After returning home, Icarus did not go out hunting for the next two days. Instead, he trained Pidgey and Bellsprout at home.
The main reason was that when Bellsprout was struck by Oddish's Acid that night, it seemed to gain some insight into Poison-type techniques.
As for Pidgey, its newly learned Quick Attack required repeated practice to shorten the activation time.
In addition, after the perimeter sweep, there were fewer wild Pokémon around, and group ambushes had become more common. Icarus decided it would be better to train at home for two days before heading out again.
"Pidgey!"
In midair, Pidgey repeatedly used Quick Attack. Every so often, a red-and-brown streak flashed through the air like lightning.
"Spri~"
"Spri spri!"
Bellsprout stood on the ground, sometimes closing its eyes to gather purple Poison-type energy, sometimes releasing Poison Powder.
Icarus noticed that a large patch of surrounding grass had already withered. At the same time, the poison sacs he had prepared were being consumed rapidly.
"It's the first day of focused training. Since both of you just gained new insights, we'll prioritize move practice today. Starting tomorrow, we'll add basic physical training for Pidgey."
Seeing the two Pokémon concentrating on move refinement after waking up, Icarus went to complete his own physical training.
"For Pidgey, running laps is necessary—basic stamina training. Then we need to sharpen its claws and beak. I'll buy more painkillers and wound medicine. To toughen body parts, repeated impact is necessary. The newly grown claws and beak will become sharper through constant stress."
While running laps around the garbage station alone, Icarus suddenly thought of how birds hunted in his previous life.
Back then, without energy systems, animals relied purely on sharp claws and beaks.
Pidgey in this world could be trained the same way.
He remembered that moves like Peck were instinctive in certain bird Pokémon. There were also many claw-based techniques—Shadow Claw, Dragon Claw, Metal Claw, and even Normal-type slashing attacks.
All of them relied on sharpened claws empowered by energy.
"Pidgey's claws are already sharp, and it has Normal-type energy. If we further hone its claws, learning a claw-based attack isn't unrealistic. Maybe it could even develop something like a tearing strike."
The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.
He immediately went to the department store and bought several bottles of wound medicine, painkillers, and a topical strengthening powder.
According to the clerk, the topical medicine was specially designed for Fighting-type Pokémon to toughen their bodies, speed recovery, and enhance hardness. It was suitable for Pokémon training their claws and physical strikes.
The price reflected that—600 Pokédollars per box, six patches per box, used twice daily.
He bought two boxes to try, along with the medicine—1,500 Pokédollars total.
Before leaving, he realized he only had one blank Poké Ball left. He went upstairs and bought five more.
"As expected, anything related to Pokémon burns money fast…"
Seeing nearly half his cash disappear instantly, he shook his head with a bitter smile.
After buying vegetables and meat at the West Street market—only about 100 Pokédollars—he felt more clearly than ever how expensive raising Pokémon truly was.
---
When Icarus returned home, he was immediately surrounded.
"Spri spri!"
"Pidgey~!"
The two Pokémon patted their stomachs, complaining that he had been gone too long. They thought he was just going for a short run and were practically starving.
"Sorry, sorry. Here—this is yours, Bellsprout. And this is yours, Pidgey."
He quickly handed them their breakfast from his backpack.
At the same time, his own stomach growled. He grabbed wheat bread and milk from the refrigerator and began eating.
"Pidgey? Pidgey~"
While eating meat, Pidgey eyed Icarus's bread curiously and asked if it tasted good.
"Spri spri!"
Bellsprout immediately swallowed its worm meat and explained that it wasn't tasty at all.
Icarus laughed.
"Pidgey is different from you, Bellsprout. It's omnivorous. It can eat fruits, grains, and plants. Here, try some."
He gave Pidgey a small piece.
After a few bites—
"Pidgey~"
It said the taste was fine, but there was no energy in it. Worm meat was better.
"That's exactly why I don't feed you normal food. Regular animals and plants don't contain energy. They only support daily activity."
He pointed at the vegetables and meat he had bought, then at Bellsprout's worm meat.
"If you eat ordinary food long-term, your internal energy won't increase. It'll gradually deplete. But energy-rich worm meat restores power and even raises your upper limit over time."
"Pidgey."
"Spri~"
Both nodded, half-understanding.
They only knew one thing clearly—
Energy-rich meat made them stronger.
---
"By the way, Pidgey, I haven't told you yet. We're training at home for the next few days. I've already made your training plan."
"Pidgey!"
It agreed enthusiastically.
"Here's the plan. Every morning, the three of us run laps together. After breakfast, rest for half an hour. Then you start striking trees with your claws and beak—constantly sharpening both."
He paused.
"This process will be long and painful. Can you handle it, Pidgey?"
"Spri spri!"
Bellsprout cheered from the side, encouraging it.
"Pidgey! Pidgey!"
Pidgey shouted loudly—it could do it.
Icarus let out a breath of relief.
"If I ever buy Pokémon in the future, I might as well go to the Pokémon House. Their training foundation is solid."
If Pidgey had refused, ideological work would've taken ages. The Pokémon House really did raise disciplined Pokémon.
"After training each morning, even though it'll hurt, I bought something good for you."
He placed the purchased supplies in front of Pidgey.
"This is wound medicine. This is painkiller spray. And this box is strengthening powder. With it, your newly grown claws and beak will become sharper."
"When that happens, your weakness in close combat will be compensated—and you'll become even stronger."
"Pidgey!"
Hearing the vision of a brighter future, Pidgey agreed happily.
Training had officially begun.
(End of Chapter 67)
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