-073- Testing Eevee's Abilities

After Leafeon reverted to Eevee form, Tong Si wanted to conduct a series of tests. Eevee, however, was visibly reluctant. Wasn’t this a perfect afternoon for a beauty nap?

“Two hand-crafted Swirl Cream ice creams!” Tong Si held up two fingers.

“Bui!” With a start, Eevee rose, clenched its tiny fists, and its resolve was steely. Sleep? What was sleep compared to special training?

Eevee tied the headband emblazoned with the word “Strive” around its head.

“Bui bui!” Eevee declared: I love special training! Special training makes me happy!

Seeing this, Tong Si couldn’t help but rub his forehead in mild exasperation. For Eevee, food was truly the only effective incentive.

Once Eevee agreed to special training, Tong Si began with a test of the Chlorophyll ability. Unsurprisingly, after reverting to Eevee, the effectiveness of Chlorophyll dropped significantly. Perhaps it was also because Eevee wasn’t as fast as Leafeon, making the ability seem weaker still.

Moreover, though Tong Si’s backyard was lush and filled with flowers, it was nothing compared to Verdant Leaf Forest. The insufficient grass element meant Chlorophyll couldn’t reach its full potential.

In summary, Chlorophyll was still present, but its effect was halved.

“Even so, a halved Chlorophyll ability still has its uses.” Tong Si noted how Eevee’s speed had clearly improved. He had always complained about Eevee’s sluggishness. Now, with even half the effect of Chlorophyll, Eevee was faster—provided the weather was sunny. On rainy days or in extreme weather, Chlorophyll would not activate.

“Eevee, let’s train your Grass-type moves next.”

One by one, Tong Si had Eevee use the moves it had learned as Leafeon: Razor Leaf, Energy Ball, and Synthesis.

It was obvious that after devolving to Eevee, these three moves had become much weaker.

Tong Si understood. After all, a Pokémon’s moves not of its own type were always somewhat less powerful, primarily due to its body not absorbing enough of that element.

Tong Si recalled a research paper he’d read:

“Each Pokémon has its own attribute, and the most powerful moves are always those of its native type. Pokémon are naturally better at absorbing their own element. Even if many Pokémon can learn moves of various types, their power will never reach the same level.”

Tong Si fully agreed with this conclusion.

Electabuzz trained its Fighting moves in the yard every day. On the surface, it seemed to have mastered them, but compared to a true Fighting-type, it was still lacking. In contrast, even with little practice, its Electric-type moves were smooth and powerful. In fact, when Electabuzz absorbed extra electricity in its free time, its Electric-type moves only grew stronger.

Of course, this was also due to Electabuzz’s keen sense for electricity and its special ability to store electrical energy.

Therefore, Tong Si wasn’t surprised that Eevee’s Grass-type moves had been weakened.

“Eevee, use Quick Attack!”

After testing the Grass-type moves, Tong Si wanted to see if Eevee’s Normal-type move, Quick Attack, had changed.

“Bui!”

“Bui bui…”

As Eevee dashed, Tong Si was surprised to find that its Quick Attack was as sharp as ever, not much weaker than during its Leafeon phase.

“Is it still because of innate power?” Tong Si mused, supporting his chin with his hand as he pondered the changes in elemental energy.

“Perhaps I should have Eevee learn Swift.”

Tong Si hesitated for a long moment. Swift was a move Eevee might learn naturally after reaching level twenty. But considering Eevee’s lazy nature, Tong Si doubted it would learn the move on its own. Even Electabuzz hadn’t learned Swift naturally—though in Electabuzz’s case, that was because it spent most of its time training Electric and Fighting moves, and had little affinity for Normal-type moves.

“System, exchange for the Swift move!”

After some indecision, Tong Si made up his mind. He’d exchange for the move—both Eevee and Electabuzz could learn it, so it would be well worth it.

[Beep-boop]

[Swift move exchanged for eighty thousand points. Points deducted. Exchange successful.]

Tong Si found the Swift move in his [Bag] under [Skills].

“Let Eevee learn Swift.”

[Beep-boop]

[Eevee has learned Swift.]

Once the system notification ended, Tong Si checked the data panel and saw that Eevee had indeed acquired Swift.

“Eevee, use Swift!”

Tong Si wanted to see just how powerful Eevee’s newly learned Swift could be.

“Target Shuckle,” he directed, pointing to the onlooker nearby.

“Shu shu???”

Shuckle was utterly bewildered. It was only there to watch—why was it suddenly the target?

“Bui!”

Eevee turned to Shuckle, channeling Normal-type energy into a barrage of star-shaped rays that surged toward Shuckle.

Frightened, Shuckle immediately withdrew into its shell.

Bang!

The Swift attack crashed against Shuckle’s shell.

When the assault was over, not even a scratch marred the shell.

“Bui!”

Eevee, seeing this, became furious. It had attacked with such force, yet Shuckle didn’t even budge? Wasn’t this just an insult?

Eevee marched right up to Shuckle’s shell, grabbed it, and began to shake it violently before slamming it back down.

Bang!

Shuckle still didn’t react.

A mark resembling Primeape’s signature rage icon appeared above Eevee’s head. The next instant, Eevee ran over, stuck its paw into the shell’s hole, and drummed furiously inside.

“Shu shu!”

Feeling the pain, Shuckle scrambled out and began to berate Eevee as if to say, “Personal attacks are uncalled for!”

“All right, you two, that’s enough. Well done, both of you!” Tong Si hurried over to mediate.

Eevee was still sulking—despite all its effort, its attack had no effect on Shuckle. Who wouldn’t be upset?

“Eevee, your Swift was well executed.” Tong Si praised Eevee. As expected, using a move of its own type produced better results. Tong Si even considered teaching Eevee more Normal-type moves in the future.

“Shuckle, your defense was impressive too!” This was the first time since capturing Shuckle that Tong Si had seen it take a hit. In truth, having Eevee attack Shuckle was also a test of Shuckle’s defenses.

All in all, Shuckle’s defensive power was indeed formidable.

However, defense alone wouldn’t suffice—unless in a team battle, such as two-on-two or three-on-three. In single battles, mere defense made victory difficult.

Currently, Shuckle didn’t know many moves, and their power seemed… rather lacking.

…(To be continued)