After an hour of intense training, Eric decided it was time to change the pace. He recalled Fearow, Poliwrath, and Haunter, leaving only the two juniors and Gardevoir out as they advanced deeper into the sprawling woodland.
The deeper they went, the thicker the canopy became, and the more frequent the wild Pokémon encounters grew.
Eric kept a sharp eye on their surroundings, his system silently scanning the bushes. He specifically judged the levels of the wild Pokémon they came across to see who should battle them. At this depth of the forest, the wild Pokémon hovered around levels 10 to 14.
This was the perfect range for Ralts and Growlithe.
"Growlithe, flank left. Ralts, wait for the opening and use Disarming Voice," Eric commanded smoothly as a wild Level 12 Nidoran bounded out of the undergrowth.
Growlithe barked, his paws kicking up dirt as he initiated a sharp, bursting maneuver to the side. He fired a perfectly timed Ember that forced the Nidoran to dodge clumsily to the right.
Waiting exactly where Eric had anticipated, Ralts closed her eyes. A pulse of pink, fairy-type energy rippled through the air in a melodic chime. The Disarming Voice struck the Nidoran, bypassing its meager evasion entirely and knocking it out cold.
"Perfect coordination. Both of you, take a breather," Eric praised, handing them a small piece of a Poke block as a reward.
'They are learning very quickly. You are a wonderful teacher, Eric.'
A gentle, mature, and incredibly elegant voice echoed clearly within Eric's mind.
Eric blinked, glancing back at the tall, white-gowned Pokémon walking gracefully a few steps behind him. "Gardevoir? You've recovered enough to use telepathy?"
Gardevoir offered a soft, warm smile and nodded. "Yes. The advanced nutrition you have been providing is miraculously potent. While my core is still too fragile for combat, utilizing basic telepathy no longer strains my pathways."
"That's good to hear," Eric said, genuinely pleased. "Don't push yourself, though. Take it slow."
'I will. Thank you again, for everything. Seeing Ralts so confident... it is more than I could have ever hoped for.'
"She's brave," Eric noted, watching the tiny psychic-type proudly pat Growlithe's head. "Once she gets a bit more practice and her psychic energy condenses, she should be able to use telepathy as fluently as you."
Gardevoir nodded, her eyes full of maternal pride.
The duo fought a few more Pokemon as they went on. Eric had Ralts train Teleport by dodging incoming attacks.
Teleport was an invaluable move, and he wanted her to master it as soon as possible. Ralts also seemed exceptionally talented in manipulating psychic energy, so he had high hopes for her.
They continued their trek through the forest, the atmosphere peaceful and undisturbed. However, that tranquility was soon shattered by the sound of heavy, earth-shaking thuds and furious, booming roars echoing from a clearing just up ahead.
"RAAAARGH!"
Eric instantly signaled for Growlithe and Ralts to get behind him. He crept forward silently, parting a thick cluster of ferns to peer into the clearing.
Two massive, terrifyingly muscular Ursarings, both standing nearly seven feet tall, were engaged in a brutal, ground-shaking brawl. They were swiping at each other with glowing, enhanced claws, throwing heavy shoulder checks that cracked the trees they collided with.
Eric was about to back away, not wanting to get caught in a dispute between two Intermediate-level meatheads, when he noticed a third Ursaring.
A slightly smaller, female Ursaring was sitting comfortably against a boulder at the edge of the clearing, lazily eating a massive honeycomb while watching the two males beat the living daylights out of each other.
Eric paused, his curiosity piqued.
"Gardevoir," Eric whispered, keeping his eyes on the brawl. "Can you translate what they're saying?"
Gardevoir blinked, focusing her empathic and telepathic abilities on the two roaring beasts. A moment later, her elegant, highly refined voice echoed in Eric's mind, maintaining an absolutely deadpan delivery.
'The one on the left with the scar on his snout is currently shouting: 'I brought her a Magikarp that was this big! She looked at my claws! She obviously favors my superior physical bulk!''
Eric raised an eyebrow. 'Romance drama between two giant Ursaring? Where is the popcorn?'
'The one on the right is responding,' Gardevoir continued, her sophisticated tone contrasting hilariously with the translation. 'He says: "You are a liar and a fool! She smelled my premium Pecha berry stash! My chest circle is significantly rounder than yours!"'
"URSAA!" The scarred Ursaring roared, tackling the other into a bush.
'He is now stating that he will suplex him into the river for insulting his chest circle,' Gardevoir relayed seamlessly.
"RAAAAR!" The second Ursaring fired back, landing a heavy cross-chop.
'The response is: "I will shave your fur and feed you to the Weedles!"'
Eric couldn't help but chuckle a little. No matter what species, meatheads would be meatheads.
'The female...' Gardevoir added, pausing for a moment to read the third bear's emotions. 'She is entirely unbothered. She is currently contemplating whether she should take a nap after she finishes her honey.'
"Absolutely incredible," Eric whispered, highly amused.
This whole thing looked like a lame comedy skit, but seeing it happening for real in front of his eyes... let's just say that from now on Eric would always carry a bag of popcorn in his spatial watch.
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