"Next, it's your turn, Weepinbell."
After finishing Pidgeotto's training plan, Icarus shifted his attention to Weepinbell.
"Spri~!"
Weepinbell cried out confidently, as if saying, bring it on!
"Alright. I finished reading your training guide yesterday. Your main focus will be developing Rooting and Photosynthesis into proper battle moves."
"Spri?"
Hearing those terms, Weepinbell tilted its head in confusion, indicating that it already knew them.
To demonstrate, it immediately acted.
Roots extended from the bottom of its body and dug into the soil, while its large leaves spread open to absorb sunlight.
"Ahem… I know you can already do that."
"But the problem is—it's too slow."
"We need to train those abilities so they can be used like real moves in battle."
"That way, as long as your opponent doesn't defeat you in one hit, you'll be able to recover continuously. Your stamina will increase significantly."
Icarus had already noticed that Weepinbell's natural recovery speed was actually slower than it had been as a Bellsprout.
"Spri?"
Weepinbell stopped and looked at him, clearly asking how to train.
"Don't worry. I'll teach you."
"Remember your move Absorb? You'll use that to increase your energy absorption speed. Specifically…"
Icarus carefully explained the method from the training manual.
At the same time, he took out a specially purchased solar spotlight, similar to those used in greenhouses, capable of simulating natural sunlight.
"Let's train in stages."
"During the day, you'll practice Photosynthesis under both sunlight and the spotlight."
"At night, you'll focus on Rooting."
"Once you're comfortable with both, we'll try combining them."
"Spri!"
After hearing the full plan, Weepinbell nodded and returned to its training area, immediately starting its practice.
---
"Next… me."
Watching both Pokémon begin their training, Icarus stretched his body.
"Pidgey's evolution into Pidgeotto pushed it into the Normal rank… and that energy feedback strengthened my body quite a bit."
He could clearly feel the improvement in his physical condition. Now he needed time to adapt and fully control it.
"I wonder how long it'll take to get started with cultivation…"
"The manuals say that the better your physical condition, the easier it is to sense energy…"
Following the breathing techniques and posture described in his training manual, Icarus practiced quietly in the clearing.
After a while, he let out a sigh.
"Looks like I'm not a genius."
"Three days to sense energy? Seven days to get started? Yeah… not happening."
"Guess I'll just rely on steady effort."
---
His daily routine quickly stabilized:
Adapting to his improved physical condition
Practicing throwing knives
Supervising Pidgeotto and Weepinbell's training
---
More than a week passed.
Both Pokémon successfully achieved their training goals, and Icarus had fully adjusted to his strengthened body.
Weepinbell, in particular, had grown closer to the role Icarus envisioned for it—a durable control-type Pokémon.
With proper Rooting and Photosynthesis, its endurance had increased dramatically.
It now had both staying power and sustained recovery, perfectly fitting his strategy.
---
As for Pidgeotto, it had exceeded all expectations.
It had transformed from a scout into the team's main attacker.
Both its Twister and custom Wind Blade had become significantly stronger after days of training.
On top of that, Icarus had never neglected its physical conditioning.
With a steady supply of bone-strengthening powder, Pidgeotto had become highly capable in close combat.
Whether using its talons or beak, it could easily catch opponents off guard at close range.
---
"…Time to take on some missions."
"I didn't expect money to run out this fast."
Icarus checked his balance.
Only about 15,000 Pokédollars remained.
In just over a week, he had spent nearly 5,000–6,000 Pokédollars.
Between feeding two Pokémon and himself, daily expenses were close to 3,000 Pokédollars.
Even without a proper training guide for Pidgeotto, he had still been feeding it a mid-grade Flying-type Energy Cube every meal.
After all, with the amount of Flying-type moves it trained daily, slow recovery would only waste time.
---
"Let's check Team Rocket's exchange list first."
"I need to get a proper Pidgeotto training guide as soon as possible."
After seeing the difference between his two Pokémon over the past week, Icarus had made up his mind.
His short-term goal was clear.
Weepinbell, trained using a proper guide, was already outperforming Pidgeotto in both physical growth and energy development.
The difference was small now—but over time, it would become massive.
A better foundation meant reaching higher levels faster, and more time to aim for the Elite rank.
---
He turned on his computer and opened Team Rocket's exchange system.
The price appeared:
Pidgeotto (Normal Rank) Training Guide — 480 points
"That's more expensive than Weepinbell's… but that makes sense."
Flying-type Pokémon had a strong early-game advantage, so their resources naturally cost more.
"Let's see if it's split into sections…"
He clicked further.
The guide split into three parts:
Low-tier (Normal Rank): 100 points
Mid-tier (Normal Rank): 150 points
High-tier (Normal Rank): 230 points
Icarus hesitated.
He still had around 15,000 Pokédollars.
Buying the low-tier guide would cost about 10,000, which he could afford…
But that would leave him with very little money.
And the feeding costs would only increase once he followed the proper training guide.
---
"…No. Better earn it through missions."
"Can't survive without money."
After thinking it through, he made his decision.
He exited the exchange page and opened the Team Rocket mission board.
He vaguely remembered a task that paid well and wasn't too difficult.
"Found it!"
His eyes lit up as he clicked on a mission.
Recruitment Task.
---
(End of Chapter 124)
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