Get Stronger by Pleasing Pokémon? Who Needs to Be a Trainer!

”My god… Serperior’s Energy Ball followed by that slam took down Blaziken just like that!”

”It’s obvious Serperior’s energy level is far beyond Blaziken’s!”

As the commentator’s voice slowly faded, the bespectacled young man looked at his fallen Blaziken. Even though disbelief still lingered in his eyes, he had no choice but to accept reality.

On the big screen, the broadcast cut to both trainers during the switch interval. Behind him, the lush field of grass had yet to fade.

There was a trace of helplessness and reluctant acceptance in his gaze.

It was as if he had already expected this outcome.

And in truth, he had.

His Blaziken had not even been able to overcome the opponent’s Serperior…

For the first time, a quiet sense of defeat crept into his heart.

He had traveled far, battled countless trainers, and won far more than he had lost. Even against difficult Gym Leaders, he and his Pokémon had fought again and again until they claimed victory and earned their badges.

He once believed that after enduring so many hardships and staging so many comebacks, this tournament would be the stage where he and his Blaziken would truly shine.

He never imagined…

That his very first match would make him realize just how far he still had to go.

The young man took off his glasses, shook his head, then pulled out another Poké Ball. Feeling the faint tremor within it, he smiled softly.

”Yeah… you feel it too, don’t you? There are so many true prodigies in this world…”

”Then I’ll count on you for the next battle.”

He threw the Poké Ball.

”I’m counting on you, Lucario!”

At the same moment, Lin Feng’s eyelid twitched slightly as he looked at the newly appeared Lucario.

Blaziken. Lucario.

As expected of the Zongheng Championship… the caliber of Pokémon truly lived up to its reputation.

He understood his opponent’s thinking immediately.

Within this dense, forest-like Grassy Terrain, most Pokémon would struggle to locate Serperior’s position. But Lucario was different.

It possessed Aura.

With aura perception, it could pinpoint Serperior’s location even in this overwhelming field of grass.

Lin Feng glanced at Lucario’s status.

A level 49 Lucario.

His eyes lit up slightly.

Using a Serperior above level 60 against it would be excessive. Overkill.

This was the perfect opportunity for someone else to step in.

Especially Meowscarada.

The battlefield was still under the influence of Serperior’s Grassy Terrain. Even if Meowscarada’s raw energy was slightly lower than Lucario’s, with the terrain boost, this fight was far from unwinnable.

After a brief exchange through aura with Serperior, Lin Feng recalled it and took out another Poké Ball.

”First real battle. Do your best.”

He tapped it lightly.

A flash of light appeared.

”Meow~!”

Meowscarada emerged, already brimming with fighting spirit. It had felt Lin Feng’s intent even from inside the Poké Ball.

”The second round begins! Facing Xu Liang’s Lucario, Lin Feng has actually recalled his Serperior! Why? Is it because Lucario can use aura to detect Serperior’s position?”

The commentator’s voice rose again, stirring excitement and speculation among the crowd.

Meanwhile, among the audience and fan groups…

The moment Meowscarada appeared, some viewers who regularly watched Lin Feng’s videos were completely stunned.

Meowscarada?

If they remembered correctly…

Just over twenty days ago, wasn’t it still a Sprigatito?

October 27. That was its recorded birth date.

Back then, it loved napping under the eaves every day.

But now, barely twenty days later…

That same Sprigatito had already evolved into Meowscarada?

A message spread through the crowd like wildfire.

”Sprigatito evolved into Meowscarada!”

The reaction was explosive.

Someone muttered in disbelief, ”My Bulbasaur took two whole years to evolve into Venusaur… they’re both Grass-types. How can the difference be this huge?”

”I know Lin’s Pokémon get the best food… but isn’t this way too outrageous?”

”No way. Next year… no, I heard he’s expanding sales this year! I’m feeding my Pokémon his energy cubes all year round!”

”Wait, you’re all focusing on its evolution speed? Did you not notice how beautiful it is? I’ve been to Paldea before. Most Meowscarada there look at humans, even their own trainers, with this proud, distant attitude…”

”But Lin Feng’s Meowscarada… its eyes feel warm. Encouraging.”

”Um… just asking, but this is the Zongheng Championship. Even if it evolved, isn’t it too soon to send it into a match like this?”

…

Lin Feng knew nothing of these discussions.

His attention was entirely focused on Lucario.

”Lucario!”

The opposing trainer gave a sharp command.

Lucario stepped forward, throwing a punch as it charged into the grassy field without hesitation. Even after witnessing how Blaziken had been suppressed, it showed no fear.

”Lucario! The opponent is strong, but we’ll fight our own way!”

The bespectacled young man swung his arm forward. No matter how strong the opponent was, he had come this far. There was no reason to back down now.

At the same time, Lin Feng looked at Meowscarada beside him.

Unlike Serperior or Alcremie, Meowscarada had not received the blessing of the World Tree. It did not possess aura in the same way.

But that did not matter.

It could still sense aura.

And within this vast sea of grass, that sense would become its eyes.

”Trust yourself. Go,” Lin Feng said softly.

”Meow~!”

Meowscarada nodded seriously, then dashed straight into the dense grass.