Mauville Conference Begins

Terrance has been studying four stones lately: Damp Rock, Smooth Rock, Heat Rock, and Icy Rock.

Mystic Water is kept in a small container. Even though Terrance wants to understand its underlying principle, he doesn't dare to open the container for fear of losing the precious water inside.

The water droplet is something that can enhance a Pokemon's affinity for the Water Type... Terrance was really curious about how this works.

And how can the four stones such as Damp Rock affect the weather, but no matter how Terrance theorizes or imagines, he can't come up with a convincing explanation.

"Evolutionary stones, Dragon Orbs, Dragon Scales... these belong to a system of strange items that contain immense energy, which Pokémon can absorb."

"As for Mystic Water...the way it forms differs from these items. The energy within it likely cannot be absorbed, otherwise it wouldn't need to be preserved so carefully. If giving it to a Pokémon to drink could grant this affinity, Mystic Water wouldn't need such special packaging..."

Drink it...

Terrance's eyes lit up. He had the impulse to try it, but he couldn't bear to waste the Mystic Water, and he was unsure of any side effects.

However, the chances of it being harmful were probably low—he couldn't believe others hadn't thought of it before.

"I'll study Mystic Water later when I have free time, and the four stones too as their principles are still unclear." There are many mysterious items whose underlying principles remain unexplained. These items are generally formed naturally, a gift from nature and the world, unlike man-made tools. Understanding their principles has always been a challenge in academia.

"If I can figure out the principle behind the four stones and enable Castform to manipulate the weather without relying on them... wouldn't that mean..." Terrance looked at Castform with high expectations.

The more he thought about it, the more Terrance felt that the gifts from the Weather Institute were truly timely. For Castform and himself as a Trainer, they had essentially mapped out a growth path.

Terrance and Castform just needed to thoroughly understand these items to grow and stand on their own.

"My Castform is different from other Castforms. It has an incredible affinity for rainy weather, something that no other Castform can match. Perhaps this might be an entry point. By first using Damp Rock to find a way in, I can then study other rocks--"

This gave Terrance a direction for training his new partner, Castform.

Altaria still needed to perfect the "Erase" technique and continue growing in other aspects at the current pace.

Mismagius was primarily practicing "Lucky Chant." If this move could be successfully incorporated into its illusion creation, Mismagius' illusion skills would go through a qualitative leap. Additionally, Mismagius has the best energy control among Terrance's Pokémon, which is its advantage. It is also highly adept at varying its moves, so this aspect should not be neglected.

Growlithe had learned Flare Blitz, meeting Terrance's criteria for evolution. However, to ensure a better evolution and to develop and accumulate a better foundation, Terrance plans to observe for a while longer.

Even if Growlithe evolved now, there weren't many opportunities to showcase its skills, so there was no rush.

"If Growlithe doesn't like other moves, then there's no need to force it to master those practical moves. However, it must still practice them enough to handle critical situations. At the very least, it should be able to handle tricky situations. The more moves it knows, the better."

Growlithe's main training focus remained on "Flame Wheel," "Flare Blitz," and "Agility," which were the moves he spent the most effort on.

After evolving, Growlithe's learning ability and comprehension would improve, allowing it to further grasp the signature move of the Arcanine family, "Extreme Speed," and attempt to learn the Electric Type move "Wild Charge"...

"Should I... wait?"

Terrance frowned, hesitating about Growlithe's evolution. Wanting Growlithe to accumulate more was just an excuse to comfort himself; he had another idea in mind.

It was a double-edged sword.

Even now, he was torn about whether to find an opportunity for Growlithe to learn this move.

Outrage!

Theoretically, there are records of Growlithe learning this move. Although it is very rare— almost negligible— but it does exist!

Terrance sighed. Outrage is more like a state, a method of driving oneself into a 'frenzy' through an internal factor similar to Dragon Type bloodline.

In Terrance's understanding, this move deeply triggers one's ferocity, fully unleashing their combat instincts, but the side effects are also quite significant!

Even with proper control, one must endure the unavoidable side effect of falling into a state of confusion after frenzied attacks. If not mastered well, one might even fall into confusion and start to go berserk uncontrollably right after using it.

This is why Terrance hasn't decided whether to have Growlithe learn this move. If Growlithe's combat style were more normal, he wouldn't be so cautious. But with Growlithe's fighting style, combined with Outrage... If not controlled well, Terrance could imagine the consequences….While it can temporarily grant powerful combat instincts, it could also put Growlithe in an irreversibly dangerous situation.

Growlithe's fighting style is direct, brave and fierce, which means it is destined to fight its opponents head-on, thereby increasing the risk if Outrage either fails or ends abruptly.

However, if Growlithe could master Outrage, it could elevate its formidable battle style to the peak, granting it immense combat power for a while. Terrance felt that if Growlithe favored this path, Outrage could be meaningful.

"Forget it... let's not think about it for now."

Terrance sighed, looking up at the sky, leaving it to fate.

******

Three days later, the Mauville Conference began.

Due to the Hoenn Desert incident, it was unprecedentedly grand this time, with tickets selling out in just one day.

Terrance had registered early, which was rare for him. But what made him happiest wasn't the conference starting.

It was—

After over two months of separation, Crown Academy had sent news.

Kirlia...evolved!

The news came from Akon, who had sent two updates on Kirlia's growth during this period. Throughout this time, the Kirlia that was forcibly evolved by psychic power spent it under the observation of those Professors and Breeders.

However, after two months, those people had to shake their heads in resignation. It seems that Kirlia, despite evolving, still couldn't learn any new moves during this two-month period, leading them to completely give up.

But this outcome was what Kirlia had most hoped for, as it then received the long-desired Dawn Stone. Under the stimulation of that powerful energy, it successfully evolved into Gallade!

"Great, this is the third Pokémon Contest. After winning this, only three more remain." Terrance smiled, looking forward to meeting the newly transformed Gallade. Then, with full confidence, he left the hotel, heading to the Mauville Conference' venue.

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