For Baimu, the biggest gain from meeting Xiaoguang was gaining a sparring partner equivalent to the level of a Gym Leader.
The latter was clearly accustomed to the role of a collaborator.
Even without being asked, she would eagerly offer to help with sparring.
Of course.
Sparring can't be completely free.
Baimu felt embarrassed to keep troubling a young girl, so he would prepare various delicious foods as compensation.
Over time, Xiaoguang seemed to be enjoying herself a bit.
It's just that in the morning she might have a hard time getting up, as her hair is quite free due to its texture, turning into a fluffy explosion every morning, requiring some time to style.
Baimu thus experienced the so-called "Flash" without special effects.
Honestly, Xiaoguang with her explosive hair looked a bit like a cute little cave person.
Days passed by.
During this period, the focus was undoubtedly on converting Frozen Fist from a contact move into a ranged move.
Progress wasn't very smooth, possibly because Mawile lacked experience with ranged attacks; it even played with Fairy Wind as a semi-contact move, making projecting Ice Attribute Energy seem a bit over its capabilities.
However, not learning Frozen Fist doesn't mean gaining nothing.
It learned a move Baimu hadn't anticipated at all—
[Frozen Wind].
The origin was Mawile dancing in an ice cave made by Buneary, feeling the summer coolness while understanding the veins of Ice Attribute Energy.
Unexpectedly, the two plastic fans used instead of traditional fans stirred up a wind mixed with snow and a flash.
This made Baimu wonder if it was due to Mawile's perceived expertise in wind manipulation.
In any case, since Frozen Fist couldn't be projected, they could only switch to performing with Frozen Wind, which in terms of visual appeal was slightly better than its Frozen Fist.
Plus, flapping around with two small fans wasn't too bad.
"Plans can't keep up with changes..."
Baimu realized that when it came to Pokémon training, not everything goes smoothly and can be resolved in a short time, but he's not giving up on making Frozen Fist projectable since ranged Physical Attack moves hold significant importance in battles.
Even if it's not useful for Gorgeous Competitions, it must be learned with effort.
Elsewhere.
Xiaoguang initially fretted about his plan to change the performance move, but after seeing Mawile's actual display, she was speechless and marveled at its performance.
After that night's visual impact, Piplup had almost decided to renounce worldly affairs and never fall into the net of love again, but once it watched the latter's performance... it found itself uncontrollably swayed.
"Picha~"
It gazed tearfully at the sky, the figure of Mamoswine it once fought and the dancing figure merging, then separating repeatedly, until the former was abandoned and the latter remained.
Thus.
Mawile, thinking Piplup's ailment had returned upon seeing this, felt a renewed sense of compassion.
Apart from the gains in moves.
Baimu paid more attention to Deino.
Fighting regularly, it became somewhat agitated over these two days, particularly after an ordinary simulation recently which added two levels, as if entering a certain stage.
Overall, it was just a bit overly energetic.
Not only did it unexpectedly destroy a "home" by biting the hotel's sofa, but it also got heated during battles, requiring Baimu to call twice before it could stop.
And... not sleeping at night.
Restlessly crawling around in bed, from the left side to the right, and back again.
Even checking at the Pokémon Center didn't reveal anything.
Miss Joy stated that it's normal for a young Pokémon to undergo some mutation during growth, akin to human transitions from infancy to adolescence, capturing physical and even spiritual growth over time.
During this period, the most likely happening—
"Evolution, you know."
Miss Joy smiled, "Perhaps soon it will gain a new appearance. Evolution is very natural. However, once evolved, you must take good care of it, as some Pokémon feel very uncomfortable with their new form."
"Thank you..."
Baimu thanked her and turned to look at the clueless Deino.
Evolution was somewhat alien to it as Aggron was already an Aggron when it joined, and Chansey never turned into Blissey.
However, is this something to be happy about?
In Deino's small head, evolution is tied to becoming stronger.
It longs to become Baimu's support, just like the team leader, Aggron.
Whenever the latter appeared, it sensed the trainer's breath would suddenly stabilize, as if the presence of Aggron alone ensured victory.
It truly envied that.
Deino longed to receive the same feedback.
Pride as a Dragon-type Pokémon demanded it to gain such feedback.
Appearing means inevitable victory.
No other outcome is possible.
The desire to become a trusted asset to its trainer surpassed any confusion about post-evolution, just as Dr. Yamanashi said, "The beginning of evolution often arises from the strong bond with humans or the Pokémon's own burning desire to become strong."
Deino lacked neither.
——
The sea wind blew, waves rolled towards the shore.
Finally.
The day of the Gorgeous Competition in Kaina City arrived.
Baimu woke up early, prepared breakfast, and went upstairs to call Xiaoguang. When Piplup opened the door, he saw her twirling in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in a water-blue dress.
"Ta-da~ How is it? Cute? Pretty?"
Sensing his arrival, Xiaoguang turned with a smile, lifting her dress.
Baimu nodded, "It looks nice, but wearing it before arriving at the venue, aren't you afraid it will wrinkle?"
"No problem at all!"
Miss No Problem cheerfully responded.
"Alright, but hurry down for breakfast soon. It'll be troublesome if we have to queue for registration." He reminded, giving Piplup a look before turning down the stairs.
"Picha!"
Piplup, wearing a serious face, took on the task of urging the trainer to hurry.
It's quite aware its trainer has little sense of time and focus, and if left unchecked, could easily be late.
This is where the reliable little penguin comes in!
Half an hour later.
Baimu returned to urge again, seeing Piplup snoring on the sofa, unsure of what to say.
Luckily.
Both woke up fairly early today, and upon finishing breakfast and arriving at the venue, they found not many people lining up, with just a few registered participants scattered about.
"Once registered, there's no problem."
Baimu retrieved the entry pass from the counter, "There's still some time before the competition starts, should we go back to continue practice and strengthen before the competition or stroll around?"
"Of course, explore around! Right before competing, don't put too much pressure on yourself and the Pokémon!"
Xiaoguang responded with a lively smile.