Pokémon: Starting with a Bound Entry System

Chapter 101: The Tale of Magikarp—How to Help It Evolve?

"Hikaru, is mine ready?"

Latias asked eagerly, her large, expectant eyes locked on Hikaru as he worked on crafting energy cubes.

"Yes, yes, it's done."

Hikaru handed over the finished energy cubes, setting them in front of Latias.

"Yum!"

Nearby, Misty looked utterly stunned.

"She... she's eating energy cubes?"

"Latias is a Psychic-type capable of human transformation. She can consume Psychic-type energy cubes that I make."

Hikaru explained briefly, and Misty didn't press further but began to fidget uncomfortably.

Noticing her hesitation, Hikaru asked, "What's wrong?"

"Hikaru... big brother..."

The moment those words left her mouth, Hikaru became instantly wary.

That tone never boded well.

And sure enough...

"You see, I dream of becoming a Water-type Pokémon Master. My mom told me that if I manage to stand out during the National High School League qualifiers, she'll finally let me pursue my goal as a Trainer. But... you know..."

Misty's voice trailed off as she glanced between her Pokémon and Hikaru's.

Her strongest Pokémon could only fight Hikaru's weakest Pokémon to a draw.

This stark difference weighed heavily on her.

Although Misty came from a big city and was considered a skilled Trainer there, seeing Hikaru's Pokémon highlighted the enormous gap between them.

Hikaru immediately understood her implication.

"So, you want my help?"

The qualifiers were scheduled to begin in early June and would last for a month.

Currently, it was May 8th, meaning there was just about a month left.

Hikaru turned his attention to her Pokémon:

Lapras: Master-level talent (Level 29)

Starmie: Lord-level talent (Level 26)

Poliwhirl: Lord-level talent (Level 27)

Magikarp: Elite-level talent (Level 14)

The first three Pokémon were fairly impressive, but the last one...

It wasn't that Hikaru looked down on Magikarp, but without evolving, it was unsuitable for battle.

Magikarp was practically synonymous with "useless." In combat, having a Magikarp that could even understand commands was considered a feat.

Seeing Hikaru's complicated expression, Misty became embarrassed.

Among Water-types, Magikarp and Feebas were infamous oddities. Before evolution, they were weak and talentless. But once evolved, they became forces to reckon with—often at least elite-level Pokémon.

In rare cases, like Champion Lance's rumored golden Magikarp, they could evolve into Pokémon with Champion-level talent.

However, such instances were exceptional.

Most Trainers avoided raising Magikarp.

Misty explained awkwardly, "I found this little guy when some kids had fished it up and hung it on a tree. It was barely alive... I couldn't just leave it there."

From her story, Hikaru pieced together how she had acquired Magikarp.

She had scared off the bullies and caught Magikarp in a Poké Ball to rush it to a Pokémon Center.

And after saving it, she couldn't bear to release it.

"That compassion... it's just like the Misty from the anime," Hikaru thought.

He recalled how the original Misty hadn't wanted to catch Psyduck but ended up keeping it after an accident.

Though she initially disliked Psyduck, she never abandoned it.

Given her genuine concern for Pokémon...

"Alright. First, switch their food to what I make."

Hikaru handed Misty some custom energy cubes designed for her Water Pokémon, infused with special attack and talent-boosting properties.

"Really? Thank you so much, Hikaru!"

"Everyone, come eat!"

Misty's Pokémon eagerly surrounded the energy cubes.

It was their first time eating Hikaru's creations, and they seemed to melt with happiness.

The powerful energy and mysterious properties enhancing their potential left them ecstatic.

"If you want to stand out in the qualifiers, your Pokémon must all reach mid-to-late Gym level strength," Hikaru advised.

"That's not enough, though. Magikarp has to evolve."

Misty nodded eagerly, like a student hanging on her teacher's every word.

"Whatever you say, I'll do it!"

She sat cross-legged before Hikaru, her face close to his, as if waiting for instructions.

The faint fragrance of her shampoo lingered, making Hikaru slightly uncomfortable.

Clearing his throat, Hikaru outlined his plan:

1. Challenge Gyms: A must for earning the Gym badges required to participate in the qualifiers.

2. Train in Mystical Zones: Real combat was the best way to boost a Pokémon's strength.

3. Switch to My Energy Cubes: Their Pokémon food would be replaced entirely with his cubes.

Misty hesitated at this last point.

Energy cubes crafted by a top-tier Breeder like Hikaru would cost tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands, on the market.

Feeding her four Pokémon these daily would amount to a small fortune.

"After I pass the qualifiers, I'll give you all the prize money," Misty offered shyly.

The qualifiers' prizes included over a million in support funds for Trainers.

However, Hikaru doubted that would cover the cost of his premium cubes, which were infused with both special attack and talent-enhancing properties.

Items like these could cause waves in the Pokémon food industry if introduced.

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Finally, Hikaru emphasized, "Magikarp must evolve!"

Misty nodded earnestly.

"Yes, yes!"

Hikaru pondered for a moment.

He had a plan—one that might just infuriate Magikarp enough to spark its evolution.

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