"Spri spri~ (｀・ω・´)"
As soon as they got home, Bellsprout immediately asked Icarus for the Energy Crystals.
At the shop earlier, to avoid disturbing Grandpa Arai, both Bellsprout and Pidgey had stayed inside their Poké Balls. Now that they were home, Icarus released them.
"Alright, alright, I'll show you—but don't absorb them yet. Use them only when you truly have no room left to improve."
Icarus took out the two Energy Crystals from his backpack and placed them carefully into Bellsprout's vines, speaking in a serious tone.
"Spri spri."
Bellsprout nodded. It understood. The Poké Ball wasn't soundproof—it had heard everything in the store.
These two crystals had cost nearly all their savings. Using them casually to boost strength would be wasteful, and they couldn't afford replacements anytime soon.
"Spri~"
Bellsprout stared at the dark green and purple crystals, mesmerized by the powerful energy flowing inside.
"Pidgey…"
Pidgey looked on enviously from the side. It could also sense the immense energy contained within them.
"Alright, you've seen them. Give them back—I'll store them safely."
"Spri…"
Reluctantly, Bellsprout returned the crystals.
"Don't worry. They're yours. I'm just afraid you might absorb them in your sleep. It's safer if I keep them."
Icarus sealed the crystals back into their box and placed them inside his space backpack.
Bellsprout felt a little disappointed as the energy aura disappeared.
---
"Clap! Clap!"
Icarus brought their attention back.
"We need to work harder to earn money. Pidgey will probably need two Energy Crystals as well. I thought thirty thousand Poké Dollars would be enough for your evolution, but I didn't expect it wouldn't be.
"Especially you, Bellsprout—you have to work hard tomorrow! We're entering the inner circle to test the waters and complete the final task. Remember, the money for that Poison Crystal could have been used to buy Flying-type crystals for Pidgey!"
"Spri spri!"
Bellsprout immediately declared it would perform beyond expectations.
"Spri~ spri!"
It patted Pidgey reassuringly.
"Pidgey!"
Since it concerned its own future, Pidgey responded with full confidence.
"Alright. Get some rest. We leave early tomorrow. Good night."
"Pidgey~"
"Spri~"
They turned off the lights and went to sleep.
---
"Ring! Ring!"
The alarm clock blared.
Icarus hadn't slept well. He felt both anticipation and fear toward the inner circle.
He longed for it because the Pokémon there were stronger and more diverse.
He feared it because strength levels ranged from Normal to even Elite-tier Pokémon. The uncertainty was far greater.
Last night, he had debated whether to continue farming the outer area until Bellsprout—and maybe even Pidgey—evolved.
But in the end, the League's newcomer promotion task pushed him to decide.
Greater risk meant greater reward.
"Spri?"
"Pidgey?"
The two Pokémon wondered why Icarus hadn't gotten up yet.
"Ahem! Sorry—I was spacing out. I'm getting up now."
Once a decision was made, hesitation was pointless.
He quickly prepared breakfast for all three of them. After eating, they headed out.
---
Beyond the town gate, Icarus reviewed the information he had gathered from the guard squad.
"Compared to the outer area, the inner circle has more Machop, Pidgey, Spearow, Zubat, Voltorb, Pinsir, Arbok, Poliwag…"
The Kanto and Johto regions were closely connected, so seeing Pokémon from both regions wasn't surprising.
After entering the forest, they swiftly passed through the outer area, cleaning up several waves of Bug-type Pokémon along the way—harvesting seven Caterpie and four Weedle.
With their powder strategy, it took almost no time. Free resources were still resources.
No matter how small the gain, meat was still meat.
At last, they reached the stone tablet marking the boundary:
"Inner Circle – Entry restricted to Trainers below the Normal level. Enter at your own risk."
Icarus smiled.
"Focus up. The real battle begins now."
"Spri!"
"Pidgey!"
Their fighting spirit was high.
"Alright. Let's move in. Pidgey, don't stray too far."
Pidgey flew about ten meters ahead as a scout, while Icarus and Bellsprout followed cautiously.
The tension felt similar to the very first time Icarus had taken Bellsprout hunting.
"Pidgey… pidgey…"
Suddenly, Pidgey spotted something and quickly returned to Icarus's shoulder.
Icarus lifted his protective visor slightly.
Pidgey whispered its discovery.
Bellsprout immediately became alert, scanning the surroundings.
"A purple-and-yellow tail in the bushes? Ten meters ahead?"
Icarus narrowed his eyes.
"Arbok… It usually evolves around the lower Normal stage. Since this is the inner circle, it should at least be Normal level. Maybe it's the same one we encountered before."
It was close to the outer boundary—likely a recently evolved Arbok.
"Alright. Bellsprout, Pidgey—close in carefully."
Under Pidgey's guidance, they quietly approached.
Arbok was Poison-type. If they used Paralysis Powder at maximum range, it might not work effectively. They needed to get closer.
Fortunately, Arbok seemed focused elsewhere.
They smoothly approached to around thirteen meters.
Icarus estimated distances daily during training—measuring skill ranges meter by meter. His judgment was precise.
They were now within effective range.
The first battle of the inner circle was about to begin.
---------------Author---------------
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