By the time training ended, night had already fallen.
After dinner, Ethan Black took Cacnea to the back of the university's mountain.
The forest was very quiet. As they went deeper, Ethan Black reached a clearing on a slope.
"This is it. Come out, Cacnea," said Ethan Black, releasing Cacnea from its Pokéball.
Perhaps due to the intense battles it had experienced during the day, Cacnea still showed clear signs of fatigue on its face.
"Cacnea, use Ingrain here to absorb nutrients from the soil," Ethan Black smiled.
According to books on raising Grass-type Pokémon, the three essential elements for their growth were: sunlight, moisture, and fertile soil.
Currently, Cacnea had already mastered both the Absorb and Ingrain moves, which saved Ethan Black a lot of work.
It should be noted that renting the specialized greenhouses for Grass-type Pokémon at the university was very expensive. If Cacnea didn't have these moves, maintaining it would be a heavy burden.
"Cac, Cac, Cac!" Cacnea responded happily. In the next moment, its body glowed green, and several vine-like roots spread from its base, penetrating the soil beneath its feet.
Soon, Cacnea's face showed an expression of delight as it gradually absorbed nutrients from the soil.
Ethan Black smiled as he watched it use Ingrain. Then he lay down next to a large tree, took out a Pokémon book, and began to read.
"Cac, Cac, Cac!"
When one immerses oneself in reading, time flies.
Regaining a sense of time, Ethan Black glanced at Cacnea and saw it playing with sand inside a hole. Reassured, he returned to his reading.
"Wait... sand and a hole?"
Suddenly, Ethan Black froze and slowly turned his head.
It was a hole, yes! But this was the back mountain of the university! Where had the sand come from?
The thought startled him. He jumped up and ran to where Cacnea was.
Crouching down, he took a handful of sand, opened his fingers, and watched it fall slowly. He was speechless.
"Cacnea, did you do this?"
Ethan Black looked at it with a serious expression.
"Cac?" replied Cacnea, nodding and looking at Ethan Black with some uncertainty.
"Come on, let's test it somewhere else."
Ethan Black picked it up and moved to another clearing.
To make a more precise test, he chose an area covered with vibrant green grass.
After giving the command, Cacnea used Ingrain again, and several green roots spread into the subsoil.
Ethan Black didn't take his eyes off it, and almost immediately noticed the grass beginning to wither, turning into dry hay over the soil.
It didn't take long before the soil's moisture was also absorbed, leaving the ground completely dry. Soon, the area, once full of life, became a small sandy pit.
"All the moisture... is gone?"
Ethan Black picked up some withered grass. It was completely dry.
"So the Ingrain move not only absorbs nutrients, it can also instantly dry the surrounding water!"
Astonished, Ethan Black took a bottle of mineral water from his backpack and poured it onto the ground.
Before his eyes, the water was quickly absorbed by Cacnea, which again displayed a satisfied expression.
"So the Ingrain move can also be used this way?"
Ethan Black's eyes sparkled. The books had never mentioned this method of using Ingrain.
"Could it be a unique ability of Cacnea?"
"After all, Cacnea is based on a cactus. Even in the driest deserts, it can absorb enough moisture to survive."
Ethan Black thought this might be the explanation. But with so few trainers specializing in Cacnea, he couldn't confirm his theory.
"The principle doesn't matter. If Ingrain can be used like this, could it be applied in battle?"
"If, during the effect of Sandstorm, it uses Ingrain to extract environmental moisture, could it further intensify Sandstorm's effect?"
"Perhaps, by combining Ingrain with Sandstorm, we could create a true desert field!"
Ethan Black began letting his imagination run wild. Cactus and desert—a perfect combination!
"Cacnea's next training goal will be to perfect the Ingrain move."
Thus, Ethan Black set the next training plan. Although his ideas were promising, he would have to test them in practice.
Since Ingrain would need to be used in combination with Sandstorm, the first step was to expand Ingrain's area of effect to fully overlap with the storm.
And for that, Cacnea would need a lot, a lot of training...
...
That night, he didn't sleep.
The next morning, Ethan Black and his four teammates gathered again in the training room, where they began training with their five Pokémon.
To assist, the university principal even arranged several sparring Pokémon: more than ten organized in teams to help train coordination and reaction of their own.
Although the sandstorm strategy was excellent, they still had to prepare team defenses. The weak points were obvious, especially Sandslash: if the opponent figured out how to counter it, the whole tactic would collapse!
Fortunately, Magneton and Metang could fly thanks to their abilities, making them highly mobile and able to support immediately to block the opponent.
"It's a Water-type attack! Magneton, strike! Take down that Water-type Pokémon!"
At Captain Lucas Silver's command, Magneton launched a direct electric discharge at the enemy Water-type Pokémon.
"This way, this way! Pin Missile barrage, Onix, defend!"
Another command was heard. Onix emerged from the ground and positioned itself between Sandslash and Shelgon. With a tail strike, it deflected all projectiles.
"Good job!"
Seeing the excellent cooperation between Magneton and Onix, everyone praised with admiration.
(End of chapter)