47 Chapter 37

"Initially, those situations wouldn't have to happen to you Caleb. If you had just been composed and have been more careful." Cesar reminded him. "You screamed without even thinking where you were, even though your teachers in your academia had already taught you that most pokemons residing in the forest are greatly attracted to sound. The Beedrills had undoubtedly chased you because they had heard your loud shout, and the moment they set their eyes on you they had already marked you as their hunt for breakfast."

"In a trainer, one has to be composed. A composure that, no matter the situation they wouldn't rattle and are clumsy like you had been. I trained you this way as a test for you, Caleb. Even though most wild pokemons you would encounter in some environment like in that forest I threw you in are mild and docile, a selected few are aggressive in nature. I don't have to teach this to you since you excell in theoritical knowledge in your batch, tell me the reason." Cesar was now much more like a teacher. His eyes were serious and were expecting Caleb to answer.

"Pokemons that are more dominant are more aggressive than less dominant pokemons, like the bug-type pewpa and it's evolved form- scatterbug, which are seen as foods by the bird-types like your Talonflame's species. Dominant pokemons usually have a higher priority in accessing food and other resources. They may also have more chances to mate..." This made Caleb trailed off. "...like the few spearows we encountered, which are most likely offsprings of a Fearow who are dominant in nature."

"That's right." Cesar smiled as he saw the thoughtful look on his grandson's face. Jokes aside, he really was satisfied on how fast Caleb was learning. "In an environment which you knew inhabited such creatures or something similarly intrusive or violent, or both. Organize your thoughts and throughoutly plan your first course of action, because one mistake like how you threw a rock, intentionally or not, it may cause you and your team a disaster. Even skilled and experienced trainers such as myself don't underestimate the power of carelessness."

"Humans often don't think clearly when they panic." Cesar once again reminded. "Just like everyone of us does. Your correct, though. If I had informed you the details of the training I would put you in, then you could have been more prepared to what's coming. Both you and your Magby could have a much more better showing. The only reason I didn't was because first hand experience is the best training tempering material for inexperienced children like you."

Cesar huffed roughly in the last part as he leaned on his chair comfortably, he crossed his arms and then continued with his smile. "Besides, what you had experienced and sort out in that forest, can you sort it out in this peaceful city?"

By now, Caleb was dumbfounded. His grandfather's words were correct. He already knew that every movement he made during the time he was in that forest was unsatisfactory, including the battle with the spearows. He felt he could have done better, he felt that he could have commanded Magby better. Rethinking about that battle, Caleb unconsciously grabbed the shrunk pokeball on his necklace.

Hearing the last part of his grandfather's lecture especially mentally jabbed Caleb in the head. He and Magby might still have a conflicting relationship if it wasn't for the moment they had earlier the day, but because of what they had experienced Caleb felt them growing closer as the trust between them hardened.

Remembering the last words he heared from his Magby, Caleb couldn't help himself smiling. Magby's express of friendliness was a part were Caleb rarely got from the pokemon.

"I understand..."

Dejection, sadness and happiness were the emotions Cesar saw from his grandson's eyes. "To be perfectly honest, this training of tempering your mind and the bond you have your pokemon is the goal of this training. Which you had already experienced."

Caleb nodded in response while in a daze.

Looking at his face, Cesar sighed after a moment. He took out a small box which he pop out a cigar with a smack of his palm. Lighting it up, he exhaled a puff of smoke. "Since you have already treated your Magby in a pokemon center and have dressed up, both of you are surely hungry. Go get yourself a nice meal. After that, come back here so that you will know your afternoon training."

'What!' That jolted Caleb out from his stupor. 'What did he just say?'

"T-there's more training?" Caleb was dumbfounded.

"Of course there is. Morning and afternoon is separate for a reason after all, when both training are done or when the sun comes down to welcome the evening moonlight can you only rest." Cesar admitted. "I thought you could handle this much, considering from what I was told you trained three-four hours everyday, right? What, you can't handle it no more, kid?"

Cesar teased.

"I... We can handle it." Caleb corrected himself. He wanted to use pluralism from now on since he wasn't the only one doing the training within his team composed of only his Magby.

"Good, then chop chop. Time is ticking." Cesar shooed Caleb out of his office as he enjoyed his stick of cigar.

