Author note, the last chapter's end part was wrong/error, uncle Sam did the mc to keep the Pokemon or anything the chapter should have ended after the rattata
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Uncle Sam lowered his voice when he heard that the Little Rattata could potentially recover to ordinary high-level aptitude, then directly muted the Pokédex display.
"Hiss! Icarus, you're really lucky. You actually caught a Little Rattata with ordinary high-level aptitude outside the forest! You'd normally only encounter something like that in the inner circle!"
Captain Sam put away the Pokédex, held the Poké Ball, and looked at Icarus in surprise.
"Ah! So it's high-level aptitude? I thought it was only mid-level!"
"However, Uncle Sam, this is a thank-you gift from me. I won't take it back just because it has high-level aptitude. Even if it were good aptitude, it still wouldn't compare to your life-saving grace last time."
Icarus was surprised at first, but he immediately changed the subject and didn't even glance at the Poké Ball Captain Sam tried to hand back.
"Kid, think carefully. An ordinary high-level Pokémon—even if you break through and become an ordinary-level trainer, you might not be able to catch one in the inner forest. You could sell it to a Pokémon family for 30,000 Pokédollars."
"Uncle Sam, I've thought it through. It would cost at least 10,000 Pokédollars in resources to restore it. Even if it recovers, I don't have extra resources to raise it. All my resources are going to Bellsprout!"
"Spri spri." Bellsprout, still slightly stunned by the extraordinary barrier earlier, narrowed its eyes and responded softly.
"That's true. Your Bellsprout has good aptitude." Uncle Sam nodded after looking at it carefully.
"Uncle, you really have sharp eyes. My Bellsprout does have good low-level aptitude."
Icarus decided not to hide anything in front of Captain Sam.
Only by showing his value could he earn the chance to be acknowledged by an elite-level trainer.
"You've always been lucky, kid. Since it has good aptitude, you should lay a solid foundation at the beginner level and cultivate it properly." Sam said as he took the Poké Ball back.
"I've just advanced to elite level, and I need to raise a second elite Pokémon as soon as possible. Only then can I truly secure my place in the League. The juniors at home have been clamoring for Pokémon lately, so this actually helps me. I'll accept it."
Indeed, the most important thing for a newly promoted elite trainer was to use the first elite Pokémon to quickly raise a second one. Only trainers with two elite Pokémon could truly stand firm.
"However, I can't take something from a rookie trainer for free. Otherwise, I'd be laughed at." Uncle Sam rummaged through his backpack.
"Kid, take this! A Grass-type TM for Absorb. Consider it my investment in you. Don't die halfway."
After tossing Icarus a green TM case, he released a Fearow and flew toward the city wall before Icarus could respond again.
"Thank you, Uncle Sam!" Icarus shouted excitedly and immediately stored the TM.
"This time I really made a huge profit. A Little Rattata in exchange for a TM that Bellsprout desperately needs."
He suppressed his excitement and walked along the street with Bellsprout.
Absorb wasn't a particularly powerful move, and most Grass-type Pokémon had their own recovery methods. So it wasn't very expensive—department stores sold it for around 5,000 Pokédollars.
But for a Bellsprout that didn't inherit it naturally, it was worth its weight in gold.
Ever since seeing Bellsprout learn Bind in the wild, Icarus had already planned to save up for Absorb to create a combo.
First, use Vine Whip to restrain the opponent.
Then use Bind to tighten the hold.
Finally, use Absorb to drain energy.
Wouldn't that turn the opponent into Bellsprout's personal energy source?
Of course, enemies wouldn't obediently let themselves be tied up. That's where the three powders—Poison Powder, Sleep Powder, and Stun Spore—would come in as control.
Three powders + Vine Whip + Bind + Absorb.
It was a strategy Icarus had envisioned long ago. With this setup, as long as Bellsprout wasn't knocked out in one blow, it could recover by targeting weaker Pokémon in the wild.
"And I'll even save money on Potions. Hehehe! I'm a genius!"
Icarus couldn't help laughing out loud.
"Sprout?" Bellsprout tilted its head suspiciously at its smirking trainer.
"Ahem!" Icarus straightened his expression. He had to maintain his image.
"Bellsprout, when we get back this time, we're going to train hard. You just learned Bind. First, you need to practice tightening it until it's as natural as Vine Whip."
"Spri spri!" Bellsprout nodded.
"Then we'll learn Absorb from the TM Uncle Sam gave us. This move lets you drain energy from bound opponents. It matches your current moves perfectly. So you must work hard!"
"Spri~" Bellsprout nodded seriously.
"Effort alone isn't enough. We must work even harder! Once we've mastered this combo, we'll go hunting again. If our stored Pokémon meat runs out, we'll eat that leftover Grass-type feed from last time."
"Sprout?! Sprout!"
At the mention of the vegetarian feed, Bellsprout immediately stiffened.
That low-grade Grass-type feed was designed to suit most herbivorous Grass Pokémon. But after getting used to eating Pokémon meat, forcing Bellsprout to eat that again was practically torture.
"Good. That's the spirit, Bellsprout. I'll work hard with you."
"Let's hurry. We'll sell the materials at the Pokémon supply shop, go back to rest, and start training tonight."
He broke into a run.
"Spri spri!" Bellsprout chased after him, swaying as it hurried forward.
Soon, they arrived at the grocery store.
"Grandpa Arai, good afternoon! I'm here to sell again!"
"Oh? Take it out and let me see." The old man behind the counter replied flatly.
"Grandpa Arai, this time I have seven thread sacs and two horn fragments."
Icarus politely placed the items neatly on the counter.
This shop belonged to a relative of a Gym-level trainer. As long as he maintained a good impression here, it could only benefit him in the long run. Even the town guards sold their materials here.
"It's 3,650 Pokédollars in total. Take it if you have no objections."
The old man counted quickly, placed the money on the counter, and returned to rest in his recliner.
"Grandpa Arai, everyone knows your shop is the fairest in town. Why would I object? I'll come again next time."
Icarus smiled and left the shop with Bellsprout.
(End of Chapter)
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