"Chaa—"
Torchic thought about it for a moment. Eating a bit more didn't seem like it would interfere with training, so it trotted back and dug in again.
"Chaa—"
The satisfied chirp clearly meant this tastes good.
"You little rascal," Leon chuckled, gently patting Torchic. Its feathers were glossy and well kept—clearly raised with care before this.
As for preparing food like this, it was effortless for Leon. With mid-level breeder skills, it was second nature.
He knew Torchic's habits, growth patterns, and training needs inside out. Raising one wasn't difficult at all—easy to handle with one hand.
The only one who didn't realize that… was Torchic itself.
"Torchic, my name is Leon. From now on, I'm your Trainer."
Torchic paused mid-meal, lifted its head to glance at him, nodded casually—as if acknowledging the information—and went straight back to eating.
Call yourself whatever you want. If you keep feeding me this well, I've got your back from now on, Torchic thought smugly.
"Here, let me wipe that."
Crumbs were stuck all over Torchic's face, and Leon gently cleaned them off.
"You've got two other partners. I'll introduce you later. You could say they're your seniors."
"Huh? Seniors?" Torchic scoffed internally. Are they stronger than me? I was undefeated in the breeding house, you know.
"They're definitely stronger than you," Leon said with a laugh, patting its head. "Oh—and by the way, I can understand what you're saying."
"CHAA?!"
Leon laughed. "Come on. I'll take you to meet them."
He recalled Torchic into its Poké Ball and headed out.
At the treatment room counter, he retrieved Gyarados and Vigoroth, then entered a training room and released all three Pokémon.
Gyarados.Vigoroth.Torchic.
"Chaa—"
Torchic still held its head high, chest puffed out, completely unaware of what stood behind it.
"Alright," Leon said, "let me introduce everyone. We've got a new partner joining the team—this is Torchic."
"Chaa."
Torchic nodded politely and slowly turned around.
The next second—
"CHAA?!"
It nearly fell over backward.
A massive, vicious-looking creature with a gaping maw loomed over it—so large Torchic had to crane its neck just to see its face.
Beside it stood another figure, smaller but no less terrifying, muscles taut, radiating explosive power.
Gyarados and Vigoroth looked down at the tiny Torchic. After a moment, both softened their presence. The kid was small—really small.
They'd expected someone closer to their level.
Still, Torchic hadn't run. Startled, yes—but not cowering.
"Hey," Gyarados rumbled, lowering its head and softening its gaze. "So you're Torchic, huh?"
As the team's big brother, Gyarados knew how to carry himself. Besides, this kid wasn't like Vigoroth—no rebellious air, no ambition to challenge for dominance.
"Chaa—! Just call me Little Flame!"
Facing something this huge, Torchic decided it might be wise to adjust its attitude.
"Hello. I'm Vigoroth. Welcome to the team, Torchic," Vigoroth said, squatting down and extending a hand.
"Chaa, chaa!"
Torchic replied quickly.
The pressure coming off these two was overwhelming. Torchic had a strong feeling that its 'undefeated breeding house champion' status would last about one move—maybe less.
"Alright," Leon said, stepping in. "Get along from now on. Torchic's still small—don't drag it into your sparring."
"Don't worry, boss," Gyarados replied. "I'll take good care of the little guy. If I weren't Water-type, I'd even train him myself."
"Same here," Vigoroth added.
"Hmph." Gyarados snorted lightly.
This time, Vigoroth didn't snap back. It just glanced over and said nothing.
Something about the recent battle had changed it.
"You two are exhausted anyway—no training today. Torchic, come with me. Let's check how well you've mastered your moves."
"Chaa!"
Torchic trotted over on its short legs, standing proudly in front of Leon.
"Start with Peck."
"Chaa!"
Torchic straightened, light gathering at its beak, then struck forward sharply.
"Left."
"Right."
"Up. Down."
…
After testing everything, Leon nodded in approval. Torchic's fundamentals were solid—every move clean and practiced.
Its former dominance in the breeding house wasn't just talk.
Among new trainers' Pokémon—levels 1 to 10—Torchic was easily top tier.
"Excellent work, Torchic."
Leon gave a thumbs-up.
"Chaa!"
Torchic puffed up proudly. Sure, it wasn't as strong as those two monsters yet—but talent was talent. Praise was only natural.
Just give me time, it thought confidently. I'll catch up.
"Being proud is fine," Leon said, kneeling to meet its eyes. "But never be arrogant. There's always someone stronger. Or in this world—some Pokémon stronger."
He gestured to Gyarados and Vigoroth.
"And even stronger than them… there are many more."
Torchic's dark eyes flicked between the two giants, then back to Leon.
"So train seriously, okay? Your talent is high. You'll become very strong. I'll work hard with you."
Leon reached out and ruffled Torchic's head again—the texture was surprisingly soft.
"Chaa… then what should I do?"
"Train hard, yes—but more importantly, stay cautious. Take every opponent seriously."
"Even a Caterpie?"
"Yes. Even a Caterpie."
"Chaa…"
Torchic nodded thoughtfully, the confidence still there—but now tempered with something new.