...

For a pokemon, there were three ways to grow.

Resources, training and battling!

Converting the nutrients from resources such as pokemon food, like pokepuffs was the easiest, however it was the most insignificant to a pokemon's growth. One could barely notice, or they wouldn't at all.

Training was slightly difficult, but through training, one could hone the moves they have within their arsenal to a higher proficiency, thereby promoting growth.

Battles were the most dangerous, especially in life-and-death battles, except matches between pokemon trainers since it is mainly just a challenge so it usually wouldn't escalate to a battle to the death. The former tests the trainer and their pokemon where grit and willpower had to be highly focused. However, battles had the most significant growth improvement since what one will gain from using abilities in high-intensity battles, after all, was also not something that some basic training could compare to.

Certified trainers, who battle everyday in an environment they were in and recieved constant challenges from other trainers thatade them grew significantly than non-trainers since they are risking unknown dangers from the journey they are doing, risking their life on the line to become stronger than others to be qualified to enter the major leagues.

Take Caleb's Magby for example. It took three years of hard training to get to where there are today, but if it was a trainer who had trained under such intense lifestyle, their improvement couldn't compare as it would only take trainers months or weeks to do so, coupled with the experience and knowledge they have.

While students develop steadily under guidance of their teachers and parents, trainers trained in risk which was why the latter developed much faster.

However, when there is risk, there is casualties. Which was why Trainer Oro Academia was organized by the Pokemon Association, to prepare inspired children so they can handle those risk.

Which was why Cesar gave his grandson a training which he believes would benefit the youngster.

The first part, which would be on the morning is environmental training and survival. Which would temper Caleb's grit, determination and will power.

The second part, was for Caleb hone his abilities in a pokemon battle. To have him and his pokemons familiarize on the field.

And the best place to do that was on - The Pokemon Battling Avenue.

A training field for trainers to have a friendly battle with one another. The Pokemon Battling Avenue is a place you can find within every city, and it is not just found in Kalos, but every part of the world also.

Coincidentally, this year's season had just started. Which every cycle would restart after the Pokemon League or the Kalos Pokemon Conference. Hence, within every cycle there's a span given of three whole years for trainers to collect enough badges from challenging the Gym Circuit to participate in the League.

...

Pokemon Battling Avenue, Challenger's Center.

"Hello, welcome. How may I help you?"

After Cesar and Caleb entered the center. They arrived at the front desk where a woman receptionist was seen standing behind.

"Young lady, can you help me register my grandson? Here's his ID, he is still a student. I'm a trainer which I would give my reference to" Cesar didn't waste time and just went straight to the point. He then handed out Caleb's ID which he had requested for from the latter earlier and additionally payed a small registration fee.

"That would be no problem." The receptionist typed some keys on the keyboard before handing out the ID. "According to our rules, since your grandson is still a student, he is only allowed to battle other students, but because this place mostly congregate of trainers he is also allowed to challenge newly registered trainers which you could use the field where zero badge trainers are."

Cesar asked. "Did you hear that as well, Caleb?"

Caleb who was by his side this whole time nodded in response to his grandfather's question.

At the same time, the receptionist said. "This is your card number. After a field is available, you can occupy it when you are called and challenge any trainers that are within the field. You can also challenge spectators if they are willing. You can battle as much as you want and as long as you want, after you're done return the card number to us, is that all clear?"

"I got it." Caleb affirmed as he listened.

"Do you need anything else?" The receptionist inquire.

"No, we're fine. Thank you."

After taking the card number, Caleb and Cesar walked to the hall and stood there.

"I'll be going back to my office to handle some matter while you train and have as much time possible. But remember, the purpose for why I brought you here is for you to gain some experience and hone the knowledge you got from battling those spearows, got it?" Cesar said.

"I understand, take care." Caleb bid farewell to his grandfather, watching the man leave the doors. Then he found himself a chair from the hall, and sat down.

He looked around, noticing a much more trainers gathering in the Challenger's Center compared to the Pokemon Center. Maybe it was because he had visited the pokemon center in the morning which explained the few trainers going there.

Caleb began fidgeting uncomfortably on his seat. That was when a young man about his age appeared to the area he was in, sitting down beside where he was.

"Are you new here?"