-021- Eevee Who Aspires to Be a Performing Artist

Opening the data panel, Tong Si saw his point balance displayed at 150,000. He had to thank those rookie trainers for letting him rack up another wave of points.

"System, exchange for the Brick Break skill!"

Tong Si couldn't even be bothered to go to the system shop; he simply requested the exchange directly.

[Beep-boop]

[Brick Break skill exchanged, consuming 90,000 points. Exchange successful.]

As the system's voice faded, Tong Si watched as his points instantly dropped by 90,000, leaving only 60,000.

He entered the [Backpack][Skills] section, where the Thunderbolt skill was still cooling down. The Brick Break skill now showed a (New) tag.

"Teach Brick Break to Electabuzz!"

Tong Si spoke to the system.

[Beep-boop]

[Brick Break skill successfully taught to Electabuzz.]

Using his scanning eye, Tong Si saw that Electabuzz's skill panel now included Brick Break.

"Electabuzz, how does it feel?" Tong Si looked at the Pokémon, who was swinging its arms.

"Beep beep!"

Each time Electabuzz swung an arm, sparks of electricity flashed. This time, however, the power in Electabuzz's arm felt much stronger.

"Boom!"

Electabuzz hammered a rock in the courtyard with a single arm.

"Woo~"

"Dachiu?"

"Mmm..."

The trio of runaway brothers awoke instantly at the sound. Seeing the shattered rocks strewn about, Tong Si couldn't help but feel happy for Electabuzz.

"Electabuzz, you finally mastered Brick Break!"

Seeing such formidable destructive force, Tong Si was filled with joy.

Although the system could instantly grant a Pokémon the knowledge to use a skill, how powerful that skill became depended on the Pokémon itself.

Electabuzz, with Thunderbolt and electric attacks, could boost skill power by storing electricity. As for Brick Break, though Electabuzz had just learned it, it had always been training its arm strength. As a result, its first use was already exceptionally powerful.

"Beep beep!" Electabuzz looked at its arms, exhilarated. Was it really capable of this?

After all, for an Electric-type Pokémon to learn a Fighting-type skill was no easy feat.

"Bu-ee~"

Electabuzz's chief cheerleader was already waving a fan and dancing.

"Eevee, starting today, you need to begin special training, no slacking off!"

Tong Si turned to Eevee. With Electabuzz working so hard, how could Eevee get away with loafing every day?

"Bu-ee~"

Eevee squinted, clearly unwilling.

"We'll start with the simplest Sand Attack."

Tong Si had seen online that a certain Eevee could use Sand Attack to create a counter-shield, and its power was astonishing.

"Bu-ee bu-ee~"

Upon hearing it would practice Sand Attack, Eevee lazily kicked up a thin layer of sand with its hind legs.

Tong Si couldn't help but cover his eyes at the sight—it was unbearable!

"How about this, Eevee? Let's watch how other people's Eevee do special training."

Tong Si pulled out his phone, opening a video titled "Eevee in Actual Combat" on a certain platform.

That Eevee was unstoppable, easily defeating a Tauros.

"Bu-ee? Bu-ee..."

Eevee turned its head away, showing no interest.

Tong Si switched to another video, "Eevee vs Dragonite," which had over a million hits online.

Eevee watched the opening and rolled its eyes.

Seeing Eevee’s aversion to battle, Tong Si felt a headache coming on. Could it be that Eevee truly disliked fighting?

"Bu-ee bu-ee~"

When the previous video ended, another began. In it, Eevee wore a princess dress, a small crown, and even lipstick.

"Bu-ee~"

Stars sparkled in Eevee’s eyes.

The video was titled "The Pokémon Performing Artist's Touring Show."

"???"

Tong Si’s mouth twitched. Did Eevee like dressing up and performing?

Watching Eevee gaze starry-eyed through the entire video, Tong Si swallowed. In this world, Pokémon performance artists also existed—those who performed with their Pokémon on stage, winning public affection. Each province even had stages and competitions for performances.

The Pokémon League held a national Triple Crown Satellite Tournament every year.

The competition was divided into rookie-level preliminaries and master-level finals.

If you won three or more Princess Gold Keys at rookie-level city tournaments, you could enter the master-level finals.

The ultimate winner of the Triple Crown Satellite Tournament would be awarded the title of Best Queen of the Year in Hualong Country.

Thus, only female participants were allowed.

"....."

Tong Si was speechless. There was no way he’d wear women’s clothes to enter such a contest. No way, not even a thought!

He quickly closed the video.

"Bu-ee bu-ee!"

Eevee grabbed Tong Si’s hand, wanting to keep watching.

"No, Eevee. That kind of performance isn’t suitable for us."

Tong Si waved his finger, refusing Eevee’s request.

"Bu-ee!"

Eevee puffed out its cheeks and pouted, furious!

Suddenly, Tong Si remembered something and opened another video for Eevee.

"Grand Glamorous Pokémon Celebration in Linhai Province."

Eevee, upon seeing this, wasn’t as excited as before, but brightened as it watched Pokémon striving to shine on stage.

"Bu-ee bu-ee~"

Eevee indicated that while this wasn’t as grand, it was still good enough.

"Eevee, do you really like performing?"

Tong Si stared seriously at Eevee.

"Bu-ee!"

Eevee nodded, pulling out its cheerleader fan and dancing.

Though Eevee’s Sand Attack was lackluster, its little dance steps were quite impressive.

"Fine, if you truly love performing, we’ll join the Grand Glamorous Pokémon Tournament!"

Tong Si didn’t mind the title of Pokémon Coordinator. If Eevee genuinely loved performing, they could enter the tournaments held throughout the land.

However... as for the Hualong Queen competition, they’d stay out of that!

"Bu-ee bu-ee~"

Hearing Tong Si agree to take it to compete, Eevee performed a vibrant dance.

"But, Eevee, even in the Glamorous Tournament, Pokémon battles are required."

Tong Si reminded Eevee, showing it a full performance video from the tournament.

From the first stage of appearance judging, to the second stage of glamorous battle.

Appearance judging focused on the Pokémon’s attire and dazzling moves, scored accordingly.

In the glamorous battle, Pokémon fought while maintaining elegance and beauty. Each match lasted five minutes, with both sides starting at one hundred points.

Victory went to whichever Pokémon defeated its opponent or had more points remaining when time expired.

"Bu-ee bu-ee!"

Eevee tied a "Strive" headband around its head and began shadowboxing in earnest.

...(To be continued)