Even if they consume Advanced Energy Blocks every day, it's an enormous expenditure.
So many young trainers who have permission from Professor Oak enjoy and are willing to place their Pokémon at Professor Oak's lab.
Listening to Professor Oak's lament, Natsuhiko smiled without speaking.
He waved at the three little creatures.
While taking out the Energy Blocks, he didn't forget to observe the reactions of the little ones.
Dratini seemed the most normal, hesitated a bit, then approached Natsuhiko.
Bagon, sitting on the ground, staggered to its feet, looking as clumsy as ever, sniffed the air, and walked towards Natsuhiko.
Timing its pace to be just one step behind Dratini.
In the corner, Goomy swallowed saliva gently, tempted by the aroma, yet it didn't move.
It just watched Natsuhiko, the doubt in its eyes growing more apparent.
Observing the movements and expressions of the three small creatures thoroughly.
Natsuhiko couldn't help but laugh.
Professor Oak held a notebook, seemingly oblivious to the situation, continuously jotting down notes.
"Mimi~~"
Dratini sweetly called out, showing clear satisfaction with the Energy Block.
Bagon remained in the same state it showed towards Professor Oak, blankly staring at the Energy Block in Natsuhiko's palm, without moving, just waiting to be fed like before.
But alas.
It waited for a long time, yet saw no actions from Natsuhiko.
The drool in its open mouth was about to run down its chin, yet it didn't seem to care.
Just when Bagon wondered why this person was different from the last one, it looked up at Natsuhiko, just in time to meet his half-smiling gaze and expression.
Slightly panicked.
The emotional ripple in its eye was brief.
Though it quickly concealed it again.
Uh-oh, I've been found out... was the thought in Bagon's mind.
Fools?
Bagon smirked contemptuously at them.
Just look at Dratini beside it.
Now that's truly foolish.
Performing excellently, anyone with sharp eyes knows that Dratini is undoubtedly the standout here.
And where Bagon grew up, Dratinis like it are not in short supply.
But what of their outcomes?
People with stern appearances and opulent attire frequently came to the place where Bagon was raised, leading a snotty little brat or holding a doll-like girl.
And their appearances always signified that one partner that lived with Bagon would be gone.
Initially, all companions eagerly awaited their selection to see the world outside.
Bagon felt similarly.
Often gazing at the sky, watching those fleeting Giant Dragons, envisioning it would be like them once it left.
Until one day.
A once close companion returned to their living space, severely injured and barely alive, and after hearing its story.
Bagon's curiosity about the outside world was instantly extinguished.
There are good situations after leaving, but bad ones are far more prevalent.
It began to learn how to conceal itself, hiding its own brilliance.
Pretending to be clumsy and foolish.
Sure enough.
From then on, the eyes that occasionally glanced at it, those it once coveted, disappeared.
And where they lived, an oblivious Bagon appeared.
This time Bagon was brought here, which it hadn't anticipated.
However, it didn't worry, as long as it behaved as before—clumsy and foolish—it would soon return after a brief outing.
The only surprise for Bagon.
Among the three Pokémon brought along this time, one seemed even less popular than Goomy, causing Bagon to feel a sense of crisis.
Luckily.
Dratini remained as dazzling and attention-grabbing as ever.
But all this was exposed when it locked eyes with Natsuhiko.
Those smiling eyes seemed to possess tremendous penetration power, seeing right through its little schemes.
Seeing Bagon quickly bowing its head, Natsuhiko quietly chuckled against his chin.
He actually discovered a Bagon that knew how to hide its talents.
A Pokémon that actively conceals itself?
If Natsuhiko hadn't noticed Bagon dodging Professor Oak's hand, he might have been fooled too.
He knew what Professor Oak meant by bringing these three little ones to wait for him here.
It was to let him see the "real thing" before deciding.
Sort of opening a small backdoor for Natsuhiko.
After all, personality and momentum between Pokémon and trainers are important.
Although Natsuhiko had confidence that he could train whichever one he chose.
But since Professor Oak offered him another chance, Natsuhiko wouldn't refuse, who knows what interesting discovery he might stumble upon.
Eventually, it proved.
Professor Oak's gesture was indeed meaningful.
Natsuhiko truly uncovered some fascinating things.
Like, for instance, the clumsy and foolish Bagon before him.
While Natsuhiko has seen Pokémon who hide their talents, like during Aegislash's time as Honedge.
"I heard you chose Bagon?" Professor Oak asked.
Upon hearing it was chosen, Bagon kept its head down, showing nothing.
"You still have time to reconsider," Professor Oak added.
Bagon's personality was something Professor Oak observed.
Despite his lack of bias against any Pokémon.
Yet, his rich experience told him that a personality like Bagon's isn't ideal for a trainer.
And if a trainer misses some traits of a Pokémon, it could hinder its progress.