The cheat ability's rewards appeared, followed immediately by Mantine's stat panel.
[Pokémon: Mantine]
[Type: Water + Flying]
[Ability: Swift Swim (Speed greatly increases during rainy weather)]
[Moves: Wing Attack, Air Slash, Roost, Water Pulse, Aqua Ring, Psybeam...]
"It actually has the excellent 'Swift Swim' ability?!"
Caster was thrilled beyond measure.
He absolutely loved this ability.
He'd been dreaming of getting a Pokémon with this ability.
However, considering that Mantine's typing completely overlapped with Gyarados's, and that he'd very likely raise a Pelipper in the future (also Water + Flying), Caster suppressed his urge to catch it.
"Woo~"
Mantine was quite large, so a single mouthful of bait wasn't nearly enough for it. Relying on its own strength, the creature actually grew bold enough to approach and beg for more.
"Here, have another bite."
Mantine was a gentle-natured Pokémon, so Caster didn't need to worry about it attacking him. He took the feeding opportunity to pet it, chuckling, "If you have companions nearby, feel free to call them over too."
"Woo woo~"
After eating a few more mouthfuls of bait, Mantine left satisfied this time, gliding nearly a hundred meters before diving into the water and disappearing.
Afterward, Caster turned his attention to the rewards he'd just received.
[Hurricane: Flying-type move. Attacks the opponent by whipping up a fierce wind. May sometimes cause confusion.]
[Clever Wing: A feather containing miraculous energy. Using it can boost a Pokémon's Special Defense.]
"Finally got the 'Hurricane' move."
Excitement colored Caster's face.
He'd had a theory for a while now: for Gyarados to truly fly, 'Bounce' alone wouldn't be enough. After getting airborne, it would need to use 'Hurricane' to control air currents. Only then could it achieve true flight like a bird.
"Let's give it a shot!"
His eyes flashed as Caster released Gyarados.
He first used the 'Clever Wing' and 'HP Up' on Gyarados to boost its Special Defense and stamina reserves, then activated the 'Hurricane' TM and transferred it to Gyarados.
"ROAAR~"
Under the triple effects of the Clever Wing, HP Up, and the TM, Gyarados felt its brain tingle and its body go pleasantly numb. It felt absolutely amazing.
Before long, the sensation faded and Gyarados opened its eyes again, though they still sparkled with excitement.
"Gyarados, today you might actually take flight."
Caster patted the excited Gyarados and commanded, "Bounce!"
"ROAAR~"
With a roar, Gyarados launched itself from the ground like a rocket, shooting straight up into the sky toward the clouds.
In no time, Gyarados had flown hundreds of meters high, overlooking the entire expanse of azure sea.
In the past, Gyarados would've only been able to glide down slowly at this point.
But now, Gyarados had mastered the 'Hurricane' move.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
With just a thought, whirlwinds formed out of thin air, providing ample lift to hold up Gyarados's body and prevent it from falling.
"ROAAR~"
Gyarados looked amazed.
It was actually flying!!!
Woo-hoo!
But after the initial excitement, Gyarados quickly discovered a problem.
Its body was too massive and heavy.
The roughly mastered Hurricane move could barely keep it from falling. Moving while maintaining altitude became quite difficult.
If it wanted to climb higher, the difficulty increased even more. Its ascent speed was practically a crawl.
"ROAAR~"
With a strange cry, Gyarados began falling rapidly.
Once it released the lift, its agility skyrocketed instantly. Its serpentine movements became graceful and nimble, like a dragon soaring through the nine heavens.
After explaining the situation to Caster, Caster just grinned and reassured it, "That's just a minor issue. Once you raise the 'Hurricane' move to 'Proficient' level, that problem should disappear. Besides, I've got this..."
As he spoke, Caster retrieved a Float Stone from his fishing space.
This was a reward he'd gotten from catching the giant Seaking. When held, it greatly reduced a Pokémon's weight.
"ROAAR~"
After equipping the Float Stone, Gyarados felt its body become much lighter, its burden greatly reduced.
Trying to fly again, it could indeed move freely now.
Watching Gyarados soar and glide freely through the air, little Pichu looked up with envy written all over its face.
"Pi~ Pichu~"
So it patted Caster's cheek with its little paws, then pointed at Gyarados in the sky, calling out constantly.
Trainer, I want that too!
I want to fly too!
"You want to fly too?"
Caster rubbed Pichu's head with a wry smile. "Gyarados has the Flying type, but you're an Electric-type Pokémon. You don't have wings or the Levitate ability..."
"Wait a second! You might actually be able to fly after all!"
Suddenly, Caster had a flash of inspiration. He remembered that among Electric-type moves, there was a move called 'Magnet Rise' that used electrically generated magnetic force to make a Pokémon levitate in the air.
And Pichu could actually learn this move.
Beyond that, Pichu's final evolution, Raichu, was also capable of Mega Evolution.
Not only could it Mega Evolve, but it had both X and Y forms.
The Mega Raichu X in particular could generate powerful electromagnetic force through its twin tails, then use the repulsive force to float and move, even performing high-speed flight charges.
"Pi~ Pichu~"
Little Pichu was stunned by these words.
Huh???
I can actually fly?
It had just been acting cute to trick Caster into giving it a few Energy Orbs to munch on.
But now...
You translate for me, what the hell does "surprise" mean?!!!
"Pi~ Pichu~"
After the initial shock, Pichu quickly nuzzled against Caster's cheek.
In that case, what are we waiting for?
Trainer, power me up!!
Let me see your limits!
"Not right now!"
Understanding Pichu's meaning, Caster shook his head with a wry smile. "I don't have a 'Magnet Rise' TM on hand right now. And you're light-years away from Mega Evolution..."
"Pi~"
Pichu pouted, disappointment clear in its heart.
"Although I can't make you fly right now, I can teach you several more moves to make your strength soar."
After teasing little Pichu for a moment, Caster mentally connected with his fishing space.
Looking at the dizzying array of TMs inside, Caster decided to first take out the 'Ability Candy' for Pichu to use.
"Pi~"
Swallowing the candy in one bite, Pichu's cheeks puffed out as it chewed happily.
However, as this Ability Candy was fully digested, little Pichu's 'Lightning Rod' ability seemed to break through some kind of limitation.
"Pi~"
When little Pichu explained the situation to Caster, Caster exclaimed in delight, "What? You're saying your Lightning Rod ability can now be turned on and off at will?"