished his meditation, Cain felt a renewed energy surging through him, and he knew that his Pokemon were also benefiting from the same state. They would need all the strength they could muster, as they were about to embark on a journey to Ecruteak City, a trek that would take them through two dense forests and several days of hard travel.

Though it would be slower than taking a car, Cain relished the opportunity to train his Pokemon along the way. Since leaving the trial island, their leveling speed had slowed down considerably, and the forests offered a perfect chance to get back on track. With Slowpoke's psychic moves and Murkrow's sharp wings, they could easily take down the bug and poison-type Pokemon that lurked in the shadows.

As the sun crept higher in the sky, the forest around them came to life. Butterfree flitted from flower to flower, collecting nectar for their hive, while Ledyba slurped juice from the branches. Rattata scurried across the ground, searching for seeds to nibble on, and Spinaraks worked together to weave intricate webs, waiting for their prey to stumble into their trap.

It was a peaceful scene, but Cain knew that there also existed a delicate balance between predator and prey. As Cain and his Pokémon wandered through the woods, they chanced upon a group of aggressive Beedrills, ardent Spearows, and slithery Ekans. These Pokémon shattered the peaceful scene, chasing each other through the woods in a frenzied frenzy.

Cain knew better than to seek out trouble, but he also knew how to defend himself and his Pokemon. If the wild creatures didn't provoke him, he would let them be, but if they dared to attack, he would show no mercy. His Murkrow and Slowpoke were fierce fighters, and they wouldn't hesitate to strike down any Pokemon that crossed their path.

Of course, there were exceptions. If they encountered a Pokemon with exceptional aptitude or battle prowess, Cain wouldn't kill it, but they were few and far between. More often, they came across precious berries and rare items, guarded by even stronger Pokemon. With the help of the A.I. system, Cain was able to scan their data and decide whether to fight or flee.

Despite his Pokemon's above-average strength, there were still plenty of powerful overlords in the forest. Cain knew when to pick his battles and when to run, like the time he stumbled into a Level 35 Ursaring's territory.

The Ursaring was a formidable foe, powerful and bad-tempered. It chased Cain and his Pokemon for miles, its deadly Hyper Beams striking out with precision. Only with the help of complicated terrain were they able to shake it off.

Nevertheless, they didn't leave empty-handed. Murkrow had managed to snatch some precious Beedrill honey from the Ursaring's territory, but that was also what had made the bear so angry in the first place.