As time passed, Stone adapted far better than Airi.
Over the next few days, the two hunted together in the wild. Their coordination improved quickly, and their daily earnings steadily increased.
Eventually, their income stabilized—Stone earned around 80,000 a day, while Airi made about 30,000.
---
After about a month, Poliwag was finally on the verge of evolution.
Fortunately, as a pure Water-type, its evolution process wasn't complicated. It only required a high-grade Water-type energy crystal.
Although Icarus suspected there might be even better methods, using a high-grade crystal for a pure-type Pokémon was already more than sufficient.
---
That night, Airi returned with the crystal and brought Poliwag to the backyard of Icarus's house.
Stone was already waiting—after all, this was his first time witnessing an evolution.
Meanwhile, under Icarus's guidance, Stone had already adjusted Geodude's diet. Instead of regular food, it now consumed refined iron ore.
It ate around four to five pieces per day.
After a month of this training, Geodude had grown noticeably larger than others of its kind. Its gray body now carried a faint metallic sheen, clearly indicating improved defense.
Its strength had also reached the high rookie level.
---
In the open yard, Airi looked nervously at Poliwag.
"Are you sure it's safe, Brother Icarus?"
This was already the third time she had asked.
"Relax," Icarus replied patiently. "It will hurt, but trust the bond between you and Poliwag."
---
"Alright… Poliwag—evolve!"
"Yo-yo!"
Poliwag responded loudly, its body beginning to glow with a white evolutionary light.
Its small body started to grow, while its large blue tail gradually shrank.
"Now!" Icarus shouted. "Airi—give it the energy crystal!"
"Right! Poliwag, absorb it!"
She threw the crystal forward.
---
Crack!
Poliwag struck the crystal with its newly formed hand, shattering it instantly. A surge of blue energy engulfed its body.
"Yo! Yobo!"
The white light turned deep blue, and its growth accelerated again.
But soon—
"Yobo!!!"
It cried out in pain.
It felt as if countless Rattata were tearing at its body from within.
---
"Wah… Poliwag! Hang in there!"
Airi began crying, cheering through her tears.
"Come on! Push through!" Icarus shouted.
Even Stone raised his voice:
"Hold on, Poliwag!"
"Victreebel!*
"Pidgeotto!*
"Geodude!*"
All the Pokémon encouraged it together.
---
"YOBO!"
With a burst of willpower, Poliwag forced itself forward—
And then—
something unexpected happened.
---
The surrounding Water energy suddenly split.
Part of it surged toward Airi, forming a connection between her and Poliwag.
"W-What's happening?! Brother Icarus?!"
She panicked.
---
Icarus didn't fully understand either—but he stayed calm.
"Don't panic. This should be a good sign."
"Look—Poliwag doesn't seem to be in as much pain anymore. Focus and maintain it!"
---
"O-Okay…"
Reassured, Airi steadied herself and concentrated.
Water energy began flowing between them—but a large portion was leaking away into the air.
---
Icarus narrowed his eyes.
"This is beneficial… but inefficient. Too much energy is being wasted."
He made a quick decision.
---
Crack!
He crushed a low-grade Water crystal and threw it toward Poliwag.
---
"Yobo~!"
This time, instead of pain, Poliwag let out a relieved cry.
The energy flow between it and Airi became much smoother.
---
Minutes passed.
The surrounding energy gradually faded—
And the evolution was complete.
---
Standing before them was no longer Poliwag—
but Poliwhirl.
Its body had grown to about 1.2 meters tall.
Its limbs were fully developed, its tail gone, and the spiral pattern on its belly shone clearly.
---
"Brother Icarus! My Water energy—it's increased so much!"
Airi exclaimed excitedly.
"I feel like I can use seventeen or eighteen Water Bullets now!"
---
Icarus looked at her carefully.
Her appearance hadn't changed much—but her control had clearly improved.
She casually shaped a Water Bullet into a sharp arrow, demonstrating far greater precision.
---
He couldn't help feeling a bit jealous.
After a whole month of hard training…
he could barely unleash a single full-powered attack.
---
This kind of natural talent… really is on another level.