Chapter 11: The [Flame Splash] Trait
Chapter 11: The [Flame Splash] Trait
Half an hour later, Miss Qin returned to explain the rules for the upcoming field training.
This year, the school had implemented a new system.
Instead of using real Pokémon, the event would feature simulated Pokémon and stats, created using Metagross and Zoroark, provided by the school's sponsors.
These simulated Pokémon would be scattered throughout the forest, and students would gain points by defeating them. Rankings would be based on the total points accumulated.
The announcement left the class in awe.
Metagross? Zoroark?
Creating virtual Pokémon for a school-level competition in a small city? That level of investment was unheard of!
It was like using national-level exam equipment for a simple pop quiz.
Hikaru subconsciously glanced at Sakura, who smiled at him but said nothing.
Shaking his head, he pushed aside any unrealistic thoughts.
He was merely a novice trainer with a ticket to the path of greatness. To truly stand beside someone like her, he needed to work hard.
And by "stand beside," he meant purely in the sense of being an older brother figure.
---
That evening, Hikaru returned home and began strategizing how to further improve Charmander's combat effectiveness.
At Level 11, Charmander's strength had grown significantly, but not enough to secure a decisive advantage.
Both the daily entry refresh and the shop were random, making it difficult to plan ahead.
"Hopefully, the next week's entries or shop items will bring something useful," Hikaru thought as he drifted off to sleep.
---
The following morning, Hikaru woke up eagerly and checked the system.
A burst of blue light greeted him, catching him off guard.
It wasn't a weekly or monthly entry refresh, but a simple daily entry that had produced a blue-tier entry.
[Flame Splash Trait]: When releasing flame-based attacks, the flames will scatter on impact, covering a larger area.
Hikaru was stunned.
A trait from the system?
He hadn't expected the entries to include such abilities.
If this applied to all flame-based attacks, then even a basic move like Ember would become significantly more powerful.
Charmander's "Fire Rain" had already shown remarkable potential. With the Flame Splash Trait, it could become an area-of-effect powerhouse.
Combine that with the Rosemary Incense for luring Pokémon, and they'd be unstoppable.
---
Excited, Hikaru opened the shop to see if the streak of good luck continued.
[Poké Ball]: ...
[Premium Pokémon Food]: ...
[Entry Slot Lock]: Allows one entry to be permanently affixed to a Pokémon without occupying an active slot. Cost: 10 Entry Coins (Available Today Only).
[Rosemary Incense]: ...
Hikaru's eyes lit up.
The Entry Slot Lock was a game-changer.
He could finally keep key entries active without worrying about slot limitations.
Without hesitation, he purchased it, though he noticed that the item disappeared from the shop immediately after his purchase.
"Limited-time item, huh? A shame I can't stockpile it," Hikaru muttered, but he quickly shook off his disappointment.
---
Using the Entry Slot Lock, Hikaru permanently assigned [Purify] to Charmander, ensuring it could always negate negative effects.
He then equipped Charmander with the [Flame Splash Trait].
---
That evening, in the abandoned building, Charmander tested its new ability.
It conjured a small ember and launched it at the ground.
The tiny flame, no larger than a pebble, burst upon impact, scattering fiery sparks across a radius of several meters.
"Impressive!" Hikaru exclaimed, genuinely amazed.
If this was just Ember, imagine the devastation Fire Rain could unleash with the Flame Splash Trait.
And when Charmander evolved into Charizard, unleashing moves like Flamethrower or Overheat?
The battlefield would become a sea of fire.
"This blue-tier entry is as good as a purple one," Hikaru murmured, his excitement growing.
---
Charmander wasn't the only one making progress.
Nearby, Ralts clapped its tiny hands in admiration.
Seeing its shy applause, Charmander rubbed its claws sheepishly, clearly flattered.
"Don't worry, Ralts. One day, you'll be just as strong," Hikaru reassured it, patting its head.
Ralts had been practicing diligently, using Confusion to levitate itself and perform various tasks.
Hikaru had even encouraged it to develop a creative hobby: drawing.
He provided Ralts with pencils, teaching it to control them telekinetically.
The results were remarkable. Within days, Ralts had mastered fine-tuned telekinesis, even achieving mass manipulation—a skill where it could adjust the weight of objects under its control.
Its level had also risen to 9.
---
"Tomorrow's the big day, Charmander. Let's give it our all!" Hikaru declared.
Charmander bumped its claw against Hikaru's fist, its eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Afterward, Hikaru handed out energy cubes, letting Charmander and Ralts recover from their intense training.
---
The next morning, Shuimu No. 3 High School hosted a grand opening ceremony for the field training event.
Thanks to a new sponsor, the event had received significant publicity.
On the day of the event, reporters swarmed the school, covering the spectacle with fervor.
The first-year students gathered on the field, listening to the principal's fiery speech.
The balding man radiated enthusiasm, his face practically glowing with joy.
"Ugh," Hikaru yawned, tuning out the overly familiar rhetoric.
Let's just get started already. I'm looking forward to this.
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