In the end, Owen and Eevee had firmly committed to participating in the Young Ho-Oh Cup. Their ambition was immense, even if the odds were stacked against them.
The Shanghai trip continued for two more days after their decision, totaling a four-day excursion.
Day 1: Standard sightseeing and fun.
Day 2: A breakthrough where Eevee learned Sand Attack.
Days 3 & 4: Relatively calm. They explored Shanghai, gaining a deeper understanding of the city's vibrant Trainer culture, which was far more developed than in Fairview.
Owen realized then that the Young Ho-Oh Cup championship wouldn't be easily won.
"Time to head home." "Vee~"
On the afternoon of the fourth day, the five friends boarded the maglev train back to Fairview. Amidst the laughter, Owen was repeatedly reminded to keep the Psychology Club alive.
He didn't object—club activities were a legitimate excuse to skip non-exam classes, a tactic he was well-versed in.
"Owen, work hard with Eevee when you get back." "If you make the top sixteen, we'll see you on the livestream," Justin teased.
"Right, and if you have questions about training, remember to ask us. We've already told you about the school's standard drills," Tiffany added.
The group laughed, but truthfully, none of them expected Owen to place highly unless Eevee evolved within the next month.
To them, that was the only path to victory. An unevolved Eevee, especially one just entering the Growth Phase, simply wasn't seen as a competitive powerhouse.
"Don't worry... just wait to see my heroic performance. I'll be sure to remind you to watch," Owen replied. Talk big first, worry about the results later, he thought.
The Blueprint for Success
Back in Fairview, the house was empty as usual. Owen rushed to his bedroom while leaving Eevee in the living room to watch TV.
He needed to finalize something major: the training regimen that would determine how far they could go.
Over the last two days, Owen had compiled a "Breeding and Training Template." It combined his understanding of game mechanics, anime logic, and the physical realities of this world. Aimless training is inefficient—Owen knew he needed a roadmap.
"If the Young Ho-Oh Cup is the goal, we'll face everything: Rock-types, Ghost-types, Psychics... For a small Eevee to win, she needs comprehensive training," Owen typed into his phone.
He categorized a Pokémon's combat strength into two pillars: Basic Attributes and Move Mastery.
1. Basic Attributes
Stamina: Determines how long a Pokémon can sustain combat.
Physical Strength: Affects resistance to damage and the power of physical moves (like Tackle).
Speed: A broad concept encompassing reaction time, movement speed, and energy-gathering speed.
Explosiveness & Coordination: Crucial for sudden movements and complex maneuvers.
In the anime, there's a profession called a Pokémon Coordinator. While it didn't exist here as a separate career, Owen valued the concept.
Top Coordinators have incredible Control—control over body movement, energy flow, and move shape. This control translates directly into explosiveness and faster execution of moves.
2. Move Mastery
If attributes are the foundation, moves are the refinement. Harden enhances physical strength into defense; Agility converts speed into mobility. Moves are the primary means of attack. Without offense, victory is impossible unless the opponent collapses from exhaustion.
Owen noted: Every attribute must be maintained, but moves must be trained selectively. It's hard to learn a move, harder to master it, and nearly impossible to push it to its absolute limit.
Seeking a Shortcut
Eevee was still young. Her attributes were currently below average. While some would naturally improve as she grew, Owen didn't have the luxury of time. He needed a shortcut.
"That place... it can train all basic attributes simultaneously and help Eevee learn new moves. I just don't know if I can still get in..."
Owen looked at his notes. This specific training location was the centerpiece of his plan. He decided he would discuss it with his parents as soon as they returned home.
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