Bottom-tier trainers in the Pokémon world

As she spoke, the shop assistant took out several boxes containing crystal-clear energy cubes.

The unicorn beetle's eyes widened at the scent emanating from it.

This shows just how tempting these energy cubes are to the unicorn.

"These two are basic energy cubes, suitable for Bug-type and Poison-type Pokémon respectively. Long-term consumption can slightly improve the Pokémon's abilities and make it easier for the Pokémon to use and develop its own type energy," the shop assistant said, pointing to two of the boxes.

One is a bluish-green energy cube, and the other is a light purple energy cube. Although both are crystal clear, they contain obvious impurities that are visible to the naked eye.

"What about this one?" Xia Yan looked at the box next to him.

The shop assistant smiled and said, "This is a mid-level energy cube, which we call the Glowing Energy Cube. It perfectly combines Bug-type and Poison-type energy, and the material used is Greenleaf Berry, which is best suited to the taste of Bug-type Pokémon..."

The shop assistant gave a very detailed explanation of this energy cube.

Xia Yan was intrigued and couldn't help but ask, "What's the price?"

The shop assistant's smile widened. "Because it's a mid-level energy cube, the price will be a little higher, 50 Alliance Coins each."

50 Alliance Coins...

Xia Yan's expression froze.

I guessed that the Elf's Energy Cube would be expensive, but I never imagined it would be this expensive.

This is just a mid-level energy block; it's hard to imagine how terrifying the price of high-level or even super-level energy blocks would be.

The energy cubes contain extremely high energy. At the current rate of the unicorn beetle's diet, about 2-3 cubes are enough for one meal. With three meals a day, it would need 6-9 cubes a day. Even if we conservatively estimate it to be 7 cubes a day, that would be 350 Alliance Coins.

Upon calculation, Xia Yan realized he had a toothache.

As if sensing his predicament, the shop assistant continued, "Of course, the other two types of basic energy cubes are also quite good products, and they only cost 20 Alliance Coins each, making them much more cost-effective."

Xia Yan shook his head decisively.

The Weedle's starting point is already inferior to other Pokémon. If it chooses to settle for second best in this aspect, it's hard to say when it will be able to meet its own requirements.

After thinking for a moment, I said, "Could you please pack 50 of them for me first?"

He didn't have much money left, and 50 coins should be enough for the unicorn to eat for a few days.

If the club doesn't assign him sparring duties these next few days, he'll probably be eating dirt again for a while.

Regardless of whether he eats dirt or not, Xia Yan will never be stingy with the food of the unicorn beetle.

"Okay." The shop assistant looked at him with a bit of surprise.

I never expected that this trainer, who was dressed plainly and looked a bit malnourished, would be so willing to spend money on a Weedle.

"By the way, how much does this Moo Moo Milk cost?"

Milk can make unicorns stronger and has a more significant effect on the growth of their shells.

"A 450ml bottle of Moo Moo Milk costs 50 Alliance Coins. Regular Elf Milk is a bit cheaper at 10 Alliance Coins a bottle," the clerk said while packing Energy Cubes.

Milk from the big milk tank is indeed comparable to gold...

I thought to myself, "Do I get a discount for buying so much?"

"This..." The shop assistant paused, seemingly hesitant, but then, as if making a major decision, said, "I'll give you a 95% discount. We don't usually offer discounts to people."

Xia Yan was well aware of these sales tactics, but he didn't expose them. A discount was better than nothing. After calculating how much money was left, he said, "Then give me 8 bottles of Moo Moo Milk and 12 bottles of regular Elf Milk."

"Okay, please wait a moment."

At last.

Having spent less than 50 Alliance Coins left, I carried bags of things and took the bus back to the club.

Fortunately, he didn't have to worry about his own food. The club provided meals, which weren't very tasty, but as long as he could eat his fill, Xia Yan didn't mind.

As long as the unicorn can grow up successfully, all his efforts will be worthwhile.

Chapter Ten: What is a Trainer?

"Waaah..."

The unicorn perched on Xia Yan's shoulder, looking at him with a mix of grievance and heartache.

It seems Xia Yan spent too much money on it, but only bought himself a cheap set of clothes. I feel a little sorry for him.

It knew perfectly well how hard-won this money was.

Xia Yan endured countless taunts and rejections in his search for a job.

For it, one could say that they have given everything they could.

