Milotic's training focus was to sense the heat contained within the Flame Orb.
It then had to guide that heat into the move Scald, using it to enhance the move's additional effect and increase the probability of burning the opponent.
Training naturally required companions to help with testing. Larvesta itself was a Fire type Pokémon and therefore immune to the burn effect, so the task fell upon Metang and Tyrantrum.
Originally, Theo had planned to let them take turns enduring Milotic's Scald attacks. Unexpectedly, Tyrantrum had somehow seen a dice throwing game somewhere before and insisted on using that method to determine who would assist with the training.
It asked Metang to use its claws and telekinesis to help polish the small round stones on the ground into cube shapes. It even demanded that numbers be carved onto the surfaces so they could be used as proper dice.
Metang glanced at Tyrantrum's serious expression. In its red eyes there seemed to flash a hint of helplessness, yet it still cooperated and helped it craft the dice, indulging the childish game.
The two Pokémon set a rule.
Whoever rolled the smaller number would lose and would have to endure Milotic's Scald attack.
In the first round, Tyrantrum lost.
The following rounds became even more one sided. Out of ten rounds, Tyrantrum lost eight of them.
At that point Tyrantrum was no longer willing to accept the results. It angrily pushed its head against Metang while letting out a low growl from its throat, clearly suspecting that Metang had secretly used its psychic power to cheat.
It ran over to Theo and Milotic, insisting that the two of them act as supervisors and forbid Metang from "playing tricks."
However, under the full supervision of Theo and Milotic, Tyrantrum lost even more miserably.
They competed in another ten rounds, and Tyrantrum did not win a single one. It lost every round.
Theo could not bear to watch any longer. In the end he simply made the decision himself and had them each take turns cooperating with Milotic's training once.
He secretly found it amusing.
After all, the brain of Metagross possessed computational power comparable to a supercomputer. Even though Metang had not fully evolved yet, its intelligence and calculation ability were still far beyond that of Tyrantrum, this little "blockhead."
Earlier Metang had probably gone easy on Tyrantrum and intentionally let it win a couple of rounds. Now that it had been accused of cheating, it simply stopped holding back and allowed Tyrantrum to lose fair and square.
After settling Milotic's training problem, Theo shifted his attention toward Larvesta.
During this period he asked Larvesta to fully focus on training the move Will O Wisp, because the upcoming Contest in Fallarbor Town would require the use of this move.
The Contest in Fallarbor Town was rather special. It required participants to possess at least one Ribbon, and during the competition two Pokémon had to appear on stage simultaneously.
Theo had already decided that this time Larvesta and Tyrantrum would participate as a team.
Therefore, during the few days before the Gym challenge and along the journey to Fallarbor Town afterward, the main training focus would be on Larvesta's Will O Wisp.
Tyrantrum was actually in fairly good condition. After its previous special training in the desert and its practice sessions with Milotic, its control over its own moves was already sufficient to handle a Pokémon Contest.
The real focus now was Larvesta. Will O Wisp was a newly learned move. Although it already had excellent mastery over other Fire type moves, and could use that experience to accelerate learning, it was still a newly acquired move.
It would still require a certain amount of time and practice before Larvesta could use it skillfully.
There was still about a month before the Fallarbor Town Contest began. Theo calculated the time and felt that it was quite sufficient. As long as they trained diligently, there would definitely be no problem.
And so, during the days spent waiting for the Devon Corporation researchers to arrive, Theo enjoyed the hot springs and leisurely atmosphere of Lavaridge Town together with his Pokémon while steadily carrying out training. His life felt both fulfilling and relaxing.
Meanwhile, online discussions about Larvesta showed no sign of cooling down. Everyone was eagerly waiting to see what kind of surprise its debut battle at the Lavaridge Gym would bring seven days later.
Three days before the scheduled battle with the Lavaridge Gym, a dense flapping sound of wings suddenly echoed through the sky above Lavaridge Town.
A group of Skarmory beat their wide metal wings as they swept across the red rooftops of the town with a whistling rush of wind.
They circled in the air for a moment as if confirming their location, then descended accurately toward the backyard of the hotel where Theo was staying.
As soon as the sharp claws of the Skarmory touched the ground, several Devon Corporation staff members jumped down from their backs.
Each of them carried heavy metal cases in their hands. The company's logo was printed on the surfaces, and it was obvious that many precision instruments were stored inside.
Leading them was an elderly researcher with graying hair and reading glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. He was the same researcher who had helped Theo revive Tyrunt before.
After receiving notice from the hotel staff, Theo quickly arrived at the open space in the backyard.
He recognized the elderly researcher immediately and was just about to greet him when his gaze was firmly drawn to another person standing beside the researcher.
The man had a slightly chubby build and a thick beard covering his face. He wore a somewhat loose white lab coat on his upper body with the sleeves casually rolled up to his forearms.
In stark contrast to the serious academic attire above, he was wearing army green shorts below and a pair of simple flip flops on his feet, giving him the overall appearance of a carefree and unconventional scholar.
