"Come on, come on! Keep it up, everyone! Run! Electabuzz! Why are you so slow?! Do you even want to get stronger or not?!"
Early the next morning… as the rising sun cast its light from one side, Liam led his Pokémon running through the coastal forest.
He stood by the roadside, lifting his knees high as he watched his other Pokémon sprint past. Then he turned toward Electabuzz, who was still trailing at the very back, and shouted loudly.
"Buzz! Buzz!"
At this moment, Electabuzz was already drenched in sweat.
Compared to previous training runs, Electabuzz now wore an extremely serious expression. It was clear he was giving it his all… so why was he still in last place?
The answer was simple—
"Buzz!!"
Electabuzz raised his arms—both equipped with heavy weights—and glared at Liam's mocking smile. Rage instantly ignited within him. With a roar, he forced his weighted legs forward and charged after the others with all his strength!
"Heh, brat… let's see if you dare shock me again in the future~"
Liam smirked as he watched Electabuzz gradually catch up.
Meanwhile, Electabuzz was thinking—
"Buzz! Buzz Electabuzz! (You bastard! Just wait! Next time I'll shock you to death!)"
...
Time flew by, and before long, it was noon.
"Whew… alright, that's enough for now. Morning training ends here. Everyone, stop and take a break—I'll prepare lunch."
Seeing the time, Liam called out to his Pokémon.
"Thud!!"
The moment he finished speaking… Electabuzz, who had long reached his limit, collapsed face-first onto the ground, looking completely done with life.
"Hehe, not bad today, Electabuzz. Keep it up. Here—this will restore your stamina. Eat it."
Liam's mood improved seeing Electabuzz's miserable state. He walked over, took out a green herb from his bag, and cheerfully stuffed it into Electabuzz's mouth.
Then—
"Electa…buzz… Buzz?! Buzz!!!"
Electabuzz instinctively chewed and instantly an indescribable bitterness exploded in his mouth and spread through his entire body!
The exhausted Electabuzz suddenly sprang to his feet as if fully restored, his face turning green as he charged wildly at Liam, electricity crackling around his thick arms!
"Hey hey hey! What are you doing, Electabuzz?! That's repaying kindness with revenge!"
"Wait—wait—don't do this! I used a Revival Herb just to restore your stamina! That's super rare, you know!"
"Buzz!!"
Electabuzz completely ignored him. Spinning his arm, he flung it forward—
A thick bolt of lightning shot straight at Liam!
"I dodge! Haha—missed!"
Liam twisted his body at the last second and avoided the attack perfectly.
But—
"AHH!!"
The lightning that missed him struck the forest behind… followed by a scream.
"…Uh-oh."
Liam frowned instantly. Distracted, his movement slowed—
And then—
"Buzz!!"
"Hey! Wait! Electabuzz! Let's talk this out!"
CRACKLE!!
I am Electabuzz, God of Thunder!
I will destroy you in the name of lightning!!
...….
"Cough… haha… sorry about that. My Pokémon didn't mean it. Please forgive us."
After a chaotic scuffle, Liam stood there with a completely charred face, apologizing to the equally charred man in front of him with an awkward smile.
"Cough… uh… young man, you look pretty badly hurt yourself. Are you alright?"
Surprisingly, instead of getting angry, the man first showed concern for Liam.
"Ah? Me? Hahaha, I'm fine, really. I'm used to this. That level of electricity won't hurt me. What about you, sir? Are you injured?"
Liam scratched his head and laughed.
"Uh… haha… I'm fine too… hahaha…"
The man twitched slightly, unsure how to respond.
"Cough… right—may I ask your name? I'm Liam, a Pokémon Trainer."
Sensing the awkward silence, Liam quickly tried to ease the atmosphere.
"Hehe, with so many Pokémon, it's obvious you're a trainer. I really envy you—having so many companions."
"I originally wanted to become a trainer too, but later realized I didn't have the talent. So I changed paths. I'm now a scholar—my name is Takao. I study meteorites."
The soot-covered man carefully removed his glasses, wiped them clean with his clothes, and put them back on.
"Takao? Hmm… that sounds familiar. I feel like I've heard it somewhere before…"
Liam frowned slightly, trying to recall.
"Hehe, I'm just a beginner scholar—hardly famous. You wouldn't know me."
Takao smiled modestly as he brushed off the dust on his clothes.
"Haha, you're too modest, Mr. Takao… Oh right, what are you doing out here? Conducting research in the wild?"
Liam found it strange—Takao had no Pokémon with him, yet he was traveling through such a dangerous area.
"Oh, like I said, I study meteorites. I'm here because I'm heading somewhere—a place where meteorite traces can be found."
Takao replied openly.
"Hm? Don't tell me… you're heading to Meteor Falls?"
Liam asked tentatively.
"Huh?! You know about Meteor Falls too?!"
Takao looked shocked.
"Haha, what a coincidence then, Mr. Takao. That's exactly where I'm heading as well. Since we're going the same way, let me escort you there—it'll be my way of making up for earlier. You don't have any Pokémon with you, so I doubt you'll refuse, right?"
Liam said with a friendly smile.
"Of course I won't refuse! Thank you so much, Liam! I truly appreciate it!"
Overjoyed, Takao responded excitedly.