"Don't feel sorry for me. Your greatest reward to me is for you to grow stronger." Xia Yan smiled and took out a crystal-clear energy cube from the exquisitely packaged box.

"Woo-woo!!" The unicorn beetle nodded firmly, looking at the energy cube in his palm, and secretly swallowed.

Sensing its craving, Xia Yan smiled even more broadly.

He deliberately picked up the energy cube and pointed it at the sun.

Sunlight pierced through the transparent, dark green energy cube, which contained no impurities visible to the naked eye. The intermediate-level energy cube emitted a faint fragrance mixed with a subtle, fishy stench.

"Tsk, is this the energy cube that combines insect-type and poison-type energy?"

He deliberately drew out his voice, glancing at the unicorn out of the corner of his eye.

Its eyes were fixed on the energy cube, looking eager yet hesitant to make a move.

It's actually kind of cute.

Only the image of the energy cube remained in his tiny, bean-sized eyes.

"I'm just teasing you. Here, eat."

He chuckled softly and handed the energy cube to the unicorn beetle.

"Woo!" the unicorn beetle cried out joyfully.

With its tail twitching, it quickly took the energy cube and immediately began to eat it in small bites on its shoulder.

After taking a few bites, he couldn't help but groan a few times.

Seeing its satisfied expression, Xia Yan felt relieved, but still reminded it rather inappropriately, "Since you've eaten the energy cubes, you need to digest and absorb all the energy to avoid waste. So starting today, our training will be more intense, so be prepared."

He had been restrained during his previous training because he was worried that excessive training would deplete the already weak body of the unicorn.

Now he can intensify his training of the unicorn.

"Waaah!"

The unicorn beetle lowered its head and hurriedly responded a few times, it was unclear whether it had actually listened to Xia Yan's words.

He shook his head helplessly.

Back to the club.

Anna, who was filing her nails at the front desk, saw him with bags and bags of stuff and teased him with a smile, "Xia Yan, you got an advance on your salary yesterday, so you're going to splurge today?"

"Yes," Xia Yan nodded in greeting.

“Then you’d better restrain yourself, after all…” He glanced at the unicorn beetle on his shoulder.

"Ah."

She didn't react to her suggestion about the unicorn.

Many things are not necessarily correct in other people's understanding and perception. Only by not caring about other people's opinions and adhering to your inner persistence and determination can you achieve what others cannot.

Back in the room.

After neatly arranging the items and loading a few energy cubes, he took the Unicorn Beetle to the training room.

I just ran a few laps around the training room to warm up, and it was time to start the real training.

Anna then found him again.

Also arriving was Jian'er, the chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) teenager who had been clamoring to book Xia Yan's room all day yesterday.

Anna admired Natsuhiko for persevering in his training even when he wasn't on sparring assignments, with beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Hard-working people always leave a good impression on others.

"0451 is right here. I won't bother you anymore." Anna said, then closed the door and left.

"Xia Yan, I'm here again. Are you guys getting ready for training?" Jian Er said, sounding very familiar with him.

"Hmm," Xia Yan responded softly. "What kind of sparring partner do you need today? A match or training?"

"Hehe, we're just here to train together."

Following Xia Yan's words, Jian Er summoned Bulbasaur, looking eager to try it out.

"Da na~~"

As soon as Bulbasaur appeared, it saw Weedle and immediately waddled over to it, wiggling its chubby little bottom, and called out softly.

"Woo!" The unicorn beetle greeted it as well.

After yesterday's battle and training, Weedle and Bulbasaur have gotten to know each other.

Just as Kenji admired Xia Yan for his dedication to training and setting a good example, Bulbasaur also admired Weedle, whose training was several times more difficult than its own.

“Now we’re going to begin. You can try to follow along, or do as I taught you yesterday.”

With that, Xia Yan ignored Jian Er and told Unicorn Beetle to continue training.

"Okay, okay, do as you please."

Jian Er showed no airs of a member and casually waved his hand.

His eyes darted around, looking rather sneaky, as if he was plotting something.

Xia Yan didn't take it to heart.

After the warm-up running, the first phase of the first round of training still focuses on improving the accuracy of the moves.

Improving the mastery of existing skills is always Xia Yan's top priority in training.

Pokémon can learn many moves. Some are learned automatically as a Pokémon grows, while others require special training to learn. Still others are inherited by Pokémon and are known as inherited moves.

Anyway.