Pokémon: Check-In System

Inside the VR Virtual World.

On a ten-meter-square open training field, four massive machines stood at each corner. Each machine had a small indentation at the top, and as they vibrated slightly, tennis balls were fired one after another from these indentations.

Combusken was currently restrained by a forced training device. The display on the device indicated a fourfold burden, meaning it was carrying four times its own weight.

The added presence of mechanical short arms further increased the difficulty of its movements.

However, as a tennis ball shot toward it at high speed, Combusken's sharp eyes gleamed, and with a swift sidestep, it effortlessly dodged the attack.

The assault wasn't over yet.

Three more tennis balls came hurtling toward it from different directions. Reacting with incredible precision, Combusken pushed off the ground with its powerful legs, leaping high into the air and effortlessly avoiding the incoming projectiles.

Despite the immense weight it bore, Combusken demonstrated astonishing agility.

The machines increased their difficulty over time, firing tennis balls at greater speeds and with higher frequency.

After about four minutes, the machines abruptly stopped for five seconds before emitting a buzzing sound. The rate of fire suddenly skyrocketed, reminiscent of encountering an Ariados and getting ensnared by its web.

Tennis balls now flew from all directions.

"Cha-mo—!!"

Combusken let out a sharp cry, leaving behind a streak of white light as it swiftly dodged the relentless barrage.

Despite the overwhelming onslaught, Combusken remained calm and composed, moving in its own rhythm, evading every ball with practiced ease.

Three minutes later, the machines stopped once more.

"It's time."

Nero fixed his gaze on the training machines.

Combusken's expression also grew serious.

With a thunderous roar, the four machines suddenly uprooted themselves from the ground. They began to orbit around Combusken at blinding speed, glowing with a crystalline pink hue.

Their rotation speed became so rapid that even Nero and Combusken could no longer track them with the naked eye.

"You can do this."

Nero encouraged Combusken.

It had been an entire week since the rigorous training for the technique Shave had begun.

Day after day, Combusken had repeated this dodge training.

It had been knocked down countless times, only to rise again each time, forging a resilience that had significantly enhanced its speed and endurance.

If it could overcome this final challenge, victory would be at hand!

This time, the intensity of the attack was overwhelming—tennis balls rained down from every possible direction, completely covering the battlefield.

And then—

Combusken slightly lifted its foot, its keen eyes flashing with determination. In an instant, its legs moved, stepping on the ground at high speeds multiple times in succession. The resulting counterforce exploded beneath it!!

From a distance, Nero could only see streaks of fiery orange-red afterimages flickering through the air.

Combusken was so fast that its figure blended seamlessly with the storm of tennis balls. More importantly, there was no sound of impact—meaning it had dodged every single ball flawlessly!

The explosive speed of Shave was even faster than Quick Attack. Moreover, as Combusken continued using it, it grew increasingly adept, mastering the technique through consecutive bursts of acceleration!

Ding!

[Congratulations, Host! Your Combusken has fully mastered the move [Shave].]

Nero was caught off guard—he hadn't expected the system to actively notify him with such a celebratory effect.

How surprising.

With the training duration complete, the machines powered down and stopped.

"Cha-mo, cha-mo~"

The forced training device's timer had also run out. The mechanical arms retracted, and the burden on Combusken was suddenly lifted.

Combusken stretched its limbs and threw a couple of practice kicks, clearly pleased with its newfound lightness.

"Combusken, that was amazing."

Nero was highly satisfied with its performance.

"Cha-mo~" Combusken responded happily.

"By the way, today is a special day. Let's go out and take a walk."

...

As the setting sun painted the sky with hues of gold and crimson, Galas City transformed into a breathtaking sunset scene.

Ordinarily, Galas City was peaceful in the evening, but today, it was bustling with excitement.

It was New Year's Eve—the final night of the year.

"The crackling of firecrackers bids farewell to the old year."

It signified the passing of the old year, making way for the new.

Unknowingly, Nero had already spent over a month in this world. Today marked the year's final day.

He sighed with emotion.

The streets were lined with stalls stretching as far as the eye could see, and the crowd never seemed to thin.

As he strolled through the lively marketplace, he noticed that many young women were dressed beautifully, their figures looking very good.

But considering it was the middle of winter, they were still wearing such light clothing, exposing their long, fair legs—Nero couldn't help but wonder if they wouldn't freeze.

The evening air of New Year's Eve was chilly. Though the bustling crowd generated some warmth, Nero's body had a naturally low tolerance for cold.

He rubbed his hands together for warmth, feeling slightly better, but still shivering. Meanwhile, Combusken, thanks to its Fire-type nature and thick plumage, remained completely unaffected by the cold.

Watching Combusken's cozy state, Nero suddenly had an idea. He turned toward Combusken with a mischievous smile.

"Combusken, let me borrow a few of your feathers."

Without waiting for a response, Nero plucked a few of Combusken's feathers and tucked them against his stomach. The warmth radiated through him instantly.

Just like a portable heat pack—amazing.

However, Nero quickly reassured himself: his naturally cold constitution wasn't due to kidney issues...

After all, he had taken plenty of Rehmannia pills…

And if the pills didn't work, then clearly, it wasn't a kidney problem!

Combusken, now missing a few feathers, cast a resentful glance at Nero. It then fluffed up its plumage, looking pitifully at him.

It was a well-known fact that Combusken's gender could be determined by its crest—males had lush, thick head feathers, while females had sparser ones.

If Nero kept plucking its feathers, Combusken feared it might start looking like a female!

That would utterly ruin its imposing image!

Combusken resolved to voice its strong objections to Nero and protect its masculine dignity!

However…

Not only did Nero completely ignore its protests, but he also plucked another feather and handed it to a nearby adorable little girl—

Accompanying his action with an unsettling statement:

"Little girl, take this feather. It's really warm~"

----- 

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