"Let's go, Bellsprout. We're heading to the blacksmith's," Icarus called out as he stepped away from the grocery store.
"Spri spri…"
Though reluctant, Bellsprout followed after him. Its leaf twitched as it cast one last longing glance at the green crystal displayed above the counter.
"That's called a Leaf Crystal," Icarus explained patiently. "It's a byproduct of a Leaf Stone—basically an incomplete one. It still contains a lot of Grass-type energy."
Spri~?
"You're still young. Absorbing too much energy too early would make your foundation unstable."
He paused, then sighed inwardly.
"And even if I wanted to buy it… I can't afford it. It's ₽5,000."
He didn't say that part out loud.
After several steps, he noticed Bellsprout still glancing back.
"Alright," he said, stopping. "I promise you. Once we break through to the Normal level together, we'll buy one. Doesn't it feel better to earn it ourselves?"
"Spri spri!"
The little Pokémon straightened immediately, its leaves raised high in determination.
Hooked, Icarus thought with satisfaction.
Parents in his previous life had a trick: promise a reward after good grades. It worked on kids—and apparently, it worked on Pokémon too.
"If we reach mid-Normal level, it'll be about time for evolution anyway," he muttered to himself. "Using a Leaf Crystal during evolution could improve aptitude."
He silently gave himself a mental thumbs-up.
---
When they entered the blacksmith shop, iron tools lined the walls—blades, short swords, throwing knives.
A burly, bare-chested middle-aged man approached.
"Welcome! What are you looking for? The Tie family's craftsmanship is the best around!"
Icarus stepped toward a set of short throwing knives and a dagger.
"These throwing knives—what level of Pokémon can they injure?"
The man's eyes sharpened. "Ah, someone who knows what he's asking. Refined iron. The blade's thin to reduce sound and increase speed. They can pierce up to Normal-level Pokémon—assuming the target doesn't specialize in defense."
He demonstrated.
Whoosh!
The knife cut cleanly through the air and embedded into a wooden target.
"₽50 each. Buy ten, and I'll throw in the dagger."
Icarus examined the blade carefully.
"Thin edges also mean reduced durability. I'll take the set for ₽400."
"Deal!"
Too fast.
Icarus cursed inwardly but paid anyway. The knives were still worth it.
Most rookie Trainers relied entirely on Pokémon battles. Few trained themselves.
But Icarus didn't believe in leaving everything to chance.
---
"Alright, Bellsprout. Let's go home. I'll make something good for you."
"Spri spri!"
Back in his small, worn-down house, Icarus went to cook.
Meanwhile, Bellsprout voluntarily went to the back door to practice Vine Whip.
Seeing that initiative, Icarus felt satisfied.
"Dinner's ready!"
He set a bowl of braised Pokémon meat on the table.
"Spri!"
Bellsprout immediately dropped the stone it had been practicing with, retracted its vines, and hurried over.
"You're not taking the whole bowl! Leave some for me!"
"Spri spri!"
"The last piece is mine!"
They fought over the final chunks of meat, laughter filling the room.
For the first time in a long while, Icarus felt something close to family.
---
The next few days followed the same routine.
Eat. Rest. Train.
They continued feeding on Pokémon meat to strengthen both body and energy reserves.
Icarus also visited the black market and purchased two bottles of specialized paralysis powder for ₽200.
Watching the money leave his hands hurt.
"That could've been saved… if you'd already learned Acid," he muttered, staring at Bellsprout.
"Spri~?"
The Pokémon suddenly felt a chill and quickly rooted itself into the soil to absorb energy.
Then—
Something changed.
Instead of the usual slow trickle, energy surged upward through its roots all at once.
"Spri?!"
Its body swelled with strength. The vines thickened visibly.
It lashed out.
Crack!
The tree trunk shook violently.
"Again!" Icarus shouted.
"Spri spri!"
Another full-force Vine Whip.
This time the power was clearly greater than before—but after several strikes, the strength gradually faded back to normal.
"Spri…?"
Bellsprout looked at its vines in confusion.
Icarus's eyes lit up.
"Temporary amplification… I see."
He smiled.
"Congratulations. You just learned Growth."
The first true stat-boosting move.
And proof that their training was paying off.
---
(End of Chapter 13)