If a Pokémon wants to achieve a qualitative leap in strength within a short period of time, there are only a few viable paths. One is evolution—but that is something no one can truly control. Another is to spend a fortune hiring League-registered elite sparring trainers who will battle you daily and provide comprehensive guidance. That option, however, demands considerable financial resources.
There is, of course, a third method: allowing a Pokémon to learn a powerful move in a short span of time.
Yet not all Pokémon are born equal. Their natural aptitude varies, as does the time it takes them to learn and master moves. Some are so lacking in talent that certain techniques are simply beyond them.
Fortunately, technology changes destiny.
In recent years, as major global corporations such as Silph Co. and Devon Corporation have developed and refined Move Learning Machines, these devices have gradually entered everyday life. As a result, teaching Pokémon new moves is no longer as difficult as it once was.
That said, a Move Learning Machine does not allow a Pokémon to instantly master a technique. Rather, it plants a kind of "seed" in the Pokémon's mind. Over time, this seed continuously stimulates and guides them, dramatically accelerating the process of learning and mastering the move.
Naturally, Pokémon with exceptional talent learn faster, while those with poorer aptitude can still acquire powerful techniques that were once nearly impossible for them to grasp.
The price of a Move Learning Machine varies wildly depending on the move's power and rarity. Machines containing rare, devastating techniques can be so expensive that even wealthy families might be driven to bankruptcy.
Moves with a power rating of 10–30 typically cost between 10,000 and 30,000 Pokédollars.
Those rated 35–60 range from 50,000 to 100,000.
Power levels of 65–80 cost between 150,000 and 300,000.
Moves rated 85–95 sell for roughly 400,000 to 900,000.
As for machines with power values above 100—they are never sold outright. They appear only at auctions, or as championship rewards from major tournaments.
After evolving into Weavile, Sneasel will naturally learn the Dark-type signature move Night Slash. If the Pokémon's aptitude is outstanding and its training disciplined and scientific, however, it is possible to master the move ahead of time.
Kael sat back in his chair, gazing at the two disc-shaped objects in his hands, each about ten centimeters across. These were Move Learning Machines. One contained Ice Punch; the other, Swords Dance.
The former had cost him 350,000 Pokédollars. Although Ice Punch officially carried a power rating of 75, its excellent utility and wide coverage—especially its effectiveness against Dragon-type Pokémon—had driven its price even higher than some 80-power machines.
Swords Dance, a status move that massively boosts physical attack, was another favorite among trainers. Used well, it could allow a weaker Pokémon to overcome stronger opponents—or even sweep an entire opposing team. Its market price stood at 250,000.
Six hundred thousand Pokédollars vanished in the blink of an eye, yet Kael felt no pain at all. Money existed to be spent—especially when it strengthened his team. The stronger he became, the more he would earn in return.
Although Sneasel possessed the Ice attribute, it could not naturally learn Ice Punch. Only prolonged training would make it possible. The same was true for Swords Dance—both were moves it could not acquire on its own.
Kael first inserted the Ice Punch learning disc into his laptop's drive. Then he placed Sneasel's Ultra Ball into the recessed slot atop the computer. Move Learning Machines were extremely convenient: they could be used via the Pokémon Center's transfer terminals, and any computer priced above 8,000 Pokédollars on the market could handle the data transmission.
He clicked "Confirm" on the screen.
The transfer began.
1%… 5%… 25%… 85%… 99%!
Kael had designed a core set of four moves for Sneasel: Night Slash, Ice Punch, Brick Break, and Swords Dance. The first three attack moves together covered super-effective damage against Ghost, Psychic, Dragon, Flying, Grass, Ground, Normal, Rock, Steel, Ice, and Dark types—eleven attributes in total.
Such coverage was nothing short of terrifying.
Once Swords Dance came into play, combined with Sneasel's blistering speed, she could potentially bulldoze through entire team compositions.
Of course, this was the most ideal scenario.
But even imagining it was enough to set Kael's blood racing.