Over the next few days, Icarus and Bellsprout continued their training. However, Icarus firmly stopped the extra noon training that Bellsprout had been secretly doing before.
Originally, Bellsprout planned to continue studying moves with the Skill Ball at noon. But since the Skill Ball had a limited number of uses, and each viewing consumed the Pokémon's mental energy, it was generally best to watch it only four or five times a day.
The original training plan was scheduled for a week. There were four days left, and according to the plan, the timing should have been just about right.
"Of course, if the Skill Ball's energy runs out and Bellsprout still hasn't learned it, I'll have to buy a skill videotape instead," Icarus thought, already preparing for the worst-case scenario.
This move wasn't inherited through bloodline memory. As long as proficiency improved enough, it could be mastered. That depended largely on a Pokémon's comprehension ability. Generally speaking, the higher the aptitude, the stronger the spiritual sensitivity—and the better the understanding.
Of course, there were exceptions. Some Pokémon with ordinary aptitude had displayed astonishing comprehension before. But after observing for so many days, Icarus didn't think Bellsprout was one of those rare cases.
"A videotape costs about one-tenth the price of a Skill Ball—around 5,000 Pokédollars. I still have a little over 5,600 Pokédollars left. That should be enough."
A videotape was simply footage of a Pokémon explaining how it felt when using the move—from its own perspective. It didn't show the internal energy flow. It was more like a Pokémon describing its sensations while performing the move.
The Skill Ball, however, allowed the learner to see the energy flow trajectory inside the instructor's body. At the same time, a simulated energy map of the learner would appear beside it. It was nearly perfect.
"If this kind of learning method existed in my previous life, it would've been unimaginable," Icarus sighed. "But this is a world where Pokémon and technology develop side by side. It makes sense."
He also knew that if he had enough money, he could hire a trained Pokémon to teach face-to-face. Before Skill Balls existed, that had been the best method for learning moves.
Now, that method had a clear market price—usually about half the cost of a Skill Ball. After all, the instructor Pokémon could explain directly, answer questions, and even use its own energy to guide the learner's body if requested.
It was definitely better than a videotape—but still not as effective as a Skill Ball.
"My poor wallet…" Icarus muttered. "But once this training is complete, Bellsprout should be able to dominate. We'll earn it all back. You have to spend money to make money."
He glanced at Bellsprout, who was fully immersed in the Skill Ball. A faint smile appeared on his face.
In the blink of an eye, three days passed.
Aside from basic physical training, Bellsprout spent nearly all remaining time studying with the Skill Ball.
It worked incredibly hard—but unfortunately, effort alone couldn't overcome every limitation.
With aptitude only slightly above ordinary, even after watching more than a dozen times, Bellsprout had only grasped the general principles and energy trajectory of the move. It still hadn't successfully used it.
"Spri spri! Spri spri spri!"
Bellsprout counted the days itself and realized there was only one day left before the agreed time with Wada Ci. It couldn't help becoming anxious.
"Hey, Bellsprout, don't panic. I have a solution. Watch this first."
Icarus took out a videotape.
The night before, when Icarus had gotten up to use the bathroom, he discovered that Bellsprout was secretly watching the Skill Ball again while he was asleep.
The sight had both moved and angered him.
He immediately confiscated the Skill Ball and sent Bellsprout back to sleep.
After all, excessive mental exhaustion was far more dangerous for a newborn Pokémon than simple physical fatigue.
On the morning of the sixth day, after their usual run, they checked Bellsprout's progress. It had understood the general framework, but parts of its explanation were vague and inconsistent. It clearly hadn't fully grasped certain sections.
So while Bellsprout was immersed in the Skill Ball that morning, Icarus quietly went to the department store to buy a videotape. On the way, he also stopped by Second-Hand Street to purchase a new low-level protective suit.
"Bellsprout, come watch this."
After inserting the videotape into the TV, Icarus called it over.
"Spri?"
Bellsprout tilted its head in confusion. Why had Icarus brought out a small box? Could this help it learn Absorb?
Soon, a Oddish appeared on the screen, explaining the key points of the move.
"Spri! Spri spri?"
Bellsprout's eyes lit up with excitement. Could it watch this during its break time?
"Yes, but you must rest for half an hour at noon. You can watch for an extra hour before bed. Even though it consumes much less energy than the Skill Ball, it still has some effect. Don't overdo it."
"Spri~"
Bellsprout nodded seriously and sat in front of the TV, listening intently.
"This videotape has the official League production logo," Icarus added. "After you've mastered the move, we can sell it back to Uncle Li at a 30% discount."
Earlier, he had gone to Second-Hand Street first to look for a used videotape. After all, there was no practical difference between new and second-hand.
There, the price was only half of the League's official version—but most were recordings of trainers' own Pokémon explaining moves. After sampling a few, Icarus felt the explanations weren't nearly as detailed as the League-produced ones.
Uncle Li also didn't have the official Absorb videotape in stock. So Icarus only bought the second-hand protective suit there, confirmed Uncle Li would buy back the official tape later, and then went straight to the Pokémon Department Store to purchase a brand-new copy.
As for why he hadn't bought it from the start?
Because he believed in miracles.
After all, there was always a chance. And for him right now, 5,000 Pokédollars was no small sum.
Some Pokémon could master a move from a videotape alone in just three or four viewings. If they also had a Skill Ball, learning would be even easier.
Unfortunately, Bellsprout was only slightly above ordinary aptitude.
The money couldn't be saved.
Still, Icarus believed that with the general framework already understood, plus the videotape's explanations and the remaining Skill Ball uses, Bellsprout would definitely succeed.
Two more days passed.
On the night of the seventh day, Bellsprout finally succeeded in using Absorb.
"Spri spri!"
But just to be safe, Icarus decided they would train for one more full day. Only after completely mastering the move would they head out to hunt Pokémon.
"This time, we're going to make a fortune," Icarus muttered in his sleep.
"Spri…"
Bellsprout seemed to mumble something in its sleep as well.
(End of Chapter 26)
Support with power stones