The function of a TM Skill Disc was simple but remarkable-it directly imprinted the method of performing a move into a Pokémon's mind.
As long as the Pokémon was capable of learning that move, the process was instantaneous.
But once used, the disc was destroyed,it could never be reused.
After leaving the Pokémon Mart, Silas walked quietly through the streets of Verdanturf Town, occasionally glancing over his shoulder.
No one followed him. He relaxed slightly.
"So, this really is a legitimate store."
If he had made a purchase like that on the black market, at least half a dozen shady groups would have tailed him before he even made it back to the Pokémon Center.
Back inside his rented room, Silas began drafting a detailed training plan for the next half month.
There was no need to think twice about his focus,it would be skill refinement.
In the short term, the most effective way to grow stronger wasn't through level grinding, but through mastery of new moves.
As he scrolled through his Pokédex for notes, something else caught his eye-a local listing for one of Verdanturf's most notable establishments.
A Skill Instructor's Hall.
In the Pokémon world, the career paths connected to Pokémon were endless. Beyond the standard Trainers and Breeders, there were the rarer and more mysterious professions like Alchemists, who crafted special tools and held ancient knowledge.
And among them stood another unique class: the Skill Instructors.
Their own Pokémon were not necessarily powerful battlers, but they were masters of techniques,capable of teaching a wide variety of moves across multiple types.
Some were so adept that even veteran Trainers came from faraway regions to seek their expertise.
.....
The next morning, Silas arrived at the southwestern district of Verdanturf Town, where a large oval-shaped building stood, topped with a gleaming silver dome.
It was said to be the second most important structure in town, just after the Pokémon Center and the Battle Club.
As soon as he stepped inside, a staff member approached.
"Hello there! Welcome! Are you here for Pokémon skill instruction?" asked a man in work clothes and glasses, his tone warm and professional.
Silas gave a small nod. "Yes. I'm looking for someone who can teach Rock Slide and Double Team."
Crawdaunt had many moves lined up for training-Dragon Dance, Rain Dance, and now the newly learned Rock Slide, Double Team, and Brick Break.
But trying to master everything at once would only dilute progress.
So, Silas decided to prioritize Rock Slide first-it was the best countermeasure against Reggie's Staraptor.
The staff member radioed someone through an intercom, then smiled. "Please wait a moment."
Moments later, an elderly man appeared, leaning on a cane.
He wore a colorful vest and carried the calm, confident air of someone who had seen decades of battles.
Beside him stood a Pokémon with steel claws shaped like drills and a sharp fin-like head glinting under the light.
Silas's eyes narrowed in recognition.
'Excadrill'
A Ground and Steel-type Pokémon from the Unova region,known for its incredible digging speed and immense strength.
It was often used by elite excavation teams.
The old man chuckled heartily. "Hehe, young man—so it's your Crawdaunt that wishes to learn Rock Slide?"
Despite his kind demeanor, Silas didn't let his guard down. His Crawdaunt certainly didn't,its claws tensed, eyes locked on the Excadrill with instinctive caution.
That reaction alone told Silas everything he needed to know.
This Excadrill was strong-at least level 40, maybe higher.
Still, this was a League-certified facility, not a back-alley training pit. He felt safe enough to proceed.
"Yes," Silas replied respectfully. "My Crawdaunt needs to learn Rock Slide and Double Team. Are you the instructor?"
The old man nodded, smiling. "Follow me."
....
He led Silas into a large, sand-filled training chamber. The walls were reinforced with padding, and security cameras blinked quietly in the corners.
After confirming there was no danger, Silas released Crawdaunt onto the field.
"Old friend," the instructor said softly, tapping his cane toward the Excadrill. "Let's show this young man's partner how it's done."
Despite his age, the old man moved with surprising vitality. Each gesture carried a precision born from decades of teaching.
Silas watched from the side as Excadrill began its demonstration.
"Drilllll…"
The mole Pokémon's cry echoed through the room as it spun its drills in a tight, controlled motion.
Rocks trembled loose from the surrounding terrain, gathering energy before crashing down with heavy thuds.
Crawdaunt's eyes gleamed in understanding.
He mimicked the motion, claws slicing through the air.
Brownish-gray energy swirled at his pincers' tips, condensing into a single stone roughly the size of a fist.
Compared to Excadrill's massive boulders, it was nothing more than a pebble.
Silas couldn't help the corner of his mouth twitching.
"This might take a while…"
The old man laughed, his tone easy. "Patience, young one. Your Crawdaunt is well-trained. My partner, Ah-Shu, has been with me for decades. We've taught over a thousand trainers and counting."
He pulled out an official League Instructor ID and handed it over.
Silas smiled politely, though he grumbled inwardly.
'Thirty thousand Pokédollars for half a month? This guy earns faster than I did teaching at Trainer school…'
Still, before coming here, he had looked into the man's reputation. The veteran was known across Hoenn for his mastery of Rock, Ground, and Steel-type skills.
Rumor even claimed that Steven Stone, the heir to the Devon Corporation, had once visited this very place to study move practice techniques.
'No wonder he charges 20,000 Pokédollars a day,' Silas thought, wincing. 'At least the results better be worth it.'
.....
Two weeks passed in the blink of an eye.
Silas spent his days reviewing training and breeding data, while his Pokémon trained under the instructor's supervision.
With League-certified monitoring, every session was safe and transparent. That assurance alone was worth the cost.
And then came the test.
"Crawdaunt, Rock Slide!"
"Crawdaunt!"
The Water/Dark-type crawdaunt slammed his claws into the ground. Stones the size of a human head rose from the air, glowing faintly before crashing down in a thunderous impact.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The ground shook, dust clouds rising around them.
Silas shielded his eyes, then lowered his hand with a grin.
"…Well worth every Pokédollar."
For a new move to reach this level in just half a month-the old man truly lived up to his title as a Gold-Class Skill Instructor.
"Again, Crawdaunt-Rock Slide!"
"Crawdaaaunt!!"
The Pokémon roared and launched another barrage of stone boulders across the field, each strike faster and sharper than before.
Silas watched with satisfaction, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips.
"Perfect. Reggie… your turn's coming."
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(End of chapter)