"Pidgey? Pidgey?"
After being stopped, Pidgey raised another concern:
What if the two Rattata notice you from this distance and use Quick Attack to escape? The gap is still pretty far.
"Sprout? Spri?"
Bellsprout froze.
It hadn't considered that.
Now that it was Normal-tier, two Freshman-tier Rattata would very likely flee the moment they sensed its presence. With Quick Attack's speed boost plus the distance advantage—
Even though its Vine Whip was much faster now, catching them might still be difficult.
"Cough," Icarus reminded calmly. "Bellsprout, you now have full control over your energy. Try suppressing your aura. Lower it to mid-Freshman level."
"Sprout! Spri spri!"
Bellsprout suddenly understood and immediately began adjusting its energy fluctuations.
Pidgey watched in shock as Bellsprout's aura steadily declined until it felt like mid-Freshman-tier.
"Pidgey?!"
It turned to Icarus in disbelief, asking why it couldn't do that.
"You'll be able to once you reach Normal-tier and gain precise energy control," Icarus explained.
He had learned this technique from Uncle Sam. He didn't fully understand the theory—but practicality was enough.
It was perfect for ambush tactics.
"Pidgey, stay hidden in the air and keep watch. Bellsprout, listen carefully…"
After positioning Pidgey in a nearby tree, Icarus quietly outlined their bait strategy to Bellsprout.
"Spri~ spri!"
Bellsprout nodded repeatedly. With this setup, the two Rattata would definitely take the bait.
"Alright. Let's begin."
Icarus returned Bellsprout to its Poké Ball and ran forward, deliberately kicking up dirt and leaves to make himself look disheveled.
"Ratta? Ratta?"
The two Rattata noticed the commotion and turned toward the bushes.
"What?! Rattata again!"
Icarus stumbled into the clearing, feigning panic.
"Ratta?"
The smaller one looked delighted. Free prey had delivered itself.
It prepared to charge with Quick Attack.
But the older Rattata—its body marked with several scars—quickly stopped its companion.
"Ratta!"
It warned that this could be a trap.
In its experience, humans were dangerous. They set traps. They partnered with Pokémon.
Perhaps the human's Pokémon was waiting nearby.
Rattata's greatest strength was speed and its powerful incisors. Quick Attack ensured both offensive bursts and swift escapes.
That move must never be wasted recklessly.
Icarus inwardly sighed.
As expected. The scarred one isn't easy to fool.
"Help! Bellsprout! Stop them!"
He threw the Poké Ball in apparent panic and darted behind a tree.
"Spri~ Spri spri!"
Bellsprout appeared, acting frightened, and scrambled awkwardly to the side.
The older Rattata narrowed its eyes.
Was it really not a trap?
The human looked terrified. The Bellsprout's aura felt only mid-Freshman-tier—slightly weaker than its companion.
"Ratta!"
Its partner grew impatient.
Are we attacking or not?!
After a brief hesitation—and judging the situation favorable—the older Rattata decided.
Attack.
They would eliminate the Bellsprout first, then deal with the human. The human's protective suit couldn't be chewed through quickly anyway.
"Ratta!"
Both Rattata burst forward with Quick Attack.
As the distance rapidly closed, the older Rattata noticed something wrong.
The fear on Bellsprout's face vanished.
Its aura surged upward explosively.
Realization struck too late.
A vine flashed.
"Sprout!"
Crack! Crack!
Two Vine Whips lashed out with crushing force, sending both Rattata flying.
They hit the ground hard, rolling several meters away. Blood seeped from shallow punctures and whip marks across their bodies.
However, the power of their Quick Attack had partially offset the impact.
They staggered back to their feet.
"Ratta…"
Cunning human.
If they had known from the start that this Bellsprout was Normal-tier, they would have fled immediately.
Now their limbs trembled slightly from exertion. Escape was no longer possible.
The two Rattata exchanged a look.
"Ratta!"
The weaker one's body began glowing faint white—it had used Focus Energy.
The taller Rattata cried out sharply as it gathered energy as well.
Icarus understood instantly.
"They're buying time for the weaker one. After Focus Energy, they'll fight desperately."
He nodded slightly.
"Bellsprout. Since this is a strength test, take the one charging at you head-on."
If Rattata's speed wasn't pushed to its limits, this wouldn't truly test Bellsprout's growth.
After Focus Energy, Rattata's speed and precision would both improve, increasing its chances of striking vital points.
Bellsprout narrowed its eyes.
"Spri."
This time, there would be no tricks.
Only strength.
(End of Chapter 86)
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