The moment Theo saw this person, his eyes lit up. He recognized him almost instantly.
"Professor Birch?"
He stepped forward in surprise. He truly had not expected to meet this famous professor here.
In the Hoenn region, almost no trainer did not know Professor Birch. His primary research direction involved Pokémon distribution and habitats, and he was an authority in the field of Pokémon ecology.
He spent most of the year traveling everywhere, collecting valuable ecological data for the Hoenn League's research.
More importantly, Professor Birch was also responsible for providing newly certified trainers with their first Pokémon on behalf of the League. His reputation throughout Hoenn was extremely high.
Seeing this, the elderly researcher stepped forward with a smile and made the introduction.
"Theo, this is Professor Birch."
"The video of Larvesta that Young Master Steven posted earlier was also seen by the professor. After contacting the company and learning that we were coming here to conduct tests, he insisted on coming along personally. He said he had to see this rare Pokémon with his own eyes."
"So you are Theo Glenwood. Just as impressive as expected!"
Professor Birch laughed heartily and stretched out a large palm like a fan to pat Theo's shoulder.
"To raise such an elegant Pokémon like Milotic and also encounter and capture Larvesta. The new generation of trainers these days is becoming more and more remarkable."
"You are too kind, Professor."
Theo smiled somewhat shyly. Receiving praise from Professor Birch was an enormous recognition for any trainer.
"Do not be modest. Come on, release Larvesta and let me take a look. I have been looking forward to this the entire journey here."
Professor Birch clearly could not restrain his curiosity any longer as he rubbed his hands together eagerly.
Theo quickly took out Larvesta's Poké Ball. With a light press of the button, a flash of white light appeared, and the plump white Larvesta emerged in front of everyone.
It seemed somewhat curious about the scene before it. Tilting its head, it looked at the group of people gathering around.
Especially when Professor Birch extended a finger in an attempt to touch it, the five antennae around its head immediately burst into flames as if demonstrating a warning.
Professor Birch was startled by the sudden burst of fire and instinctively stepped back half a step.
Seeing someone become frightened by it, Larvesta happily lifted its head and proudly shook it from side to side.
"Ha ha ha, what a mischievous little fellow!"
Professor Birch laughed loudly, his eyes shining with the excitement of research.
"A Fire and Bug type combination. Such an unusual pairing. This must be the pre evolved form mentioned by Professor Rowan during the League conference when he exchanged research data with Professor Juniper from the Unova region. The devolved form of the sun incarnate Volcarona, Larvesta."
"This is truly rare!"
The Devon Corporation staff immediately began working.
They opened the metal cases and took out various precision instruments.
Under the elderly researcher's command, the staff carefully measured Larvesta's body data, flame energy intensity, and move power levels. The entire process proceeded in an orderly and efficient manner.
Professor Birch watched attentively from the side and occasionally asked Theo questions.
"Where exactly did you encounter it? Oh, so it has been living in the magma of Mt. Chimney all along."
"Can this little fellow somehow avoid human perception? I remember that Mr. Moore, has been wandering around Mt. Chimney searching for it for years."
Theo patiently answered every question. Naturally, he left out the part about his Pokémon energy cluster attracting Larvesta and simply gave a brief explanation of how he encountered it.
Professor Birch nodded repeatedly as he listened. He took out a small notebook he carried with him and quickly recorded the key points, the tip of his pen scratching rapidly across the paper.
During a pause in Larvesta's examination, Professor Birch looked up at Theo with a smile.
"Before coming here I watched the videos on your account. Your other Pokémon are quite impressive as well, right? Could you let me see them too?"
"Of course."
Theo readily agreed and took out the other three Poké Balls one after another.
When Milotic appeared, it gracefully manipulated the surrounding moisture and floated in the air.
Its body coiled elegantly into a circle while its tail fin swayed gently. Under the sunlight its scales shimmered with enchanting brilliance.
Professor Birch nodded repeatedly as he watched.
"So this is what the evolution of a shiny Feebas looks like. It is even more beautiful than in the videos."
As he spoke, Professor Birch attempted to reach out and touch Milotic.
Milotic, however, glanced at his mismatched outfit, especially the flip flops with a bit of dirt on them. It seemed slightly displeased.
With a light flick of its tail fin it drifted backward, skillfully avoiding his hand.
Professor Birch awkwardly shifted his attention toward Metang.
The moment Metang noticed the professor looking at it, it seemed worried that he might have some improper intentions. It quickly imitated Milotic and floated a little farther away.
"Hahaha, you two…"
Professor Birch laughed awkwardly. The Devon staff nearby could not help but secretly chuckle as well.
Seeing this situation, Professor Birch opened the green shoulder bag he carried with him and took out some high quality Pokéblocks.
He extended the Pokéblocks toward Metang and Milotic, hoping to lure them closer so he could observe them more carefully.
However, Metang and Milotic clearly showed no interest in the snacks.
The expressions on their faces practically said the same thing.
We do not know this bearded chubby man. No way are we letting him touch us.
(End of Chapter)